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.