Dusk at Dawn

As I read all the gloriously happy Facebook posts from friends out enjoying the beautiful Fall weather back in the States, I am beginning to realize the biggest difference between the Midwest and Western Europe. The lack of sun. There are no golden leaves glistening on the trees here.

I knew this going in, and also experienced it when traveling, but living with it is quite different. You literally wake up to the same amount of light that you will have all day. It feels like dusk at dawn, and never really gets any lighter than that. It is constantly overcast and frequently rains. Even sitting by a window, you will want to turn on lights in the afternoon.

I am beginning to understand why normal working hours are shorter in Denmark. People start to commute home around 4pm, maybe even 3pm (or should I say 16:00 or 15:00). What I thought was pretty fantastic during the summer months, I now see as a necessity in the middle of Fall.

It gives people a chance to enjoy some of the day before it turns pitch black. Maybe even hit one of the self service sun booths that are everywhere in the city to boost the mood. What they lack in natural light, they make up for in artificial access. Sun beds are even at the gym. I am learning a little more everyday just what makes them so happy. Good infrastructure.

Men in Tights

Copenhagen is a city of fitness. It is apparent everywhere. From the thousands of bicyclists riding right along with traffic to the hundreds of parents pushing their babies in buggies on the sidewalks. However, the one activity that sticks out above the rest for me is running.

Not because it is the most frequent, but because it has the most noticeable outfit. The running suit. As an avid runner myself I pay special attention to fellow runners and I'm used to seeing them in all shapes and sizes and outfits. Not the case in Denmark.

For one, most runners are typically one size. Thin and athletic. Two, they all suit up in matching jacket and pants, or running tights. Yes, I said tights. Spandex looking, muscle hugging, shiny material dons the legs of Dames and Dudes!

Just the other day I saw two men warming up together at a stoplight jogging in place waiting for the light to turn green and I couldn't stop staring and smiling as the next blog immediately popped into my head. Men in tights. You don't have to go to the ballet to see them in action in Copenhagen!

Hot Dog in the City

One of the first things I noticed on the streets of Copenhagen was the fact that hot dog stands are everywhere. Strange looking, skinny red, long narrow curved pieces of meat grace the front, back, and sides of hot dog stands and seem to be the universal sign for food on buses.

These aren't the mystery meat dogs you find in American grocery stores either. They are 100% pork and you can have them almost anyway you want them. Two common ways are the Danish way, with fried onions, raw onions, pickels, sweet ketchup, and remoulade or the French way with your choice of sauce squeezed into an enclosed "hot dog in a blanket" bun.

It is the American sandwich version of lunch on the run or the Danish version of fast food drive throughs. At first I was skeptical, and couldn't help but poke fun, but then I had one. Complete with my can of Carlsberg from 7 Eleven it was "Probably one of the best ways to start the weekend."

My Kind of Town

Chicago, Oprah, and the Obama's have been all over the news this week in Copenhagen during the 121st IOC Session for the 2016 Olympics. It has been a fantastic experience as an American and former Chicagoan to witness the excitement of the Danes because of their presence in the country's capital. I have never felt more proud of where I come from, or missed home more.

The hype started when The First Lady landed on Wednesday to support the Chicago bid for 2016 host city, alongside Mayor Daley. It continued when Oprah was seen in the streets and in Danish homes filming a show about why the Danes are "The Happiest People on Earth." Her primary objective was to be here to support the bid, but leave it to "the talk show queen" as she has been called in Demark, to make a show out of it as well.

The tipping point for all the hype happened this morning when Danish TV cameras were aimed at the sky from 6am on waiting for President Obama's arrival. He landed on Danish soil nearly two hours later and the cameras and the rest of Denmark witnessed his every move during his short, but influential five hour visit. It was an amazing spectacle to experience. Denmark loves him too!

While Barack kept the media busy, Michelle stole the show during the 50 minute presentation on Chicago. She tugged on the heart strings of everyone watching by mentioning how the Olympic games would be held not far from where she grew up and how her father would be so proud to see what his city has become. Her grace and conviction was so overwhelming that when The President took the podium it took a minute to focus on the man of the hour. Obama told us how he moved around a lot as a boy but chose to plant roots in Chicago. He believes the city of big shoulders has the strength and diversity to bring people together and make the world proud.

In the end it was South America's turn to dazzle the world with the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. A day later and an IOC Olympic bid short, Obama and Chicago are still in the Danish news. Whether it's because those words jump out at me as an American or whether they are the only words I understand is hard to tell. One thing is for certain. Chicago was the crowd favorite in Copenhagen.