Here we go. After spending the last nine months at me first "corporate" position I have booked my travel for NYC to catch up with an old friend and Montreal to meet some new ones. The last nine months have been very challenging for me personally. Converting from a life spent self-studying the pages of text which have prepared me for my position while working night and weekend shifts at restaurants to keep the personal coffers amply supplied. It's been a journey and some days are better than others but overall I think that the work has steadily improved although I doubt that the hours ever will align with my preference.
The beat and rythym of hopping trains between European cities has slowly begun to awake from it's winter slumber where it hibernated deep in the recesses of my being as I investigated source documentation from my clients. I am now poised to fly on Friday and the anticipation is all but completely distracting me from my work. I daydream of walking the streets of a new land, with new people and language. Though I can manage through my French in the streets of Paris I timidly shudder in fear of my probable ineptness to comprehend the idioms and colloquially evolved Quebecois francais. Ca serait dur j'imagine.
No matter the inevitable missunderstandings and missteps which will occur my blood races and my imagination soars towards the horizon of my experiences in NYC and Montreal.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Returning Home
It has been two weeks since I returned home from my sojourn bouncing around Europe. I was petrified to return because I feel like I want to live in Europe. I could make a good argument for every city that I visited. From Budapest and it's emerging economy and Euro-Turkish architecture to the quiet and serene lakefront in Finnland. I can make my home anywhere. So, here I am in Charlotte, NC thinking that I might be able to handle it for another two years before getting an international placement. Let's focus on the objectives which are to work smart, efficient, and with a sense of urgency to hopefully become a senior as soon as possible. But I choose to enjoy my time, however long and at whatever level. After spending the summer more or less getting to know where I am in life and what's important I have decided not to let things get worked up too much and I am going to take time for me. A weekend off means going to the mountains for a hike, enjoying a football game with my dad, or just taking in a book on the patio...
The point is that I have worked hard to get to this point, so have a lot of people, and I choose to enjoy life and be happy as much and as often as possible. Happy for me means enjoying my friends and family, traveling to new and exciting places, enjoying going to work every morning and satisfaction when the job is completed, discovering new food, wine, beer, and spirits through restaurants, dinner parties, or just plain luck, and perhaps most important to me right now is to continue my dedication to physical exercise because it has given me renewed confidence and inspiration. I have lost 52 pounds since last December and I feel great. I have worked from the very strict diet to get the first 30 pounds trimmed off into a mode now where I don't worry about what I eat, but how much of it. Using this strategy over the summer I trimmed an additional 20 pounds. However, that was during a time when I was walking almost everywhere and sometimes not eating enough because of time or money. Now that I am back I am working on how best to continue to lose an additional 10-20 pounds and incorporate a new phase of workout and diet since I am beginning a career that will require me to travel. It will prove challenging but I look forward to this new hurdle and I think the experiences of the last few years will serve me well to be successful, professionally and personally.
The point is that I have worked hard to get to this point, so have a lot of people, and I choose to enjoy life and be happy as much and as often as possible. Happy for me means enjoying my friends and family, traveling to new and exciting places, enjoying going to work every morning and satisfaction when the job is completed, discovering new food, wine, beer, and spirits through restaurants, dinner parties, or just plain luck, and perhaps most important to me right now is to continue my dedication to physical exercise because it has given me renewed confidence and inspiration. I have lost 52 pounds since last December and I feel great. I have worked from the very strict diet to get the first 30 pounds trimmed off into a mode now where I don't worry about what I eat, but how much of it. Using this strategy over the summer I trimmed an additional 20 pounds. However, that was during a time when I was walking almost everywhere and sometimes not eating enough because of time or money. Now that I am back I am working on how best to continue to lose an additional 10-20 pounds and incorporate a new phase of workout and diet since I am beginning a career that will require me to travel. It will prove challenging but I look forward to this new hurdle and I think the experiences of the last few years will serve me well to be successful, professionally and personally.
Monday, September 01, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Cruisin' on a Thursday afternoon?
So my plans to stay a night or two in Stockholm have been scuttled by the ferry line. I wasn’t able to make an online reservation for my voyage to Helsinki from Stockholm because I wanted to use my Eurail Pass in order to receive a 50 percent discount. So I made my way from Göteburg today thinking that I would be able to get place for tomorrow night. After checking the other line, Viking, and learning that it was booked for tomorrow and the tickets were 550 Skr I decided to find the Silja Line office. I was given good directions to the street but told to take a left and not a right. So after a 1km walk I figured I went the wrong direction. I doubled back and found the office only a short walk from my detour, ooops! It was good exercise with a 45 pound backpack.
