September 2006. Enjoying our backyard balcony. Needs work but quite spacious!
In the background, the Immaculata Church, part of the infirmary and motherhouse used by
Sankt Joseph Soestrene (Sisters of Saint Joseph of Chambery, Denmark Province)
When we first received the assignment for Copenhagen, Denmark back in
January 2006, we did not know that our permanent quarters would be chosen
for us. It actually was a bit stressful when we learned about it because
well...who knows what you like better than yourself? Who takes it as seriously?
Who knows what you look for in a community? And then, we both realized that
somehow, it wasn't as bad as it sounded. They might not know our preferences
but we can let them know our basic needs. Plus...I'm sure they know the neighborhoods
better than we do, I thought. And you know what? When you are planning an
overseas move in such a big city, maybe it's better if you do not have to
worry about finding a house at the same time. We thus took a breath, prepared
for worse and hoped for the best.
Upon arrival in Copenhagen, our permanent quarters still hadn't been confirmed. We had pictures of a house they had penciled in while we were still in the US but for security reasons, it still hadn't been cleared. We still went to the house to check it out, excited to see the real thing and when we saw it, it was so much better than we imagined a European house to look like that we quickly hoped it would be cleared. And it did. A month after our arrival, we moved in from our serviced apartment to our permanent quarters. Of course, it never is as it looked when you first visited but it's quite a nice place and the neighborhood is great and convenient. Plus, knowing there is a huge housing shortage, we were just happy they had found us a place.
The New Mackay House Isn't Exactly a House
Our "house" actually isn't a house, but we always call it a house because of the way it is designed and because of its size. It is in between 1,100 and 1,200 square feet. Smaller than our Alabama house by about 500 square feet but extremely big by European standards (the high ceilings makes it look even bigger). Our "house" actually is in a house, a much bigger one. Houses are so big in our area that they rarely are used as houses. They usually are converted into businesses or several apartments. Our building is a mix of the two. The basement is occupied by 3 people that all seem to share one kitchen and other common areas. The first floor (although it is considered floor zero in Denmark) is rented out to Copenhagen's Pedagogy Seminary, the second floor is ours completely and the third floor (which is almost half the size of ours because of the roofs) is rented out to a guy with whom we quickly made friends. So basically, having the entire floor feels like a house. Especially with an open plan like this (just like we like them, just like our old house). We have two balconies, a pretty big one at the back where we are planning to install a patio set (our first), a grill, lounge chair and mini-garden and a tiny overlook in the front. I am not sure we'll fit a chair there honestly (doesn't matter, the ramp is so high, you wouldn't see) but you still can step out and enjoy your morning coffee. It's just that perfect height to put your elbows on it! :)
May I Introduce our Neighbor: Her Excellency Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg (formerly Her Highness Princess Alexandra of Denmark before she got re-married?)
Living in an apartment isn't so bad. It doesn't feel like it because it's so spacious and wide open. Plus, we have all these big windows and the downstairs students are always gone at night, on the week-ends and well, they do not have classes here that often and they are adults and few so it isn't as bad as it may sound. This flat is only an annex to their big art school which is in the back of our house, left of the Sisters' buildings. We still need to monitor the noise though because we do have a neighbor upstairs but we are friends with him. The neighbors on the left are still to be known. It seems like their house is occupied by their family only, but it is also much smaller than this one. The neighbors to the right are never to be known that well. It actually is a huge mansion that has been transformed into the Iranian Embassy (no kidding). By a day of sun, you can actually see their flag reflect on our TV screen. Cool, huh? Up front is another huge mansion, which used to belong to King Harald of Norway. He lived there for 15 years. It is now occupied by some unknown business. Other neighbors on our street include Her Excellency Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg and her two sons His Highness Prince Nikolai William Alexander Frederik (fourth in line to the Danish throne, 219th to the British one) and His Higness Felix Henrik Valdemar Christian (they live in the old Slovenian Embassy, bought for 7.25million kroner which is around US 1.3million), the Austrian and Burkina Faso Embassies as well as a Buddhist Center. The whole area is filled with Embassies and Ambassador's Residences. It is thus pretty safe, very wealthy and still residential. It is Oesterbo.
For the royalty curious: The Princes are unbelievably cute and the new husband is hmm...acting his age, pumping up the volume, working on his car...The usual man stuff! So yes, we do see them around, they live on our block, but we are not groupies so do not expect pictures or a news update! :)
After the Iranians, the East Germans...
