Why hello there!

[photo: Hanging out on castle ruins in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.  If ever go into exile, I might just move here]

Wow, that was a long time not to update!  Between traveling and hanging out with a friend from home on her spring break (Hi, Emily!) I completely forgot to update.  Ok, excuses aside, here's what's been going on in my neck of the woods.

St. Patrick's day was great fun with a "parade" (people wearing green walking behind a guy dressed up like the saint himself) and some traditional Irish culture at a local beer garden.  There was a folk band playing all of the old songs, some Irish step dancers, and plenty of Irish stew (which is some kind of beef / potato mix) throughout the evening.  

Last week I went to Bulgaria with my study program and got a taste of some Eastern European culture.  The first place we stopped was in Sofia, the capital.  We toured the Aleksander Nevski Memorial Church and got a crash course in folk dancing before finally checking in to the Red Star Hostel.  From Sofia we drove into the Balkan Mountains to the very remote, very beautiful Rila Monastery where we toured the church, hiked, and spent the night.  Our last few days were spent in Plovdiv, the second largest city in Bulgaria.  Our guide claimed the city was older than Rome, and we got to see some of its history first hand at the ruins of amphitheaters, castles, and churches from the last couple millennia. 

Next week I'm heading off to Grenoble, France and Les 2 Alps resort for a bit of snowboarding (err, I mean...I'm studying applied physics).  I may not be able to post again for a while, but I promise all is well over here!   

Chicken = Kylling, Kitten = Killing

This explains the look I got when I ordered the "Kitten Sandwich"

[photo: Aleks and I were walking about when we found the coolest bike store ever.  Danish design is not just for wealthy homes and museums, it's part of everyday life]

Earlier this week a friend showed me Cafe Retro, a nifty little place near Nyhavn about 5 minutes from where I have most of my classes.  This place is the definition of "Hygge", the Danish word for "cozy".  In a country where clouds and cold weather dominate most of the year, creating a cozy indoor environment has become a big part of the culture.  This cafe has huge wooden beams, old squishy couches, plenty of candles, and some of the cheapest soda in town.  A great portion of the Cafe's profit goes to charity and the workers are all volunteers.  Every time I grab a cup of coffee in there I feel like I'm saving the world, one sip at a time. 

[photo:  He looks just like Sammy!  Ma & Pa - be sure to give the dog a big kiss from me]

On Wednesday I visited the Carlsberg Brewery.  Besides the usual "history of beer" type display, they also had the world's largest beer bottle collection, the Carlsberg stables, and the "aroma test", where visitors could choose which aromas they preferred and the bartenders would recommend a specific beer for them.   

[photo: Ok, I promised I would go see her this week.  I give you "Den Lille Havfrue", the Little Mermaid]    

[photo:  I didn't cook a thing, but look how shiny the silver is!  Courtesy of yours truly.]

Vibeke and Marianne threw a fancy party on Friday night complete with champagne and bow-ties.  I think the Dane's reputation for being quiet and reserved needs to be reevaluated.  There were plenty of speeches, wine, laughter, more wine, great food, even more wine, and finally music and dancing.  The vicar was the last person to leave at around 4:30.  I think everyone, with the exception of the cats, had a great time (Vibeke's brother is allergic, so they had to incarcerate the cats at the neighbor's house).  

The Rich and Danish

[photo: When she's not mud wrestlin' or trap shooting, Queen Margrethe II (far right) enjoys wearing sparkly things and waving at crowds]

I promise Europe is still old and beautiful and cloudy, but I didn't have my camera with me this week to document it.  Instead, here are some pictures I ripped from the internet of a few important Danish public figures (I suppose this is the only way I'd get their picture anyway)

[photo:  Crown Prince Frederick and Crown Princess Mary were married just a couple of years ago.  As an Australian, Mary is a bit of a novelty over here.  I think this couple has 2 kids now]

My group finished our project for Aging in Northern Europe by interviewing an elderly man about his recent retirement.  It was neat to spend a rainy afternoon sipping coffee in cozy apartment while Anders told us about his days as a jail guard.  Everyone has had projects and papers due this week as we head into midterms.  

The beloved statue of Hans Christian Anderson's "The Little Mermaid" will be sent to Japan at the end of the month as part of a mini worlds fair of sorts.  I know this is pathetic, but I haven't been out to see her yet.  My train passes that spot in the harbor every day, though, so I just need to hop off and pay her a visit.  

[photo:  Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen is a member of the Venstre party.  Don't be fooled by the girly flowers in the picture, this guy means business.  He's favored to become the next president of the EU]

Vibeke and Marianne are back from vacation (skiing in the Czech Republic, Marianne had a medical conference down there).  They've been busy with preparations for a big party this Friday celebrating Marianne's promotion as the head professor of neurological studies at the State Hospital.  Later today I'll help polish the silver and pull out the dinning room table.  I'm so glad I brought a dress (good call, ma).