Page 3 of elisabethampthor Travel Blog Posts


Europe » Denmark » Region Hovedstaden » Birkerød October 1st 2009

First I was busy, then I was unproductive, but now I'm back. But still fairly unproductive. Saturday, September 26, 2009: The climate is a hot issue in Denmark. Unlike the United States, their available resources and land have always been limited (read: no manifest destiny) so the Danes have developed an acute and sophisticated sense of awareness when it comes to reducing, reusing, and recycling, emphasis on the reduce part. There's an island called Samsø that is entirely self sufficient, as far as energy is concerned. Wind power produces nearly 20% of Denmark's energy. So it makes sense that climate and environmental activists here take themselves very seriously. SHUT IT DOWN (shutitdown.dk) is "a mass civil disobedient action which will close down a coal power plant in Copenhagen. SHUT IT DOWN claims: capitalism is the source ... read more
Shut It Down 2
Gammeltorv
Olympic cow

Europe » Denmark » Region Hovedstaden » Birkerød September 24th 2009

I don't mean to disappoint, but this week has been kind of slow. I know, I know, studying abroad is supposed to be glamorous and full of crazy adventures and mis-communications. But I'm the dull exception to that rule for now. I finally started Danish lessons, twice a week, for three hours each day! I'm studying at Studieskolen, which is downtown. The other students are from Brazil, Portugal, Spain, Germany, Austria, England, Italy, and the USA. I can talk about the weather and deliver a message for you if you're late to work. Good stuff. Since class is three hours long we take a break half-way through. I went across the street to buy a bagel and I ordered in Danish. The man responded in English. But I decided I wasn't gonna play his game. So ... read more

Europe » Denmark » Region Hovedstaden » Birkerød September 20th 2009

I would now like to introduce a new section of the blog called TINADAD - Things I've Noticed about Denmark and Danes. (You should pronounce the acronym like Trinidad but without the r.) TINADAD 1: Gas here costs about 9,71 kr/liter. After some simple arithmetic I've discovered that gas costs about 7.25 USD/gallon. Apparently though, the cars are much more fuel-efficient. The other day I read an article in one of the free Danish-language newspapers that I pick up every morning at the S-tog station (the train I take to school, tog meaning train in Danish) about how to maximize the fuel economy of your car, like keeping the windows up and shifting gears at the appropriate times. At least I'm pretty sure that's what it said. TINADAD 2: Many Danish women wear leggings/tight pants/tights under ... read more
From the top
Vor Frelsers Kirke
Captain

Europe » Germany » Hamburg » Hamburg September 16th 2009

I woke up in Lubeck at 730. This is actually sleeping in, as most days I wake up around 7 o'clock to breakfast with my family before they go to work/school. My class embarks on a walking tour with a very mustached man we meet by the river (don't worry, it's on purpose). He shows us some sights and tells us some facts, but I'm pretty sure everyone will only remember the mustache. And the marzipan shop that we invaded directly after the tour...yummmm. Time for the bus! We set off for Hamburg. I try to enjoy the scenery along the way, and I do, but it can get a little old, so I make small talk with my classmates and read my book. Suddenly! Hamburg! We were treated to a lunch of schnitzel and french ... read more
The Burgerschaft
Street Art
Anti-fascism rally

Europe » Germany » Schleswig-Holstein » Lübeck September 14th 2009

I meant to update this blog before I took off on my short study tour with my peers and program adviser, but I was a little preoccupied, what with all the packing and homeworking. As is, I will introduce you to my German adventure now, just to give you a little taste before I go to bed. So Thursday morning I meet my peers bright and early at Frue Plads, a square near school in Copenhagen. We board the bus and high-tail it to Lubeck , Germany. We have to take a ferry across the waters that separate the southern islands of Denmark from Germany's north coast. Something I noticed right away: Germany is cheaper than Denmark. Most places are, but wow. Things are much more reasonably priced. In the whole weekend, I spent 30,00 Euro, ... read more
Holstentor
Towers of St. Martiens
Courtyard

