Welcome to what is surely the largest music festival in the world!!! The best worst part of the trip. Boy, were we ill-prepared for this event! Took the wrong train, got off at the wrong gate once on the right train, couldn't find Philip... sheesh! Not to mention that we hadn't actually purchased wrist bands since we were only able to stay for a couple of days, so we had to sneak in. And by sneak in, I mean we had to jump a fence. A tall one. I was more or less tossed over... good times! But we made it! Getting off the train, I couldn't help but wonder what on earth all these people were doing with dolly-cart after dolly-cart loads of beer. Now I understand. And I unabashedly participated to my fullest potential. I'm not sure how I survived on basically nothing but Tuborg and Carlsberg for over 48hours, but hey, I'm alive. And it was fantastic. Because this adventure was so incredible, I think it will be easiest if I just list some of the most memorable points:
1. Gaining a new appreciation for port-a-potties... most people just pee'd along the outer fence of the grounds, which made for a swampy and stinky situation after the first day... and the festival is a week and a half long.
2. Being taught how to properly squat and pee by a Danish girl... and yes, I got it down now!
3. Drunk and loud people everywhere. All the time.
4. Susanne Sundfør... great show.
5. Walking around in leggings and a bikini top, and not being ashamed even in the slightest.
6. Attending a birthday party at another group's campsite... music and dancing. Liberating.
7. Late night kebab and hookah... the kebab was a mistake, as I found out the next day.
8. Wake up at 9am, have a light breakfast, nap in the grass till 11am, get up, drink beer all day.
9. A lot of our group's beer getting stolen... that sucked.
10. Ultimate exhaustion on the train ride home to pass out and sleep for an entire day.
Once we made it home, I think I really did sleep for most of the day. Then an iced coffee made everything better! :) As miserable as I was during parts of my Roskilde experience, I would absolutely love to go back someday, for the entire festival, much better prepared for all it entails!!
30 June, 2010
27 June, 2010
Mikkeller = True Happiness (25/26-June)
Our attempts at visiting a beach with a jumping platform today were made in vain, as the water temperature was too cold and they weren't letting people swim. Boo. Oh well, more laying around in the grass and enjoying being alive. We also had entertainment--a creepy guy trying to strike up conversation with two young girls. Later on, we met up with Anders and his brother (Peter), as well as another Fulbrighter (Adam). And then the "icing" began... AJ iced Anders upon our arrival to the apartment. It was pretty hilarious, and I got a good pic of Anders taking a knee to chug that Ice. After a while, Anders innocently left to go to the bathroom, but magically returned with an Ice for AJ! Good work, Anders. Oh but wait, as soon as AJ stood up, tears in his eyes from chugging his Ice, Anders presented him with ANOTHER ONE. Priceless. That's rough. After some dinner at an excellent Indian restaurant, we decided to start the night at Mikkeller (said like mick-uh-luh). This place might be the best thing about Copenhagen, and it is AJ and Ander's favorite bar. Rightfully so, as I quickly learned. I don't know what they put in their beer, but "Mikkeller drunk" is an entirely different kind of experience from any other type of drunk you can imagine. In a good way. Since AJ's time in Copenhagen was coming to a close, the boys wanted to take him to get a Dirty Draught. Once they convinced me to approve of this plan (like I said... Mikkeller drunk!), off we went to the sketchiest bar I will likely ever visit. I am not going to explain what the Dirty Draught is here, but you can either use your imagination or ask me sometime if you are really dying to know. All I know is that I never want to experience this again. We hit a few more bars over the course of the evening, and I discovered the game Meier (said like Maya) Meier--good times, and I learned that I am pretty good at bluffing! :) Playing this game and having more beer is what we did into the wee hours of the morning. We didn't leave until 6:30am. Talk about a great night!!
Saturday required that I sleep in, so I did. Then we went to the Carlsberg Brewery for a tour. Yes, I went on a brewery tour and got 2 free beers... me, AJ, and my MASSIVE hangover. I wasn't joking about the beer intake. Anyway, it was a self-guided tour, and I really liked it. Learned some interesting little beer tidbits and got to see their beer collection (largest in the world, amounting to over 19,000 unopened bottles of beer!) We were so tired and hungover, we didn't do much else that day. But we DID get iced vanilla coffees... my life has been forever changed, and iced coffee will never be as good once I am home. They make this stuff fresh. I'm talking freshly ground coffee beans and using actual vanilla ice cream. When I go back, I will likely go to that cafe every single day just to get an iced coffee. Mmm, just talking about it makes me want to go get one now!
That night, I watched The Green Butchers. Highly entertaining. And highly Danish. :) Great film.
