Festelavn!

[photo: The Danish version of Halloween is called "Festelavn".  The celebration takes place before Lent and involves wearing funny costumes and hitting the "cat in the barrel".  Back in the day I'm sure some unfortunate felines fell victim to this holiday, but now the barrels are filled with candy, like a piñata]

Yesterday a friend and I hopped on the regional train and headed over to Malmø.  After about a half hour ride (I still can't believe how close Denmark is to Sweden) we arrived at the central station.  The city is perfect for day trips with plenty of little shops, cafes and such.  We stopped by the Swedish Design Center and saw some of the most oddly shaped chairs in the world.  Before we headed home we stopped by a store that sold wooden shoes and a traditional bakery.   

[photo: The holy grail of my European travels - A Swedish Chef!  I know Thomas will be excited about this, as will anyone well versed in The Muppet Show]

[photo: The Swedes are all about peace, love, and pastries]

My Cross Cultural Encounters class has started working on our project with asylum seekers.  Each group is teamed up with a Danish immigrant to investigate various topics for a magazine published by the asylum center.  Our group is focusing on a play called "Fence".  Playwright Michael Svennevig tells the story of Sandholm Camp, an asylum center where many of the residents suffer from post traumatic stress syndrome.  The camp is located near a military firing range (not exactly helpful for people recovering from war-related stress).  We start interviews next week, which should be thought-provoking to say the least. 

[photo: When I truly have to get some reading done I head over to the University of Copenhagen library.  It might just be the quietest place in the city.  The first time I walked in my converse were squeaking, and every time I stepped I felt like my shoes were shouting "american american american america"]

    
[photo: This sign is next to a door off the alley I walk down on my way to class in the morning.  I don't know what the Fabulab is, and the key-pad lock has kept me from finding out.]