View of Copenhagen from Vor Frelsers Kirke, Christianshavn, taken a few
minutes before I fell off the stairs so baddly that I was bruised for over a month.
(Ken, Gary, you might be the only ones I ever accompanied to the tippy top of this
slippery and guard-rail-less church top).
Never had we set foot on the old continent before. Expectations
were high, disillusionment certainly nearby. I do not know
what we were expecting exactly. Something different probably. One thing
is sure, the predicted tsunami never hit but the dozen aftermath shocks got
us good. No they didn't drown us, but they made us giggle
nervously for sure.
T h e 1 2 a f t e r m a t h S h o c k s
T h e 1 2 a f t e r m a t h S h o c k s
T w i c e t h e p r i c e
D r i n k i n g a t 7 i n t h e
m o r n i n'
A c a s e o f c r i m i n a l n e g l i g e n c e o n f o u r w h e e l s
P r e - w a s h, w a s h, f a b r i c s o f t e n e r, w a t e r s o f t e n e r, a n d m e
T h e a r t o f t o i l e t f l u s h i n g i n D e n m a r k
L i t t l e A m e r i c a
B i k e r s W i t h o u t B o r d e r s
S o M u c h f o r t h e N e w H a i r c u t
T h e N a t u r i s t
C o l u m b u s ' F o r g o t t e n L a n d
Think we hate it here because you think
you would after reading our adventures? No way. We did not even mention
everything guys! Did we mention how rainy, humid, cold and grey it is here?
What a great reason to live the "hygge" life surrounded by great Danish
designers's inventions while enjoying some bio food! Seriously!
Top 3 Things we'll import back to the States!
D a n i s h d e s i g n
B i o F o o d
| Copenhagen constantly ranks amongst the five
most expensive cities to live in. We knew that when we learned we would be
moving here. Unfortunately, we underestimated what that clause meant. When
comparing with our US expenses, we fainted. When I do grocery shopping, I
gasp and swear to import all non-perishable food and toiletries from the US
(which I do) because it is just rididulous to pay twice the price for the
same stuff. When I say twice the price, it isn't a figure of speech. It
really usually is twice what you'd pay in the US. Sometimes, three times,
especially if it is an import. I was recently weeping over my KitchenAid
Stand Mixer, which I left behind in storage after the company told me I'd
need a big transformer and would probably still burn the motor since the
cycle would not be changed to a European one. I therefore, thought I'd get
a new one here since people told me they were available. Done deal I thought.
Heck no. Never. Instead of the US$300, I'd have to pay $900 for the same
model, IF it's on sale! I started weeping again. I eventually found great
American companies who offer the 220V European model for a reasonable $320!
Sold! |
| "I went to work this morning and there were
three guys sitting at the train station, drinking beer...at 7 in the morning...and
they were in business suits" said Ken one day. I wondered for a minute if
he was joking, but he was dead serious. How surprising. You can't, of course,
drink and go to work here either, but drinking is a big problem in the country.
Even if the beer isn't good (says Ken), everyone drinks at a very early age.
There is no minimum age to drink in this country so it's not uncommon to
see 12 year olds completely drunk after a day of...school or at a soccer game.
They can't buy before they are 16 (18 in restaurant) but they can drink it
and not be in trouble. You'll see people drinking in public everywhere around
here, so don't be surprised! |
A c a s e o f c r i m i n a l n e g l i g e n c e o n f o u r w h e e l s
Ladies and gentlemen, the Danish stroller. Don't be fooled: Theirs are even bigger and certainly not as modern looking as this one. |
Heard of the story of the Danish lady who spent
some time in NYC with her baby and was arrested for criminal negligence for
leaving her baby in its carriage, alone on a sidewalk, while she was sipping
her coffee in the cafe next door? Doesn't sound like a wise person would
even consider doing it to his dog or bicycle anymore, does it? Well, it is
still the rage over here. I was first very surprised to see this many bellies.