My original plan was to stay a night and leave on the 28th for Helsinki but since all the places were taken I took today’s ferry instead. It left me one hour to get to the port and board the ship. So after my discount the ticket on the Silja Symphony was 206 Skr or about $35 USD. The taxi ride to the port was 289 Skr or $42.50 USD. I would think that I had been price gouged but this is Sweden and not Budapest. However I find the ship to be comfortable and look forward to getting some food and perhaps doing some gambling a little later before heading to the club. Can I get some luck of the Irish tonight? I love blackjack so I am going to give myself a small bank to work with and see if I can recoup some of my costs. No worries if I don’t as long as I have a good time I reckon.
Hopefully I will have access to a computer and internet connection in Helsinki so that I can post my pictures soon. I have now been to nine countries and been in Prague, Budapest, Salzburg, Vienna, Munich, Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, Lund, Gothamburg, Stockholm, Paris, and Helsinki. Not a bad little trip before I start work. I can say with certainty that I hope to move to Europe in the next two years and everything I do will aid me in reaching that goal. Once you have felt the pulse of Europe and all of it’s wonder you never let it go…
Tchao fo now!
My original plan was to stay a night and leave on the 28th for Helsinki but since all the places were taken I took today’s ferry instead. It left me one hour to get to the port and board the ship. So after my discount the ticket on the Silja Symphony was 206 Skr or about $35 USD. The taxi ride to the port was 289 Skr or $42.50 USD. I would think that I had been price gouged but this is Sweden and not Budapest. However I find the ship to be comfortable and look forward to getting some food and perhaps doing some gambling a little later before heading to the club. Can I get some luck of the Irish tonight? I love blackjack so I am going to give myself a small bank to work with and see if I can recoup some of my costs. No worries if I don’t as long as I have a good time I reckon.
Hopefully I will have access to a computer and internet connection in Helsinki so that I can post my pictures soon. I have now been to nine countries and been in Prague, Budapest, Salzburg, Vienna, Munich, Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, Lund, Gothamburg, Stockholm, Paris, and Helsinki. Not a bad little trip before I start work. I can say with certainty that I hope to move to Europe in the next two years and everything I do will aid me in reaching that goal. Once you have felt the pulse of Europe and all of it’s wonder you never let it go…
Tchao fo now!
Monday, August 04, 2008
Leaving for Prague
Yesterday I decided to get ready for the next adventure, Prague! Everyone tells me that its one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I think one of the reasons is because it was untouched by the bombing campaigns of World War II. I've seen the Discovery Channel's Samanatha Brown walking the 700 year old town square and walking Charles Bridge so I am brimming with anticipation.
At the same time however I am beginning to feel sad about leaving a place that I have grown to love in six weeks. I am not sure if it's the call of the European lifestyle or the friends that I have met along the way but maybe it's both. It's funny because this time I really was in a state of anti-Copenhagen at the onset of this trip. I was homesick and having trouble with the cultural differences, which often seem small and then snowball. However, those feeling faded as I began to make new friends and financial worries were eased. Now, I wish that I had more time to soak it all in. Movies in Fredericksberg center, Jazz festivals, nights at Holger Danske having dinner with friends, evenings at Halvandet overlooking the canals, etc... I know I can't stay longer but I hope that I get to come back one day. Maybe Deloitte will have an opportunity for me here or somewhere close by so that I can come back and soak it all in again.
Until then I will enjoy the time I do have and perhaps take a few more photos so that I will always remember my time amoung the Vikings.
At the same time however I am beginning to feel sad about leaving a place that I have grown to love in six weeks. I am not sure if it's the call of the European lifestyle or the friends that I have met along the way but maybe it's both. It's funny because this time I really was in a state of anti-Copenhagen at the onset of this trip. I was homesick and having trouble with the cultural differences, which often seem small and then snowball. However, those feeling faded as I began to make new friends and financial worries were eased. Now, I wish that I had more time to soak it all in. Movies in Fredericksberg center, Jazz festivals, nights at Holger Danske having dinner with friends, evenings at Halvandet overlooking the canals, etc... I know I can't stay longer but I hope that I get to come back one day. Maybe Deloitte will have an opportunity for me here or somewhere close by so that I can come back and soak it all in again.
Until then I will enjoy the time I do have and perhaps take a few more photos so that I will always remember my time amoung the Vikings.
Friday, August 01, 2008
København Nightlife
As the saying goes "time flies." It's pretty amazing that we are already entering the six week of our time here at the Copenhagen Business School. It really feels as if only a few days ago I arrived at my first residence covered in sweat and tired from my long train ride from Paris. Having been in a conundrum in Hamburg after getting off at the wrong station and jetting to the train station with a new friend from Paris who also made the mishap.