Saturday required that I sleep in, so I did. Then we went to the Carlsberg Brewery for a tour. Yes, I went on a brewery tour and got 2 free beers... me, AJ, and my MASSIVE hangover. I wasn't joking about the beer intake. Anyway, it was a self-guided tour, and I really liked it. Learned some interesting little beer tidbits and got to see their beer collection (largest in the world, amounting to over 19,000 unopened bottles of beer!) We were so tired and hungover, we didn't do much else that day. But we DID get iced vanilla coffees... my life has been forever changed, and iced coffee will never be as good once I am home. They make this stuff fresh. I'm talking freshly ground coffee beans and using actual vanilla ice cream. When I go back, I will likely go to that cafe every single day just to get an iced coffee. Mmm, just talking about it makes me want to go get one now!
That night, I watched The Green Butchers. Highly entertaining. And highly Danish. :) Great film.
25 June, 2010
CASTLES and FIRES and NIELS BOHR, oh my!!! (22-24-June)
CASTLE DAY!!! Perfect day for a Princess like me! hahaha :) We spent much of the day exploring several castles in Copenhagen, all different and all beautiful. I got some of my favorite pictures from the summer on this day. The castle grounds were all so gorgeous and perfectly primped. I felt like I was in a movie, or that someone like me shouldn't get to enjoy something so beautiful. But there it was, on a perfect summer day in my favorite city in the world. We enjoyed some smørrebrød for lunch (look it up), and later found a fruit stand with fresh Belgian strawberries. Now, I am very picky about my strawberries, I'll have you know. These were the most unbelievably perfectly delicious strawberries I have ever had. Ever. In my life. It was such a lovely day.
FIRE DAY!!!! It was the summer solstice today, which means that everyone in Copenhagen gets together in this square where a gigantic fire tower is set up and stands around the fire while drinking beer and listening to music. Jealous? You should be, because it was awesome. Apparently, it was not the best summer solstice celebration for the Danes, but I was seriously loving every second of it. I finally got to meet AJ's friend, Anders, that night. After hearing so much about it him, it was great to have a face to go with name (and hilarious stories). We had a fantastic time, even the guy who thought it would be a great idea to try to climb the burning fire tower and had it all topple down underneath him...
NIELS BOHR DAY!!!!! Ok, for those of you who are not geeky science freaks like AJ and me, you will probably not care about this at all. Fortunately for us, AJ's roommate is good friends with a physicist who works at the Niels Bohr Institute. AMAZING!! Niels Bohr is a big effing deal, and not just anyone can walk into the Institute... but we had a personal escort and tour guide. The outside of the building has a light system set up and the lights emit random flashes, but it is all powered by the Large Hadron Collider at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland. Tell me that isn't badass... it's awesome. Check it: Niels Bohr Institute After that delightfully dorky treat, we strolled around some parks in the city and laid in the grass, got some Chinese for dinner, and then went to the other Philip's apartment for another soccer game. It was so cool to be in Copenhagen with someone who had been living there and had a group of friends to hang out with!
FIRE DAY!!!! It was the summer solstice today, which means that everyone in Copenhagen gets together in this square where a gigantic fire tower is set up and stands around the fire while drinking beer and listening to music. Jealous? You should be, because it was awesome. Apparently, it was not the best summer solstice celebration for the Danes, but I was seriously loving every second of it. I finally got to meet AJ's friend, Anders, that night. After hearing so much about it him, it was great to have a face to go with name (and hilarious stories). We had a fantastic time, even the guy who thought it would be a great idea to try to climb the burning fire tower and had it all topple down underneath him...
NIELS BOHR DAY!!!!! Ok, for those of you who are not geeky science freaks like AJ and me, you will probably not care about this at all. Fortunately for us, AJ's roommate is good friends with a physicist who works at the Niels Bohr Institute. AMAZING!! Niels Bohr is a big effing deal, and not just anyone can walk into the Institute... but we had a personal escort and tour guide. The outside of the building has a light system set up and the lights emit random flashes, but it is all powered by the Large Hadron Collider at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland. Tell me that isn't badass... it's awesome. Check it: Niels Bohr Institute After that delightfully dorky treat, we strolled around some parks in the city and laid in the grass, got some Chinese for dinner, and then went to the other Philip's apartment for another soccer game. It was so cool to be in Copenhagen with someone who had been living there and had a group of friends to hang out with!
22 June, 2010
København, du gamle hore! (19-21-June)
Let me first say this: I will consume more beer in the next 10days in Copenhagen than I have in my entire life combined up to this point. Because THAT is just how much Danes love their beer. And I love it, too.
