Love story

Right from the start, this semester is becoming a love story...between me and Copenhagen. (And very appropriately, the boys have adopted "Love Story" by Taylor Swift - which they scream at the top of their lungs at all hours of the day - as the theme song of the semester.) It amazes me that people here can walk through the streets as if they were passing nothing more interesting than white washed warehouses and cement parking lots. For me, every corner turned presents a photographic opportunity and I look at every building as if it were a sight to see. Even the nearly permanent ceiling of dreary rainclouds isn't a purveyor of gloominess, but instead makes the city feel even more European. Already I know that I will never be able to do Copenhagen justice by trying to capture its essence in words or photographs. Living here feels something like a combination between coming home and falling in love. To say the least, I have a bad case of broken record syndrome, saying "I love this city!!!" every time I step outside. The cobblestones, fountains, green copper domes, bicycles, and statues that greet me as walk onto the front step are only a few examples of the many things that say "Todo, we're not in Kansas anymore."

Copenhagen is like the goose that lays golden eggs, a somewhat unexpected source of riches. Before I came here, I thought of Copenhagen as a city lacking in the grandeur of the "big" cities of Europe: Paris, Amsterdam, London... but in fact, its more of a well kept secret. Without the big name, Copenhagen has been preserved from the veneer of tourism that so often seems to cheapen travel. That being said, I have been a very successful tourist this past week, getting my fill of sight seeing (which requires no more than wandering with a camera) and shopping.

Of course, like in Kiev, I've made sure to get the full Copenhagen experience, nightlife included. Skindergade's prime location has been a key facilitator in visiting several bars and clubs in the area, which are open and full every night of the week (Danes are big believers in drinking.) Because we're so close to DIS, a lot of the places we go tend to be packed with Americans, but my roommates have applauded me on my ability to meet the only Danes in bars packed with Americans, which I do by seeking out and befriending the bartenders and club owners (not bad connections to have.)

I was sick this weekend with a cold and fever, which put a damper on my fun, but now my friend Jordan, who I went to high school with, is visiting before she goes back to school at St. Andrew's in Scotland and luckily I'm healthy again and having a great time. But the highlight of Jordan's visit is yet to come...we're going to Amsterdam for the weekend with about 15 other people. (Oh I love Europe....when else can you say that you're going to another country for a quick weekend trip?) But we have many more fun things planned before Friday, including ice skating in the middle of the city.

I would say, for being only a week in, not too shabby....