So today after spending the week with friends and needing to work on my paper I instead decide to pour out the emotions, thoughts, and events of the past weeks into this little portal to my world. I have experienced a range of emotions. Having been happy, sad, ecstatic, angry, annoyed, overjoyed, etc... These last two and a half weeks have been the most rewarding. Having learned to survive while waiting for bank transfers on less than $5 a day and making the most of it. Walking the streets of Copenhagen when money was scarce and hanging out at a residence called Holger Danske with the Poles Karol and Filip, Marianne and Cristina from Norway, Justus and Roman from Germany, Mèlanie from France, David from Amsterdam, and of course the fabulous Tuesday night dinners with Brandon and Vaughan.
It's hard to encapsulate all the memories and friends that I have made in mere words on a webpage but everyone of those people has a special place. For instance on Wednesday night we decided to check out a little bar on the bank of the canal we heard about from David who had visited it with his girlfriend the week prior. Just as we are leaving we realized we were short one bike because the one I had been using had a flat tire. So we grabbed a spare that the Polish guys had left upon their departure but the chain fell off shortly after leaving. In a showing of solidarity everyone waited on me for about 30 minutes as Cristina decided to fix the bike she will be using for the next 2 years while attending the MBA here in Copenhagen. I chipped in on the 100 kroner cost since I get to use the bike until I leave. However, everyone decided to wait until I could make it even though it was getting late.
Finally the bike was fixed and we were on our way. We trekked across the city to Cristiania and beyond. Moving towards an old abandoned set of industrial buildings as we wound towards this place called Halvandet. David knew the way but we were all skeptical as we moved through this urban jungle wondering how this bar even existed. Then as if an Oasis in the desert of abandoned buildings we arrived a beach bar located on an old canal inlet used for shipping docks. We parked our bikes and strolled through the sand and found a packed bar open air bar complete with beds, tables, a volleyball court, sand soccer, and of course a spectacular view of Copenhagen.
We drank beers, lounged, talked about life, played some volleyball and soccer enjoying the new friendships we had created. It was absolutely fabulous. So fabulous in fact that we decided to return the following night for Cristina's Copenhagen birthday. Although it's hard to repeat a fun, rare night of beautiful weather and friends it turned out perfect. We had some dinner, which was expensive but I figured that I had been very frugal all summer long and I could manage one or two nights of R&R. After last night we headed to a farewell party at one of the dorms and even though we are at the final leg of this program I am still meeting new friends and faces.
There are always ups and downs in life and sometimes when you are living abroad they can be magnified. However, the people that I have met exemplify why, with all the problems in the world, there is still hope for humanity. Building lasting friendships across borders and cultures is one of the most amazing experiences. Maybe the world would be a little better if everyone got outside their comfort zone and learned a little bit about the neighbors past the fences. I look forward to seeing Prague, Warsaw, etc... but I must admit that I am already feeling a little sentimental for the great friends I will be saying goodbye to next week.
So today after spending the week with friends and needing to work on my paper I instead decide to pour out the emotions, thoughts, and events of the past weeks into this little portal to my world. I have experienced a range of emotions. Having been happy, sad, ecstatic, angry, annoyed, overjoyed, etc... These last two and a half weeks have been the most rewarding. Having learned to survive while waiting for bank transfers on less than $5 a day and making the most of it. Walking the streets of Copenhagen when money was scarce and hanging out at a residence called Holger Danske with the Poles Karol and Filip, Marianne and Cristina from Norway, Justus and Roman from Germany, Mèlanie from France, David from Amsterdam, and of course the fabulous Tuesday night dinners with Brandon and Vaughan.
It's hard to encapsulate all the memories and friends that I have made in mere words on a webpage but everyone of those people has a special place. For instance on Wednesday night we decided to check out a little bar on the bank of the canal we heard about from David who had visited it with his girlfriend the week prior. Just as we are leaving we realized we were short one bike because the one I had been using had a flat tire. So we grabbed a spare that the Polish guys had left upon their departure but the chain fell off shortly after leaving. In a showing of solidarity everyone waited on me for about 30 minutes as Cristina decided to fix the bike she will be using for the next 2 years while attending the MBA here in Copenhagen. I chipped in on the 100 kroner cost since I get to use the bike until I leave. However, everyone decided to wait until I could make it even though it was getting late.
Finally the bike was fixed and we were on our way. We trekked across the city to Cristiania and beyond. Moving towards an old abandoned set of industrial buildings as we wound towards this place called Halvandet. David knew the way but we were all skeptical as we moved through this urban jungle wondering how this bar even existed. Then as if an Oasis in the desert of abandoned buildings we arrived a beach bar located on an old canal inlet used for shipping docks. We parked our bikes and strolled through the sand and found a packed bar open air bar complete with beds, tables, a volleyball court, sand soccer, and of course a spectacular view of Copenhagen.
