I can't believe it's been over a month since I posted!

So let's see...what happened in the past month...

During the first week of October, we went on our long study tour to Brussels, the Hague, and Amsterdam. Despite the 14 hour bus ride, it was a fun little journey. We got to watch this really popular Danish movie called "Terkel i Knibe" and let me tell you...what a random movie! Basically, there is a scene in the movie where this overweight girl jumps out of a window because she is constantly being made fun of and everyone cheers when she dies. Hmm...and this is a children's movie?

In Brussels, we stayed at Maison du Dragon hotel, which is a Chinese hotel...they served lo mein noodles for breakfast...legitimately...I tried it one morning, and that was a mistake--way too heavy and greasy for breakfast. Fortunately, they also had a "European Continental" breakfast as well, consisting of meats and cheeses. It really makes me miss US breakfast...I can't wait for Christmas brunch and brunch with the grandparents! I feel like we live like Kings at home considering our breakfast and bathroom differences.

China or Belgium?!

While we were in Brussels, it poured every single day and night, definitely putting a damper on our fun there. I wish I could have explored the area more, but between the rain and lack of phone (as all Blackberries lost service while in Brussels), it was a bit more difficult. One thing I did get to notice was that we were across the street from 3 strip clubs and that Brussels has some great beer bars. We went to one bar, called Delirium, that offered 2004 beers! I tried a strawberry beer and it was actually tasty--I never thought I would like a beer!

Other than that, it seems to me that Brussels is more of a commuter city, not too much going on except for EU stuff...which was awesome! We were able to visit the Commission, Parliament, Council of MInisters, and the Danish permanent representative in COREPER. All of the buildings were really pretty, especially the Parliament. We even got to witness a farmer's protest on the milk crisis in the EU...tractors and farmers galore!

In the Hague, we visited the Former Republic of Yugoslavia Criminal Tribunal. We were able to watch a trial take place against former government heads from Yugoslavia who had allegedely ordered the death and destruction of many. It was pretty interesting...we watched this one witness who kept changing his story and it seemed obvious that he was being paid or threatened to change since he originally was against the defendants, but then he was for...

After the Hague, we traveled to Amsterdam and stayed for about 5 hours of free time. Amsterdam was so gorgeous! I was not expecting much except a red light district area, but instead I was blown away. All of the canals and foilage were beautiful. And the houses there too....so cute. It reminded me of the Nyhavn area of Copenhagen. While in Amsterdam, I was able to visit the Anne Frank museum, which was amazing. They had her actual diary that she wrote in and it was just so moving. I highly reccommend it. After that, my friends and I found something called "The Dutch Bakery" where we got Dutch pancakes which were like crepes the size of three heads. I had mine with apples, cinnamon ice cream, and chocolate sauce. We were also able to do a canal tour before heading off in search of the red light district (since we were there at night). After a long time of searching we finally found "coffee shops" and "ladies of the night" who literally stand in this glass room waiting for men to buy them. It was so sad to see...The area was much to smoky for me so my friend and I left after about 30 minutes of exploring the area and went to look for dinner.

A View from our Canal Tour

Finally, it was time for us to all leave and start our 12 hour journey back to Copenhagen. I made sure to get to the bus early to get my own seat so I could try to sleep...not a success :( But at least once I got home I was able to take a nice long nap. Except of course, I lost my key and had to unpack my whole suitcase to find out it was actually where I thought it was originally.

Since being back, the work load has been a bit unruly. It has been our midterm week(s) since then and I had way too many tests and papers all at once. Fortunately, I was able to combine my 2 ten page papers which will be due at the end of November. However, I have been able to have a bit of fun...like on the 18th of October I was able to go to Legoland. It was about a 3 1/2 hour drive there, but it was worth it. I can't believe how incredibly creative the workers there are! There was the statue of liberty, Mt. Rushmore, Taj Mahal, White House, Nasa Station, and of course replicas of many major cities in Europe, like Nyhavn (Copenhagen), Amsterdam, London, Scotland..It was awesome! And it was the first day where it was not frigidly cold outside so that was nice.

This was huge...size of a two story house and it's ALL legos!!

