July 9

July 9 - Copenhagen

We awoke around 7:30 a.m. to a lovely Danish breakfast prepared by Sara.  We had fresh rolls, strawberry jam, liver pate, brunsviger (name of cake/probably spelled wrong), grapefruit, and cantaloupe.  Breakfast was truly lovely, and it will be hard to thank Sara for her hospitality.

Then we were off on a train to Copenhagen. Our first stop in Copenhagen was to see the changing of the guards at the palace, followed by a trip to Marble Church, which was very grand.

Sara, Maryanne, and I at the palace!

Changing of the guard!

Marble Church

At this point, Sara's sister joined us and we walked to her home.  She lives in converted military barracks in the heart of Copenhagen.  

The old military barracks where Sara's sister lives!

We had a great lunch and got to see a shower in the kitchen! The old barracks used to have shared bathrooms and showers, so when they converted them into modern homes the only place to put the showers was in the kitchen!  

The shower in the kitchen!

After lunch we took a canal tour, which gave us the opportunity to see many sites including the Little Mermaid statue, Royal Library, old homes, sand castles, TRAMPOLINES built into the ground, and H.C. Anderson's home in Copenhagen. Note how you take Maryanne abroad and the things she's most excited about are the trampolines.

Sara and her sister!

Ready for the canal tour!

Seen from our canal tour.

Beautiful canals!

Colorful homes!

A royal ship!

The royal library!

The Little Mermaid

 

 

One of the sand castles that was part of a competition going on!

After the tour we headed to an old tea shop called A. C. Perch where we bought a vanilla, coconut tea blend which we look forward to enjoying in the states.  

This is where I will mention that Maryanne has been hoarding the tea from this place ever since we've gotten back.

So much tea!

Then it was off to La Glace, a cake shop from the 1800s, where we all enjoyed pieces of cake and amazing hot chocolate.  La Glace is a place we wouldn't have known about had it not been for Sara.  This is the place that her family has gone when in the city for generations and generations! I'm so glad we got to experience it!

A must-see in Copenhagen!

Yum.

Then we hopped on the underground to experience Christiania.  This is an area of Copenhagen that is self-governed by the people.  They do not pay taxes and drugs are sold while the police turn their heads.  It was a strange experience.  There were shops, restaurants, theaters, and they even brewed their own beer (which we tried!).  It is odd to think that the government lets this exist, but it was a good experience, and it was nice to go with two Danish residents.

Sneaking a picture of the house behind the beer and the bike.  Because illegal things happen in Christiania, they don't like you taking pictures!

Their own beer!

They don't consider themselves part of the European Union, so this is the sign that you walk under as you exit Christiania!

After Christiania we were beat, and headed back to the train station.  Before we got on the train, though, we saw the oldest amusement park in the world, Tivoli.

Tivoli! When I read Number the Stars with my students this past year, I got to show them pictures of Tivoli that I took when I was there!

Every part of our day in Copenhagen was enjoyable! Also, a little side-note, we didn't make it to Lego Land, but since Denmark is where Legos were created, we had to get a few pictures in a Lego store!