We drank beers, lounged, talked about life, played some volleyball and soccer enjoying the new friendships we had created. It was absolutely fabulous. So fabulous in fact that we decided to return the following night for Cristina's Copenhagen birthday. Although it's hard to repeat a fun, rare night of beautiful weather and friends it turned out perfect. We had some dinner, which was expensive but I figured that I had been very frugal all summer long and I could manage one or two nights of R&R. After last night we headed to a farewell party at one of the dorms and even though we are at the final leg of this program I am still meeting new friends and faces.
There are always ups and downs in life and sometimes when you are living abroad they can be magnified. However, the people that I have met exemplify why, with all the problems in the world, there is still hope for humanity. Building lasting friendships across borders and cultures is one of the most amazing experiences. Maybe the world would be a little better if everyone got outside their comfort zone and learned a little bit about the neighbors past the fences. I look forward to seeing Prague, Warsaw, etc... but I must admit that I am already feeling a little sentimental for the great friends I will be saying goodbye to next week.
Monday, July 28, 2008
"Or did you get lost in Amsterdam?" -Guster
Well I made it to the lovely and incredible Amsterdam this weekend past. It was a beautiful city of canals and cannabis! I can't say that I took advantage of the latter but I had a great time in this city by the sea. It was spectacular when we arrived so we decided to make quick use of our I amsterdam Card. Which is a brillant idea if you haven't been. I think every city should do it. You can buy them in the tourist offices and hotels and it's packed with valuable museum entrances, a transport voucher, and lots of free goodies. It's available in 24, 48 and 72 hour increments and it paid for itself almost twice!
The first day we took advantage of a free canal tour prvoided with our cards and so I got a lot of cool photos on the canals of different historical buildings in Amsterdam. I wish I knew the names of all of them but I cannot remember. Probably because we took the night train and had to sit in second class for about 15 hours!!! I didn't get much sleep and what I did get was hunched over my knees as I got the middle seat yet again, Murphy's Law. LOL.
We did some walking around the city on Friday and got some free coffee and snacks thanks again to the card. One was a really cool sandwich called a croquette. It is a fried dumpling that is filled with beef and a pastry made of flour and butter. Definitely not healthy but we needed a good gut grenade to keep us from getting too hungry and spending that precious cash money!
Toured the Red Light District which was very interesting. It's definitely something you have to experience for yourself and a must-see for any tourist. In fact, there is really no way to describe it so you will have to make the trip and see for yourself=)
On Saturday we enjoyed our complimentary breakie and headed to the museums. Brandon had already seen the Van Gogh Museum so we decided to divide and conquer so neither of us would get too annoyed and waste time waiting. I spent at least two hours in Van Gogh. It was awesome. I have already seen some of the ones that aren't there and are most well known like Starry Night, Sunflowers (blue and yellow background), etc... But it was nice to see the progression of his work and the defiance of conventional thought that lead to his fame. It was a great experience. Afterwards I went to see the great Rembrandt across the way at Rijksmuseum. I was really surprised at how small the place was based on the appearance from outside. But I got to see the famous "The Militia of Captain Fran Banning Cocq" I was very happy to see that and the Vermeers.
Also checked out a cool photography museum called FOAM which had a great collection of a Dutch photographer spanning a period of ~40 years. It was really cool to see the evolution of his work and his family which seemed to be a major influence. However, I am not going to try and explain it because I will just sound silly because I don't have the slightest idea about fine culture! His name is Kors Keuze and you can try to find him if you're interested.
Both nights we started at Belgica which is a Belgian beer bar that has a plethora of great Belgian beers and high gravity so we definitely got a good bang for our buck. Unfortunately couldn't get together with some of the other CBS students because we didn't know how to reach them but we wandered the Red Light District sampling beers along the way and occastionally stopping for a coffee to keep us going. I think I was the only person going to the coffee shops for a coffee! It was a good times.
Not much else to say. I had a great time in Amsterdam and enjoyed it's cultural beauty as well as it's pop culture and diverse population. Hope you enjoy some of the photos below. Although the first is from our arrival back in CPH for the Polish goodbye party last night. They made us some bread and it was " Awe-somme" as Karol from the photo would say.
The first day we took advantage of a free canal tour prvoided with our cards and so I got a lot of cool photos on the canals of different historical buildings in Amsterdam. I wish I knew the names of all of them but I cannot remember. Probably because we took the night train and had to sit in second class for about 15 hours!!! I didn't get much sleep and what I did get was hunched over my knees as I got the middle seat yet again, Murphy's Law. LOL.
