Getting Hygge

Well I'm now into week three in Copenhagen.

I have been so busy over here. Classes have been great. I am taking a lot of Danish culture classes, which is great because it's such a good way to get to know the city and people. I can now count to 100 in Danish, ask a few questions like what's your name (Hvad hedder du? Jeg hedder Stephanie!) and more. My first assignment in the History of Copenhagen is to find 15 different famous sights that my professor has mapped out for us, answer questions and take pictures at each one. We've only hit about 8 of them, but my favorites so far were the Round Tower, which had such a beautiful view of the entire city at the top and the glass markets at Israels Plads- so many free samples of delicious cheese, sliced meats, olive oils and even frozen yogurt!

My only complaint is how cold it has been. You would think I'd be used to it coming from school in Vermont, but so not true. I had to go out and buy a new down coat that goes down to my knees. Now sightseeing and walking 25 minutes (if I don't take the bus) to school will be bearable. The parks, waterways, lakes and harbors are beautiful and I can only imagine how great they'll be in the spring. The manmade lakes that I have to cross to get home from school are now frozen and I skated across surrounded by dozens of kids skating and playing ice hockey.

One of the best parts of being here has been spending time with my visiting family. They have 3 sons, ages 16, 24 and 28 and are the nicest, most welcoming people. I have already been to their house three times for dinner and one of the brothers took me to the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art yesterday. The museum's architecture was amazing. It was so organic and completely built into the landscape with a gorgeous view of Sweden across the water. The water is so beautiful and looks like a scene out of the Titanic with all the ice. The meals I've had at my visiting family's house are so good and actually not much different from what Mummy makes at home. The first night we had almost the exact same beef stew that Mummy makes every winter. We have also had chicken curry soup, beef stroganoff, home made bread, a traditional Danish fish meatball dish, pasta, salad and much more. The desserts are my favorite! The Danes know how to do it with lots of butter, fresh fruit, pastries and cakes. There's little I love more than going over to their house, warming up next to the fire and talking with them. Half of the Levinsens are off to Egypt for a week now and the other two brothers are going skiing in Austria this week. I'm a little jealous and will miss them all!

The Danes are all about "hygge." There's no word for it in English but the closest is cozy. I absolutely love the hygge atmosphere and have no shortage of it in all the quaint cozy cafes/bars in my neighborhood.

I'll see if I can upload a few photos here and hopefully I'll post again soon!