Believe me, ALL the Danes are very slim but many are currently sporting a
very pregnant belly. Never had I seen this many in my life. I think they got
their birth replacement rate covered over here. Anyway, with pregnancy comes
baby and with baby...a stroller. Now, the American stroller as we know it
does not exist here. If it does, I have never seen a single one, except when
I hang out with Americans. The rage is the Pram Carriage Bassinet. A bed
on wheels. More than that, a bed on wheels with the wheels of a Hummer and
the suspension of a...I don't know what but it's pretty darn good. You'll
see them push that thing up in a bus without forcing, kicking or using a second
set of hands. But the most surprising thing? Other than the fact that they
take the whole sidewalk, they often "rest" on the sidewalk...with a baby
inside...and no mommy to be seen...and for hours. These strollers being huge,
they are not alllowed in most shops and well, the Danes love to shop so they
simply park their kid and its car outside the place and enjoy their smoerrebroed
and Akvavit. Now, as a North American, I believe I will stick to the paranoid
mentality and basically handcuff my kids to me whenever I'm out. Because
you never know... |
P r e - w a s h, w a s h, f a b r i c s o f t e n e r, w a t e r s o f t e n e r, a n d m e
| Did I mention how the European appliances get
the best of you on a daily basis? Don't even bring the topic up or
you'll be listening to me for a couple of hours. None of them work. The oven
(other than being small) is an instant killer. It smokes as soon as
you put something in, yet...the chicken will still be pink. Go figure!
Then, the washer and dryer...if you come over and I'm doing the laundry (chances
are...I will be since these are very small appliances, extremely slow and
since you can't wash and dry at the same time), you will smell it! Yes,
you will smell it. It smells like rotten eggs (thanks to the heavy duty
water) and usually, shortly after the rinse cycle, the bathroom drain overflows
and floods the bathroom floor. Now, isn't that great? Oh and did I mention
how many products you have to use for a single load? As if soap and softener
weren't expensive enough! How about a pre-wash (because you know, the appliances
here are so economical that they wash gently) and don't forget to put the
water softener too otherwise, your clothes will be colorless and the washer...clogged!
The dishwasher is the only thing I have no complaints about just
yet. I do need to put a tab that has 4 different additives (including salt!)
but at least, it's all in one tab (thank you United Kingdom for providing
Neophos!) |
T h e a r t o f t o i l e t f l u s h i n g i n D e n m a r k
The Famous "2 Speeds" Toilet!
|
Planning on coming to visit us soon? Here
is Hygiene 101. If you are planning on using our toilets, here is the guide.
After doing number 1, please press the flush (located on top of the toilet)
illustrated with a half-black and half-white design. After doing number
2, please use the flush next to it illustrating a full black design. Really,
honestly, we do not see any difference in between the two flush levels but
it apparently saves up to 25% of water per year and they work the same way.
The full flush just lets all the water out and the water-saving flush does
not allow the flapper to open as wide so it shuts earlier. But you'll see,
even American toilets do not flush and rinse for this long so somehow, you
are welcome to use any flush you feel like, just like Ken does! :) |
T a l e r d u E n g e l s k ?
| Hvad? "I don't understand a word of what you
are saying in Danish, but yes, I do speak English." In fact, all Danish
people seem to speak English, and not with the accent you would imagine.
Their accent, when present, usually ressembles strangely that of the Queen
of England. Language-wise, we are spoiled. Except for older generations and
toddlers, everyone speaks English so fluently that we do not even bother asking
them if they do. We just say what we have to say and await the answer, which
always comes in proper English and without hesitation. English is in fact
so widespread that the Danes were recently surveying the idea of making it
an official second language. Not a bad idea; after all, it has completely
"invaded" their land. Even when chanel-surfing the Danish cable TV, it is
quite common to end up watching an American movie in English, with Danish
subtitles! |
A box of "Frosties". Same taste. Same ingredients? Who knows, it's all listed in Danish! :) |
"Oh Ken! They have Heinz Ketchup! And...these
look like Frosted Flakes but wait a minute...they call them Frosties instead!
