København

If you ever get a chance, GO TO COPENHAGEN Denmark or as it's properly written København Danmark! (I was so confused about whether or not it was CopenHAYgen or CopenHAgen...and it turns out...it's really neither! (at least not in Danish). Before meeting three AWESOME guys from there this winter in a Budapest hostel...I hadn't ever really thought about visiting any of the Scandinavian countries. I'm glad I met these guys and I'm glad we have stayed in touch because I got to peek into their world this weekend and it was really great.

Copenhagen is home to about 1 million people and there are approximately 2 bikes per household (minimum I think) so...you do the math, a lot of freakin bikes! It's a relatively small city but it has a lot to offer: outdoor cafes, AMAZING shopping, the sea port for boating, canoeing and the likes, and of course my new favorite (even though I suck at it) biking. Sebastian (1 of 3 said awesome Danes) came to meet me at the airport upon arrival and we went to dinner and to meet up with awesome guy 2 of 3, Adam for food, drinks and desserts. It was a chill night with very little action because we were saving up our energy for the following day where we were going to go out and be touristy, my new favorite pastime. Saturday morning we headed out to see the sites of Copenhagen but not without first stumbling upon a cool antique car show.

we were at a stop light so I got a little of the car show action

We were first on a mission to get Sebastian some proper walking shoes. We proceeded to the main shopping area, which is a pedestrian street full of amazing stores from boutiques to high end stores, to just cute stores full of Danish knick knacks. When we stumbled upon the store where he was going to make the purchase of the comfy shoes I was almost blinded. The shoes he bought are highlighter green. Let's just say he got lots of stares walking down the street and from the moment he put those shoes on and walked out of the store, I never lost track of him. I'm preeeeetty sure they glow in the dark.

After the wacky morning purchase we were off to Rosenborg Castle to see the changing of the guards. We started at Rosenborg Castle and ended up at Amalienborg Castle (both homes of Queen Margrethe II).



Sebastian is a dedicated military official in Denmark and gave me an amazing recount of history, and more importantly his daily life at work. It was nice to see a friend in his element and understand military life a bit. I got special treatment by getting to check out places the average tourist doesn't get to see and let's just say a bearskin hat was involved and leave it at that ;)






After the changing of the guards, we headed to the port area (gorgeous) to get a traditional Danish meal for lunch.



The meal included rye bread for EVERYTHING, romoulade sauce, mayo, chicken salad, roast beef, and potatoes with chives. Every bit of each open faced sandwich was equally delicious. When in Denmark...eat a sandwich.

When we were finished stuffing our faces with sandwiches, I was introduced to the Danish ice cream that has a cone on top with cream and jelly on top. (YES, I gained 5 pounds on this trip...you know I like food.) After ice cream came the boat cruise around Copenhagen.

Here are some of the things we saw:











I would tell you a little bit about what our guide told us about the things in these pictures but since our tour guide didn't actually speak English, Danish or German well (the languages she's paid to know to give tours) I barely understood most of the things she said. Two heads is better than one trying to figure this Swed out and with 2.5 out of 3 of the languages under out belts...she was unintelligable. The boat cruise was a great way to see areas of the city I wouldn't have seen otherwise. Definitely a bonus.


THEN of course...I was ready to window shop. it was time to peruse the shopping district more in depth. I am sticking to my guns on the whole "buy local" thing I've got going on lately. It was really challenging though because they are one of the only European nations that has Urban Outfitters. My heart went pitter patter when I saw it but I didn't even enter because I knew it'd be nothing but trouble. I bought a pair of glasses, and a pair of shoes but anything else and I'd have to sell my first born child to afford to shop in Copenhagen. DENMARK IS EXPENSIVE! OMG I was warned about it but I didn't think it could be THAT expensive. I took out 50 euro before I left and said I was going to convert that and try not to put over 50 more euro on my card...well, the first night I ended up paying 35 euro for a cheeseburger, a chai tea, and a brownie. Remind me never to spend 35 euro on a burger again no matter how delicious it is.

After the boat tour and a bit of shopping, we went to the King's Gardens. It's really beautiful and peaceful. King's Garden has a huge lawn where people are just laying out with blankets having picnics or just relaxing. We headed into the gardens right across from the Rosenborg Castle and enjoyed the weather, and were glad to sit down because we were tired!




After we shuffled around the garden we headed to continue the shuffle around the Citadel. We saw a couple taking their post-wedding pics there, it was really cute. Here are some photos from said shuffle:

very good work, Seb.

this cute little heart is on the sides of the watch tower thingy that the guards watching post stand outside of. I feel like lovey cute little hearts don't mesh very well with the whole standing guard thing but it was really cute anyway.

so I violated the rule...no walking on the grass. arrest me!

That evening we discussed meeting up to go see a local band play but we never made it and instead played Wii and watched really BAD movies from the 80s and early 90s. I haven't played Super Mario bros. since at least the early 90s but it's an oldie but goodie for sure.

Sunday morning we met up at one of the guys' favorite new brunch spots and ate all morning and afternoon until it was time for me to leave for my plane. I had a great time in Denmark and plan on returning when I have that REAL, SERIOUS money in the bank, can recall how to effectively ride a bike, and have time to stay for the summer festivals with the boys.

Mark gives great face, takes dope shots, and spills crap. Gotta love him.

Cutie Adam in his awesomely green pants and new hair cut, feeling so crappy and barely able to speak and he still came to brunch.

what sweeties. they walked me to my train. too bad i took the wrong one after they put me on the train and told me how to get there...

Things I discovered/learned/+/or contemplated while in Copenhagen:

1. The Danish have a very keen fashion sense.

2. Scandinavian countries are the best furniture designers, hands down.

3. The S train is almost Jetson-ish...very high tech but the metro system itself is kind of a pain

4. Riding bikes is THE way to get around. Especially if you have the dope Christiania bikes

5. Putting your kid, your groceries and your handbag in a box in the front of your bike is good

6. Lime green shoes would be great for night runs

7. Super Mario Bros. is the only video game I should EVER try to play because I'm REALLY bad at all others.

8. I love the sea, at least by boat, or canoe if someone else is rowing.

9. Hare Krishnas are pretttttty wacky people.

10. Brunch is the best meal EVER and I have somehow gained an appreciation for baked beans during breakfast...I've been in Europe too long.

11. Rice pudding with raspberries is scrumptious

12. Rye bread should be incorporated into more dishes.

13. Bear skin hats weigh a ton! ;)

14. I thought German was a hard language...but actually now that I've heard so much Danish, it sounds like a piece of cake.

15. You should charge your cell phone before traveling to an unfamiliar country AND you should bring the number of the people you're visiting.

16. Danish establishments don't really like VISA or Master Card juuuust Danish cards with some kinda chip.

17. 7-Eleven is not actually open from 7-11 or any other normal, useful time in Denmark.

18. Adam has awesome new hair and bright green pants which are both AWESOME.

19. Not much in Copenhagen can be bought for under 50 euros.

20. You should pay attention to the direction of the train before you get on it, head in the wrong direction, and almost miss your flight.


Why is this my last picture you ask? Well it's not exactly what I wanted a picture of but these cute little bikes, specifically the Christianiabikes were my big fascination and the last day, sitting in front of the café where we ate brunch I was eye-stalking them so I could get a picture of a mom or dad driving around their kids, dog, groceries and other goodies. Since I couldn't ever get my camera out in time to capture that lovely typical Copenhagen moment I figured I'd leave this fake, wannabe version as my last memory...

stay tuned, more bikes, flowers and strangers are coming. Next up, Amsterdam!