We did some walking around the city on Friday and got some free coffee and snacks thanks again to the card. One was a really cool sandwich called a croquette. It is a fried dumpling that is filled with beef and a pastry made of flour and butter. Definitely not healthy but we needed a good gut grenade to keep us from getting too hungry and spending that precious cash money!
Toured the Red Light District which was very interesting. It's definitely something you have to experience for yourself and a must-see for any tourist. In fact, there is really no way to describe it so you will have to make the trip and see for yourself=)
On Saturday we enjoyed our complimentary breakie and headed to the museums. Brandon had already seen the Van Gogh Museum so we decided to divide and conquer so neither of us would get too annoyed and waste time waiting. I spent at least two hours in Van Gogh. It was awesome. I have already seen some of the ones that aren't there and are most well known like Starry Night, Sunflowers (blue and yellow background), etc... But it was nice to see the progression of his work and the defiance of conventional thought that lead to his fame. It was a great experience. Afterwards I went to see the great Rembrandt across the way at Rijksmuseum. I was really surprised at how small the place was based on the appearance from outside. But I got to see the famous "The Militia of Captain Fran Banning Cocq" I was very happy to see that and the Vermeers.
Also checked out a cool photography museum called FOAM which had a great collection of a Dutch photographer spanning a period of ~40 years. It was really cool to see the evolution of his work and his family which seemed to be a major influence. However, I am not going to try and explain it because I will just sound silly because I don't have the slightest idea about fine culture! His name is Kors Keuze and you can try to find him if you're interested.
Both nights we started at Belgica which is a Belgian beer bar that has a plethora of great Belgian beers and high gravity so we definitely got a good bang for our buck. Unfortunately couldn't get together with some of the other CBS students because we didn't know how to reach them but we wandered the Red Light District sampling beers along the way and occastionally stopping for a coffee to keep us going. I think I was the only person going to the coffee shops for a coffee! It was a good times.
Not much else to say. I had a great time in Amsterdam and enjoyed it's cultural beauty as well as it's pop culture and diverse population. Hope you enjoy some of the photos below. Although the first is from our arrival back in CPH for the Polish goodbye party last night. They made us some bread and it was " Awe-somme" as Karol from the photo would say.
FCK (FC Købehavn)
So last week we got free tickets to see the FC København football game. We all hopped on a bike and made our way north to the stadium. It's a cool stadium that is a big square and has a retractable roof which I believe is the largest in Scandavia but don't quote me.We watched the game, enjoyed some beer and the company of good friends. In the end the game was 1-0 FC København -Awesome! But the game was eclipsed by good times with friends. 
Thursday, July 17, 2008
More of Copenhagen
Yesterday after deciding that I had would make a more concerted effort to meet the Danes and have a good time no matter what I decided to go for a walk. Although I didn't meet any new Danes I did get to see a great deal of the city center including the palace and the changing of the guard too! It was pretty cool and totally by chance.Additionally I am starting to make fast friends with people from class so it's made my recent woes seem distant and now I feel in a good place. Although I did feel a little homesick when I talked to my mom yesterday since we are often coffee buddies. I'll be back before I know it and I think the best is to come here in Copenhagen and Europe now. Looking forward to meeting people and experiencing Denmark, Scandanavia, and wherever else the wind blows! Headed to the city by the sea made famous by Shakespeare tomorrow, Helsingør. Then I will cross the ferry to Helsingborg since the ferry is free for Eurail pass holders. So I'll give that a try as well.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Two Belt Notches...
Well I knew it was going to happen but I didn't think it would be so quickly! Today I was getting ready for class and put on my jeans and tightened my belt. I didn't realize it at the time but it was the fifth belt loop this time instead of the fourth. So I guess that means I've lost about two inches since getting to Europe a month ago, yeah! Although it is partially because I haven't been able to eat enough because things are so expensive it may help me get to my mentally important goal of 200 lbs. and perhaps even 190 lbs. by the time I return to the States. I have been doing Pilates and Calistenics in my room and at the park coupled with some running and a great deal of walking. I truly wish I would have brought two things with me however. The first is my skates and the second is my laptop because they would have served me well. Anywho, I am very excited and thought I would share it with everyone. Feeling better today and decided to make an outgoing effort to meet more Danes, maybe my attitude that had developed about the Danes is also forcing the reality so it's time to change and get farther outside the comfort zone. Keep you all posted as to how it turns out!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
The City of the Bear -Berlin
So this weekend a friend and I decided to get the heck out of Copenhagen in search of cheap food, drinks, and an all around vacation from Denmark. We set out to Berlin on the morning train from Copenhagen main station. About 2 hours in we hit the ferry from Rødby to Puttgarden. It was a very pleasant crossing on the top deck of the ferry enjoying the stiff breeze blowing as we cut through the water.
