(photo: Marianne did some post graduate studies in New York and received this book as a gift from an American friend. She set it out for me and was excited when I knew about Garrison Keillor)I know this post comes a day late, but it took a day or so to get my head back on after all the travel. All the DIS students were super jet-lagged when we all arrived at the headquarters on Sunday afternoon. By the time we were picked up by our host families most of us had been up for around 30 hours with another few hours to go before dinner and bed. The tiredness did, however, make stressful events seem quite humorous ("Score! SAS lost my bags! Now I don't have to carry them, haha!" ~red-haired guy).
Copenhagen is, from what I've seen so far, a beautiful city. We had opening ceremonies today in the Ny Carlsbuerg Glyptotek, a museum located in the heart of the city. They held the ceremony in a room designed to look like a Greek temple where we were surrounded by Greek statues, marble floors, and ionic columns. A winds quintet played a few pieces by Beethoven and Carl Nielsen, a very famous Danish composer (he's on the 100 DKK bill).
Vibeke and Marianne have been very welcoming. The first night we had tea by the fire while watching "lifgardt" (that's not how it's spelled, but I can't seem to find anything close on google). Anyway, the show doesn't have any subtitles, but it's formatted a bit like CSI. Between the language barrier, cultural differences, and the fact that they were already half-way through the season meant that occasionally Marianne would say something like "They just talked about the Muslims immigrating to Denmark, which is the source of some racial tension here, but Mohammed is still in love with Ulja, who is the sister of Tarben". It all makes sense now.
I know the first few days will be a bit awkward, but it's refreshing to be out of my element. I think I could have written an entire post on just the shower and the alarm clock (I did battle with both. The shower won, but the alarm clock I managed to beat into submission).
This week is filled with orientations sessions until Thursday, when we'll start our normal classes. I should be able to update regularly from here on out. If the first two days were this interesting I can't wait to see what the rest of the week has in store.
Showers are tricky devils, they are.
ReplyDeletehahahaha opening ceremonies. i just pictured u in the olympics in the weightlifting category and i entertained myself for the night. Im glad that you have survived and sound like you are enjoying it! Have det sjovt
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you've conquered both the voyage there and European plumbing. Best of luck with orientation.
ReplyDelete-toma
A place that has a composer on it's currency. I think you're going to learn a lot! Mom
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you've arrived safely and are being welcomed by Greek gods. No better way.
ReplyDeleteAlso, that Garrison Keilor is a big deal sort of makes me happy inside.
Good luck with future battles - the alarm clock especially. I am fighting that one myself.
I should have commented much earlier! Everything sounds so great! I love that your host family knows Garrison Keilor. I think the best part about Europe is how you can be in a room for something like opening ceremonies and be surrounded by such AMAZING things. Keep loving every second! missss you!
ReplyDeleteMary, I am enjoying your blog and living through your words and pictures what you are expereincing. The rowing sounds interesting and a novel way to do what is traditionally an outside activity. I would guess they have discovered alot of outdoor things to do indoors with the cooler weather. Perhaps we should start some of that thinking here? Keep the information coming it is fun to read. Take care - Jeanne Taylor
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