Vi Ses København!

Today is the day that I must leave Copenhagen. I have racked my brain for weeks trying to think of an adequate summary, a perfect end to my experiences over the last year. Since I have fallen in love with Danmark, and love the life I have here, it is hard to simply bid it Farewell. Instead the message I will send is see you later, for I know I will not be able to long stay away from the city and nation that I love.

My experience in Danmark has been incredible, from Ole & Birgitte – my marvelous Danish family, to my various adventures, and all the friends I have made along the way. For every excitement and every moment I am extremely grateful. Danmark really is a fairytale land, at least in my fairytale. With such a rich culture, history, and amazing people, it would have been hard not to grow attached to this place. And yet I must go, back to reality, at least until I come again.

Everyone has been asking me what the best part of my experience was. That, for me, is an easy question. Being a part of the Svenningsen family has been priceless, spectacular and truly irreplaceable. I consider myself extremely lucky that I was paired up with Ole & Birgitte. The hardest part about leaving is that I will not be able to see them every day; exchanging bits of sarcasm with Ole and talking about life with Birgitte. But family is family, and that will not change despite my return to the United States.

The other question which has been asked of me is what I have learned during my time abroad. That is a more difficult question, which required quite a bit of thought before I found my answer. Balance. Not necessarily on a bicycle, but in life. One needs a balance of work, family, friends, and adventures. It is only in this way that true contentment can be found. I was stirred by the women in Kosovo to a point where I now better understand just how precious life can be. That one must make the most out of every moment. The Danes I have gotten to know and love have showed me that true balance can be achieved in life. That life is about more than fancy titles, and high stress careers. It is also about the ability to sit and just be, or to spend hours at the dinner table with those you care about.

It will feel strange going back to the United States. I will feel somewhat adrift in the stream of people going about their usual routines. I know that I will probably never been a true part of the stream again, but I am okey with that. My experiences are what has made and will make me who I am. I believe that I am stronger for every experience.

So with a breaking of my heart I must board this plane that takes me away. To Copenhagen, Ole & Birgitte and all my friends – Thank you for the Amazing year and I Will see you soon!

With my Love for Forever And Always,

Natasha Marie

The Danish Hook - Kronborg Castle

With my brother's visit, I knew that going to Kronborg castle was a must. Even though I had been there quite recently when my mom came to Danmark in April, I was still excited to board the regional train and head to Helsingør with Michael on Friday the 27th of May.

A major difference between the last time I was there was the weather. As I have stated in some of my more recent posts, currently the weather in Danmark consists of spuratic bouts of rain. On this Friday, the rain had started before we even left Allerød and continued throughout the day. Seeing Kronborg in the gloom of rain gives one an eerie feeling, demonstrating why Shakespeare used this symbol of Danish might as a setting for his play Hamlet.

(Here we are with our umbrellas)

The Hook, as Kronborg was called at the beginning of its existence, served the Kingdom of Danmark well as a major source of income. The system of payments for crossing the strait was quite effective, even consisting of passing ships paying for any warning shots that were directed at them.

(Michael and I in front of Kronborg)

(Michael on part of the wall structure surrounding Kronborg)

At Kronborg, Michael and I enjoyed the Casements the most. Since it was raining outside, we spent considerably longer in the casements than I had done when I was there previously. Having purchased a flashlight, we were able to wander in parts of the casements off the beaten  and lit path.

 (Michael in the casements, with Natasha lurking in the back.)

 (Michael was in charge of the camera, Natasha was in charge of the flashlight.)

(Without the light of the flashlight, the casements were entirely dark, particularly since there was a lack of outside light due to the rain.)

In the interior of Kronborg, many of the rooms are incredibly simple, consisting of white washed walls and a very sparse amount of furniture. However the chapel, which survived the fire that occurred in 1629, still maintains its elaborate appearance from days of old.

The view from the top of Kronborg's tower is magnificent, clearly demonstrating the power of this castle/ fortress. Though one could not see as far as on days without the presense of rain, one could still see the city of Helsingør, and Sweden on the horizon.

Depite the rain our day trip to Kronborg castle was well worth it.

Vi Ses!!

Ølfestival København 2011

During Michael's visit to Danmark it just so happened that the Copenhagen Beer Festival was taking place. Since I had already been planning to go with Ole and Birgitte it only made sense that Michael would also attend. In the United States we hold a special awe for European Beer Festivals, so it was fantastic that one with 79 brewers and hundreds of different beers was taking place during Michael's stay.

Every beer enthusiast or brewer I have met in Danmark has been extremely friendly, and the Beer Festival was an extension of this. With everyone talking and laughing together it truly has an ambiance of spending an afternoon with good friends.

