Copenhagen

I didn't forget about this blog! I was sidetracked by a new job and a broken computer, but now all is well! Going back in time to recap our weekend in Copenhagen, Denmark, today.

We traveled with our fellow DC-er, Ben, and donned hats, gloves and umbrellas for our first venture into Scandinavia. It was early February. What were we thinking?! So we opted for an indoor activity as our first stop - the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek.

The museum started from the sculpture collection of Ny Carlsberg of Carlsberg beer brewery fame. He really loved ancient Greek and Roman statues (glyptotek means sculpture museum). I could picture his huge office filled with random marbles like these:

Peek-a-boo! Ben and I stare creepily at Brandon from the upper gallery.

The city's buildings were beautiful - a mix of old and new construction and styles. They reminded me of Amsterdam's with their pointed towers, slate-colored roofs and dark red brick.

City Hall

After the museum, we searched for a lunch spot, and since we weren't too keen on pickled fish, we made a beeline for a hot dog stand recommended by good ol' Rick Steves. It served organic meats AND sauerkraut and pickles from Germany! Food highlight of the trip.

Epic hot dogs

Once it stopped raining, we walked around the palaces and found these dudes guarding them. There were four buildings in a square where the royal families live, and the guards rotate around each door.

Center of the square facing a palace

Another palace

The red stalls in the above photo had an adorable cut-out heart, alluding to the nine red hearts on Denmark's coat of arms (left). While the design has changed over time, the hearts date back to the 14th century version. So cute!

For even more cuteness, check out the city of Copenhagen's coat of arms (right) - a princess castle! When your garbage trucks, sewer plates and trash cans have cute castles, you know you're in a happy place. In fact, Copenhagen is ranked the happiest city in the world, in large part to taxes paying for all health care, child care, college education - pretty much anything that would cause worry and stress. That and employers allotting tons of vacation time!

One of the prettiest spots in Copenhagen is the neighborhood of Nyhavn on the canals. It's the part of the city you usually see in postcards with brightly colored buildings and picturesque boats bobbing in the clear canal. You could see all the way to the sandy bottom. This is no Thames, Seine or Potomac River!

Nyhavn at dawn - thanks to Brandon for rising early!

Brandon may have gotten minor frostbite for taking photos that early, but he said it was worth it! Group shot:

B is realizing his frostbitten hand...

The only site on my must-do list for Copenhagen was the tribute to one of the city's most famous residents, Hans Christian Andersen. The author is most known for his fairy tales like The Little Mermaid (Den Lille Havfrue.) And in 1913 sculptor Edvard Eriksen dedicated this statue of den lille havfrue to the city. She looks longingly towards land in search of her prince. She's actually bummed because every time a group of people want to make a statement to the Danish government, she gets stolen, covered in paint or decapitated! True story.

I'd be blue too! Poor havfrue

We had a great little trip to the Danish land. The people were the friendliest I've encountered outside of the Michigan. At the bars in the evening strangers make friends over foosball and pool tables. The Danes LOVE foosball - every bar had a table. Thanks Copenhagen for being such a lovely host!