Well, it's the last night in Copenhagen, so I should catch up on the past few days and quickly!
Claire and I arrived on Thursday around 2pm at our hotel and then went on a mass museum rush. The thing about Denmark is that all the museums and churches have short hours (open at 10am or noon and close at 4pm or 5pm). So, we ran to two museums, Den Hirschsprungske Samling and Statens Museum for Kunst. The Den museum (let's avoid spelling that second word, shall we?) was small but really interesting with only Danish artists with names too difficult for me to spell successfully in a short time. We only had an hour, and that is all we needed. We ran to the Kunst museum becaust it closed at 5pm and was free (yeah!), and it was the wierdest art museum I've seen with 300 yr old art next to new art. Then there was the room with at least 400 paintings in one really large room. We were swiftly ushered out at 4:50pm and then went to the garden for a little sit and to plot our evening dinner plans. One mediterranean buffet later we were stuffed and heading back to the hotel.
Friday was a great deal of fun. We started with an open top bus and canal tour, which was great fun. We took the obligatory pictures at the Little Mermaid statue, of course. After the tour we made our way to two churches before they closed at 4pm. Then we went to the Frihedsmuseet, the Museum of Danish Resistance during WWII. Very interersting and educational, as I know so little (read nothing) about Danish history. Then we made our way to the hotel, dolled up (actually made it to the dolling up part this time) and went to Christiania-the free town in Copenhagen. Wow. So much to say. We walked around the larger part, Christianhaven and then went into Chrisiania. As soon as we stepped in, it was like going back to the 60s (I think)-the smell of pot, lots of dreadlocks, bright colors, dirt road, and people just sitting back and loving the free life. We were highly overdressed but not much out of place. We ate at the vegetarian restaurant and then made our way out (buying myself a birthday bracelet on the way from a nice Afghanistan man). As we were on our way off the island (no longer in Christiania), a couple saw us taking photos of the buildings and offered to show us their backyard. What a lovely experience.
Today we went up to the Karen Blixen Museum (Out of Africa), which was inspiring. I got my book stamped (also stamped from her home in Nairobi). We really enjoyed our morning there. Then we got up to Helsinger, where the "Hamlet" castle was a big ole disappointment. The castle is just not very interesting with few rooms full of furniture. We did take obligatory pictures at the Shakespeare plaque and at the Hamlet and Ophelia statues. Quite a wierd castle experience. They should take some notes from the British who do their castles and living history (people in costumes) really well. Well, we went, and that's good.
So, we're off to have our last meal here before Claire heads back to Liverpool tomorrow and I go off to Sweden. There are lots more stories, but Claire is patiently waiting for me outside.
Hope you are all well.
Maureen
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Arhus and Silkeborg, Denmark
Hello again,
It's our last night in Arhus. Tomorrow: Copenhagen.
Claire and I never made it back to the house to get dolled up. By the time I was done with my blog, which only took 15 minutes, she was talking to a fellow Englishman outside. We joined up with him and his Norwegian friend (read friend, not boyfriend) for dinner and drinks and a long night of good conversation. The Englishman is 60 years old and living here, and he met the 32 year old Norwegian musician at the bookstore the Norwegian manages. It was quite the international night and an unexpected birthday celebration. I'll be happy to have Chicago Thai food, though, as my birthday Thai dish cost $25. This Denmark country sure is expensive. Lovely but expensive.
Yesterday it was a late start, but we eventually (after taking the bus the wrong direction that ended one stop later at the bus terminal) made it to the beach for a good lie in the sun-shade. We also went on the prehistoric trail that leads from the beach to the museum. Where we saw one of the famous bogmen--preserved in a peat bog for over 2,000 years. He was just a bit creepy, especially as he died by having his throat cut and being shoved in the bog... We had a fabulous Greek dinner last night (thank goodness for the English-speaking Danes).
Today we took the train to Silkeborg for an all-day canoe extravaganza. Neither the wind or the current were in our favor the first three hours, so I'm sure we'll feel it tonight. Nevertheless, it felt good to be on the water and paddling away after all the walking we've been doing. Tonight it's Italian food on the river and an early bed for our early train. That is, if we don't fall asleep in our food.
Hope all is well with everyone,
Moe
It's our last night in Arhus. Tomorrow: Copenhagen.
