Reasons I Elsker DK (#23-29)

Reason #23: Varied landscapes! I've now traveled to several different parts of the country and have seen that in it's small geographic size, Denmark's packed a lot in. Of course there's the city of Copenhagen, but also the forests, lakes, waterfronts, beaches (which I will be visiting in just a few weeks), and of course the cliffs of Mons Klint. Since it was my most recent adventure, I'm using one of the Mons Klint photos here to represent this reason I <3 DK.


Reason #24: Environmentalism and Sustainability! I've talked a lot about my love for Denmark's environmental focus throughout the semester, but will summarize here: My new, sustainability-oriented lifestyle involves 4-minute showers, line drying my clothes, taking my bike and/or public transit pretty much everywhere, heating the house using the fireplace, and turning off the lights every time I leave the room. At a societal level you see the same behaviors in addition to Denmark's stellar use of solar and wind energy. Already, 20% of Denmark's energy produced is renewable, primarily using wind turbines. DK's goal is to use 100% renewable energy by 2050, which seems possible given that Copenhagen is the first carbon-neutral city in the world. More than 400km of bike paths line the central city streets, which is useful since roughly 40% of Copenhagen-ers commute to work by bike. The US has some MAJOR catching up to do.




Reason #25: Playgrounds! Denmark is full of totally awesome playgrounds. The have put any jungle-gyms I've seen in the US to shame. There are zip lines and rolling platforms, giant boats (see the photo), and even trampoline mats on the ground. I've thoroughly enjoyed stopping to play every time the opportunity arises (i.e. when there aren't too many Danish children already there). ;-)

Reason #26: Copenhagen on the weekends! Copenhagen just may be my favorite city in the world, and there is no better time to visit and walk around than on virtually any weekend afternoon. You will find strange street performers, tons and tons of children and families, bike-carts with newspapers (and even wine/beer), and if it is the first or last Sunday of the month, plenty of people enjoying an extra day to shop. As you stroll, you'll take in the sights, sounds (street musicians) and smells of pastries, nuts, and crepes.

Reason #27: The Danish flag! This may seem like a strange reason to love Denmark, but I think the Danes' incorporation of their flag into culture is a fantastic tradition. The time that it is used the most is birthday celebrations. Not only do you wake up the birthday person by singing and waving Danish flags, but the tablecloth you use at any party is covered with tiny flags, a giant Danish flag is posted outside the front door to show all who pass that someone is celebrating a birthday, and presents are wrapped in flag-printed paper. On the birthday's of Danish royalty (or National holidays), all public buses have tiny Danish flags attached to their mirrors.

Reason #28: Candles! There are about 100 photos I could have used for this reason. Candles decorate pretty much every table in a restaurant/cafe (and during the winter months are kept alight alllll day long). Candles are a necessity in any household and help to keep this huggeligt (cozy). I belived I mentioned in a post during my first study tour that when the light in our hostel bathroom didn't work, the employee offered us candles instead. Shower by candlelight=the most relaxing experience. :-)

Reason #29: Biking traffic lights! I know that I've already given bikes a special place in my list of reasons I <3 DK, but now that spring is finally here (or at least, almost here) even MORE people are out on cycles and I am very much in love with Denmark's biking traffic lights. They help to keep order as all the bicyclists whizz by, and since the Danes are pretty incredible law-abiding citizens, it makes being a pedestrian a lot less stressful.