As for what has been happening more recently...we just started our 2 week fall break. So far one week of it has gone by. The week started with some of Tri Delts coming to stay with me for Sensation White, which is this HUGEEEE rave of like 30,000 people all dressed in white. It was so much fun, except that I somehow caught a fever and had to go back early. We also went to the ICE BAR!!! It was so cool! I never wanted to leave, we're definitely going back :)

The next day, Tim and I left early for Budapest, Hungary. We stayed at a hostel with non-working elevators and were four flights up (I fortunately was able to have the guy carry up my suitcase). In Budapest, we were able to go to a Turkish bath which was amazing! Although it was like 30 degrees out there, we were able to rent bathing suits from the bath and ran outside to get into this olympic size hot tub....it was so nice and hot that all you could see was steam. There were fountains everyone that acted like a massage...so relaxing! We fortunately went early, so there was not as many people there except for some elderly folks. Then inside the bath, there were like 15 other tubs, all different temperatures, ranging from freezing to hottt! There were also two saunas, which were nice to dry off in since we were towel less. After the bath, we soon discovered that all the museums were closed on a Monday...so we opted to go to a mall, since it seemed like our only option. The mall we found seemed a bit sketchy at first as it was only had some food markets. Somehow after a half hour of exploring, we found the inner mall...which had six levels!! It seemed like it went on forever. After walking around for a bit, we found an AMF bowling alley (it had the same pictures and videos and everything from our AMF!) They even played the Greenbay-Minnesota game! After some bowling (where we both scored 84 and 89) we watched the game for awhile and then decided it was time to find dinner.

On Tuesday, we went to the TERROR museum which was all about the reign of terror brought on by the Nazis and then the USSR afterwards. I had no idea how much Hungary was a part of Nazism and Socialism. It is so sad to learn about the terror this people brought to a nation, but overally it was a great museum. We also went to a Hungarian agriculture museum, kind of by mistake, but I learned that through the domestication of the pig, the Hungarians were able to extend the pig's spine by 3 vertibrae, making better pork! Interesting! :)

Later that day, we had our flight to Prague, Czech Republic. Here we were able to stay with our friends Krista and Lauren for part of the time. Prague was amazing--my new favorite city! The night life was so great especially considering we were there Tuesday through Thursday morning. We went to a club made entirely out of car parts (yet we called in the computer club??). There I met this Czech girl who used to nanny in Potomac and she knew me from Club Beverly Farms as the dancer! So crazy! She nannied for a family on Tuckerman.  What a small world!

As for sights we saw, we did like a five hour walking tour where we got to see a lot major things, like the Palace, the Jewish quarter, and different galleries. We also were able to see the Astronomical Clock in Old Town Square, which every hour puts on a little show. Including movement of the clock, a trumpet player, and then 2 men who sword fight. Quite random, I would like to know the history behind it, haha.

After Prague, Tim, Jen, and I took a train to Vienna. And that's where I am now. Except, most currently I am sitting in the terminal of the Vienna Airport waiting to board my flight to Istanbul. Vienna was such a beautiful city. I definitely felt at home here and would love to return when the weather is a bit better. From my travels, I have decided that I would like to learn German next. In Vienna, we did a lot of walking around and met a lot of cool people. One guy we met was from South Carolina and is taking a year from his life to just travel. I wish I could have the courage to do that...

As for what we saw, we went to the Music House, which had this intereactive music museum that was awesome. I was pleasantly surprised.

Denmark: The Happiest Country in the World

http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=3841772n

Post Oktoberfest

So now that Oktoberfest has come and gone,it's time to reflect. I'm sitting here in the Muncih airport, waiting to board my flight in about a half hour. And well, Oktoberfest...definitely an experience that everyone should have. Imagine leederhosens galore, beer after beer after beer...., odd colored sausages, pretzels, and kisses everywhere!

Tim and woke up around 630 to get ready, eat a quick breakfast, some mimosas to start off and then begin our trek to the tents. When we arrived at the tents, we went immediately past the fair/carnival rides in search for the Hofbrau tent, aka HB. We got in line, which was already SO long and were really anxious to get in (it was a little after 8 by then). Then after part one of the line, we waited again (and we were literally second to go in) for another twentyish minutes.

Then we found out after a bunch of German was yelled that they weren't opening this door for at least another hour and we needed to go to the opposite side. Once we finally got in, we just sprinted in to get a table since you can't get served otherwise. We finally managed to get a table on the upper deck and we ran into some fellow Richmonders who joined us. So it was six of us, this young Japanese couple and two German couples who kept to themselves. It was a good time hahaha

Unfortunately by 1030 everyone was kicked out of the top since it was apparently reserved. So all of us had to go and wait outside again for another hour to try and get in. By this time we all needed to use the bathroom and that was a huge setback--the lines for the bathroom...ABSURD. Only 3 stalls for the girls, so everyone just started peeing in line...not so sanitary!

Finally we were all sick of waiting so we tried to sneak in or flirt or bribe our ways in. One girl got in for ten euro and a wink, but they rest of us managed to get in for free. Some waitress saw us and felt bad and grabbed my elbow and pulled us in...hahaha it was great since the security guard next to us had just told us no. So we bought beer from here and big tips because it was so nice of her.

Anywho, I ended finding a bunch of Deltas and we all had a great time together. Our day was full of beer intertwined with random pretzel bites and tap water. Guys kept joining us and wanting to take photos or get to know us but it was kind of creepy... Everyone was so into kissing everyone--not my cup of tea!

