One week down, too few to go...

I've spent an entire week here and I can't say enough good things. To be fair, Denmark isn't a perfect place. But I've had many more good experiences than bad, especially when it comes to interacting with Danish people. For instance, the imperfect public transportation system turned our nearly 40 minute train commute into a nearly 60 minute commute a few days this week to due rain and train congestion (how does that happen?), but every time the conductor made an announcement, someone was glad to translate the bad news for me.

And the commute will only get worse because the weather will only get worse. It hasn't been cold or excessively rainy like you've probably imagined. It was in the mid to high 70s last week (that is, 24 degrees) and we only had serious rain early Saturday morning. But it is humid and none of the buildings have air conditioning because their weather is generally mild and electricity prices are sky high.

I started classes on Thursday with Holocaust and Genocide, and I had Psychology and Criminal Behavior (PCB) on Friday. There are no DIS classes held on Wednesdays so that professors can plan field trips. This Wednesday morning I'll be going to Cafe Exit with my PCB class, which I gather is similar to halfway house, and in the afternoon my Holocaust class is going to a Jewish museum close by.

Friday night kicked off my first official weekend in Copenhagen. The atmosphere was great on Friday evening - live music in every square, people sitting around fountains, on benches, and outside at restaurants having a glass of wine or beer (drinking in public places/open container is legal here) and talking for hours on end. Danes are known for their long and drawn out dinners which can last up to 5 hours. Chelsea, Sarah, Duyen and I dined al fresco and split spaghetti bolognese and bruschetta. Danes love Italian food.

 
And late at night, relatively cheap and delicious food is easy to come by with hot dog stands, pancake trucks, middle eastern fast food, and of course, McDonald's and 7-11. I bought a $4 slurpee but it was totally worth it. I have a wide audience so I'll keep my comments on nightlife brief, but for all of the 20-somethings reading, the after midnight scene is a lot of fun and pre-gaming on the train is totally acceptable. Personally, I love the openness and ability to meet people from all over the world. We've chatted up quite a few Danes but we've also met a Brazilian, some Kazakstanis, and a British pilot named Barrington.

And as if traipsing around CPH (read: cobblestone sidewalks) for 5 hours in heels last night wasn't enough, Chelsea and I joined her host mother Lone and friends Helle and Maria for a 10 km Ecco walkathon this morning in the city. For each kilometer we walked, ECCO donated 1 euro (about $1.60) to a charity. The organization I chose was the SOS Children's Villages which helps poor, abandoned, and orphaned children around the world.

We began at a military base called Kastellet. See the map below to follow our trail. Highlights included 1) walking through the courtyard of the royal palace, 2) walking along Nyhavn which is THE picture of Copenhagen that you see of colorful houses and sailboats in the harbor, and  3) walking through Christiania, the infamous free town (hippie commune). If I wasn't already convinced I was moving to Denmark, Chrstiania did it for me.




Looking fresh and chilling with the little mermaid.

 

Amalienborg, the royal palace. This buidling is 1/4 of it.
The flying flag means the crown prince and princess were at home.



The guards at the palace. Similar to the royal guards in England but I think these guys
are allowed to blink.



And after the most physically active week I've had in possibly my whole life, Lisbeth, Lone, Chelsea and I sat down for a nice dinner Saturday night. The salad in the picture was primarily salmon and avocado, which is surprisingly really popular in Denmark, For dinner we had pork stuffed with red pesto and wrapped in bacon with potatoes and a sort of barley/oat medly with dried apricots and pine nuts. Dessert was chocolate mousse with homemade whipped cream and sliced almonds. I am eating splendidly.



Chelsea and Lisbeth with our dinner.




Lone and myself.

Thanks for reading everyone and have a great week. And be safe with all of this unusually extreme east coast weather! With love.

Am I a Dane?

When I first heard that Denmark was a popular study abroad option, I balked. But now I believe that I could not have been sent to a culture that fits my personality any better.

