The Summer was kicked off by a trip to visit friends and family and enjoy the 30+ degree Celsius or 90+ degree Fahrenheit weather in the States. My good friend Lori was married on June 23rd and the opportunity to be involved in her wedding was an honor I will always treasure. After reconnecting with mates in Chicago, I made the trek to Wisconsin to see my sister, little nephews, and girlfriends from high school. No matter how many years or months pass, making the time to see each other on these trips back are priceless. My heart aches with each goodbye but I know it is only temporary.
Less than 24 hours after I landed back in DK in July I defended my thesis and officially ended my graduate education receiving a 10. In US terms that would be an A or AB depending on the grading scale so I am very happy to not only have delivered an 80 page paper worth reading, but to have written it on a topic I find extremely interesting and relevant. It focused on sustainability and innovation, combining personal interest with academic research. My Danish family and good friend Beth were there to congratulate me on the final result and enjoy champagne, kransekage (small Danish cookies made with marzipan) and a celebratory dinner at a local restaurant.
Two days later my brother and sister-in-law arrived from the States to enjoy 10 days in Denmark with me and my husband. This was a first trip to Europe for my brother and one that my sister-in-law and I were determined to make special. Our time was spent enjoying canal tours, castle trips, cliff hikes, Danish in-laws, and sightseeing in beautiful Skagen. The trip to Frederiksborg Slot was truly an experience, enough to make it my favorite castle in Denmark. Not sure if it was the good company or the beautiful weather and scenery, but probably all of the above. While visiting my in-laws on the island of Møn, I think my family was overwhelmed at the hospitality not to mention the length of time and amount of food served during a traditional dinner feast in Denmark, which made that a fun memory as well. However, my favorite experience of this Summer by far was witnessing the beauty of Skagen.
I have wanted to go to the northern most point of Denmark since I arrived just over three years ago, so when my family decided to spend their entire 10 days in Europe, in Denmark, I jumped at the chance to take them there as well. It's a 6 hour drive from southern Denmark on a good day of traffic, but the trip is worth every kilometer. Painters and artists are known to have traveled to Skagen due to the light and colors it evokes. Tourists, myself included, travel to Grenen to witness the waters of two oceans collide. I will never forget the walk. The beauty of the sky and ocean blending into one, and the refreshing air and soft sandy beaches were enough to actually bring me to tears. It was a sight to see and a location to experience for anyone willing to make the 9 hour flight and 6 hour drive.
