A Trip to Copenhagen?

We haven’t traveled anywhere outside of the state since the pandemic hit three years ago. Luckily we have family in central Virginia and have been able to visit there a few times. It’s a three hour drive which is very pleasant. We used to travel to the Midwest at least once a year to visit with friends and colleagues. And before my mom passed away we were in Florida a couple to three times a year. We haven’t been overseas since 2015. We have family members who live in Denmark, Canada, Australia, and Iran and friends who live in England and France. I really don’t care to travel that much - unless there are friends and family to see there. And I really don’t like making all of the reservations and plans anymore. I just don’t want to be bothered. So when we thought about taking an overseas trip we would only do it with someone else who liked making all of the arrangements. We are thinking about going to Copenhagen to visit our niece and her son. We haven’t been there in over ten years. And with a non stop flight it would be “tolerable” to fly. So we asked our friends if they’d like to go. They have never been there and we are basically tagging along for the ride. We are interested to visit with our niece and mindlessly visit wherever our friends want to go. Nothing has been booked, but we are studying the options. It’s nice to go somewhere that we know someone especially at our age. We have never taken a tour - which probably is much better as far as having everything arranged. Maybe one of these days we might. I really prefer tagging along with someone who likes to travel and knows their way around. We haven’t been in a plane since 2015 - and I don’t miss it. But we should probably go somewhere to get back in to the swing of things before it’s too late. This might be the best opportunity. 

The Places We’ve Been

We aren’t big on travel, so being cooped up is a little easier for us, though we really miss our on a whim and planned car rides. Having a daily blog can be a bit more difficult when the subject matter is confined to small spaces. We haven’t been outdoors for over five weeks - our only trips these days are to pick up groceries at the front desk in the lobby and midnight runs to pick up mail. Luckily for us, all other packages are delivered to the door. I really miss spring in DC, but can’t do much about that. The US botanic garden puts some videos on Instagram. Relatively speaking we have nothing to complain about - it just gets a little discouraging now and again. So every once in a while I’ll pick out an image from a trip we took years ago. We never traveled overseas for the heck of it - we always had someone to greet us in the other side. Our nieces in Denmark and Sweden, and friends in England. I hate flying, but at least once we arrived, we were in good hands. So the photos bring back lovely memories and I can’t believe we were actually there. So far I’ve posted gardens, ships, and signs from Denmark; interesting Swedish architecture; and Jane Austen’s house in Chawton and Highclere Castle of Downton Abbey Fame. I’m not sure if and when we will ever go to any of these places again. Before, we didn’t want to. Now, we can’t. That makes a big difference. 

There's No Place Like Home

Whether we lived in Milwaukee or Washington DC, we were always so happy to be back home. And that is the case again. We just completed a 10 day trip to Copenhagen, Denmark. The highlight of the trip was being with our niece and her husband, who live there; and another niece who joined us from Sweden. The kindness and loving environment that we experienced is more than anyone could ever ask for. This trip was exceptional because the company we kept there was even more exceptional. We are so proud and happy to know them! Now I need to prepare to return to work tomorrow. That's always a tough thing to do. I'm hopeful that I can maintain my vacation spirit throughout the week, as I have jury duty starting Thursday. So, is Denmark the happiest place on earth? I'm still thinking on it.

From the canals of Copenhagen to the every day life on Capitol Hill

The Last Day in Copenhagen

We started the trip on the first day with a walk in this park and
ended the trip in the same place. It had just rained and everything
looked so lush and green. It was a real treat to see mama swan with
her babies. They were all fluffy and cute. And in the land of Hans
Christian Andersen, it was the most appropriate ending.

Travel With The Kids

As noted previously, bicycles are a big part of life here. In rain,
sleet and snow this is the way to get around. But when one has
children to cart around, there are many ingenious ways to do it. It
was not uncommon to see three little blonde heads all gathered inside
a box in front of the bicycle. Once the child is old enough to ride on
his own, he is peddling alongside his parent with the protective arm
of the parent holding on to his back to keep him safe. It's also a
great way to stay in shape and explains why there are never any
leftovers to take home after eating out. A lot of energy is required
to keep this level of activity in check.

