Danish Psycling Adventures:: Denmark in a Day!

I’ve just dropped Emily off at the Metro and I am heading home on the train. It has been a busy past 48 hours during which I think there was probably a total of 15 minutes of silence (the rest of the time we were talking nonstop). I’ll do my best to recap our adventures, which I have titled Denmark in One Day. I am quite proud that I was able to navigate/plan and get us to all of the major attractions in central CPH in just one day (well, it was kind of 1.5, but that doesn't have as nice of a ring to it). It signaled that I really am comfortable in my new home.

On Saturday morning Lars was kind enough to drive me to pick Emily up at the airport. We arrived just as she cleared customs and as she and I walked out to the car, I commented on how lucky we were with the weather; the forecast had been for clouds and the sun was shining when we joined Lars in the car. However, by the time we had gotten home, the blue skies had been replaced by dark grey clouds, ushered in by (very) strong winds. Determined to brave the cold and wind, she and I headed out into the city for the afternoon.

Emily enjoying "American food" in Copenhagen

The wind was bitter cold and made exploring rather unpleasant. We did walk down Stroget (main street in the city center) and get lunch out at the cheapest place we could find (which of course was still expensive). In the 10 minutes between when we left the train station and sat down to eat lunch, we saw more bizzare things in town than I have seen in the entire time I’ve been here.

First there were two giant polar bears, accompanied by a boombox blasting music (that someone was pushing around in a cart). It turns out that they were associated with Green Peace and were creating awareness about the

environment and animal protection. It was quite adorable to see them posing with the Danes, but I assured Emily that this was not normal for Copenhagen.

Polar bears on Stroget... nbd

However, about 3 minutes later, two (really weird) giant wooden people came strolling down the street. I had no explanation for what they were supposed to be representing or doing, and once again tried to explain that this wasn’t very typical.

I don’t have a good picture of the third strange thing we saw, but a man came biking down Stroget on a bike that had 6 seats all in a circle. He obviously used it for tourists, but we couldn’t really figure out how it would work. All in all, a very interesting first 20 minutes in the city!

We walked around a bit and saw a few sites: the parliament building, the Royal library (Black Diamond), and thought about walking to see Christiania, but Emily hadn't slept in over 36 hours (she had taken the overnight coach from her school to a London airport to fly to Copenhagen) so we opted to go home and relax.

The sky was SO grey

Inside one of the reading room in the Black Diamond

That night we had dinner with my host family. Helle made a traditional Danish meatloaf (made with chunks of pork and wrapped in a layer of bacon. It was delicious and we had a really fun time (Emily fit right in).

Dinner time

We spent the night relaxing at home. We talked a lot and did a little bit of homework (lame, I know, but we both had things that had to get done). Then we watched a movie with my family and stayed up talking much later than we thought we would (but that always happens).

Bags of bakery treats!

The next morning I went with Lars to the family's favorite bakery to pick up some breakfast pastries/breads. I wanted to treat my family to something special (especially in light of their hosting Emily). We brought back a delicious assortment of rolls and baked goods (which took about 20 minutes to devour).

After breakfast, Emily and I got ready for our full day in Copenhagen. I had planned quite a route for us to take that would bring us past some of the major landmarks and my favorite places. I've mapped our route on GoogleMaps so you can get an idea of where we traveled.

I'll use photos to track our journey and will add commentary where necessary:

We planned to bike to the train station, but unfortunately Mira's bike was too tall for either of us to use so instead we took the bus.

Waiting, waiting, waiting

While we waited, a Danish woman paced anxiously several meters away from the bus shelter. Then she saw me take a picture of Emily (the one shown above) and rushed over. She asked very enthusiastically if we wanted her to take a picture of us together (keep in mind that we are at the bus station... not the most exciting location). We thanked her and gave her the camera just as the bus pulled up. We got on, punched our tickets, and she lined us up to take a photo (now on the bus). We had a good laugh afterwards.

First picture together in Copenhagen... on the bus!

We made it and began the journey showed on the route above at Kongens Nytorv Metro Station (A). We found our way to Nyhavn, (New Harbor) the main and most famous harbor in Copenhagen.

On the way train the metro station. Emily finds posing with this statue very funny.

Stop B: Nyhavn

It was beautiful!

I've been to Nyhavn before, but there were very few people. Today it was packed with everyone enjoying the sun.

Getting this photograph took a LOT of effort. It was so sunny and my eyes were burning.

Before we left, we got to see the royal guards walking through the streets

Stop C: Amalienborg Castle

This is the castle where the royal family resides. I was able to recount a lot of the history that we learned during our stop here on the Copenhagen amazing race

This is one of my favorite photos of the day. It was taking a while for the person to actually take the picture and so I ended up unable to resist the urge to rub my eyes. The result is that it looks like I have received devastating news and Emily is kind of annoyed that I am upset and ruining the picture, but wants to be a good friend anyway.

Stop D: The Little Mermaid

There is a famous Hans Christian-Andresen story about the Little Mermaid (which the Disney story is based on). Like most fairy tales from that time, the actual story is horrible and involves murder and brutal death. However, there is a famous statue of the Little Mermaid constructed in 1913 and that still sits in the water today. I'd heard that she is WAY underwhelming, but I actually found her to be very pretty.

Approaching the mermaid... she'd drawn quite a crowd.

Sitting gazing into the water

Another photo that was rather painful to stand for (I think layers of my eyes burned off slowly during the day)

We stopped for lunch on a part of the pier near the mermaid. This was our view.

Stop E: Kastelskirken, Kastellet

We then went by the old church and through the military base/windmill that Evan and I found last month. It was just as beautiful this time, although it was much more crowded. Since I posted tons of pictures last time, I'm only including two here.

The windmill

It almost looks like more like fall instead of spring, interesting given that it was the dead of winter last time I was here.

On the way to the train station we walked by a clearing with this statue. Of course I had to pose for a picture with her.

The resemblance is striking.

Stop F: Oesterport Train Station

Stop G: Rosenborg Castle

The castle and gardens are places that I have visited several times before, but I wanted to show Emily and have a chance to sit somewhere nice while evening settled.

Near the back entrance of the castle

I can't wait to see what it looks like in the spring

Very dramatic with the sun behind the castle and the tiny Danish flag visible to the left

An old woman came to feed the ducks with her dog whose name sounded exactly like "Chicago."

The Bully Bird who kept pushing all the other birds around :(

The sun started to set and we went on our way in the general direction of dinner

We stopped at several souvenir stores to kill time before dinner. I posed with a viking outside one shop.

Emily inspected the viking's arm, which looked like it was made of real (but decaying) skin. Gross.

The WORST interpretation of "the little mermaid" on a souvenir t-shirt.

Stop H: Ristorante Vesuvio

My family had recommended a really nice Italian restaurant in CPH that was not too expensive (our only requirement was that it not be too expensive). Food in CPH is very, very expensive and we are both on a budget.