Lovely Copenhagen

I don't know exactly when it happened, but sometime in the 7 weeks that I've been here I've stopped being a tourist and have started seeing everything with a new set of eyes. Even in the way that I walk down the street - I don't stop to look at everything anymore the way that I used to. My commute to school is so routine - I hurry to the train station in the morning through a shortcut to make my train. I get on the train about 2 minutes before it leaves, and first take my coat off, put my headphones on and pull out my book. The next 45 minutes are mine to enjoy. As soon as I hear "naeste station - osterport" I know it is time to put my things away because I will get off at the next station: Norreport. From this station I cross the street and walk down one of the walking streets (meaning cars are not allowed on these streets). I walk past the book store and the little cafe that always looks so inviting. I walk by the library that looks more like a cathedral, and once I am past it I take a right and walk by Frue Plads - a big beautiful square. I walk quickly and know to walk on the larger stones rather than the cobblestones so my feet don't get as tired. Once I get to Gammel Torv - I walk down Vestergade to DIS and about one hour after leaving my house I am finally at school! I know my way around the city now and walk with a purpose rather than as a tourist. I have even been asked for directions several times!

Last night though, I experienced a different Copenhagen in Kulturnatten - Culture Night. Everything in the whole city was open until midnight - museums, cafes, towers, cathedrals, everything. There were countless events going on such as concerts, free food, laser shows and more. After making some dinner at Gabi's Kollegium (which is like a dorm), we headed out to Kulturnatten. We decided to go to Christiansborg - which used to be the royal palace. Underneath it though, there are ruins of the old palace which burned down. We wandered through these underground ruins with a little bike flashlight Madeleine luckily brought along. Afterwards we walked around the city, and I have never seen it so alive! There were thousands of people on the streets very early into the morning, people of all ages. It was wonderful. There were street performers, music, and art everywhere! People watching at its prime. Walking around Amagertorv I felt something familiar that I couldn't figure out. One of my friends correctly identified it - it was like being at a frat party - the entire sidewalk on Stroget was sticky from spilled beer! The city was a giant Danish frat party - but much less sketchy and infinitely more cultured.

In the morning we woke up, made some pancakes (American style, not the thin, crepe-like Danish pancakes) and headed off to a canal boat tour. Walking around, I thought about how Copenhagen has become a part of me and how much I will miss this city.

Good thing I still have 2 months left! And tomorrow I am off on my 3 week travel break. The plan is Stockholm, Tallinn, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Durham, Nottingham, London, Prague! I am very excited, and will try to post during the break. Vi ses!