Hometown Photo

Hometown Photo

Monday, May 9, 2011

A day spent in Cisternerne and a Danish Community Garden

Since spring started to arrive in Copenhagen my Danish language instructor Mogens has been telling us about his little garden. Living in the city, many Danes own a little garden plot in a community garden near to where they are living. Mogens, who lives in Frederiksberg, has such a garden in the prestiguous community garden next to the baroque public garden of Frederiksberg. In order to celebrate the end of the semester Mogens invited our class to a cook out in his garden.
Before the cook out Mogens took us to the glass art museum called Cisternerne, which is not widely known to tourists despite it being a well rated museum by Forbes magazine. As the name may suggest, Cisternerne is located below ground in the area's old water cisterns.
(To be truthful walking around in the cold, damp cisterns is quite an experience in itself -It has an ambiance that is a little bit spooky) 

(The floor is not shiny because it has been lackered, but due to standing water)
After climbing out from the dark depths of Cisternerne we rented a rowboat, and took advantage of the canals in Frederiksberg's baroque gardens. It was a beautiful day, so the row boat was a perfect way of seeing this picturesque garden.
After our peaceful ride through the canals we headed to the community garden, and Mogens's little garden. This community garden that his garden is located in is so popular that typically if one wants a plot you will have to be on a wait list for roughly 30 years!! Needless to say, these little gardens, complete with garden houses are gorgeous.


Vi Ses!

Yo ho, Yo ho, a weekend at sea for me!

In the wee morning hours on the 30th of April I headed from the house in search of a relaxing weekend at sea. Around Christmas time I had signed up for a weekend sailing trip around Sjælland (the biggest island in Denmark).
(the Hjalm)

(Captain Poul)
The trip was just for Saturday and Sunday, which was a perfect break from writing final papers. It was a time to relax  aboard our tall masted wooden sailing ship, called Hjalm, which was built in 1901. Complete with our friendly Captain Poul, Søren  (the only crewmember) and the Captain's faithful dog Luna, the Hjalm was a great place to spend the weekend.

For the most part our time on the Hjalm consisted of merely Being. I think that this is something that is too often forgotten in life. Though Søren made us help with the sails, we spent our time basking in the sun that is now gracing Danmark with her presence.
On Saturday around lunchtime Søren let me try driving the little boat that is kept on board. Thankfully, I was able to get us safely back to the ship without any mishaps.
When night time came, we docked the boat in a nearby harbor. It was incredible to sit on the deck of the boat and watch the sun go down.
On Sunday, though it was a bit colder, we still enjoyed the day by sitting on deck and enjoying spring in Danmark.
Vi Ses!