returning to reality

I have been back in Glasgow for a few days now. I am finding it difficult to adjust to reality but I guess I have no choice and I better get on with life as it presents itself. As mentioned in my last post, I travelled to Copenhagen with four friends. I love to visit cities and it is really good fun to do so with friends.

We stayed in the most amazing flat right in the centre of Copenhagen. You can have a wee nosey here. The building was re-constructed in 1796 after a big fire. Old by anyones standards and very charming indeed. The central location meant it was a little noisy at times but not terribly so.

On our first day, we explored the city by boat. It is a good way to see things. It was freezing cold and at some point, even my kneecaps seemed frozen. We learned loads about the city. I don't remember much other than the Danes achieved world firsts with a multitude of things. I also remember that the bluetooth symbol on our devices is made of the initials of Harald Bluetooth, a Viking king gifted with excellent communication skills. He united at least some of the warmongering Danish tribes. We spotted the little mermaid, which was indeed little and I am glad we didn't waste time to visit her on foot. Did you know that she lost her head twice? It was stolen and had to be replaced with a replica. All cities should have easy accessible canals for sightseeing!

On the second day there was shopping in the morning. I went to Stof & Stil, a fabric shop I was keen to visit, my friends went shopping for all sort of things. We visited the Danish Design museum in the afternoon. It is a most enjoyable and fun place and if you ever go there, you'll find many items that look familiar. More than one Ikea designer must have found inspiration in Danish design culture. There was a chair exhibition, which I particularly liked. My old dining room chairs were there. Well, not exactly those of course but copies. I suppose it is the other way round! Well worth a visit. I noticed the Culture of Medicine museum just a few steps down the road but I didn't suggest a visit because we were all quite tired by then. I might explore it in summer.

On the last day we went to the Nørrebro neighbourhood to explore a trendy flea market advertised online. It was not on unfortunately but a leisurely stroll along the gentile streets was truly enjoyable. I can imagine living there. We stopped for coffee in a small corner café and sat outside for a wee while, people watching. Later we visited a food market which I loved and then we wandered through Freetown Christiania. You can read more about it here in this 2016 Guardian article. I found it rather underwhelming and I imagine its founders miss the idealistic autonomous community it was when it was first founded. It was a bit seedy, which is a shame because it needn't be.

Foodwise we did very well indeed. Most memorable for me is a salad of artichoke hearts and large prawns on a bed of mixed leaves with fresh bread that just invited you to bury your nose in and inhale. I also remember a hotdog we ate on a busy market square, it was most delicious. Danish pastries are far better in Denmark than here although of course it may be a trick of my mind. We also found a cheese cake café. The selection of cheese cakes was astonishing and the interior of the café was pleasingly quirky. It also is home to the tiniest toilet cubicle ever. I could touch both side walls with my upper arms. I was slightly worried to get stuck but managed to wiggle back out again. There was not a single meal I didn't enjoy. 

I love spending time with my women friends. It is not often that we can give each other the attention we all deserve, with kids and husbands milling about and life being busy. I love them and I could dedicate an entire blogpost to every one of them but I won't. I think I am the odd one out and this sometimes worries me but at the end of the day, it doesn't matter. I am who I am and this friendship group gives me strength, comfort and happiness.

As always when I go somewhere on the continent, I feel homesick for Switzerland. Not so much for Switzerland actually, but the continental way of living. Don't get me wrong, I love it here in Scotland but there is a hard to describe different feel to the continental Europe I am familiar with. I think my friends felt it, too. I can't really put my finger to it, I think it has something to do with a greater social trust in at least the parts of continental Europe I know. I listened to an interesting podcast last winter on this very subject, it might be a good starting point if social trust is something you are not familiar with. I'd be interested to hear what your thoughts are on this matter.

Before I forget: not all of these photos are mine, I borrowed some from my friends. Thanks!

There you go, my trip to Copenhagen in a nutshell. I hope to squeeze in a visit or two during our coastal Denmark holiday this summer.

Have a great weekend. xx