So great to be back in Copenhagen!!! And a nice break for me and Clare since we didn't have to do much thinking when we flew in--AJ met us right at the metro stop! After a bit of resting and getting readied up, we, of course, went to the BEST shwarma restaurant just a couple blocks from his apartment. I could eat there EVERY DAYYYY!!!! So good. We made our way to the "beach" across from the Opera House, then, to meet up with AJ's roommate and watch the Denmark v Cameroon soccer game on a humongous projector screen that was set up for the public! After some convincing, we decided to stay out for the entire game even though we were exhausted and Clare had to leave very early in the morning--like 4am wake-up call early! We knew we made the right decision--Denmark won!!!! I think it was because 1. we were there and 2. I got Clare one of those ridiculous hotdogs-in-a-sleeve-bun thing---hahaha, so priceless! And we still managed to get a ketchup cup at the bottom, despite out attempts to avoid that. In the morning, I dropped Clare off at the S-train to take her to the airport at a bright and early 6:20am. What a bittersweet moment! After spending 3weeks together, 24/7, now I won't even get to see her beautiful face for over 3weeks more. Thank goodness we had the absolute BEST time of our lives together!!! :)
AJ and I just relaxed for the most part, since it was Sunday. Did a bit of walking around, and I finally got the climb the spiral church tower! That really was fun, and I got some of the most amazing pictures up at the top. What a great view of Copenhagen! Next, we decided to take the boat tour of the harbor--if you go to Copenhagen, you MUST do this. Grab yourself a 6pack of beer, a loaf of bread, and have an awesome time cruising around. By the time you get back an hour or so later, you've got a full belly and a nice buzz! ;) AJ introduced me to some Danish movies on the trip, and that night I watched Adam's Apple. I really enjoyed it, though I don't think many people at home would care to watch it, haha. I'd like to get a copy for my DVD collection, anyway.
The next day, we did some shopping and got some groceries for the week. I also had to get a few "warmer" items (like jeans and a sweatshirt and close-toed flats) because it was so chilly in Copenhagen!! It was a lazy day for the most part, and AJ worked on some writing for the lab and I did some reading. I had just picked up Barbara Kingsolver's latest novel, The Lacuna--PHENOMENAL read, by the way! That evening, we went to a BBW at Philip and Janine's apartment (where AJ used to live when Philip was in the US) with a group of their friends. Could I find better people if I tried? I think not. Good food and even better conversation. It was a night I was truly present for... enjoying each moment, taking it in, and not thinking about what I was going to do tomorrow. Very hygge. Look it up, but you'd have to go to Copenhagen to really experience it.
Love København.
So great to be back in Copenhagen!!! And a nice break for me and Clare since we didn't have to do much thinking when we flew in--AJ met us right at the metro stop! After a bit of resting and getting readied up, we, of course, went to the BEST shwarma restaurant just a couple blocks from his apartment. I could eat there EVERY DAYYYY!!!! So good. We made our way to the "beach" across from the Opera House, then, to meet up with AJ's roommate and watch the Denmark v Cameroon soccer game on a humongous projector screen that was set up for the public! After some convincing, we decided to stay out for the entire game even though we were exhausted and Clare had to leave very early in the morning--like 4am wake-up call early! We knew we made the right decision--Denmark won!!!! I think it was because 1. we were there and 2. I got Clare one of those ridiculous hotdogs-in-a-sleeve-bun thing---hahaha, so priceless! And we still managed to get a ketchup cup at the bottom, despite out attempts to avoid that. In the morning, I dropped Clare off at the S-train to take her to the airport at a bright and early 6:20am. What a bittersweet moment! After spending 3weeks together, 24/7, now I won't even get to see her beautiful face for over 3weeks more. Thank goodness we had the absolute BEST time of our lives together!!! :)
AJ and I just relaxed for the most part, since it was Sunday. Did a bit of walking around, and I finally got the climb the spiral church tower! That really was fun, and I got some of the most amazing pictures up at the top. What a great view of Copenhagen! Next, we decided to take the boat tour of the harbor--if you go to Copenhagen, you MUST do this. Grab yourself a 6pack of beer, a loaf of bread, and have an awesome time cruising around. By the time you get back an hour or so later, you've got a full belly and a nice buzz! ;) AJ introduced me to some Danish movies on the trip, and that night I watched Adam's Apple. I really enjoyed it, though I don't think many people at home would care to watch it, haha. I'd like to get a copy for my DVD collection, anyway.