They are Frosted Flakes! It's like my Canadian Sugar Crisp being called
Golden Crisp in the US! They even have your Tabasco sauce and my Miracle
Whip!". That was on our first week-end. We were so happy to find some products
from home. And the UK not being so far, I was back to eating the "good"
Kit Kats from Nestle, not from Hersheys (do the KitKat test: American vs.
Canadian KitKat...you'll taste the difference, it's not just in the color
of the wrapper). |
B i k e r s W i t h o u t B o r d e r s
| Who doesn't ride a bike in Copenhagen? Everyone
owns one and everyone rides one. They actually are a very effective mean
of transportation, not merely a leisure thing. If you think you can ride
your bike for fun...you better watch out, especially if you see these guys
with fluo green cyclist uniforms (the courriers...yes, they still exist here).
Ken rides his bike to work almost everyday, like most Danes. You would
not believe the quantity of bicycles around here, especially at train stations.
Cyclists have their own bike lanes, their own traffic lights and ALWAYS
have the right of way and you better give it to them because they are fast.
(It's not uncommon to see one of them up in the air after being hit by a
car either). Now, to comprehend the phenomenon fully, you must
see who rides. It covers a very wide range of people from the kids
to the sexagenaires, to the 8 month pregnant lady, to the mini-skirt girl
and even to the Armani suited CEO. Wait, did I mention the mini-skirt
girl? Stuck on that part? You shouldn't. Ken tried to check and see if he
could see anything...and they're too fast! :) |
We still have to snap a picture of those bike racks! In the meanwhile, Ken took this one of some bike traffic. |
S o M u c h f o r t h e N e w H a i r c u t
Gone with the Wind is Val's Hair
|
Before leaving the US, I got a super nice haircut. My favorite thing was probably to flip my hair every two minutes just because it felt good to have shorter, layered hair, but it all went down the drain when we moved to Copenhagen. Man, it's windy. So much for the new haircut. Nobody gets to see it, not even I. If your hair is not constantly tied, you'll be eating it or constantly unsticking it from your glossy lips. Ladies, here is a tip: No sticky gloss unless your hair is foolproofely tied. And that umbrella you need almost everyday here will need an upgrade to a super windproof umbrella if you don't want it to go inside out on you. |
T h e b r a n d l e s s G r o c e r
y L i s t
|
Our first grocery shopping was quite traumatizing.
I think we will remember it until the day we die. We can now laugh about
it but on that day, I thought I was not gonna make it to three years here.
Just like in the US, there are many grocery stores you can shop at. Unlike
most US grocery stores though, you will NOT find the same products or brands
though. What brands anyway? Variety does not really exist here. It is better
in some grocery stores than others, but let's say you want coffee; you better
like that Exclusiv brand because there is nothing else (and it's not good
according to Ken). In general, variety means choosing in between 3 brands
(usually different size or ingredients as well), which is pretty sad. I miss
seeing 15 colors of dish soap. All Dawn, all the same formula, but different
color so I can match it to my kitchen better. You want apples? Good. Here
are "the green apples" and "the red apples". What kind of variety is that?
Another bad thing...unlike America, if a veggie or fruit is out of season,
you won't find it...ever! Bye bye watermelon, bye bye berries, hello squash
and clementines. A good point not to sound too bitter? They have a lot of
fruits and vegetables stands where you can usually find fresh and cheaper
produce if you are willing to stop there. Never had I tasted such good strawberries
before. The ones North America have, have got to be genetically modified!
P.S. Don't forget your DKK20 so you can get a cart and your plastic bags if you don't want to carry your groceries with your bare hands otherwise, the store will charge anywhere up to DKK10 for each bag you buy (no, they aren't free and they won't bag your items either. And one last thing, those pears you're getting...don't forget to weigh them on the scale and put that sticker on them so they can scan them! ;) |
The magnificient shower door. Get that gap at the bottom? So useful! (Still is much better than no door at all, and no, a curtain wouldn't have worked!) 
