At Last

June 20, 2009 was a beautiful day to get married. It was sunny and the temperature surpassed 70. Two things that made me very, very happy!! Not to mention the man I married. He; or rather "we" are the reason I am in Denmark.

The morning of the wedding day went smooth as silk, with just a few rain showers that had cleared up by the time we left the house - perfect! We were even ahead of schedule. When does that happen? We followed Tanja and Mikkel down the bridal path so everyone would be present before the ceremony began. At the last minute, I see Lene running to make it. Lene is Tobias' former boss, and the reason we are together today. She had to be there! I stopped, laughed, gave her a hug, and a few minutes to get settled.

Mathilde began and was perfect. She had been preparing and took her job of flower girl very seriously! She walked very slowly, pausing after each step like a pro. She gave the crowd a knowing smile, focused her eyes on Tobias for the rest of the journey, and received a big hug at the end.

Sarah was next and had been my rock all morning. She is the reason things went so smooth. Helping me with my hair, the dress, the veil, the flowers. Looking stunning all the while.

And then it was my turn. Moon River wasn't playing, but I wasn't about to keep everyone waiting for our song as they had waited long enough, so I begin. In the middle of my walk down the aisle or 'dirt path' the song changes to ABBA. Take a Chance on Me....and all I can hear are the lyrics. "If you change your mind..."

Seriously. Is this some sort of joke? What's a girl to do? Laugh, twirl my flowers in the air, and keep on going...

June 20, 2009 was a beautiful day to get married, but the journey is what I am really looking forward to. "Two drifters off to see the world. There's such a lot of world to see."

Sandals in the Rain

It's summer in Denmark. Wait, there it just went.

I think I was spoiled shortly after my first week in; after the daze of the newness passed. We had three or four gloriously sunny and warm, practically HOT days where having the windows open (no screens, another difference) was not enough. Having two individual down comforters (no sheets, another difference) was too warm.

Those days were over before I knew it and then I really started paying attention to the weather. Waiting...willing the warmth to come back. The temperature dropped radically and all of a sudden that summer dress I had worn, and sandals I was planning to wear would have to wait for another day, or week, or...who knows how long.

So the weather I am now living with on a daily basis is wet. Maybe damp is a better word because it rains in short spurts and then the sun breaks and it dries up. One thing is for certain. It's cold. Cold for June at least. Correction, the June I am used to in Chicago. I can barely bring myself to wear flats, let alone sandals, and I see women wearing them everywhere! In 50 degree weather. Never mind the wind and rain.

It sort of reminds me of April in Chicago when you're brave enough to wear open toed heels out at night because you know the drinks you consume will make you forget about the cold soon enough. But there are no drinks to be had on Strøget!

Toughen up Heather. I'm sure my thin blood will thicken and before you know it I'll be wearing them too. Preferably, when the 70 degree (Fahrenheit) weather returns!

hlt

Red and White and Proud

Flag poles and their accommodating Danish flags are EVERYWHERE!! The Danes are very proud of their small country. Flags go on the buses when it's a national holiday, the Crowned Prince's birthday, and even double as shirts when the Danes play the Swedes apparently!

Even though a feeling of pride is everywhere, being humble is a virtue that is taught in DK. Take the country's pride and joy of beers' slogan for example: Carlsberg. "Probably the Best Beer in the World." This virtue can best be summed up by something called "Jante Law" or Janteloven which is described below, thanks to Wikipedia.

Jante Law is a concept created by author Aksel Sandemose where he writes about the small Danish town Jante in his novel "A Fugitive Crosses his Tracks." Jante is very typical of all small towns where nobody is anonymous. There are ten different rules in the law/town, but they are all variations on a single theme: Don't think you're anyone special or that you're better than us.

In the book, those who do not follow this unwritten 'law' are regarded with suspicion and hostility, as it goes against the communal desire to preserve social stability and uniformity.

The ten rules are:
Don't think that you are special.
Don't think that you are of the same standing as us.
Don't think that you are smarter than us.
Don't fancy yourself as being better than us.
Don't think that you know more than us.
Don't think that you are more important than us.
Don't think that you are good at anything.
Don't laugh at us.
Don't think that anyone of us cares about you.
Don't think that you can teach us anything.

