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I finally saw free hot water at a gas station in Iceland and it changed how I pack for trips
So I was driving the Ring Road in Iceland 3 months ago, and I pulled into this random gas station near Vik to use the bathroom. Next to the building there was a little spigot with a sign that said hot water, free for travelers. I watched like 4 different people fill up thermoses and instant noodle cups. I had spent $18 on coffee that morning alone and here was hot water for nothing. The sign was in Icelandic and English, so it was clearly meant for tourists like me. I started asking around and locals told me these hot water taps are pretty normal at gas stations there. Meanwhile back home in the US I am paying $4 for a cup of hot water for my tea. I packed a thermos and a few packs of instant soup for the rest of the trip and saved probably $60. Does anyone else plan their packing around stuff like this or am I the only weirdo who brings soup on vacation?
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marywilson10d ago
Did you know this is actually a thing in a lot of countries? I ran into the same setup in Japan, not at gas stations but at rest stops on the highway, free hot water taps right next to the vending machines. After that I started packing a collapsible kettle and those little miso soup packets everywhere I go, and it honestly saves me on breakfast too since I can just do instant oatmeal in the room. The thermos trick works great but a wide mouth one is key, the narrow ones are a pain to clean noodles out of. Now my whole family thinks I'm nuts but I've got a little pouch in my carry on with soup, tea bags, and a spork and it has paid for itself so many times over.
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