After another 4.5 hours we were in Berlin and took the S-Bahn to the Zoo Garden station and descended to try and find our hotel. Fortunately one of the program participants, Roman, is from Berlin and provided us with a very nice map to get us to our destination. The room was very spacious in European hotel terms and was very close to the S-Bahn and center Berlin. We took off for the Orienburger Strauss where there are loads upon loads of nice restaurants -at half of Copenhagen prices! We walked to gain our bearings and settled on a nice cafe near the tv tower where I snapped some pictures of course.
We headed back to the hotel for a change of clothes and to ask the bartender for a solid recommendation where to get some good beer and spirits. He pointed us in the direction of Irish Bar which was amazingly not filled with a lot of English speakers. We met a bartender from Australia who gave us some tips for the following night. However that night we got pretty well lit and had an interesting experience with a German girl who wanted some company for the night. It was definitely an interesting experience and a funny story but I am not going to waste my time with the details here. In the end I had to take her number and told her I would call the next day in order for her to let us leave without her following us to the hotel -never a dull moment I guess.
Saturday we woke up a little late and had some breakfest about noon and then hit the trail to see The Brandenburger Gate, Reichstag, Checkpoint Charlie, East Side Gallery (where we got some film and photos of a peaceful demonstration against some commercial development taking place near the gallery that is a haven for the alternative and artistic of Berlin), also checked out a Holocaust Memorial, etc... After all that we headed to Orienburger Strauss a second time to actually have a little dinner at one of the many other restaurants. It was delicious and cheap and we were lamenting our misfortune in the uber-expensive Copenhagen all the while. Afterwards we headed back to the hotel to change for the evening's events. We got a message from Roman who decided to meet us and take us somewhere nice. We went to Hackescher Mkt in one of the patio bars/clubs named Dante to meet him. We arrived before midnight but because Roman was travelling from his parent's house it took him until 1:00 to arrive. So he recommended that we go to a place in East Berlin. We agreed. So we started walking because Roman said it was only 2 stops, bad idea. I got to see a cool part of Berlin but we walked almost an hour to find that it had closed after we had passed two other places that were hopping! So we walked another half hour to the student section and found a lot of cool bars and cafes where we had some beers and discussed a number of topics about Berlin.
We headed home and took the S-Bahn which was another 30 minute walk from the bar. At around 4:30 we got to the hotel, the sun was already getting ready to come up as the sky was very light by now. The next day we took Roman's advice, with trepidation, about an area that has good, cheap brunch buffets. This time Roman came through and we ate well one last time before the rationing begins again in Copenhagen, haha. Took the train home enjoying some cheap shopping aboard the ferry getting some Martini Bianco and a few cases of beer to split up. Arrived home at 11:30 Sunday evening and decided to have a couple of beers at Brandon's place with a great courtyard. Was joined by a lovely Norwegian and we talked and drank beers until I finally headed back to bed so that I could get get up Monday and start my Copenhagen life again. It was a great weekend and makes me anticipate the rest of my trip. I hate to say it but I think that Copenhagen is nice but not for me. I'm ready to see more places like Berlin.Copenhagen is hospitable as are it's people, however I don't find it very friendly or warm.
Monday, July 07, 2008
One belt notch down...
As I may have already said this is a very expensive city. However, I guess that it has it's advantages because since arriving in Europe I have already lost one belt notch and I imagine that the second isn't far away. It stems from two different reasons, the first is that I am forced to eat less every day because the food is just too expensive to really overdo it. Second, I am walking at least an hour every day and I have been doing some Pilates. I am looking into the gym here on campus because I can get a membership during my time for about $50 so since I would like to keep up my good habits I think it's a worthy investment. Maybe if I am lucky I can get a discount since I have waited a week to join, keeping my fingers crossed but not holding my breath because I think that the CBS is a succesful business as well, haha!
I have had some cool stuff happen during the last week as well. One is to see my old exchange student Louise from about 17 years ago, geez I'm getting older... She is doing well and works in an architecture firm. Her background is in Anthropology so she works in design/urban planning and she helps to create spaces that are funcitional and provide the human element that the architects don't think about. On top of that is the sensational news that perhaps before I leave I will get to meet the newest edition to the Kielgast dynasty. Louise is pregnant and has about 7 weeks to term, so if the little girl decides to make a curtain call a little early I may get to meet her! Pretty cool.
Next, I worked my way into the Porcelænshaven 24/7 reading room to do some emailing. As I am sitting there a girl walked by and I thought that she was very familiar. She looked like a Danish girl that lived in the Cour des Muses building during my time in Lyon. My friend Richard had a big crush on her in fact. So I stopped her to say hello and inquire whether she had ever lived in Lyon. As the words came out the recognition came across her face. It was Maria, What a small world after all!!!
