Reading Week or Travel Week?

4th-7th November, 2015 | Hej (high) = hi

Køpenhavn

With a whole week off in the middle of the term, I would be crazy not to take this opportunity to go outside of the UK for the first time. Luckily, there are so many from Claremont studying abroad, one of them my good friend and roommate of two years who is in Copenhagen.

Only a 2 hour flight, it still baffles this California girl that a short trip can take you across numerous countries. From LA to SF by car it will already take us 6-8 hours depending on traffic-and that’s only one state!

When I landed, I was thrilled to be picked up at the airport! We took a train out to the suburbs where she was staying with a host family, who was more than welcoming to me and so graciously allowed me to stay with them.

The host parents were keen on asking me questions about where I come from, my family, and my own study abroad experience and thought I made a good choice going to Denmark, a “true” European experience in comparison with London. We had lovely conversations where they learned about my family and cultural backgrounds and I was able to ask them questions as well- for example, what is traditional Danish food they would usually eat? Her answer:

Oh, from when we were children, the food is very bland. Now with international cuisine there’s more flavor.

During dinner, the host mom had an epiphany after observing Julie and me, that she could tell the difference between Koreans and Chinese-Taiwanese now. I probably was not the best example since I didn’t even grow up in Asia…but oh well! At least they know all Asians aren’t the same.

(So great to grab dinner in this cozy town with some CMCers)!

The next couple of days I coerced my friend to whip out her history major brain to spew out random facts about the city as we walked throughout the cobblestone paths of Copenhagen. Basically, almost everything was built by King Christian.

The food chronicles: bread rolls with jam and cheese, Danish congee with risotto and Jerusalem artichokes, afternoon coffee and cheesecake, and open faced sandwiches with herring and elderflower.

I have never had so much rye bread in my life, but I enjoyed eating foods I would never eat on a daily basis-and also learning about new veg, Jerusalem artichokes! The host dad only knew the word in Danish so he had to whip out his phone to put it into Google Translate to show us.

Last day in Vælrøse

Since the weather was not the greatest, we stayed in on Saturday and inspired by the biking culture here (really, highways of bicyclists), I wanted to see the suburbs of Vælrøse by bike. The family’s home overlooked the beautiful lake of Sønderso, and the scenery in late fall was simply magnificent.

Being below average height by Danish standards, the bike I borrowed was too tall for me, and we had no way to adjust the seat, so I spent most of the time biking without sitting. The brakes were also different, as you use the back brake by peddling backwards. I mention this because through the back woods and hilly area, I gripped the front brakes and went flying off. My pride was spared slightly since no one saw that, well, except for an old Danish lady who was startled by the crash, but when she saw me get off she casually walked away. There was a blood bruise starting to form a bump on my hand, and I made Julie press it down firmly so it wouldn’t form, but she was squirming and squealing. Sorry friend-thanks for being a champ 🙂

On my last night, we had family dinner with the host parents and their youngest daughter. We celebrated an early Danish tradition where they eat duck (originally goose) annually because of an old tale. They asked us to prepare some Asian vegetables, I believe because the mom had an excuse to set the China tableware for dinner.

Having these few nights with this family, I can see the social effects of Denmark’s system. They prioritize spending time with the family daily, and their shorter work days allow for it. At her job, the host mom told us that she did not receive a promotion because her boss told her,

“You are the most qualified candidate for this…but, we are going to give it to someone else to give him the opportunity.”

She was upset, but knew that this was the way things were. Dinners are long and may last for hours, including dessert. I may be American, but even using a fork and knife eating everything with my left hand is hard to adjust to. My go to will always be a bowl and chopsticks (fork or spoon when I’m lazy).

Home Alone Moment

The next morning, we both woke up before our alarms and went back to sleep. I had 2 hours before my flight, but the train into the city would take a 20 minute walk and 45 minute train ride. My host dad graciously drove me to the station and helped me buy the correct ticket. I mistakenly got on the wrong connecting train to the airport, but still made it half an hour before boarding. I thought, just get through security and you’re good. However, I was stuck behind three women who did not understand English very well, and then my backpack was picked for random screening. I got anxious as I saw my gate go from “boarding to GATE CLOSED.” I was panicking at this point, and when I got my backpack I wondered if the plane would take off without me. I sprinted, and of course, it was the last gate in row C. The man at passport control assured me they would wait for me, but I still booked it. With the gate in sight, I saw one man patrolling and he shouted, “Passport and ticket. Okay, run.”

At 9:30 in the morning. I was sweating on a plane headed back to London. Thank God.

I loved this town- so quaint, cozy, and a tad expensive for the budget of a college student, but I will definitely be back. Hej hej, Denmark.