The next day, we did some shopping and got some groceries for the week. I also had to get a few "warmer" items (like jeans and a sweatshirt and close-toed flats) because it was so chilly in Copenhagen!! It was a lazy day for the most part, and AJ worked on some writing for the lab and I did some reading. I had just picked up Barbara Kingsolver's latest novel, The Lacuna--PHENOMENAL read, by the way! That evening, we went to a BBW at Philip and Janine's apartment (where AJ used to live when Philip was in the US) with a group of their friends. Could I find better people if I tried? I think not. Good food and even better conversation. It was a night I was truly present for... enjoying each moment, taking it in, and not thinking about what I was going to do tomorrow. Very hygge. Look it up, but you'd have to go to Copenhagen to really experience it.
Love København.
18 June, 2010
Adio, Greece! (17/18-June)
Another great beach day!! We rented the nice chairs again--cheap and comfy. Ok, so there was a guy on the beach every day, and he sold donuts. Huge donuts covered in sugar. We resisted the first day, but decided to indulge since we were, after all, in Greece! :) Once we decide to do this, he is nowhere to be found. Panic ensued. We even made up a song to bring him back to us... he finally came back to our beach and we quickly bought donuts. One covered in sugar, the other filled with little pockets of CHOCAOLTE! Woooohoo, good stuff!!
Since it was our last full night in town, we got all dressed up, all fancy-like, and went back to Michael's for dinner. He was so glad to see us and wanted us to come back for drinks later, haha. (We got their fried zucchini tonight--out of this world!!!) We got some good pics of how cute we looked, too, out on the beach. Then we went back to our hotel restaurant to hang out with Alexander and the Greek hottie, lol. Oh, also, walking down the street to the beach... it was like we had friends and people knew us because all the bartenders/restaurant people would wave and say "Hey, America!" as we passed, hahaha, loved it. Anyway, ordered some baklava--just shoot me now so I can die happy. Sheesh was that delicious. Might have to try to make some at home, and would surely do it no justice.
On our last day, we had to find the post office to send some things home and make room in our packs! Better to do it now than in Copenhagen, cost-wise, but that is the ONLY reason it made sense to visit a post office in Greece. What a disaster! The workers were not helpful and would not sell me a box for my things! They only have display ones, and wouldn't give me one of those, and apparently don't sell them? What?? They told us to go around to the nearby stores to ask and find a box--HAHA, are you kidding me? So we tried, and failed. Ridiculous. Thankfully, our Frank of Greece showed up at the post office and helped us out--brought us a good box and got everything shipped. For $90! Eek!
Did a bit of shopping and walking around town, watched a couple futbol games and just relaxed before heading to the airport. We got a set of cards and played War and Go Fish. Clare had a legendary game of Go Fish--I think I made a couple of matches, and then she just matched up every single last card after that. Insane. In the meantime, Alexander comes around our table every 10-15mins and squeezes Clare's shoulder... much to her dismay. hahaha. Then the Greek hottie showed up (he works there, too) and we just sat around till it was time to leave. And because of Clare's smooth skills, we got a picture we him. God, we crack me up!!
OFF TO DENMARK!!! OMG OMG OMG so excited!! :)
Since it was our last full night in town, we got all dressed up, all fancy-like, and went back to Michael's for dinner. He was so glad to see us and wanted us to come back for drinks later, haha. (We got their fried zucchini tonight--out of this world!!!) We got some good pics of how cute we looked, too, out on the beach. Then we went back to our hotel restaurant to hang out with Alexander and the Greek hottie, lol. Oh, also, walking down the street to the beach... it was like we had friends and people knew us because all the bartenders/restaurant people would wave and say "Hey, America!" as we passed, hahaha, loved it. Anyway, ordered some baklava--just shoot me now so I can die happy. Sheesh was that delicious. Might have to try to make some at home, and would surely do it no justice.
On our last day, we had to find the post office to send some things home and make room in our packs! Better to do it now than in Copenhagen, cost-wise, but that is the ONLY reason it made sense to visit a post office in Greece. What a disaster! The workers were not helpful and would not sell me a box for my things! They only have display ones, and wouldn't give me one of those, and apparently don't sell them? What?? They told us to go around to the nearby stores to ask and find a box--HAHA, are you kidding me? So we tried, and failed. Ridiculous. Thankfully, our Frank of Greece showed up at the post office and helped us out--brought us a good box and got everything shipped. For $90! Eek!
Did a bit of shopping and walking around town, watched a couple futbol games and just relaxed before heading to the airport. We got a set of cards and played War and Go Fish. Clare had a legendary game of Go Fish--I think I made a couple of matches, and then she just matched up every single last card after that. Insane. In the meantime, Alexander comes around our table every 10-15mins and squeezes Clare's shoulder... much to her dismay. hahaha. Then the Greek hottie showed up (he works there, too) and we just sat around till it was time to leave. And because of Clare's smooth skills, we got a picture we him. God, we crack me up!!
OFF TO DENMARK!!! OMG OMG OMG so excited!! :)
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