We took about 30 minutes to catch up on the current events and trade numbers to try and get some of the crew together from Lyon as most of them are still here in Copenhagen. She is currently writing her Master's thesis which apparently takes quite a long time her in Denmark. It was just serendipidous to see her by chance. I am very happy because I haven't had any luck finding anyone on Facebook because its just now becoming a phenomenon here in Denmark. So again my lovely Lyonnais séjour is coming back to me.
Yesterday one of my new friends from UNCC, Vaughan, and I went to the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek since the museum is free on Sundays. They have a very cool collection of sculpture that ranges from Danish to Egyptian to some really nice Rodins. I snapped many pictures, especially of the Rodins of course.
The weather has been very nice as Maria and Louise have told me that usually it's not this nice every day during the summer. But except for last night it has been sunny and warm every day since I have arrived. Maybe I am bringing that lovely French weather along with me :)
Next week the CBS program is going to Berlin and since it's about $250 to go along with the trip and it's mostly a tour guide event with a lot of free time so I decided to go as well using my rail pass. Instead of $250 I spent ten dollars making the reservations and I am travelling by train in lieu of the buses the others are taking. My friend Brandon may be going along with me and if so we are talking about staying in a hotel room. Do you know what I am looking forward to most? I want to veg out one night and just watch some television! What an American thing to look forward to isn't it? I have nothing in my room so I am hoping to do some reading and just got my library card so I can check out books now. I have no idea where I am going to start but I think it's going to be something that my high school English teacher would be proud of me for choosing. Even thought it may serve to give me something to fall asleep to at night.
This is me during a game and a rule was made that if you said drink you must put your forehead on the table. To my credit I was one of the last to do so. But it's still a very clever rule and you should use it the next time you party with 20 year olds!
Friday, July 04, 2008
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Settling in to Copenhagen
Here I am in this beautiful city by the sea. The temperature reminds me of early Spring with warm days and cool nights. It´s amazing that it´s July and I have to carry a jacket in my bag or I may get too cold. However the most eery thing is the light when you are this high in latitude. The sun barely goes down for about 4 hours so at 11:30 you can still see light and at 3:30am the sun begins to come back over the horizon, it´s really bizarre but it makes you get more done because you get up earlier and stay up later.
The train from Paris wasn´t bad at all as I had a sleeper in 1st class and got a few hours rest. However the conducter stopped to give me my ticket because my stop was coming up soon so I got up and collected my things. I got the train at Hamburg HBF just as it said on my ticket. The station was a little smaller than I had imagined but no worries... WRONG!
I stopped by the information desk and the girl told me that I needed to go to the "main" station! Another girl and myself were both headed to Copenhagen and made the same mistake, and she has family there so she must usually go a different route. The girl told me to take the metro so we both hopped on and then got out and we weren´t even close. There was noone on the streets at 8:30 Sunday morning and we were both very surprised. We had about 30 minutes to get to the station and make our train so when I spotted a cab I took the opportunity. A 30€ cab ride and we made it with about 10 minutes to spare. The only thing that I had eated in about 16 hours was my last meal at Fred´s. Since I didn´t have time or money to get anything at the station I survived on a free Snickers bar and coffee from the first class car. Sometimes being older and not getting the reduced tickets has it´s privileges :) Next I was amazed by how the train crossed the sea between Germany and Denmark by ferry. I had no idea that we would do that so I was astonished when the conductor said that once we pulled into the ferry we would have to deboard for the ferry ride. It was pretty cool because the train just pulls into the ferry on tracks, then pulls out on the other side. I have some cool pictures of the train that I will post soon when I remember my adaptor.
So after arriving to Copenhagen the lovely Karina met me at the station to give me my key. I was very thankful because she took an hour or more to find me on a Sunday, Skøl to her! I decided to get some practice in for my trip so I walked to my apartment with the pack and all through walking boulevard, very cool. When I arrived I knew what was waiting because as always I was on the top floor of the building. I was surprised to learn that I had a roommate because I asked for a single room before I was thinking about couchsurfing it, and since they made me take a place I wanted a single room because sometimes you just want the comfort of your own place. I stopped by the office to see about my room and they said they would email me... I stopped by two days later and they hadn´t even looked but the lady was nice and took a some time to help me find a cheap, single room with a shared shower. No worries because I was sharing a shower with 8! But it is unfortunate because we had a nice kitchen and a French press for my coffee but I can manage something at my new place, there´s no oven but it has a fridge and two burners so that´s enough for 5 1/2 more weeks.
