Nikki kan tale lidt danske
Trip Start
Jan 02, 2009
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12
Trip End
Ongoing
Copenhagen, Zealand, Denmark
Saturday, January 10, 2009
I AM STILL ALIVE AND HAVING A BALL!!!
I am taking a Danish course which keeps my really busy! The teacher is crazy and funny with a real flare for drama as he twists himself into a pretzel when you don't quite get the pronunciation right or just mess it up completely. (Guilty as charged when it comes out with my Aussie accent) My favourite phrase is det ved jeg ikke (I don't know)!!
I have met sooooo many amazing people and everyone is really friendly - including a few Danes!!! I get on best with a girl called Hazel from NZ (she has the same middle name as me!!) My Danish course (who we have all become tight with) includes a real mix of people Swiss/Australian/Canadian/Lithuanian/Chile etc etc but my favourite is the two German girls both called Carolyn - they are teaching an Australian German in Denmark!!!
Amazing Statues everywhere in Copenhagen
! The University has organised a cultural program in the afternoons for the international students which is really good. We did a bus tour of the main sights in Copenhagen. We went to see the little mermaid protecting the entrance to the harbour of Copenhagen straight out of HC Anderson fairytales and the Danish palace (I didn't get to take tea with the Queen but she was at home so a waved hello). I also went into the royal library called by the locals the "Black Diamond" (you will see what I mean in the pics) and Parliament house - the original site of the city of Copenhagen way back when. We jumped from Island to island with all the cannels and bridges you feel surrounded by water and it is as if you are floating to the north pole (snow included!!) I have attached pictures... my camera is not yet frozen even with the -5 to -10 temp outside.
Last night we went ice skating in the main square with the snow all around you skating on what is possibly heaven on earth. Best bit is it is free for all Danes - BEAUTIFUL!! The fairy lights were in the trees and its quite beautiful with the street stalls selling hot roasted nuts and crepes as you walk buy followed by the classical music of a busker outside a medieval church. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...
"The Thinker" up close and personal...
I went to northface during the week and bought a snow jacket as what I got in London is not enough but it costs a lot so no more shopping for me for a while. (But so worth it) I also got a cheap pair of boats with wool lining as that has been my biggest problem - the amount of walking I have to do and my legs are not really standing up to the challenge... I also cannot feel when they are cold. I need to look into a bike (when in Rome...) Tre (Three) I have found this is the magic number - so I am wearing at least 3 pairs for socks and the boots everyday - it was the best purchase I have done so far as my feet are not nearly as sore!! 3 tops at least and then jacket, scarf and gloves (3 again). Stick to this rule and you will be fine!!
Points to note: Danes are very fashionable people so even with -10 temps outside they still manage to look like they just stepped off the cover of a magazine! You have to try these orange sausages from the street stalls as ALL Danes love them and I can see why. YUM!! You can fuddle your way through shopping, considering I have the number system down now, and not appear to be a foreigner - the only thing that will give you away is your accent so just don't open your mouth except for Hej and Tak (hello and thanks).
It is really expensive here - I have been told by the Danes that they put up to 25% tax on everything (NICE) including food and as a result everything is really expensive - most of all meat - I am thinking I will go vegetarian for the most part and meat only on special occasions!
I have been looking at booking the trip to Turkey in April for ANZAC DAY and I think I have found some partners in crime (Kiwi and Aussies) to come along from the Uni..
Beautiful Walking Streets
. I am also looking at heading to Russia!!! I am going out tonight as some of the Germans are having a house warming dinner (I am bringing some wine as would you believe it is the cheapest thing to buy like $5AUD)
Most of all after one week this is starting to feel like home!!
Speak to you all soon.
Lots of Love
Nikki
