Because I don't have much time to write lengthy anecdotes about everything I have seen and experienced, I will post key highlights on a weekly basis (more or less), including photos.
Monday, 14.01.2013 (the Danes write out the date with the day first instead of month)
- Woke up early in morning at my new home in Gevninge (pronounced 'Gay-ah-ning-ah;' say it really fast in the back of the throat . . I still have not quite mastered it) to catch the bus down the road. It had snowed overnight, and we trekked throuh the cold, windy, and dark morning just in time for the bus. Took train to the Forum stop in København.
- The DIS opening ceremony took place at the Royal Danish Academy of Music. A string ensemble comprised of students from the conservatory welcomed us with the Champagne Galop by Danish composer Hans Christian Lumbye. This is the theme song played every summer at Tivoli Gardens, and is most notable for an instrument made specifically for the song that sounds like a champagne bottle POP. Next they played a medley from WEst Side Story, and finally Beethoven's Ode to Joy, which is the EU's official anthem.
- Cultural Orientation: learned how to figure out the DKK, the Danish Kroner. $1.00 US dollar is equal to 5.6 Kroner. We went to the grocery store to practice using currency and to get a feel for the average prices of food. There is a VAT (value added tax) of 25% on all goods and services. Everything here is very expensive.
- Walked down Strøget (pronounced 'stroll'), which is the world's longest shopping street in the world, which is in central København (and lucky for me a block away from DIS). Many large and upscale stores are located here, including H&M, Baresso (the Danish version of Starbucks), LEGO (which is a Danish company), etc. On the side streets are little boutiques, small businesses, and many bars and cafes.
Fun facts:
- Tax on buying a car can be as high as 180%.
- Average income tax is between 50% to 75%.
- Not only does Denmark have free health care, but the government actually PAYS students to go to university. There is no tuition, and the government aid goes toward living expenses, such as rent and food. Now if only it could be like that in the US . .. #inmydreams.
Tuesday 15.01.2013
- Stopped at the cute little bakery on my street on the way to the bus stop in the morning. Had the most delicious croissant I have ever had in my life! Still not sure how I will resist the temptation every morning. . .
- More orientation sessions for DIS. Got a tour of the DIS facilities, all of which are located in the center of old København. I should get in very good shape climbing the many flights of steep stairs everyday, but with bakeries tempting me at every street corner, we shall see.
- It is so cold here. On average it is about 0 degrees Celsius during the middle of the day. The air is very dry, and it is very windy in the city. It also snowed again last night.
- Staff from DIS have forewarned students not to be alarmed by everyday Danish behavior. The Danes are very quiet people, and are not big on small talk. They also may come across as blunt or rude, as they do not have a word for "please" in Danish, but this is usually not the case. Danes, however, seem to be the friendliest people! On a number of occasions I had gotten lost, and many came up to me to offer help! Now that is something you don't experience that in NYC on a daily basis. As most Danes speak English (and very well, too!), they love striking conversation with Americans and giving insider tips to travelers.
Fun Fact:
- The Danes are the happiest people in the world. (See http://www.oprah.com/world/Inside-the-Lives-of-Women-Around-the-World/1 and http://www.forbes.com/2010/07/14/world-happiest-countries-lifestyle-realestate-gallup-table.html).
Wednesday 16.01.2013: Exploring København!
- A beautiful day! Sunny and (relatively) clear skies, but still chilly.
- Visited Christiansborg Slotsplads (Christiansborg Castle Square), which is the Danish Parliament Building.
- 8 parties are represented in Parliament (with the most ever having been 13), and they only need 2% of the vote to gain representation.
- Members of the Royal family are not politically affiliated.
- Equestrian statues in front and back of building.
- Vor Frue Kirke: The Church of our Lady (cathedral of København)
- Simple and stark in design. Neutral colors.
- Large statues of the 12 apostles.
- Church where new (baby) members of the royal family are baptized.
- GRÅBRØDRE SQUARE: one of the many town square pedestrian areas. Filled with cobblestone and surrounded by colorful houses in warm colors of pinks and reds from the early 1700s (circo 1725), and other town houses in cool and neutral colors from the late 1700s. Many of the buildings standing are from a variety of time periods, as the city of København was burned down many times. One of the most notable features in this square, and in old København, is the cut corners of the buildings on street corners. This was so that fire wagons could reach emergency locations with greater ease through the narrow streets of the city. Over time, the buildings were reconstructed with more fire-resistant materials, including brick.
- After stopping in Studenterhuset, a local cafe and bar for students, we came across the guards marching through the street on their way to Amalienborg (the Royal Palace) for the changing of the guards at noon. So of course I followed them! The changing of the guards was very ceremonious and lively! A marching band, rifle routines, funny dance steps, and uniform march and hand motion lasted for about 20 minutes! It was definitely a highlight!
- Next we went to the Royal Theatre (Skuespilhuset) which is on the harbor. We took a ferry over to the Royal Library called The Black Diamond, and made our way back to DIS.
- Later in the evening, had my very first legal beer at Studenterhuset!! (pilsner)
Thursday 17.01.2013: First Day of Class
- Looking forward to some great classes this semester! Had European Sustainable Development and Environmental Economics. So far so good!
- Happy Birthday, Mom!! xoxo
- Environmental Policy in Practice, Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Business Practices
- Dinner at Riz Raz, an awesome vegetarian all-you-can-eat buffet, with other students in the DIS sustainability program!
- First night out on the town! Went to the meat-packing district with friends, but were not able to find much night-life. Stopped in at a random art gallery opening, and made our way to a few bars. Went back into central København to Studenterhuset for a beer. Got back to Gevninge at 2:30 am.
Fun Facts:
- Time in Denmark runs on the 24-hour system. For example, 13:00 is the same as 1:00pm. This drives me insane, and am still not used to it.
- The Danes are very punctual people.
- Bikes are everywhere! 1/3 of København residents bike to work everyday.
- Danish children are so cute! They are always dressed in big, poofy snowsuits and waddle through the streets with their parents (think Randy from A Christmas Story). Also, parents leave their babies in their strollers out on the street while they go inside a store inside to shop or have a cup of coffee at a cafe. This is very common and is considered normal in Denmark. Denmark is very very very safe! And besides, who wants a kid? They are very expensive to take care of in this county. A DIS staff member said that once a Danish woman left her child outside in the stroller while she was vacationing in NYC. She was very confused when a passerby called NY police to report child neglect, and they arrested her!
Saturday 19.01.2013
- Applied for my Danish Residence Permit (visa), which was loads of fun as you can imagine. Paperwork, fingerprints, waiting. . .
Sunday 20. 01. 2013
- Slept in this morning (finally!), and had a yummy breakfast of pastries, toast, jam, and cheese! The food here is amazing! My host family is really into cooking, and they love getting creative with new vegetarian dishes for me and my roommate Molly. Also, Lennart enjoys baking cakes! So far we have had two tartan apple cakes. YUM!
- Ca and Lennart drove us to the Roskilde Fjord nearby to see the beach and water, and afterwards we went to a local flea market! Lots of fun!
- Salad and smørrebrød (traditional Danish open-faced sandwhich) for dinner!
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