Harsh.

Given the above and in general, it's not a surprise that people follow the rules in DK. Especially when it comes to traffic. No jay walking allowed! Even if there are no cars for miles around, you wait until the light turns green to go.

Danish design is apparent everywhere. I've noticed it especially in homes. Where we in the US would spend $15 on stack of Crate and Barrel coasters, the Danes choose to spend $25 on one coaster...if it's Danish design. I know this for a fact. We have two coasters.

Men cook...A LOT. It's very common for a group of guys to get together at someones house and cook a meal together. Bromance or budget consciousness? I guess in the end it all sort of makes sense. Copenhagen is the second most expensive city in the world and going out is expensive. So if you're going to spend most of your time at home, cooking for your fellow man, it's best to do it with style!

No selection of black teas can be found in your local grocery stores apart from Earl Grey. An odd difference to notice I'll admit, but coming from a big black tea fan, this is highly disappointing. Conversely, single selection of beer and liquor is available almost anywhere. Wait, are those antioxidants I don't know about?

It's extremley difficult for foreigners to buy anything in Denmark using anything other than cash. The Danes have a chip system put on all bank cards that they use everywhere. When you present a credit card to use they get perplexed at the counter and often times don't know how to switch the transaction to credit from debit. It's very frustrating and actually stops money from coming into the country if you ask me! On second thought, maybe that's a good thing. It's stopped me from buying many things I perhaps would have otherwise.

For more info on Danish culture, this is a handy little link that is pretty spot on:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danish_culture

hlt

First Week In

It's the first week in and I had to take the time to jot down a few differences/things I've noticed before they become the norm. We, as humans, are very adaptable so it won't take long before Danish customs become ordinary and American customs become something I talk about. So this is for my family and friends at home, and for my own memory years down the road:

At home:
- I had my first IKEA Scandinavia experience last night and got most of the essentials I need to make room for my stuff and make Tobias' place feel like mine as well and his. Still getting used to the whole 'ours' thing! I have to say it is exactly as you see in America, and now I know where the whole 'bringing your own shopping bag' thing began. It is normal to bring your own shopping bags everywhere you go in Scandinavia and the fact that IKEA has them at your ready to use before you shop made me realize that people are just now starting to use the concept in their daily lives in the US. Interesting!
- My hair and skin seem to like DK. In general, it is much more wet here, so my skin and hair are drinking up the extra moisture!

At the office:
- Every Friday around Denmark, people at work have breakfast together at 9am. A person in the office is designated each week to bring in the breakfast bread and bakers all over Denmark make extra on Fridays.
- The Danes truly are happy people. Every few minutes in the office someone is laughing about something. Irony or sarcasm is used in almost every conversation.
- Every Friday the day ends early. Officially at 4pm, but many leave earlier (or enjoy a drink at the office) beginning at 3pm.
- Everyone has a coffee cup of their own that they use. (They even made one for me with my name on it!) Coffee machines are everywhere. It's rare to go out for coffee, and a special treat if you do.
- People wash up after themselves. The kitchen is impeccibly clean compared to office kitchens I've experienced in the US!
- The food is a lot healthier. No pizza, burgers, and fries at your finger tips in the office cafeteria. Lots of salads and breads and meats. Even in convenience stores, there are tons of fresh fruit options.

In general:
- If you are not nice to them, it is normal. I had my first grocery store experience on my own on Monday and didn't say one word while I was in there. Ignored them, didn't smile (like I would have in the US). You get in, get out, get what you need, don't worry about being rude. It was actually sort of refreshing!
- Public transportation is clean and quiet. HUGE difference from America where someone is always on their phone.
- The weather is in the 60's and has been sunny for the most part. Only rained once or twice and only for an hour or so at a time. Be sure to bring warmer clothes than you would expect to wear in the US at this time. Summers are not the same here. There is a chill in the air.

Love and miss you all and can't wait to see you soon!!

hlt