winter weather

Alright, so it's been entirely too long since I've updated.  Apologies.  I have had a lot to think about over the last few months, and at some point sharing stories was just a little underwhelming..  Living abroad is, of course, bound to inspire some shifts in perspective and life views, but it's something unique to go through that process and be aware of it simultaneously.  Having a critical and highly meta cognitive mind has its downfalls (and upshots ;) ). But, I'll get into that another time...I am always wary of super introspective blogging--as my favorite NCIS forensic scientist puts it: "diarrhea of the keyboard" is not a good thing.  Instead, I'm going to post all the photos and adventures from the last few months--just, umm, be prepared for COLD!  Viking winterland has arrived!

Cheers,
Callie

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The yellow homes here are always so charming--but even more so in the snow!

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Many of you ask what it's like to live in Copenhagen, and I usually say that one of the things I enjoy most is walking around in the center.  There are certain pleasures about being able to ride your bike as a main source of transportation, something that is not possible in many major US cities, and I find the same is true about walking in this area.  NYC, Boston, Atlanta--all large cities, but wandering them is a different experience..NYC we know is noisy and full of life--cabs, culture--vibrant in an extreme way.  I think Boston might be comparable to CPH--certainly the North End and more subdued downtown center--but again, the overwhelming sense of noise, cars, and general New England harried pace carries through.  And walking in Atlanta is unique again--large, spread out city center with multiple area of interest, but touristy in the sense that most of the attractions are museums or large centers that cater to clientele outside the residents of the city itself.  (Think CNN, CocaCola, GA Aquarium, etc..)



Copenhagen, on the other hand, had these amazing areas where few cars can be found, and locals are nearly always found wandering the streets in search of a friend and coffee or beer, a particular item in a small shop, or on their way to class or work or home.  Even cyclists often step off to walk their bikes through these streets.  Some of them are narrow, akin to alleys, with sidewalks on either side, or like the one above--large and spacious--frocked with pedestrians from 4-7PM.  I should note that these streets are not singular to Copenhagen--there are similar areas in many cities in Denmark.  The notion of abandoning cars as a main transport has had an impact for sure!  The official name of a pedestrian ONLY street is "Stroget" but the photo above is not from "Stroget" if you can believe it.  (BTW, "stroget" is pronounced a bit like "Stroll" but with a more ew sound on the "o" and a lengthened and softened "ll" sound... As dad puts it, just chew on a potato when speaking.)




Anyway, the street pictured here is a main area next to the metro in CPH center--Norreport.  The Christmas lights (a major feature of Danish city Christmas Jule hygge) are lit--it's about 4 in the afternoon, and as it's Friday, all the workers and residents are out and about running various errands in preparation for the weekend and evening.  Another note--yes, 4PM and it's nearly dark... This is why I think Danes are so comforatable (and reliant) on cozy candles and "hygge"..If it were this dark in the winter at 4PM in Charleston, I'm not sure what we'd do!

 Many Danes feel comfortable riding in the snow--I'm not one of them.  Knowing the consequences of brain injury and hospital stays as I do, these are not the days that I am brave enough to venture out on two wheels.  This is evident by the white pile up on my bike here...  I am aware of how hard it is to see cyclists in sunny Charleston from cars--I'm not about to gamble from the other side in cloudy, snowy, often dark CPH!  Lucky for me, the bus and train run almost always in the snow--Danish traffic workers are quite efficient in this regard.

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Oops!  Accidental Beheading...

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Look carefully and you'll see why it's a bad idea to trespass into a neighbors yard to visit the snowman the tiny, and adorable, daughter's handiwork.  But don't worry..  I fixed it!