A few random tidbits

There is so much I didn't write about, so many pictures I didn't post.  Here are a few that I wanted to share.

the picnic and swim area near the campground I 

cycle through on the way to my favorite swim site

funny sign on the right (click to enlarge)

view of Isefjord, west of Roskilde

patches earned in Spejderne (Scouts)

even the weeds are attractive

I rode this for almost two weeks before noticing it was called Caffeine, 

which I thought was funny since it was in Denmark that I started to drink coffee often.

part of the museum in the bedroom A. and I used

more of the museum (no shown are snake skins, 

swords and capes for role playing, and many bones)

couldn't resist one last view from the deck - ahhh

The End Is Here

And the end came an hour early.  The airlines recommended getting to the airport three hours before the flight if traveling to the US.  Ugh.  I debated about ignoring the suggestion, believing that two hours would be enough, but in the end I am rule follower.

Getting a ride to the station and being able to take a train directly to the airport (no changing in Copenhagen) made the first leg of the trip easy.  Plus, it gave us time to window shop.

My favorite store, Illums Bolighus, which has the Arne Jacobsen miniature (1:6) chairs.  The egg chair of the Missioni Tobago pattern (bottom left) was 2595 dkk ($460usd).  The swan chairs (middle row) were 1995 ($350) and the ant chairs (top) were only $155.  It is free to window shop.

We were surprised to find a Hamleys (London toy store) shop and I was amazed to see that they were promoting a toy that I have been playing with for almost forty years.

I know luggage carts are offered at no charge at some international terminals in the US, but in Copenhagen luggage carts are available to everybody and once you are past security and have checked your bags, little carts are available for carry-ons.  This was the first time I noticed strollers (that recline completely) are available, too.

It was a little hazy, but you can still see the windmills near Copenhagen.

We had ordered a vegetarian meal (even though we ate whatever was served when we were in DK).  A. thought it was so good he asked me make the same thing (quinoa in a potato boat) at home.

very easy to fill a water bottle

Customs was so easy that I wished I hadn't wasted any time worrying about it.  We had a bit of time to wander about O'Hare, although we didn't find Chicago pizza.  We did find popcorn and a great water fountain.

not in Denmark anymore

Our flight left a bit late but got in on time.  Unfortunately our luggage wasn't ready to make the trip (despite the fact that I saw it being put on the conveyor belt in Chicago).  We waited a bit to see if it made it onto the next flight.  Many people shared their stories about lost (and eventually found) luggage, but I was in mourning for the things we might have lost, even though they were just things.  On the other hand, I didn't have to spend the first day unpacking and such.  We have since been happily reunited and all is well.

I don't know whether we'll make it back next summer.  There are rivers to raft, other sights to see, and money to save.  I hope some Danish friends will visit us!

Soaking It In

My last full day.  So sad, not only to leave here, but to go back to reality.  Fund raising.  Bill paying.  Heat warning.

love that there is always a bicyclist
around when I want to take a picture

The best way to start the day was with a ride to the fjord for a swim.  The cows were right by the path and you can see a tiny bit of the cathedral if you look very closely.

And what a great swim!  The water was so calm, the moon jellies didn't complain about being held, and I said good-bye to people who swam each day I had been there.

Over two years ago our family celebrated a promotion with a ride to a bird sanctuary and today I got to go back.

And then to lunch at INSP!, a welcoming place where immigrants can learn skills to help them adjust to life in Denmark, like Danish, cooking, and yoga (to become more familiar with their bodies and grow strong enough to deal with reality of daily life, like cycling in the winter).

vegetable stew and gingery rhubarb dish

This is also where people pick up vegetables from a local CSA-type group, gather to sing, and be creative.  I met a guy who grew up in Akron and now lives in Sweden.  He was brought in for one month as an artist-in-residence.

