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.