When people plan a vacation, there is a lot of focus on what they are going to do and when they are going to do it. Vacations aren’t always relaxing because you try to see as much of your destination as possible. When you are studying abroad in a different country, you have to find the balance between being a tourist and being a “native”.
This first week in Denmark has been full of new experiences. But it has felt more like a vacation then an extended stay. Everyone is rushing to see everything as fast as they can, myself included. One of the best parts of being a student here is that I have time to really discover the city. Find the small parts of it that make it special. It also means that I can’t be “going” every minute of the day, I am allowed to take a break and just sit every once in a while. Without that, I would drain myself before it was done.
Now enough of my insightful wisdom on the joys of study abroad…
Today instead of going to class, we went and toured the National Museum of Denmark to view their Viking displays. The exhibits were very impressive, and all of the artifacts were from Denmark. Items dating back to before the Stone Age. It is mind boggling how much history a country can have, compared to America which is just a blip on the grand timeline of life.
Later in the afternoon, I followed the lead of the natives and went to the beach. Copenhagen is experiencing a heat wave, well for Scandinavia at least. Amager Strand Beach is a beautiful place. The sand is warm, the water is cold, and the waves were minimal. It was a perfect afternoon.
To top it off, I found one of my favorite Scandinavian treats at the grocery store. Most people think it is absolutely disgusting, but I will be dining on Kalles and hard boiled eggs for the next few days!
The day wrapped up with a trip to Tivoli, an amusement park of sorts in the heart of Copenhagen. The place was beautiful and transported you to somewhere completely different than the historical awe of the rest of Copenhagen. You could find everything from fine dining to popcorn stands to roller coasters to cute shops. Every Friday night in July, they are having a free concert series, so I even got to see Passenger preform. All in all, a pretty spectacular day, and I have plenty more left!