Danes are planners. They are conscientious and polite, but direct and bold. They are clean (very little litter, clean up after selves). And they are openminded. If you know me well you've been nodding your head because I'm the same way. Not to mention that they 'walk with purpose' - or really quickly and confidently. And after working on my danish 'accent' I've been mistaken for a Dane at least 3 times.

My first day in the city was great. I feel at home already and am very familiar with the area around DIS. My first purchase was a Fransk hot dog and afterward I picked up some school supplies at Tiger. Yesterday evening, Chelsea (another student in the neighborhood) and I went over to the beach/habor, about a 5 minute drive. The water is absolutely clear. We saw a boat from New Jersey (!) and I felt like I was right back at home, walking along the dock in Maryland or Delaware. We also stood for 5 minutes and watched some rather large spiders weave webs near a light post. Neither of us had ever watched closely enough to actually see the spider pull the web from its backside. It was amazing.

 

I was back in the city today (after another 40 minute train ride) and bought my first cup of kaffe. It was 23 dkk. Or approximately $4.60 usd.

Yeah, over $4 for a small cup of coffee with nothing extra. In our opening ceremony, the director of DIS joked that he hoped we didn't come to Copenhagen because 1) we confused it with Amsterdam, 2) for the weather, or 3) for the prices. And in the fashion of Danish humor, he told us not to blame him, but if our grandparents would have saved better our dollars would be worth more. But also be aware that their sales tax is 25%!

Speaking of monetary conversion, I'm getting really good at dividing by 5. "Oh look, that sweater is 279 dkk" :10 seconds later: "$56." This little skill came in handy today when we took to Strøget, the longest pedestrian street in Europe and prime shopping district. I bought a dress and skirt at H&M, and am excited to dress every day. Whereas at Gettysburg I blend in with a pair of leggings, sperrys, and patagonia, I'm looking forward to throwing on a blazer, dress, tights, and leather boots to go to the city for the day. And if I had known that converse are so popular in CPH I would have packed my pink hi-tops.

Today when I got home, Lisbeth and I biked into town (I'm getting much better at jumping on and off) and I bought a planner. Their square is one of the oldest in the world and they have the oldest house in all of Denmark.

I could not have asked for a better host family than Lisbeth. I appreciate that she is very open about everything and allows me to do as I please. I'm glad to follow her very few rules and think we will get on fine. I haven't been too homesick, but when I am maybe I'll have some McDonald's and Ben & Jerry's. Although McD's probably doesn't have a 5 dkk menu...

Roomz with Dansk Dogz.

Fountain in the old city section of CPH. When I know more about it I will update.

Settled In

Without much hassle we made it to Copenhagen early this morning. Lisbeth met me at the airport and took me and another girl living in our neighborhood to her house. It is small, but very cute and in perfect Danish design. She is very conscious about energy/utility use and has skylights and big windows.

We rode bikes around the neighborhood and up to the train station where I will catch the A or E train to anywhere in the greater Copenhagen area. I need to brush up on my "start riding by hopping on one pedal" since these bikes are clearly made for tall Danes.

My room is wonderful. I love the desk space and am glad to have some TV in english for when I get homesick.

  

 

On the plane I met an elderly couple returning to their native country, Latvia, which they had fled as children during WWII - they had some interesting stories. And although it is 11am at "home," it is "17" here and dinner is nearly ready. But I'm safe and sound and will have more to add later in the week.

Ready to Go!

100 pounds and what feels like 100 hours later I'm packed and ready for Denmark. I'll be flying out of Philadelphia at 12pm, out of Newark at 5, and arriving at Katstrup in Copenhagen at 7:20am Sunday.

My host mom, Lisbeth, will meet me and take me to her home in Køge, a seaport 39 kilometers southwest of Copenhagen. I will be commuting to Copenhagen at least 4 days a week for classes via the s-tog (train).

E-mail me for my address or european phone number while I'm away. I'll miss you guys!