Copenhagen

Time to return to Copenhagen, where I lived for 1st and 2nd grade from 1996 to 1998. Flying an airline other than Ryan Air was also great as I got food and drink on a flight for the first time since crossing the atlantic. The views of the Alps from the Plane were phenomenal, only making me feel better about pulling the trigger on the ski trip over a month ago.

My first flight from Florence to Zurich was delayed about 50 minutes so the hour layover turned into a mad dash to the next gate. Got there with time to spare, but it was still a major relief making the flight. I did substantial damage on Malcolm Gladwell's The Tipping Point and was starting to think I should have brought a second book.

When I got off the plane in Copenhagen the Memories Started to come back as I had spent so much time in the Airport. I needed to trade my Euros for Kroner, and after completing that transaction I bought a train ticket to Hellerup, on the train headed to Helsignør, the Setting of Hamlet.

As I got off at the Hellerup stop, I consciously had no idea where to go, yet I subconsciously knew the exact way home. Once I started down Sofievej I could not stop smiling as memories came flooding back, from learning to ride a bike, to endless games of street hockey. I finally came upon number 12

My old house, and to say I was overjoyed would be an understatement. First I had to check in with my old next door neighbors, the Frandsen's, where I would be staying. They were just as excited to see me as I was to return to my old hometown, and came to be the best hosts anyone could ask for. Rebecca and I went to to my house and hoped the owners were still there so that I could walk through it again, something I missed out on when I returned in 2003 as part of a trip to Sweden.

Here is a walk through of the house, starting from the front door, through to the first floor

and backyard. From there the upstairs

To my Room

Then On to Tracy's

Next door to the Bathroom

The Guest Room

and Parents old room.

After touring the House I walked around the neighborhood and checked out more of my old stomping grounds around Hellerup

The neighborhood grocery store

The best Ice cream in Copenhagen with a constant line when he is open

The Hellerup Yacht club

And the Play ground by the Yacht club, still exactly the same from 1998

That night I had a great duck dinner win the Frendsen's and then met up with the other kids from my program who were in copenhagen and we went out. Played some Foosball in a bar and the guys we played told me how popular foosball is all across denmark.

The Next day I headed downtown and walked down Stroget returning to my old favorite Toy store BR, and then even better the Lego Store

From there I headed up to the Top of Rundetårn The Round Tower, and enjoyed some views overlooking the city

After the tower I headed down to Ny Havn (New Harbor) and then took an hour long canal and harbor tour. Some of the highlights from that:

OPera House, HDR

Reflection of the Opera House, off of the Theatre

View down New Haven

Royal Theatre

WWII Era Submarine Factory turned upscale apartments

Royal Library

Another Tour Boat passing through

After the Boat Tour I headed to Christiania And had quite the experiance, getting attacked by a homeless person/hippie. Thanks to mom and dad for the cat like reflexes and I was able to throw up a block and avoid a blow to the face from a crazy woman. Technically I was out of the EU

That night I returned to Hellerup, and the next morning took a few more pictures of my house, and with my hosts before I flew back to florence

Back on the grind...