What is up with the peeing folks?

Now that I have waxed poetic about all the good....Let me explain something I truly don't understand about this country: They are fascinated w/ peeing in public.

This is not something that is exclusive to men. Women do it, too. All the time. There isn't a single weekend night that goes by that I don't see someone going to the bike lane, leaning against a wall, or jumping in between the bike racks to get their pee on. I. Don't. Get. It.

It happened just now as I was coming back from a friend's place & this time the lovely gentleman had chosen the wall next to the entrance of my building. What a sweety.

I understand that this is a country where the viking blood runs deep. But during the day (which by the way, daytime is almost non existent right now) these same people spend as much time as possible at the gym, getting waxed (yes, men too), tanning, & basically being as groomed as possible. Yet at night, the oh so classy side of the Danes comes out. One Tuborg too many & there they go. The earth is their toilet. It's so bad that there are even certain streets where you describe them by saying "You know...It's the street that always smells like pee."

I don't understand or appreciate this habit as I personally don't want to turn the corner to see a man leaning against a wall....and then turning around to see a woman squatting in between 2 bikes AS IF that could possibly cover anything. It's not pretty people.

If I were a twitterer, this is where I would write #damncountryisstrange.

Thanksgiving

American holidays tend to be a difficult time for many expats. Fortunately for me, I haven't had that experience so far. For the 4th of July I went to an Embassy Party & also dinner w/ an American friend. On Halloween, I went to a costume party & managed to have a great time with about 15 other 'foreigners'. And now comes Thanksgiving.

Since I just came back from visiting family & friends, I was a) still a little jetlagged and b) still on the high of having been w/ my loved ones. So Thanksgiving really didn't phase me. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised when a number of Danes wished me a "Happy Thanksgiving" to which I consistently replied w/ "Gobble Gobble" much to their amusement & delight.

That evening, an American friend of mine (same as the one that I shared the 4th of July with) & I went to dinner @ a Canadian burger joint. I won't dare say that it's close enough so as to not insult my Canadian friends. However, let's just say that the burgers were 'almost American'. (I hope I am safe with that description.) I had a lovely evening of good food, good company, no food coma and DEF no family throwdowns. Not that any of that happens in MY family. ;-)

This Sunday, I will celebrate again at a Thanksgiving luncheon hosted by another American friend of mine. I can't promise that there won't be a food coma this time. The menu will consist of all the traditional fixin's & I simply can't wait.

Just thinking about it all makes me go Yuuummmmmmm......

The Danish reaction to a Danish

Ok Americans. Listen up. The Danish (the delicious pastry we love to enjoy in a cheese or fruit variety) does not actually exist in Denmark. This came has a major disappointment to me when I first arrived to Denmark. I did not appreciate this as all I wanted was to enjoy a cheesy & fruity pastry delight that was covered in icing in the very country for which it has its namesake.

However, the Danes do not believe in icing, the processed cheese in a Danish is nonexistent in Denmark, and the fruity deliciousness is not used in any pastry in this country. They do have pastries, and they are good, but it's not what we think of AT ALL. Sooo....while I was in the US, I picked up a box of Cheese Danishes while at WalMart to bring back & share w/ my Danish colleagues.

First, there was confusion. "What IS this?" That was followed by amusement. "Wow! Whatever this is, it's named after OUR people". This was then followed by curiousity. "Hmm....Should I taste it?" But that only led to disgust. "This stuff is processed & fake & not at all what our fabulous country represents" ....Ultimately, it was almost a dare. Who would eat it? Who would eat more than 1? I only brought back 1 box. This box had 6 in it. As of today, there is still 1 left & no one will touch it.

Between us....I'm dying to eat it but don't want to be caught by the Danes eating the American Danish. However, I will never let a yummy treat go to waste so in all likelihood, expect me to snatch it sometime next week....and gosh darnit...I will LIKE IT.

It's Been A While

And it's not that I have forgotten how to blog. Promise. But things have been a little hectic. The good news is that I recently had a chance to see most of you & catch up in person. Being home really refreshed my batteries & renewed my spirit in ways that I can't explain.

I loved being h-o-m-e. Spending time w/ my bestie, my dog, my family, & my friends is incomparable to any experience that I could have abroad.

However, that being said, being home made me realize something important...I am not ready to come back. I came to Copenhagen with a goal. One single purpose. And that goal has not been achieved so packing up & heading home now would only make the past 7 months a waste of my time. And I am not one to enjoy wasted time. I miss you. I love you. I LOVED being with you. But I had to come back. And I have to focus on what lies ahead. I will be back. The US is my home. It's where I ultimately belong. But right here, right now...This is where I should be. And if nothing else, being away for 2 weeks made me realize that.

And even as I type it out, I shake my head in disbelief as I never thought I would think that.