Europe » Denmark » Region Hovedstaden » Birkerød September 4th 2009

Let me tell you why I'm having a great day! I woke up and went for a 4.59 km run. My aunt has signed the two of us up for a 5 km race on Sunday! I had leftover banana pancakes and coffee for breakfast! It is very windy today. It must mean autumn is right around the corner. That's my favorite season! When I got to Nørreport Station I went to the ticket office to inquire about the price of a train to Amsterdam. I asked in Danish and... SHE RESPONDED IN DANISH!! THE WHOLE CONVERSATION OCCURRED IN DANISH!! AND WE UNDERSTOOD EACH OTHER!! AAAHHHH!! I was smiling like a fool when I left that office! So I walked to H&M and bought a little black dress. It was only 129,00 DKK, which is like ... read more
Me on a turtle

Europe » Denmark » Region Hovedstaden » Birkerød August 30th 2009

Today was my aunt's **th birthday (fødslelsdag), so we celebrated - naturally. Birthday breakfast seems to be a tradition in Danish life (it certainly is in my family). So at 830 my uncle, cousins, and I had breakfast and gifts for my aunt ready on the table. Cute family togetherness ensued. Then I started some homework because - yikes - I'm in school (how I miss Cinci's schedule!). My aunt and I went for a midday run of (drumroll please) SEVEN KILOMETERS. Rolling hills, a glimmering blue lake, beautiful countryside, soft gravel trails...I didn't even notice how far we ran until it was over. After a lunch of dense, delicious rye bread with assorted topppings, the family piled in the car for a trip to Tivoli. Tivoli is an amusement park located in the heart of ... read more

Europe » Denmark » Region Hovedstaden » Birkerød August 29th 2009

Yesterday it was overcast and today I experienced a flash hail storm, yet my disposition is remarkably sunny. Here are just some of the reasons why. 1. Thursday night I was able to talk, with the magic of Skype, to one of my favorite people in the world, having finally coordinated schedules that are 6 hours apart. 2. I love my bicycle. It gets me where I need to go, as well as where I don't need to go. But biking is certainly a struggle in a tight skirt. I do not recommend it. I have learned my lesson. Biking is, however, much easier overall here; every single road I have seen so far has at least one bike lane. 3. The woods and hills and lakes surrounding my new neighborhood are amazing. I am spoiled ... read more
Running
Sunset, DK
My two best friends

Europe » Denmark » Region Hovedstaden » Copenhagen August 25th 2009

Today I attended an orientation session that was a crash-intro to Danish life. Topics addressed included: *sex *drinking *humor *social interaction *drugs *punctuality *environmentalism According to the presenter, Danes: *are more blunt/direct in their communication *like to make fun of people they include (i.e. minorities) *are more like an extended family than a nation *are de facto alcoholics from the age of 13, and can therefore drink anyone under the table *don't do small talk, but *do sarcasm *get chlamydia - at least 12% of them under the age of 25 So it will take a while to get used to the subtleties and nuances of Danish interaction, which is I guess the moral of the story. Amanda and I met up in the afternoon for a delicious picnic in the park. There are lots of ... read more
amber jewelry

Europe » Denmark » Region Sjælland » Helsingør August 22nd 2009

New Danish beginnings Though I have been in Denmark a fair few weeks now, I have only just gotten around to updating this blog for the first time since last year when I left Chile. The story is now unfolding in Denmark's capital, Copenhagen, where I will be studying for the next year. My aunt and uncle, who live just north of the city, have graciously welcomed me into their home, which will be my home also until May 2010. I'm slowly settling in and becoming more Danish by the day; I have a bicycle, Ikea furniture, and a CPR number. I have done so many fun things since arriving in Denmark that it is difficult to recount them all. Much of the first week or two was spent with family, whether that was celebrating my ... read more




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