Clothed in our Real Hoppy Ale shirts, Michael and I arrived at the Beer Festival around 3 pm on Thursday the 26th. Ole and Birgitte were already there, with Ole being the official photographer of the event.

Despite what many may believe about Beer Festivals, there is quite a lot to do. From foosball tables, to live bands, DTU students making ice cream with liquid nitrogen (pictured below), and catching up with old friends, it is not easy for one to become bored at a beer festival.

Vi Ses!

Frederiksberg Gardens and Copenhagen's Zoo

On Thursday the 26th Michael and I headed to the Frederiksberg area of Copenhagen. There are a lot of things to see in this area, including but not limited to Frederiksberg garden and the Copenhagen Zoo.

After showing Michael the extensive garden we headed to the Copenhagen Zoo. I find that people really underestimate the Copenhagen Zoo, when it is actually a spectacular zoo. With sloths, monkeys, seals, polar bears, Muskox, baby brown bears, hippos, and countless other animals one can easily spend the entire day at the zoo. I do not believe that one can ever be too old to enjoy a good zoo.

 Despite Michael and I being what seemed like the only adults without small children in tow (there were several Danish kindergarten classes there) we still enjoyed the zoo greatly.
Vi Ses!

Vor Frelsers Kirke- Our Saviour's Church

On a blustery day in Copenhagen, when rain somewhat threatened overhead, two siblings headed to one of the highest point in the city, to climb to the top of a golden spiral stair.

Vor Frelsers Kirke was built during the 1680s and was consecrated in 1696. The famous spire which has made this church one of the main tourist attractions in Danmark today was consecrated in 1752. Though the view from the top of the spire is one of the best views in town, climbing to the top is a little eerie, particularly on a windy day due to the spire being built of oak which is thus likely to sway in the wind.

Unfortunately, the two little pigs were not warned of such potential being latent in the tower. So when the wind huffed, and puffed, the littlest pig almost got blown away. Thankfully the railing on the side of the spire is almost the height of Natasha (little pig) so the result was merely a realization that it probably wasn't the best idea to climb the spire on the windiest day of Michael's visit.

In order to help our nerves after the potentially treacherous climb Michael and I treated ourselves to some pastries. Since Denmark is world famous for pastries, it is something that simply must be enjoyed when in Danmark. However, a word to the wise, a Danish does not exist in Danmark. What people refer to as Danishes in the U.S. are actually called wienerbrød.

After replenishing our energy we headed to Copenhagen's Botanical Gardens. These gardens are so peaceful and captivating in the spring with the myriad colors. My favorite spots, in case some of you can't guess, are the quiet nooks of the garden where you can fully relax.

So that was Michael and I's Wednesday in Copenhagen.

Vi Ses!

From Amalienborg, to the Little Mermaid, to Kastellet

On Tuesday the 24th Michael and I journeyed along the Copenhagen waterfront. Our first stop was Amalienborg, the palace complex where the royal family resides. When the royals are at home the respective royal flag will be flying above the center of the palace.On this particular day only the Crown Prince's family was in residence.

As is a natural second stop when one is in the Amalienborg area, we journeyed next to Marmorkirken - the Marble Church. Though not as flamboyant as many churches one sees in Europe, Marmorkirken definitely has an aura of magnificence beneath its high domed ceiling.

With our umbrellas in tow to protect from the occasional bout of rain, which is characteristic of Danmark at this time of the year, we continued to walk along the waterfront. Despite the looming threat of rain we continued on to our third and fourth destinations; the famous statue of the Little Mermaid, and Kastellet, a fortress still in use by the Danish armed forces.

For those of you who may not be aware, the story of the Little Mermaid is of Danish origin. Written by Hans Christian Andersen, the story of the Little Mermaid is quite forlorn, unlike the Disney version. Akin to many stories by the Brothers Grim, the story is known for its happily ever after ending. For those who know the real story of the Little Mermaid, standing by her side as she sits alone on her rock perpetually condemned to the only imagine the acquisition of her dream, you can not help but think of your own dreams being deferred or unobtainable.

The statue of the Little Mermaid is next to Kastellet. This pentagram shaped fortress with bastions at the corners used to be part of series of ramparts protecting Copenhagen from attack. Not only is this fortress well preserved, but it is also still in use by the Danish armed forces. Though one can not go into the heart of the fortress, since it is still in use, you can walk the ramparts.

 (Above is a picture of Kastellet)

(Below is a picture of a soldier walking the ramparts)

Despite the somewhat inconsistent weather throughout the day on Tuesday we had a good time journeying along the Copenhagen waterfront, and seeing what there was to see.

Vi Ses!