As Winter Slowly Turns to Spring

I can tell Spring is on its way to Copenhagen, despite the cold weather that is still here. The sun is out, the sky is a bright blue, the light during the day is longer and one can see plants preparing themselves for spring. Having been here since August, I am so excited for Copenhagen in the Springtime!

Due to weather reports of the cold temperatures here, people back home have asked me why I am so crazy as to think Spring is on route to Denmark. During a walk today with Ole and Birgitte I took some pictures demonstrating just how pretty Denmark is despite the cold, and others as evidence that spring will be here soon.

Our walk commenced at Holte S-tog station, consisted of going through some nice neighborhoods, and through the woods to finish at Birkerød S-tog station. Though still a tad cold outside, with enough layers and the sun shining above, it was a great day for a walk.

Here is one of my favorite types of house in Denmark. A house like this appears so warm and inviting that I don't know why anyone would not like it!

Here is a little stream we saw on our walk. It is still cold enough the there is ice in the stream but it is also evident that the sun was shining here. I really think it is amazing that you can be 25 minutes away from the center of the Danish capital and yet be able to walk around woods like this. In many of the sprawling cities back in the U.S. it would be impossible to see such an extensive wooded area so close to the city center.

 

I sometimes think that when people complain about the weather in Denmark they forget just how beautiful it is during winter.

The view from this turn tells of the natural beauty of Denmark, as well as hints to the potential of a Danish Spring.

Both the pictures above and below are my prime piece of evidence that Spring is on its way. With these little flowers  sprouting up, my anticipation the spring will soon be here is assured!

I hope that everyone has a wonderful week, and as time proceeds be on the look out for Spring pictures from Copenhagen!

Vi Ses!

The Carlsberg-ian Method of Learning About Danish Society

At DIS, or Danish Institute for Study Abroad, we have Wednesdays free from class so that teachers can take their classes on Field Studies (field trips) around Copenhagen. This semester I had the most bizarre field study yet...not in a bad way but definitely something that I did not expect to be paired with a class on Danish Politics and Society. That being a trip to Carlsberg Breweries. Though it may sound strange since I have been in Copenhagen since August, I had not yet been to Carlsberg. Despite having learned about numerous local microbreweries (see my birthday post from October) I had not gone to Carlsberg breweries until this field study.

Our teacher for this class, Jacob, is the former minister of Transportation for Denmark, and he was my core teacher last semester for European Politics. He has great insight on Danish politics and keeps things entertaining with funny real life stories at the same time. Needless to say he is a teacher that definitely thinks outside of the box. Our Field Study was a prime example of this.

On that note I should commence on the account of our class’s study tour to Carlsberg Breweries. Complete with a beer tasting, this trip was intended to teach about Danish social culture, and a little about Danish history.

Despite the cold, we walked around the breweries (old and new Carlsberg) seeing what there is to see. Here is our Carlsberg experience!

A sure indicator that you are nearing something that may be slightly important to the world of beer...

If you are lost in Copenhagen,walking up to a very official looking building and find a row of Carlsberg trucks there are only certain conclusions that can be reached. A) The water source in the area is tainted so that it is healthier to drink beer, B) The office specializes in getting people past their fears of Karaoke, C) The Police are using their monetary gain from music to send a Message In a Bottle to every man woman and child or D) the office is part of Carlsberg Breweries. Despite the strong urge to believe I will someday find a Message In a Bottle sent out by The Police, the latter is definitely the most logical conclusion. (Though it must be noted that one of the reasons why beer gained such popularity in the old times was because beer unlike water at the time did not kill you) 

Similar to Budweiser, Carlsberg maintains a stable of horses to pull the Carlsberg wagon, which you may periodically see around Copenhagen on special occasions. Below is a picture of Laura in the stable. She is one of the horses trained to drink Carlsberg out of the bottle. This begs the question of whether a Hauling Under the Influence penalty can be imposed when she is pulling the wagom.

Carl Jacobsen (son of JC Jacobsen who started Carlsberg) was quite fond of art, as is apparent when you see the four massive carved elephants at the Brewery. Build to wish his four surviving children good luck and long lives, the elephants have become "one of the things that is a must see" at Carlsberg breweries.

The old Brewing floor, which is no longer in use. I was quite impressed by the look of the hall, with gold gilding on railings, polished copper, and a general design of elegance.

After the tour, we had a beer tasting session, with 5 Jacobsen brews. (Jacobsen is a special type of Carlsberg) 

 

 

Though the Jacobsen brews are much better than your typical fizzy yellow water, I definitely preferred the beer present at the Valhal tasting. Oh the plight of being a beer snob!

 

Despite this, the trip to Carlsberg was definitely nice and I would highly recommend taking a tour of the breweries to anyone visiting Copenhagen!

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!!

In the last two weeks, one has really felt Spring coming to Copenhagen. Overall it has been a little bit warmer, and sunnier than it has been since late October. The weather has brought me to wonder where I put my sunglasses when I stashed them away in the fall, and it has made me think of days spent in parks. Needless to say I am ready for Spring to arrive! In this frame of mind my friend Brittany and I headed to Copenhagen Zoo this Saturday to bask in the sunshine (though we still have to wear winter coats) while visiting the large assortment of animals that the zoo houses.