When we moved in... |
Got your attention, didn't I? Who always thought
taking a shower outside without walls and doors sounded appealing? Come
on down and live your dream to the fullest in our new house! Oops, sorry.
I forgot! I had our bathroom modified not too long ago. When we first moved
in, I realized that the bathroom shades (thank goodness, at least, there
was one) was very hmm, thin, to be polite. I actually could see outside if
peering through. I figured people could do the same. Then I realized another
strange thing...the shower gives on the window...and not only does the shower
have some glass blocks built in, but it has NO door! That was fine with me
in the hotel we had for a few weeks because well, it was temporary AND...there
was no window but in my permanent housing...no way. Well folks, after a few
weeks of waiting, I am proud to announce that we now have a shower door,
courtesy of the landlord and guess what? It is made of a transparent glass!
Yahoo! (Yes, I'm being sarcastic but the door helps, as you can imagine, the
water to stay IN the shower...and for the story, I bought real thick blinds
long ago for our bathroom). |
The revamped bathroom courtesy of myself and my husband. Blinds that will make everyone blind! No peeking! 
When we moved in... |
C o l u m b u s ' F o r g o t t e n L a n d
| New places, new flavors; a whole world of culinary
experiences, a pleasure for the tastebuds...or so we thought. We yet have
to discover a place that offers food that we can taste. No matter where
(or even what) we eat, it all tastes like air. It doesn't taste bad, but
it's not memorable...it all tastes the same. It's...very bland and coming
from me, the woman from bland as Ken says (although I am improving he says),
it must be quite true. Too bad because their ingredients are great! Maybe they are just not aware that Columbus has discovered
the spice route and that they therefore have access to a whole world of
flavor enhancers. |
Top 3 Things we'll import back to the States!
"H y g g e" l i f e
| When we first moved into our house, Ken and
I were astounded by the lighting provided (we were still lucky, Danes usually
take the lights off the ceiling before moving). Although there was one paper
lamp per room, none showcased a lightbulb any higher than 25watts. Ken
said it made the place look creepy, I thought that at least, the paper lamps
would not catch on fire and that we needed new ones ASAP. After a while
though, we realized that this is what the Danes like. They like it
dark. They like a soft glow. And it makes quite the ambiance. You'll see
it everywhere, from homes to cafes, to shops. The lights are dim and candles
and oil lamps are lit instead to make a warmer atmosphere. I truly believe
that the Danes have enough candles in every room to light their residence
up without power. Maybe that's the goal. Nonetheless, we are slowly switching
to the Dane lighting. Yellow paper lamps, less intensity, many candles and
fresh flowers. Lounge music? Not so much. Good conversation with friends
over a drink? Absolutely. They like it plush. And seeing what the weather
is like all the time...it's no wonder. They try to create a warm, cozy atmosphere
that you crave coming home to after work or a walk in the slush. They call
it "hyggelit". The word is weak but it could translate as "coziness" with
tons of velvety pillows, candles and good company. Come on over and experience
for yourself. |
D a n i s h d e s i g n
| Hmm...Danish design. I already miss it. It's
out of range monetarily talking of course, but irresistible. We already splurged
and brought home a few pieces. Check out our favorite designers' website,
from whom we intend to buy every single piece! :) Georg Jensen (http://www.georgjensen.com/gj/flash/home/homepage.html) Erik Bagger (http://www.erikbagger.dk/) Eva Solo (http://www.evasolo.dk/) Menu (http://www.menu.as/) Bodum (http://www.bodum.com/) Zone (under Produkter) (http://www.heroldas.dk/#) Rosendahl (http://www.rosendahl.com/) Royal Copenhagen (http://www.royalcopenhagen.com) |
B i o F o o d