Our house, just like Countess Alexandra, used to be an Embassy as well. We thus live in the former East German Embassy. So whenever you visit, be careful what you say, the Germans, Iranians and Americans are listening! :)
Upon arrival in Copenhagen, our permanent quarters still hadn't been confirmed. We had pictures of a house they had penciled in while we were still in the US but for security reasons, it still hadn't been cleared. We still went to the house to check it out, excited to see the real thing and when we saw it, it was so much better than we imagined a European house to look like that we quickly hoped it would be cleared. And it did. A month after our arrival, we moved in from our serviced apartment to our permanent quarters. Of course, it never is as it looked when you first visited but it's quite a nice place and the neighborhood is great and convenient. Plus, knowing there is a huge housing shortage, we were just happy they had found us a place.
The New Mackay House Isn't Exactly a House
Our "house" actually isn't a house, but we always call it a house because of the way it is designed and because of its size. It is in between 1,100 and 1,200 square feet. Smaller than our Alabama house by about 500 square feet but extremely big by European standards (the high ceilings makes it look even bigger). Our "house" actually is in a house, a much bigger one. Houses are so big in our area that they rarely are used as houses. They usually are converted into businesses or several apartments. Our building is a mix of the two. The basement is occupied by 3 people that all seem to share one kitchen and other common areas. The first floor (although it is considered floor zero in Denmark) is rented out to Copenhagen's Pedagogy Seminary, the second floor is ours completely and the third floor (which is almost half the size of ours because of the roofs) is rented out to a guy with whom we quickly made friends. So basically, having the entire floor feels like a house. Especially with an open plan like this (just like we like them, just like our old house). We have two balconies, a pretty big one at the back where we are planning to install a patio set (our first), a grill, lounge chair and mini-garden and a tiny overlook in the front. I am not sure we'll fit a chair there honestly (doesn't matter, the ramp is so high, you wouldn't see) but you still can step out and enjoy your morning coffee. It's just that perfect height to put your elbows on it! :)
May I Introduce our Neighbor: Her Excellency Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg (formerly Her Highness Princess Alexandra of Denmark before she got re-married?)
Living in an apartment isn't so bad. It doesn't feel like it because it's so spacious and wide open. Plus, we have all these big windows and the downstairs students are always gone at night, on the week-ends and well, they do not have classes here that often and they are adults and few so it isn't as bad as it may sound. This flat is only an annex to their big art school which is in the back of our house, left of the Sisters' buildings. We still need to monitor the noise though because we do have a neighbor upstairs but we are friends with him. The neighbors on the left are still to be known. It seems like their house is occupied by their family only, but it is also much smaller than this one. The neighbors to the right are never to be known that well. It actually is a huge mansion that has been transformed into the Iranian Embassy (no kidding). By a day of sun, you can actually see their flag reflect on our TV screen. Cool, huh? Up front is another huge mansion, which used to belong to King Harald of Norway. He lived there for 15 years. It is now occupied by some unknown business. Other neighbors on our street include Her Excellency Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg and her two sons His Highness Prince Nikolai William Alexander Frederik (fourth in line to the Danish throne, 219th to the British one) and His Higness Felix Henrik Valdemar Christian (they live in the old Slovenian Embassy, bought for 7.25million kroner which is around US 1.3million), the Austrian and Burkina Faso Embassies as well as a Buddhist Center. The whole area is filled with Embassies and Ambassador's Residences. It is thus pretty safe, very wealthy and still residential. It is Oesterbo.
For the royalty curious: The Princes are unbelievably cute and the new husband is hmm...acting his age, pumping up the volume, working on his car...The usual man stuff! So yes, we do see them around, they live on our block, but we are not groupies so do not expect pictures or a news update! :)
After the Iranians, the East Germans...
Our house, just like Countess Alexandra, used to be an Embassy as well. We thus live in the former East German Embassy. So whenever you visit, be careful what you say, the Germans, Iranians and Americans are listening! :)
* *
*
Pictures should be posted as the house is slightly more put together.
As of now, only the Master's bathroom is finished to an extend where I am
willing to show pictures of it. We did all we could for it so it's complete
as we know it. The other rooms are in progress and unless you are
coming over, no pictures will be posted! :) What you can see now are
the pictures of the house after we received our first survival shipment from
the US and some furniture provided by work. Pardon the mess. Our House
View from the kitchen onto the living room...and the Iranian Embassy if you look through the window. Yes, we're that close! :)
View from the kitchen onto the living room...and the Iranian Embassy if you look through the window. Yes, we're that close! :)
Bedroom 1: The Master's Bedroom |
Bedroom 2: Ken's Office New Picture Soon! |
Bedroom 3: The guest bedroom with overlook balcony |
The guest bathroom (more of a powder room) Note to guests: No shower in guest bathroom |
The kitchen and dining room with its psychedelic floor |
The living room with big balcony |
The master's bathroom with its 2-people jacuzzi tub. |