Today involved perhaps our best opportunity for the combination of training/sightseeing. I think all in all, we walked about 8 miles just getting around town. It started with another wonderful breakfast spread of homemade bread, jam, granola, juice, fruit, and a carton of yogurt. Yes, a carton of yogurt, like a milk carton. This was endlessly fascinating to us Americans.
Rested, showered, and fed, we took off by foot through the now crowded Monday Copenhagen streets. We were lucky enough to get our bearings on the weekend with fewer people to worry about bumping into, fewer bikes weaving among us, and fewer cars awkwardly driving around in a city where moving about is very much human powered. We set our course back through the famous shopping streets where we picked up postcards and stamps, and explored some touristy shops for shirt and souvenir ideas for when we return. We then explored further into the city, stopping briefly at a beautiful church and listening to an organ from the 16th century. However, our goal for the morning walk was a place called Christania, a semi-autonomous, portion of the city. It is a really interesting place. Turns out in 1971, perhaps because of the lack of affordable housing, or the general disillusionment of society, several people broke into what were abandoned military barracks and occupied them. Eventually declaring themselves a free society, they made a flag, created their own form of government, made new laws, and succeeded in surviving several raids and pressure from the outside. Funny thing is that this "freetown" that broke away from society is that very same society's fourth largest tourist attraction. We probably didn't see many of the Christania's 1000 permanent residents, but we sure did see a lot of tourists.
On the way back to the apartment, the afternoon thunder showers that made some of the Tivoli rides the day before so interesting, returned. We took refuge inside a sandwich shop and had lunch. Intermittent rain followed us all the way back, but we were excited for the second half of the day where we were scheduled to join Sahra's friends for another traditional Danish dinner. We have been so lucky on this trip to Denmark so far. Every meal has had some sort of historical or cultural connection.
In order to get to Johanne's house, Sahra walked us over to another friend, Line's apartment, who was kind enough to drive all of us. A short drive later and we were greeted at the door by Johanne, her husband Bjorn, and their two kids, Snorre and Kalle. Not two seconds after walking in did Lanie have Snorre, the 11 month old in her arms. I never knew it, but Lanie is great with kids! A wonderful dinner and dessert followed. Emily, Lanie, and Mimi have all shed their initial shyness with new culture over the last two days and were in full question mode, which was great. We learned about Danish culture, history, a few new words, and even learned about underwater rugby. Seriously! Look it up! Johanne is on the Danish National team:)
Line drove us all back, smiling the whole way listening to our attempts at the Danish language. I couldn't for the life of me get the kids to say one Danish word prior to this trip and now they won't stop. I suppose that is the difference between learning something just because and learning something that is relevant. It has now become relevant for them to learn Danish and they are having fun doing it.
Our night was capped off with another stroll back through the streets to watch the summer bonfire. We arrived a bit late and didn't stay very long, but it was good people watching.
All in all, another "fantastisk" day in Denmark. Tomorrow, we pack, clean, and head out to the airport for our flight to Paris, France.
Farvel,
James
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