Located in the Frederiksberg area of Copenhagen, the zoo is right next to the Frederiksberg palace and gardens. It is a very nice area of Copenhagen to see, with quaint little cafes optimal for a hyggeligt cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate after having strolled through the extensive gardens connected to the palace. There is still ice skating in the Rundel but now there are more people strolling through the various garden paths than skating. In other words Saturday was a wonderful day to go to the Zoo, and many families were there, taking full advantage of the sunshine to show their children monkeys, lions, tigers, camels, elephants, polar bears, seals, penguins and many other animals. I have chosen some of my favorite animals to show you, so I hope you enjoy seeing them.

This is one of three Tucans they had at the zoo. This one was constantly eating the apples that had been hung on the trees. For this reason and others, I dub him Fruitloop! 

Within the zoo they have animals placed according to where they are in the wild. Due to this, they had a greenhouse for birds, turtles, fish, butterflies, and ... slothes. Needless to say I was a tad suprised when I saw a sloth above me. Typical of a sloth, he didn't do very much the whole time we watching.

Since my brother is an avid frog fan, I had to take a picture of one of the poisonous frogs they had. Since I am fond of naming animals I shall call him Dart.

This monkey, after getting a carrot, decided that he would pose for a picture. He was pretty cool, lounging around and watching ... the humans! You realize watching monkeys just how similar we are to them. It is kind of eery when you think about it. Since he was my favorite I named him Mikie though I am sure the zoo has given him an official name.

I did say tigers in the title, right? Here is one of the tigers basking in the sun, pondering life... or it may just be assessing which of us would taste the best.

 Here is half the lion family enjoying the warmth.

I watched this Mor (mother in danish) and this Little One for a while. Their interaction was so cute and loving, I could not help but miss my own Mother.

Something that is unique about the Copenhagen zoo is that they have an arctic inspired zone. This makes complete sense since Greenland is a territory of Denmark. In this section they have wolves from Greenland (they look like sled dogs), Muskox, Caribou and of course Polar Bears. This really reminded me of how marvelous the Greenland trip was since I was able to see animals in the wild that most people have to go to zoos to see for the first time.

It was a perfect Saturday to be outside in Copenhagen, the animals were entertaining, and the company was great, so all in all it was a nicely spent Saturday Afternoon. As Spring arrives I will be trying to do more of the outdoor activities that Copenhagen has to offer, though I may have to find my sunglasses first!
Vi Ses, Og har en dejlig uge!

Denmark – A Picture Book Come to Life!

Never before in my life have I come to appreciate the saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words” as much as I have come to appreciate it while in Denmark. I have said it since I first got here in August, and will be saying it long after I leave; I feel as if I have been plucked out of my life and placed in the pages of a beautiful story book. I don’t think I could ever get tire of looking at the houses, which are oh so charming, the nature, or any other facet of Denmark. I love to walk around slowly in Denmark, taking the time to absorb the world around me.

I feel that the only way one will really know the sense of peace that I feel when I am here is either through being here in person, or by those pictures that really do say a thousand words. When I was in Jutland or Jylland (på dansk) this past weekend I took a couple of such photos, and wanted to share them with you. Hopefully you will be able t to feel a bit of Denmark’s magic!

This was where we stayed in Århus – Danhostel Århus

A Danish house by the water in Brabrand.

If you may remember, this past Fall I went to see the Jelling Stones with my host parents. I went and saw them again (they are in Jelling). These two stones have the oldest writings in Denmark about the Kingdom of Denmark. What I learned this time when I went to see them is that this stone has pictures on two of the sides. This side shows a snake wrapped around a lion with the snake biting its own tail.

This side of the same stone is a picture of Jesus. The purpose of this side of the stone is to symbolize that Herald Bluetooth brought Christianity to Denmark.

This is taken walking around the outside of Trapholt (modern furniture and art museum) in Kolding.

A picturesque view over the water in Kolding.

A traditional building in Kolding, complete with a Straw roof.

Another picturesque view over the water.

Part of the walking street in Kolding... now you see why  I walk so slow.

Kolding

A little shop I almost didn't realize was there...

Kolding

 

Hopefully you were able to get an idea about the serenity that one can find in Denmark... if you take the time to pause and look around.

 

If you are thinking to be a PIRATE, beware of the Danes!

Danes, the descendants of the feared Vikings, comprise approximately 10% of the force in the Gulf of Aden combating PIRACY!! Most of my life I had thought that in today’s world Pirates only exist in children’s stories which involve someone walking a plank, treasure chests, and brightly colored parrots.

Yet during the last few years one has heard of Pirates from Somalia... and it is these pirates that we learned about this past weekend with our War Crimes and Human Rights class. Now I associate Pirates with Grenade launchers, skiffs with ladders, and ransoms.

It was truly a one of a kind experience. Only in Denmark would they allow a group of American students to go to the Navy Military Police facilities, as well as the headquarters of the Admiral Danish Fleet to learn about piracy.

We could only take pictures in certain areas, due to security concerns. Not that the Navy’s Operations center had anything to worry about since this was one of the pathways to the WWII bunkers it is situated in.

Though not used as a bunker, being in one definitely has its security advantages... like this door.

Here is one of the communication areas of the Navy Operations center.

It was great to learn about modern piracy from different angles such as human rights law, world security, politics and ultimately justice.

Now I will never view Pirates the same way again, unless I am actually reading a book about pirates, parrots, and treasure chests of old.