Classes are a little bit of a joke so far. An Italian woman whose English is very broken and one 15 page paper to grade, remind you of anywhere lovelies? The other is corporate finance but I don´t think that the exam will be difficult based on today´s class. All the better for your narrator since I am looking to enjoy myself.
On to the question of money. As everyone knows the dollar is no longer the currency of power and so it´s an exponential effect being in the fourth most expensive city on earth. A six-pack of beer in a little corner grocery is $12, granted the beer is excellent. The average dinner at a restaurant based on signs, not having eaten, is about $30-40 without beverages!!! I am only eating a breakfast of meusli and yogurt with a coffee press, a small snack and a piece of fruit for lunch and then a dinner. When you count in that I am walking so much I must have already lost a kilo since Sunday, lol. But I have to be very careful because it´s so expensive. One last example is a metro ride is $3.50 for one hour of travel, incredible! Sean is learning how to be frugal and humble at the same time.
The upside is that I am in a beautiful city and meeting heaps of great people at the same time. Last night there was a little backyard BBQ and I got sloshed with people in my flat and the the neighbors across the street, it was a heck of a good time and cheap too! Life is good, maybe tastes a little better when you have to make the ends meet. I appreciate everything a great deal right now...
The train from Paris wasn´t bad at all as I had a sleeper in 1st class and got a few hours rest. However the conducter stopped to give me my ticket because my stop was coming up soon so I got up and collected my things. I got the train at Hamburg HBF just as it said on my ticket. The station was a little smaller than I had imagined but no worries... WRONG!
I stopped by the information desk and the girl told me that I needed to go to the "main" station! Another girl and myself were both headed to Copenhagen and made the same mistake, and she has family there so she must usually go a different route. The girl told me to take the metro so we both hopped on and then got out and we weren´t even close. There was noone on the streets at 8:30 Sunday morning and we were both very surprised. We had about 30 minutes to get to the station and make our train so when I spotted a cab I took the opportunity. A 30€ cab ride and we made it with about 10 minutes to spare. The only thing that I had eated in about 16 hours was my last meal at Fred´s. Since I didn´t have time or money to get anything at the station I survived on a free Snickers bar and coffee from the first class car. Sometimes being older and not getting the reduced tickets has it´s privileges :) Next I was amazed by how the train crossed the sea between Germany and Denmark by ferry. I had no idea that we would do that so I was astonished when the conductor said that once we pulled into the ferry we would have to deboard for the ferry ride. It was pretty cool because the train just pulls into the ferry on tracks, then pulls out on the other side. I have some cool pictures of the train that I will post soon when I remember my adaptor.
So after arriving to Copenhagen the lovely Karina met me at the station to give me my key. I was very thankful because she took an hour or more to find me on a Sunday, Skøl to her! I decided to get some practice in for my trip so I walked to my apartment with the pack and all through walking boulevard, very cool. When I arrived I knew what was waiting because as always I was on the top floor of the building. I was surprised to learn that I had a roommate because I asked for a single room before I was thinking about couchsurfing it, and since they made me take a place I wanted a single room because sometimes you just want the comfort of your own place. I stopped by the office to see about my room and they said they would email me... I stopped by two days later and they hadn´t even looked but the lady was nice and took a some time to help me find a cheap, single room with a shared shower. No worries because I was sharing a shower with 8! But it is unfortunate because we had a nice kitchen and a French press for my coffee but I can manage something at my new place, there´s no oven but it has a fridge and two burners so that´s enough for 5 1/2 more weeks.
Classes are a little bit of a joke so far. An Italian woman whose English is very broken and one 15 page paper to grade, remind you of anywhere lovelies? The other is corporate finance but I don´t think that the exam will be difficult based on today´s class. All the better for your narrator since I am looking to enjoy myself.
On to the question of money. As everyone knows the dollar is no longer the currency of power and so it´s an exponential effect being in the fourth most expensive city on earth. A six-pack of beer in a little corner grocery is $12, granted the beer is excellent. The average dinner at a restaurant based on signs, not having eaten, is about $30-40 without beverages!!! I am only eating a breakfast of meusli and yogurt with a coffee press, a small snack and a piece of fruit for lunch and then a dinner. When you count in that I am walking so much I must have already lost a kilo since Sunday, lol. But I have to be very careful because it´s so expensive. One last example is a metro ride is $3.50 for one hour of travel, incredible! Sean is learning how to be frugal and humble at the same time.
The upside is that I am in a beautiful city and meeting heaps of great people at the same time. Last night there was a little backyard BBQ and I got sloshed with people in my flat and the the neighbors across the street, it was a heck of a good time and cheap too! Life is good, maybe tastes a little better when you have to make the ends meet. I appreciate everything a great deal right now...
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