copenhagen

Of the northern places that we’ve recently visited, Iceland, Norway, and Denmark, Copenhagen is my favorite. Not much bigger than Oslo, it’s vibrant and full of activity. Part of this may be the close and easy travel connection to Sweden where taxes are higher resulting in Swedes doing a lot of shopping in Copenhagen, and part of it may be the people themselves. I’d have to spend more time there to be sure. The prices were not as high as we’d expected, so we were able to enjoy the wonderful food. Everything was fresh and the amounts and varieties of fish were endless. I didn’t eat much of it because I’m supposed to avoid smoked things while I’m pregnant, but everything that Paul ordered looked and smelled fantastic. The sauces are the real treat combining spices that are familiar but in exotic ways. I enjoyed their danishes immensely; the pastry is like flaked butter.
a canal street in the nyhaven neighborhood

We took the advice of our friends Gabe and Mark and rented bicycles on our second day, which allowed us to cover a large portion of the city centre in detail. We even re-visited places like the statue of the little mermaid, trying to catch the light just right. The city has bikes available for free use. They are locked up like grocery carts. You put in 20 kroner and the lock opens. There are racks all over to replace them and retrieve your 20 kroner. The downside is that the bikes are pretty primitive and must stay within the city centre. We originally planned to take them up the coast about 12 km, so we rented two from our hotel for only 10 pounds each. These bikes were still fairly basic, but by the end of the day we really appreciated the small benefits such as three speeds and rubber hand grips. Other than Amsterdam, I’ve never seen a city so bike friendly. Most of the roads have wide bike lanes and the busier intersections have lights especially for the bikes.
the little mermaid

On our first day, we walked into Christiania, a hippy community where no one owns any of the flats and no one pays rent. It’s a controversial area as it’s in the center of Copenhagen on prime real estate, and the rest of the Danes pay exorbitant taxes and rent. We returned the next day on the bikes and cycled all over it. The homes range from nice waterside holiday cottages to boxcars and tin sheds.
christiania

On our last day, we took a train out of the city to the Louisiana Modern Art Museum. It sits on the coast, and there are sculptures scattered all over the lush garden. Once outside the city, trees and large homes dominate the flat countryside.
louisiana art museum

I’ve started back to work, and time is moving swiftly again. I have a class of eighth graders this year, a new experience for me. I have to shift my timelines with them drastically. What I can teach to ninth graders in a lesson, I must plan for three lessons for them. They aren’t dumb; they are just used to having every step mapped out for them. I’ll be holding a lot of hands this semester. Good practice!

I can feel the baby move on the inside every night now and sometimes during the day. We go in for a scan on Monday, and if the baby is facing the right way, we’ll learn the gender. Then begins the discussion of names, which we’ve hardly addressed. I continue to feel great with only a little issue with my food allergies. I so hope the baby doesn’t inherit this. Paul is the perfect father-to-be. He takes good care of me without being smothering or condescending. My happiness continues to grow as does my belly.