Claire and I never made it back to the house to get dolled up. By the time I was done with my blog, which only took 15 minutes, she was talking to a fellow Englishman outside. We joined up with him and his Norwegian friend (read friend, not boyfriend) for dinner and drinks and a long night of good conversation. The Englishman is 60 years old and living here, and he met the 32 year old Norwegian musician at the bookstore the Norwegian manages. It was quite the international night and an unexpected birthday celebration. I'll be happy to have Chicago Thai food, though, as my birthday Thai dish cost $25. This Denmark country sure is expensive. Lovely but expensive.
Yesterday it was a late start, but we eventually (after taking the bus the wrong direction that ended one stop later at the bus terminal) made it to the beach for a good lie in the sun-shade. We also went on the prehistoric trail that leads from the beach to the museum. Where we saw one of the famous bogmen--preserved in a peat bog for over 2,000 years. He was just a bit creepy, especially as he died by having his throat cut and being shoved in the bog... We had a fabulous Greek dinner last night (thank goodness for the English-speaking Danes).
Today we took the train to Silkeborg for an all-day canoe extravaganza. Neither the wind or the current were in our favor the first three hours, so I'm sure we'll feel it tonight. Nevertheless, it felt good to be on the water and paddling away after all the walking we've been doing. Tonight it's Italian food on the river and an early bed for our early train. That is, if we don't fall asleep in our food.
Hope all is well with everyone,
Moe
Monday, July 28, 2008
Arhus, Denmark
Hello everyone!
Well, I am officially 34 and in my 24th country. Life is good.
Claire and I arrived in Copenhagen yesterday and made our way to the city of Arhus. It was a long travel day, but we made it in good spirits (I did my usual head nodding, catching flies thing on the train for 3 hours).
We are staying on one of the oldest streets in Arhus. Translation: terribly quaint with our own little backyard garden and a cobblestone streets. Translation 2: very steep stairs, the sink in the shower, and lots of character.
This morning we made our way to the outdoor museum that shows different house and living styles throughout Denmark's history. Lots of photos of people dressed in costumes! It took us three hours bobbing in and out of short buildings, and we enjoyed every minute. I even found hummus and salad in the cafe, so we ate in style, too. A quick nap in the botanic gardens and we were all refreshed from our tourist morning.
Now we are on our way back home to prep up for my birthday night out. We've found a restaurant that serves vegan and omnivorous options, so yeah! In our search for a restaurant, I've posed on the laps of a random Blues Brothers statues to fulfill my Americanness, or rather my Chicagoness...
We are going to ditch Legoland for a day on the canoe and a bike ride on the beach. It's lovely here. A bit quiet, which is a surprise, but I'm sure Copenhagen will make up for it!
Hope you are all well.
Hugs,
Moe
Well, I am officially 34 and in my 24th country. Life is good.
Claire and I arrived in Copenhagen yesterday and made our way to the city of Arhus. It was a long travel day, but we made it in good spirits (I did my usual head nodding, catching flies thing on the train for 3 hours).
We are staying on one of the oldest streets in Arhus. Translation: terribly quaint with our own little backyard garden and a cobblestone streets. Translation 2: very steep stairs, the sink in the shower, and lots of character.
This morning we made our way to the outdoor museum that shows different house and living styles throughout Denmark's history. Lots of photos of people dressed in costumes! It took us three hours bobbing in and out of short buildings, and we enjoyed every minute. I even found hummus and salad in the cafe, so we ate in style, too. A quick nap in the botanic gardens and we were all refreshed from our tourist morning.
Now we are on our way back home to prep up for my birthday night out. We've found a restaurant that serves vegan and omnivorous options, so yeah! In our search for a restaurant, I've posed on the laps of a random Blues Brothers statues to fulfill my Americanness, or rather my Chicagoness...
We are going to ditch Legoland for a day on the canoe and a bike ride on the beach. It's lovely here. A bit quiet, which is a surprise, but I'm sure Copenhagen will make up for it!
Hope you are all well.
Hugs,
Moe
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Georgia...then Denmark and Sweden
Hello all,
Well, thanks to Jackie, I've been shamed (all the way from Birmingham, UK) into a new post on my travel blog.
It's been a quiet year on the travel blog front, but don't you fear! Instead of blogging, I've been giving travel presentations to people in Chicago via Hostelling International. So, I'm spreading the travel love!
