Some Things I Learned in Copenhagen

Hola todos!
May seems to have snuck up on me. Seriously guys, where did the time go? I have about 6 weeks left in Europe, and really only 4 weeks left in this wonderful city that is Sevilla. Between travels and final exams I have gotten a little behind on the blogging, but I finally have some time to catch up!

Three weeks ago, I went to go visit my UW friend Rachel, who is studying abroad in Copenhagen, a really fun, albeit cold city. Here are a few of the things I learned during my time there:

1) I have become a winter wimp.

It really wasn't that cold in Denmark. It was in the mid 40's or low 50's every day I was there but to me it honestly felt like the arctic. Sevilla has completely spoiled me in terms of nice weather, and it makes me wonder how I will fair next winter in Madison.

Rachel and I in the city center.
Me in my winter peacoat,
Rachel in her light jacket.

2) The view is always worth the climb. 

While I am not the biggest fan of heights, one of my favorite tourist activities is going to see a city view. Every city has its own unique character and and there is no better way to get a feel for it than from up high. One afternoon, Rachel and I climbed the Round Tower, which used to be an old astronomy tower in the 17th century. Today it offers tourists a really sweet view of this Scandinavian city.

3) Hans Christian Anderson was Danish.

This is an easily findable fact on Wikipedia, but one I was not aware of until I went to Copenhagen and saw lots of different references to Anderson and his fairy tales all over. Danish people are really fond of their statue of the Little Mermaid, which sits on the Langelinie Pier in Copenhagen. 

Anderson's version of the Little Mermaid is not quite as... sweet... as the Disney version. Like in the movie, Anderson's little mermaid gives up her voice in exchange for human legs. But she is also given the talent of dancing, as well as a curse of having the feeling of 1,000 knives stab her feet every time she takes a step. Once on earth, she falls in love with a prince, who is enchanted by her dance, not knowing that it causes her excruciating pain. The mermaid almost succeeds in making the prince fall in love with her but in the end, the prince decides to marry some other girl. The little mermaid is given the option to return to her fish form by killing the prince and his fiancée, but instead she hurls herself into the sea in an attempt to commit suicide. Instead of dying, she becomes a half spirit who can earn her soul and go to heaven by doing good deeds for 300 years. I guess it's kind of a happy ending? 

4) Elsinore is a real place.

Elsinore is the name Shakespeare gave to the castle in his play Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. The castle's true name is actually Kronborg Castle. It lies just outside of Copenhagen in the town of Helsingør. Kronborg is one of the oldest Renaissance castles in Northern Europe, and if you are ever in Copenhagen I would definitely recommend seeing it. A lot of the outside was being renovated when I was there, but it looks like they are going to do some pretty cool things with the area and make it into a much more touristy friendly space.

In front of the castle

View from the ramparts

5) Danish people love gospel choirs. 

My last day in Copenhagen, Rachel and I went to Tivoli, a well known amusement park in Copenhagen. We went during gospel weekend, and all day various gospel groups sang on different stages throughout the park. People were really getting into the music, yelling, dancing clapping, and having a good time. The park was really fun to walk round as well, especially by night when everything lit up. 

Entrance to Tivoli

Tivoli by Night

So there you have it: the top 5 things I learned in Copenhagen. Since Denmark, I have also bon trips to London and Paris, two super amazing cities which I will have to blog about soon!