quite often Ruth goes up to volcanoes despite frequent rains and winds on the Westman islands. she watches bird life, notices changes in the shape and colour of frozen lava, finds new plants. Ruth doesn't keep track of time; she has no wrist watch. 

she moved to the islands from Germany 35 years ago, after her first husband died. while living in Iceland, Ruth has lost two more husbands. both her children are settled on the mainland.

Ruth has occupied various proffessions during her life, now she is 71 years old and retired.

she has a house with a garden where she grows wild flowers brought from the mountains.

"when I come here, time seems to stop, and I forget myself", Ruth told me when we climbed to one of the highest peaks of the island, "I just enjoy".

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2019

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published in "Next to you" magazine