To Bike Or Not To Bike

...That is the question. Never ever did I ever ever think that I would even consider using a bicycle as a mode of transportation. Ever.


I knew that moving to Copenhagen, I would be living in a bicycle culture but I thought I had the ability to resist the trend. I was going to be a rebel. It has now been exactly 3 weeks that I live here & already I am thinking, "Well, maybe I will just look into getting a bike".


1 small little problem, I don't know how to ride one. I haven't been on a bike since I was in elementary school & that whole thing about how you never forget...Not true. You do. I needed the space in my memory bank for important things...Like what Gwyneth Paltrow was wearing when she won an Oscar & the words to "Hustler" by Rick Ross.


Buttttt....My feet hurt. Walking is slow & not very fun. And I think I would look so cute in a bicycle with a cute basket in the front of it. I'll even name it the way I name my cars. (Oh Billy Earl, I miss you sooooo much).


The biggest issue is the cost. A new bike will average between 2000-5000DKK ($375-$940). That's alot of mula for something I don't even know how to use.


But I would look so cute! And in the end, isn't that what matter most?

Undskyld

I spent months reading & learning about this country that I would be calling home. In everything I read, there was an underlying theme: Danes are hard to befriend. Over & over I was made aware that this is a people that while FRIENDLY, they keep to themselves. "Oh they are polite...But hard to connect with". There is a "respect" for your personal space which is why strangers don't initiate conversations with you & why there is no such thing as small talk while standing in queue somewhere (ie waiting in line) or at a park or store or basically anywhere.

All that is fine and dandy. I can understand that....if it were true. But when someone bumps into you or cuts in line in front of you without so much as an excuse me, it's pretty safe to assume that your personal space is not being respected. Aside from my favorite word, tak (see previous post), one of the first words I learned was Undskyld (prounounced: Oon-Skl...kinda) which means Excuse Me. However, that is apparently not a word used too frequently around here.

Having spent almost 3 years living in the South where being polite is almost an art form, I find that the lack of common courtesy is almost appalling. As I venture about more & more & start to explore my new surroundings, I am finding plenty of things I like...but a few things I don't. And this happens to be one of them. For example, when I found a plastic wrapping in my pizza today at a restaurant today, it would have been nice to hear someone apologize as opposed to telling me that "It happens sometimes". I won't be going back since I prefer my pizza sans plastic.

Luckily for me, I spent almost 28 years living in Miami where politeness is almost as rare as here in Copenhagen. So, a warning to all Danes...Keep it up...Just keep it up....My Southern Charm is quickly melting & the Miami is about to come out. I'll push my way through w/ the best of them & I happen to have a little more to push around than most Danes...Oh yes, I know how to get to the front of the line. Don't underestimate me. ;-)

Photos of The City I Want to Call Home

If nothing else, this is a beautiful city. Here are just a few pics...

The Little Mermaid. And yes, she is quite Little.

The Lake just behind my office.

Taking in some nature

At the National Museum

Also at the National Museum

News From Around The World

Really?? This has nothing to do with Copenhagen but I saw it on the news & had to ask myself...Really?!?

http://articles.cnn.com/2011-04-14/world/pakistan.tax.collectors_1_tax-collectors-tax-debtors-tax-deadline?_s=PM:WORLD

What Copenhagen Has Done To Me

** Warning: Men May Be Bored By This Post **

See Pic Below. My hair looks like that. Yep...Get it out...Laugh...It's ok...But now, feel sorry for me because this is totally true. My curling iron died on me today & I am afraid of plugging in my hair straightener for the same reason. I didn't bring the right brushes to blow dry my hair. So as the weather gets windier, rainier, & just downright nasty for anyone's hair - my hair is expanding. I need a resolution to this... STAT.

Things I Don't Understand

There are many many many things I don't understand...but I am going to narrow it down to a short list...For today.


1. McDonald's.
I have to admit, that I have not been to a Mickey D's yet but I have been watching these commercials for one of their new burgers, and it's really comical. My fave part is that this commercial is for the "Chicago Star" Burger. (Mind you, in the commercial the actress is imitating Yoda from Star Wars so that alone had me wondering what the relevance to Chicago was).
According to the website, this burger has Chicken, Salsa, & Bacon (I think there is Sour Cream too but the web doesn't specify).


Now, Don't get me wrong, I don't expect all Danes to know everything about Americans, American culture, or local/regional foods...So if this were a Danish company, I would not fault them for marketing this burger as a "Chicago Star". But this is MC DONALD'S. Someone in the Denmark marketing team should be calling someone in the American offices & doing a little fact checking before putting this stuff out there. In this day & age, your American colleague should be just a phone call, email, or IM away...Seriously Mr. Ronald Mc Donald...You & your Hamburglar disappoint me so.


2. Noma
What is Noma you ask? Why it is THE BEST RESTAURANT IN THE WORLD. And I don't mean that in an "I really enjoy going there kind of way". It's literally voted the best restaurant in the world.
http://www.theworlds50best.com/
And this place is in Copenhagen!
How is this possible? In a country that is not known for its cuisine OR its customer service...But here it is. The WORLD'S best restaurant. I'd love to test this theory & try to answer the question as to why it's so good. However, the restaurant is always booked solid & will cost me more than my little wallet can handle. According to the website, they will start taking reservations for AUGUST after May 2nd. And from what I hear, the August reservations will be booked up within 10-20 minutes. How is anything that good? You know who wants to find out? THIS girl right here.


There should be no doubt in your mind that my 2 items of concern would be food related. Speaking of, I wonder what I am having for lunch...Hmm....

This is My Life

(Listening to Tracy Chapman - Cold Feet)

I don't hate it here. I really don't. But I am still not sleeping well at night...And I am constantly wondering if I can make it through a year here. This isn't a vacation...This is now my life. My dog isn't next to me. My friends aren't making plans with me for the weekend. My car is not waiting for me outside to take me wherever I want to go. It's just me. I'm not lonely yet & I have to admit that I am extremely grateful to be surrounded by people that I know & are willing to help me adjust as much as possible. I now have a Danish bank account, went to immigration, purchased a bus pass, & have completed 1 full day of work. I'm not writing this to be down on myself or pessimistic. Just letting the reality of the situation sink in. It's up to me to love it or hate it here but regardless, THIS is what it is. I'm here. Not there. And you're there. And not here. 
Wish you were here...