I needed to get back to my bicycle, which I had left by the harbor.  How could I say good-bye to the water without getting in?  The air was much warmer and it was as hard to get out of the water, as always.

view walking away from the deck
and toward the end of vacation

One last bike ride home, one last apple by the fjord, one last dinner on the deck, one last sunset shot.  Time to weigh the suitcase and debate whether to get to the airport two or three hours before the flight.  Sigh.

The Big City, part two

Designmuseum Denmark

Looks like a nice place to visit.  How do they keep the gold crown above the door so shiny?

The first part of the museum had post-war British Textiles, which made me feel at home.  Not my home, but a familiar home.

I also liked the variety of places to sit while browsing.

I started going through the museum with the idea of taking a picture of every chair since my parents-in-law have many similar chairs.  Ha!  I have never seen so many different chairs.  Here is a teeny, tiny selection.

from the Arne Jacobsen room 

(didn't know he survived the war by going to Sweden)

closest to camera is an Eames school desk

I admired the chairs in the cafe and put things on an imaginary wish list in the gift shop, but then it was off to wander the streets and find my way home.  I even recognized the spot where our family had been lost almost three years ago.  I wish I could go back and give that family directions!

I am glad I went to Copenhagen, but I am content with having spent only one day there.

The Big City, part one

When I was in Denmark last year I said I would get to Copenhagen and never did, but this time I dragged myself away from the familiar and took the train to town.  It may not be as stunningly beautiful or entertaining as other major European cities, but I do like the buildings and bicycles and little surprises here and there.

From the main train station (hovedbanegården  - head track farm - fun with compound words) I headed for the National Museum, which is having a special Viking exhibit.  School kids in period costume were running around with iPads, scanning notices and watching videos.  It definitely had their interest, but I think I have now had my fill.

I did go visit my favorite room (my second favorite, the coin room, was closed), which looks like a bunch of doll houses, but you can go behind them and see into each room.  It was nice to be alone and spend as much or as little time on each exhibit as I wanted.

view from the back

view of the whole room

Here are a random assortment of photos (I promise I deleted many more, but some of you keep saying such nice things that I don't mind posting some of them).

a playground

the mail carrier's bicycle

another maintenance cover to go with this old post

There are upright trashcans along the walk and 

this tilted one along the bicycle path.

The lesser version of the coat of arms of Copenhagen is on bus stops, 

but I hadn't noticed it on a bench before today.

Swim friends

I like seeing the same people at the fjord, but I also like the animals.

I love swimming with the vandmand!

gull on the rock (people on the dock)

noticed this one on shore next to me after my swim

A short language post

I mentioned that I was giving up my quest for a shirt with Danish words, but here was a surprising English find today.

Here are a couple nice Danish bicycles by the front door,

but why is it called Mosquito?

The View

Last year I took pictures of the sunset each night.  I have been trying not to the same, but it is hard to resist.

view this morning

view before dinner

view as sunsets

view a bit later

Let me know if you want to see more.

Fire, Water and Vikings Festival

The local Viking Museum was hosting a festival just down the street.  Can't say no to that.  People dress in period costume and demonstrate their talents and sell their authentic wares.  They even slept in their tents in the field.

Maybe you can carry a knife in DK if it is part of a costume?  

Otherwise, if it is longer than 7cm it is a week in jail.

He was making blades to the side of this picture.

This the first step in making a wooden spoon.

More blades for sale (without the wooden handles).

Free samples of historically correct beer were offered here.

Free samples of wine were here, 

although the Vikings drank it only a couple times a year.

Yesterday they served a rich man's food - fruit, butter with salt, and meat.

Today they'll have an everyday man's food - dried fish and porridge.

lamb being served in flat bread, being made in the background

bread boiling in the little pot,

beef (maybe an old, old cow) stew in big pot

The children had a chance to make boats (using saws!  using knives!) 

and set them off for a race, which was won by the oldest boy of our host family.  The cathedral is in the background.

There was also rope making, linen making, weaving, birds of prey, and charcoal making.  The people in period costume said very few Vikings went off to rape, kill, pillage, and burn because most were farmers.  Not an easy life, either way.