Wonderful Copenhagen
From the plane you can see the wind turbines set up in the Baltic Sea between Denmark's island of Zealand and Sweden. I feet like the reason I've come is waving at me as I arrive. I think it's a good sign.
I take my time getting off the flight. Seeing as I am expecting to be a nordic nomad most of the day, I sit down and packed my great new hiking bag full. With that and my obese checked suitcase, I make for over 300 pounds of point at the stupid tourist fun.
It's a smaller airport, it seems like as soon as I step into the waiting area I'm already in the city. Everything just had that distinct European feel, and I decide to wear my distinct I'm in Europe grin. Jesper has a sign with my name, I immediately see him and just as quickly forget all 60 minutes of Danish I have been attempting to cram into my head. No problem though, his English is very good.
The public transport back consists of two trains and a bus. Not bad at all. We pass straight through Copenhagen to DTU just north of the city. What first comes to mind is what Charlie Bucket's paper route might be like. All the buildings have the clay tile roofs and bricks and stone everywhere else.
Making it on to campus I see the "containers" right away. With an unusually high influx of students a few years ago, the college decided on a quick fix with these mail order red containers. They really aren't so bad, but the first impression is a bit awkward.
Now I have to warn you, I was not so smart when I bought my tickets. I had done some quick research and had determined that Lyngby was quite far from Copenhagen. See... there are two. Kongens Lyngby where I am, and the other Lyngby which is on an entirely different island. Google Earth didn't get the memo, hence, neither did I. So with the limited international admissions office hours, all pending geographical obstacles, and of course the stupid American factor in mind, I decide on arriving a day early. That means arriving a day before my lease begins. That means that when I get to the office, they smile and politely point to the door. And for some odd reason, all the nearby hostels have already been filled. I believe it is 5 before I finally get to the hostel in downtown Copenhagen.
The line getting in is huge. Sweaty frustrated tourists from the world unite. It's fun trying to guess where everyone is from. Right now I'm pretty bad at it, but in a few weeks I'll be better. It is really interesting though, if you were to walk through the lobby of a hostel with your eyes closed, your mind would go crazy with all the smells alone. Every once in a while you'll come upon someone especially stinky and it'll be like a bad song you can't get out of your head. You just keep wondering where he's from and if they all smell that way. I like to think that I have the power to cause that reaction occasionally.
The hostel is shaped more like an office building. It's 15 stories high. The huddle of people waiting outside the mini-elevator with all their luggage is discouraging, so I took a deep breath and adjusted my pants for the hike to the ninth floor.
People in Europe are so strange sometimes. The first thing I see when I get into my room is some German in his tighty whities. Then when I get in again last night, I'm on my bed and some Italian comes in with just underwear and a robe on. Everybody's all about flaunting the goods. And their goofy accents make the whole ordeal so damn cute.
The nap is good, and extended which is always nice. With a bit more energy I venture out into the city. The bikes are everywhere, and I love that. What's even better is the women one sees riding the bikes. Most of the bikes aren't even locked up; I imagine it's not the same case with the women on them however as the Danish men aren't bad on the eyes either. Oh how I missed Europe.
The architecture in the city is beautiful and I love the water running through it all. I plug my ears into some good music and have myself a wonderful little walk. Eventually I make my way down to that place Copenhagen is well known for. Usually when abroad I do this whole little expedition into the unknown away from the people until I find this restaurant that feels just right. I'm not as ambitious tonight, and tnstead I settle for some tortellini with gorgonzola cheese sauce by the water.. I think I waited about two hours and paid $20 more than I should have. But I'm finally here...
I take my time getting off the flight. Seeing as I am expecting to be a nordic nomad most of the day, I sit down and packed my great new hiking bag full. With that and my obese checked suitcase, I make for over 300 pounds of point at the stupid tourist fun.
It's a smaller airport, it seems like as soon as I step into the waiting area I'm already in the city. Everything just had that distinct European feel, and I decide to wear my distinct I'm in Europe grin. Jesper has a sign with my name, I immediately see him and just as quickly forget all 60 minutes of Danish I have been attempting to cram into my head. No problem though, his English is very good.
The public transport back consists of two trains and a bus. Not bad at all. We pass straight through Copenhagen to DTU just north of the city. What first comes to mind is what Charlie Bucket's paper route might be like. All the buildings have the clay tile roofs and bricks and stone everywhere else.
Making it on to campus I see the "containers" right away. With an unusually high influx of students a few years ago, the college decided on a quick fix with these mail order red containers. They really aren't so bad, but the first impression is a bit awkward. Now I have to warn you, I was not so smart when I bought my tickets. I had done some quick research and had determined that Lyngby was quite far from Copenhagen. See... there are two. Kongens Lyngby where I am, and the other Lyngby which is on an entirely different island. Google Earth didn't get the memo, hence, neither did I. So with the limited international admissions office hours, all pending geographical obstacles, and of course the stupid American factor in mind, I decide on arriving a day early. That means arriving a day before my lease begins. That means that when I get to the office, they smile and politely point to the door. And for some odd reason, all the nearby hostels have already been filled. I believe it is 5 before I finally get to the hostel in downtown Copenhagen.
The line getting in is huge. Sweaty frustrated tourists from the world unite. It's fun trying to guess where everyone is from. Right now I'm pretty bad at it, but in a few weeks I'll be better. It is really interesting though, if you were to walk through the lobby of a hostel with your eyes closed, your mind would go crazy with all the smells alone. Every once in a while you'll come upon someone especially stinky and it'll be like a bad song you can't get out of your head. You just keep wondering where he's from and if they all smell that way. I like to think that I have the power to cause that reaction occasionally.
The hostel is shaped more like an office building. It's 15 stories high. The huddle of people waiting outside the mini-elevator with all their luggage is discouraging, so I took a deep breath and adjusted my pants for the hike to the ninth floor.
People in Europe are so strange sometimes. The first thing I see when I get into my room is some German in his tighty whities. Then when I get in again last night, I'm on my bed and some Italian comes in with just underwear and a robe on. Everybody's all about flaunting the goods. And their goofy accents make the whole ordeal so damn cute.
The nap is good, and extended which is always nice. With a bit more energy I venture out into the city. The bikes are everywhere, and I love that. What's even better is the women one sees riding the bikes. Most of the bikes aren't even locked up; I imagine it's not the same case with the women on them however as the Danish men aren't bad on the eyes either. Oh how I missed Europe.
The architecture in the city is beautiful and I love the water running through it all. I plug my ears into some good music and have myself a wonderful little walk. Eventually I make my way down to that place Copenhagen is well known for. Usually when abroad I do this whole little expedition into the unknown away from the people until I find this restaurant that feels just right. I'm not as ambitious tonight, and tnstead I settle for some tortellini with gorgonzola cheese sauce by the water.. I think I waited about two hours and paid $20 more than I should have. But I'm finally here...
posted by Jordan at 8:58 PM
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