Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Wrap-Up

Alright, this is the end of the line.  I think you're supposed to stop an abroad blog once you pass through immigration, so I am already three days overdue.  I hope you guys have enjoyed reading updates as much as I have liked writing them.  Here are a few of my favorite pictures from Denmark to wrap up with.  Thanks for reading!

Botanical Gardens 
Waterfront 
Dining room in Gavnø Castle
Kongens Nytorv in August 
Nyhavn 
One of the hundreds of thousands of bikes in Copenhagen 
A movie that was filmed on my street - photo taken hanging out of my window 
Fredensborg Palace 
View from the Louisiana Museum - Sweden in the distance 
The lakes surrounding the center city of Copenhagen in October
Skatepark in Nørrebro 
Winter Garden, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek
My street on a foggy morning 
November, trees
A view from the bridge to Christianshavn; the Royal Library, or "Black Diamond" on the right
A building in Christiania, the Bohemian commune of Copenhagen
Sky reflected under one of the bridges in Christianshavn
Nisse, or Danish elves 
Kongens Nytorv in December 
One of the many storefronts in Nyhavn, dressed for Jul 
Hearts and stars garlands, lit up at night

Monday, December 12, 2011

Tivoli (Tih-Voh-Lee)

Tivoli Gardens is a famous amusement park in the center of Copenhagen.  It is the second oldest amusement park in the world, having opened in 1843.  It is also the most popular seasonal theme park in the world.  Normally, the park is open in the summer so that visitors can ride roller coasters and other rides during the warmer months.  After closing in September, though, the park opens up two more times.  Once is in October, when the park celebrates Halloween (even though Halloween is an American tradition that the rest of Copenhagen doesn't really recognize).  The second time, Tivoli opens for Jul celebrations for about a month.

I did not go inside the gardens in October, but did take a shot of the old entrance to the park.


I did get to stop by to see the Jul-time park, though.  Tivoli was my last stop before leaving Copenhagen, and I was able to see all of the amazing decorations.  They are honestly nothing short of beautiful.  Everything is lit up, reindeer and hearts hang from trees and sit on the tops of buildings, and decorated Christmas trees are everywhere.  There are also hundreds of shops that are set up in small buildings just for the holiday season, selling their wares.  Everyone from a mom and pop shop to Georg Jensen have stores inside the park for this one month.

While I was in Copenhagen, I repeatedly said that I hoped it would snow before I left.  Well, it may not have snowed, but that night there was a serious wintery mix coming down.  What started with freezing rain turned to sleet, which was later following by tiny hail.  I wrapped my scarf around my head and kept moving despite the weather - how Danish of me!

We also rode The Flying Trunk, which is a ride devoted to Hans Christian Andersen's fairytales.  You step into a suitcase and then ride around, seeing dolls depicted 32 different stories of his.  The trunk also lets you choose if you want to hear the narration in Danish or English, which was quite convenient.  There were scenes showing scenes from tales like The Emperor's New Clothes, The Ugly Ducking, The Little Mermaid, and The Steadfast Tin Soldier.

There were also live reindeer being held in the park for people to see.  I like to think that the little guy pictured is Dasher, just because I always have liked that name.

Three of the roommates in front of the gates 
Main walkway inside

Indian-inspired 
Russian-inspired (look at the reindeer on the roofs!)

One of the lakes, with weeping willows all lit up

Close up of one of the trees 
Japanese-inspired

Carousels
"Dasher" in front of the Pantomime Stage

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Jul ≠ Christmas

There is one lesson that must be learned if you hope to comprehend December in Denmark.
Jul ≠ Christmas

Christmas in the States makes me think of many things.  First and foremost, that stifling church service you (and 99% of the parish) attends on Christmas Eve, hoping God hasn't noticed your mysterious absence since Easter.  Second, the nativity scenes carefully arranged in the homes (and occasional yards) of your city's homes, some with and some without THE baby in the manger.  Third, the Christmas tree, covered in ornaments and lights and surrounded by gifts, most likely wrapped in papers printed with Santa Claus or religious sentiments.  And finally, the Christmas parties thrown over the two weeks before December 25, celebrating the holiday season with friends.

In a country where 68% of residents polled are either agnostic or atheist (Eurobarometer Poll, 2005), Christmas is understandably sans-Christ.  The holiday here is called Jul, and Jul involves a lot more drinking and partying than is traditional in the States.  For example, instead of wishing, "Merry Chirstmas!" it's typical instead to say "At drikke Jul!"  This translates as "To drink Christmas!"

Also, the holidays really start on J-Day (J-Dag) which was November 4th this year.  J-Day is when Carlsberg/Tuborg releases its Christmas beer (Julebryg), and typically everyone in the city is at bars or with friends buying the beer and celebrating the season.  The beer typically has a slightly higher alcohol content (5.6%), and is only available during Jul. Honestly, I don't see anything particularly special about the taste, but as far as traditions go, this one isn't too bad.

Credit to Chribban, Flickr
Another odd Christmas tradition I've seen here is that Danish Jul symbols are hearts, stars and evergreens.  All the major pedestrians streets where I live are strung with lighted evergreens and red hearts.  Coming from an American culture where red hearts =  Valentine's Day, it's an odd association.  Still, the streets look pretty both during the day and at night.