Last July, before I jumped into the MFA at Columbia, Claire and Chris flew over from Liverpool and we flew out to Seattle for a west coast road trip. We drove from Seattle to San Francisco, stopping to see Mount St. Helens (which I always thought was in Montana--shocking US geography), then Portland and the Columbia River Gorge, then Oregon Pinot Noirs, then the Oregon Coast, then Crater Lake, then the Redwoods (and a larger than life Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox). After my trip to Switzerland which was teenage girl-centered (as you read), I basked in the freedom (and wine) of an adult vacation. Of course, it didn't hurt that Claire and Chris were fantastic travel companions.
Last fall I took a trip to Punta Gorda, Florida to see Bill and Cheryl. The Ringling Museum and the Ford/Edison Winter estates were second best highlights next to Bill and Cheryl's company (and a pint of cider from the Celtic Ray). In January I flew down to Oklahoma City to see Grandma and Colleen. We read, watched sports, talked, napped. Visiting them is always a relaxing trip. Then a weekend trip to Madison (with another next week) to see Amy, Matthew, Brett, and Susie.
I just returned on Saturday from a celebration 4th of July in Columbus, GA where my youngest brother, Matthew, graduated from Army Ranger Training. I held my own in beach volleyball (facing both my brothers from the other side of the net), but my overenthusiastic dives left my shoulders feeling their 33 years. My serves are still as inconsistent as they were in high school, but I can still bump-set-spike, but don't make me prove it to you.
My passport, my poetry, and my sanity are in need of a new adventure. So in a few weeks I will visit Denmark with Claire (one week) and Sweden (one week), where I'll hopefully visit Legoland, Hamlet's Castle, and Isak Dineson's house before heading to see Martina and family. So, more postings to come.
Remember, the best thing you can do for your country is to leave it and explore another. It opens your mind and your heart. What a different world we would live in if people had more empathy for those next door and in far away countries. So, get your passport up to date and start searching the travel sites. It's never too late.
Maureen
p.s. I offer travel advice for free (unless you give me a bug for somewhere new, in which case I owe you)
Well, thanks to Jackie, I've been shamed (all the way from Birmingham, UK) into a new post on my travel blog.
It's been a quiet year on the travel blog front, but don't you fear! Instead of blogging, I've been giving travel presentations to people in Chicago via Hostelling International. So, I'm spreading the travel love!
Last July, before I jumped into the MFA at Columbia, Claire and Chris flew over from Liverpool and we flew out to Seattle for a west coast road trip. We drove from Seattle to San Francisco, stopping to see Mount St. Helens (which I always thought was in Montana--shocking US geography), then Portland and the Columbia River Gorge, then Oregon Pinot Noirs, then the Oregon Coast, then Crater Lake, then the Redwoods (and a larger than life Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox). After my trip to Switzerland which was teenage girl-centered (as you read), I basked in the freedom (and wine) of an adult vacation. Of course, it didn't hurt that Claire and Chris were fantastic travel companions.
Last fall I took a trip to Punta Gorda, Florida to see Bill and Cheryl. The Ringling Museum and the Ford/Edison Winter estates were second best highlights next to Bill and Cheryl's company (and a pint of cider from the Celtic Ray). In January I flew down to Oklahoma City to see Grandma and Colleen. We read, watched sports, talked, napped. Visiting them is always a relaxing trip. Then a weekend trip to Madison (with another next week) to see Amy, Matthew, Brett, and Susie.
I just returned on Saturday from a celebration 4th of July in Columbus, GA where my youngest brother, Matthew, graduated from Army Ranger Training. I held my own in beach volleyball (facing both my brothers from the other side of the net), but my overenthusiastic dives left my shoulders feeling their 33 years. My serves are still as inconsistent as they were in high school, but I can still bump-set-spike, but don't make me prove it to you.
My passport, my poetry, and my sanity are in need of a new adventure. So in a few weeks I will visit Denmark with Claire (one week) and Sweden (one week), where I'll hopefully visit Legoland, Hamlet's Castle, and Isak Dineson's house before heading to see Martina and family. So, more postings to come.
Remember, the best thing you can do for your country is to leave it and explore another. It opens your mind and your heart. What a different world we would live in if people had more empathy for those next door and in far away countries. So, get your passport up to date and start searching the travel sites. It's never too late.
Maureen
p.s. I offer travel advice for free (unless you give me a bug for somewhere new, in which case I owe you)
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