Pooches and Such

It appears as though the Danes like their dogs as much as we do. And
there is quite the variety... We saw a Newfoundland, several French
bulldogs, shelties, labs, huskies, and a lot of rats (chihuahuas).
They go on the train and the metro, and ride along in the bicycle
compartment. I'm not too sure what the pick up policy is, but there
are signs suggesting what it might be. There are little hooks
available for a leash to be anchored. And, as always, the dogs
lovingly and frantically look for their masters whenever they are
separated.

Blonde Hair

Yes, there are dark haired residents, but there is an overwhelming
blonde population. The majority of babies that we have seen are blonde
with blue eyes, as are the school children, as are the young adults,
as are the adults It is a strikingly handsome bunch. I wonder if any
want to dye their hair brunette? Everyone usually likes what they
don't have. My husband asked me why they don't wear hats when walking
in the sun. I think it may have to do with the fact that there is so
little sunshine all year 'round and the need to soak up the rays as
much as possible. I think I'm beginning to see some of the merits of
living in the happiest place on earth, but cannot draw a conclusion
until I get back home. It is distinctly different from DC where
everything is completely mixed up.. in more ways than one.

Bicycles Everywhere

We learned before we came here that bicycles were used by almost
everyone. But this is unbelievable! The bikes come in all shapes and
sizes, used to cart one to three children or animals, for pleasure and
business. They take a priority over cars, have their own special
driving lanes, stop and go lights and signs, ride along on the metro,
and are placed literally everywhere. I don't see a lot of safety gear.
I still think I'm going to get hit by one sometime before we leave.
They are an overwhelming presence and a way of life all year round.
Having a car is quite expensive and this is a cheaper alternative. You
could not get me on one now, and it would be hard to get me on one
then. This definitely is something one would have to grow up doing. I
had a ten speed in college, but that was a very long time ago. This
may be the biggest reason folks around here stay so slim and trim.

Viking Ships

We took a short train ride from Copenhagen to a Viking City. People
bring their bikes and dogs along with them. The trains are electric
and very quiet. There is no security or checkpoints. You do however
need to pay to get in to some of the bathrooms and also tip the
persons who man the bathrooms. I know I could never be a Viking and am
so happy that I live in this time and place. We walked along a
beautiful path to the waterfront and had a very relaxing lunch at a
sidewalk cafe. Everyone we meet is helpful and friendly. We must look
really lost or they are used to helping such poor souls. I know we
would do the same in DC.

Food Presentation

Someone told us before we left on this trip to Denmark that the food
was nothing to speak of. There is the typical Burger King, KFC and
McDonald's. The real stuff is not only tasty, but the presentation is
exquisite! One of my friends always took pictures of the food when we
went to Iran two years ago. So in her honor, we salute her with these.
Additionally, all taxes and tips are included in the bill. You can
also bring in your own wine and take it home, but leftovers is a big
no no. We could not live without leftovers, but it seems most people
here finish every last bite. And service? If you know the tip is
already included, there is not a lot of effort made to impress the
customer. But with good friends and family, it hardly matters.

Sunrise

Sunset is around 11 PM. Sunrise is before 4 AM. And of course our
room is on the side that gets the early morning sun. If you don't wear
the blindfold it is impossible to sleep. And with the blindfold it's
impossible to sleep. And of course the head of the bed is facing the
sun's glare. I would have put the bed facing the opposite wall but
that would make too much sense. Thank goodness I brought my pillow. It
has been just about everywhere. Our bedroom at home also gets the
early morning light but it's not at 4 AM and we have a shade on the
window dark enough to block it out. Don't ask about the bathroom
ventilation or air handling system. Americans complain too much or do
they just expect more? My husband just told me his blindfold works
well. He brought his from the US. Mine are from here, are too tight,
and I need to wear two because they don't hide the light. I think I'll
steal his tonight.