Although I don't have any pictures to put in place now, I assure my readers that some will be coming soon. Between classes, figuring out the train, and attempting to establish my temporary Danish residency so I don't get deported, I've been a little too busy to take any pictures (plus, its only light out for about 5 hours a day, most of which I spend indoors at class). However, I do plan to take more pictures over the next several days and this weekend, when I plan to do some more sightseeing.

I thought for this post I'd discuss some preliminary observations I've made about the Danish people. Keep in mind that these are a stupid American college kid's impressions of Danish culture, after being here for only a week, so take everything I write with a grain of salt.

1) EVERYONE, and I mean EVERYONE,teens, day old infants, and 90 year old Grandmas, SMOKES. We discussed it in my "Health Care in Scandinavia" class, and the professor told us that people don't care because they'd rather have a higher quality of life, albeit a shorter one. Luckily, you can't smoke inside anywhere, except bars and restaurants, so classroom buildings, public transportation and my room are smoke free. Unfortunately, all of my clothes smell like smoke, which doesn't seem to go away quickly. Oh well, I'll have to burn them and buy trendy Danish fashion items.

2) Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, speaks English. I bought my first Polse (a Danish weiner in a bun) at a stand. I was hungry and figured it would be a good way to taste Danish culture. As I was waiting in line, a little old woman (i'd guess around 75), began speaking Danish to me. I turned to her and explained that I didn't speak Danish. She looked perplexed for a minute, and then immediately switched over to speaking to me in broken English. I think she might have been slightly disoriented or senile though, because she couldn't understand that I wasn't actually from Denmark, but from America. But, I had suspicions about her anyways, as she was hanging around the hot dog stand at 3 pm, not actually purchasing anything. So, my point is, if senile little old ladies can speak English, I assume everyone can. It comes in handy when ordering food or asking directions.

3) The Danes love coziness. The word hygge is a concept in Danish culture that roughly means a cozy, warm atmosphere. English doesn't really have a word to describe it, but it can be seen everywhere. Candles and low light, along with comfortable couches are the norm at all coffee shops. People seem to come in from the cold, and snuggle in by fire places or candle light, and talk with friends and family for hours. I've seen Danish homes through windows, as well as coffee shops and restaurants, which have many candles and comfortable seating. I see the appeal after trudging through cold and darkness during the day, having a warm setting to come home to.

Anyways, I have appeared to blather on again.

As of today, I have been in Copenhagen for only a week, but it feels as though America is months ago. I've had several days of orientation, including brief city tours, crash course Danish, and introductions to the academics of my program. I've met many Americans in my program, and have even met some young Danes in my Kollegium (large dormitory style building). Everyone in Copenhagen who I have met or encountered has been friendly, and as expected, speaks better English than I do. The Danish language is incredibly difficult to understand, particularly because of the 34 vowel sounds, compared to the 14 in English. Our Danish instructor said that the only way new speakers can pronounce things correctly is while drunk. I feel as though the only way I'll learn to pronounciation is by getting a shot of novacaine in my tongue every morning.

Although I haven't had the opportunity for too much sight seeing, I was able to attend the Carlsberg Brewery tour with my school group, sort of. The reason I say sort of, is because along with another DIS student, Matt, I was lost in the inside of the brewery for about an hour before meeting up with our group. We had planned to meet the group tour at the visitor center instead of taking the tour bus with them. Unfortunately, the Carlsberg Brewery consists of dozens of buildings and a gated entrance. Unable to find our group, we persuaded a security guard to let us in to the complex in order to find them (thinking, foolishly that a 100 person group would be easy to find, it wasn't). After accidentally walking into a Carlsberg corporate dinner, complete with fine China and expensive business suits, we began wandering between distribution buildings and store houses. Since the tour was an after hours special, no one was around. The whole place was dark and deserted, and had a very creepy "Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory" feeling. Instead of chocolate though, we smelled hops. The buildings are older and very interesting looking, and the main entrance gates have large stone elephants, which when viewed at night, are very imposing. Below is a picture of them from the Internet.

Luckily, after an hour of wandering, and finding another security guard, we were able to find our group just in time for the free beer tasting. Afterwards, the other students told us that the rest of the tour had been somewhat boring, and we had made it for the best part. College students and free beer are like peas and carrots. (Matt and I enjoying the conclusion of our adventure)

Other than that adventure, I've been able to wander the city, although its too cold to stay out for more than an hour without stopping for a coffee in one of the many coffee shops. Copenhagen has no skyscrapers, giving it a very small, cozy feeling. During the day Saturday, I was able to wander the main walking street, walking amongst the Danes as they shopped at the very beautiful, but very expensive boutiques and department stores. I'm not much of a window shopper in America, but here it is so fun because everything (and everyone) is stylish and beautiful. On the whole, the Danes are a very beautiful people. Even in thick coats and scarves, its obvious that everyone has style.
(Beautiful and sunny day, though cold on the main walking street)

For now, I must actually do homework (yes, I go to school here!). Expect more posts soon.

this is a test post...