By the end of the night I had scored a free pasta and free beer. The next thing I knew was I looked at my phone and it was 9PM. By then, it was time to eat, try and take a Hofbrau liter mug and sleep. Myself, alice and jen left together and went to a little bar bistro by their hotel. Then I went back and headed to sleep so I could wake up and fly back to the good 'ol CPH DKK :)

Afeitazen!

PS,
My gate check-in guy, he is wearing leederhosen....

In Munich, counting down the hours until the big day!

So I have just landed here in Munich and decided to just do a quick little update while I wait for Sam and Tim to arrive here as well--both their flights are getting in I believer fifteen minutes later, so perfect timing :)

As for my flight...very interesting! After my embarrassing overly dramatic breakdown/ freak out over the travel warnings to germany, I psyched myself up for the trip. Talking with DIS and mom made me feel a lot better. Anywho, my flight...oh boy. The only thing I can think to compare it to was a frat boy reunion/airlines you see in male comedy movies. It was a bunch of Scandavian men, some dressed normally others in no joke, leederhosen (sorry, just sounded it out). Everyone was walking around, drinking, and having a good time on our hour and a half flight. It was certainly the noisiest flight I've ever experienced, but fun. Just what I needed after my morning panic.

Anywho, it was a bunch of guys with long blonde hair (overly gelled I may add), dressed well and taking photos of one another in funny sleeping positions. One guy who was sitting in the row across the aisle from me was seriously like a paprazzi.

Other than that, it was pretty uneventful. I just read The Pact and tried to study Danish for my test Monday.

Updates soon after the big festivities!!!!!

Drugs, History, and a Reality Check

I guess where I left off was just about 2 weeks ago! I did fortunately make it back and got to go to Ikea. Granted I have never gone to Ikea in the US, but let me tell you--hugeeee! It was basically an amusement park of furniture. I have never seen so many different chairs, lamps, storage units, etc.. All I really wanted was a full length mirror, I know, so vain, but it's so hard to not know what you fully look like! Anywho, I ended up buying a mirror, a new larger pillow, bedding (a duvet cover, pillow case), some kitchenware things like a baking pan, and of course a ton of hangers--but I still didn't get enough!

Of course it would have been nice if I actually thought about how I would have to transport everything home...I was struggling through Copenhagen with all of this and finally managed my way home with only breaking a corner of the mirror. But I definitely love me bed--so much more snuggly and pillowy :) With this inspiration I was able to hang my 89 photos I printed before leaving so I am feeling much more at home in my room.

Then on Wednesday, the 9th, I had a double field study, one at 9:30 to the Danish Parliament and one at 1:10 to Christiania, which is that hippie town Mrs. Kramer talked about (Mom). The Parliament is really neat- so much history, but still very present. Each Prime Minister gets to choose an artist to have paint a portrait of them, and it was cool to see that some men chose very abstract artists, while others were very basic. But also, one of the best things there was that they have a sort of like, revolving elevator, meaning it never stops. It's basically a shaft you climb into when it comes up (there is no door) and it moves through all the floors without stopping, meaning you just jump out of it on your floor...can't imagine handling that every morning in heels!

As for Christiania...I could not live there, but I can see the appeal. In a basic sense, it is a little town made of the men and women who moved to the Christianhavn island when the military base left there. It is very controversial because Christianhavn is a veryyyy nice area--the most expensive real estate in Copenhagen (so probably in Denmark, but I don't know for sure). It's right on the water and very high end. But these squatters who claimed the land, pay nothing to live there and refuse to leave, despite different government demands over time. And the big thing is well, it's a big drug town. They believe very much in pot and hash, but are "Strongly against hard drugs." I took a picture of the rules:

I think my favorite is no bullet proof clothing? I would like to know the story behind that one...But in Christiania, you can't really take pictures, there are a ton of no picture signs. There was a news story this past week about a journalist getting beaten up for taking photos and not turning in his camera. Apparently there are big "bodyguard" types who protect Christiania from photographers and police. For some reason the police aren't really allowed to enter? But the big pull in Christiania is there is "Pusher Street," which is exactly what it is. It's where everyone can buy weed and hash, somewhat discreetly, but actually not at all. When I was with my class, we saw big bricks of what I guess was hash? I don't really know what hash is, just only heard of it so I assume it was that--at first I thought it was chocolate, oops! Haha.

Also, we got a guided tour throughout Christiania and I must admit--beautiful! It was very interesting to see children were running around with little to no clothes on in the day care center and that many people just seemed to drugged up, but the community is definitely very art friendly and seems to care about each other. But get this--so no one pays for the house, which means you don't own it, which means you can get kicked out at any point and be left homeless. Our guide was telling us that the town hall decides who can and cannot live in Christiania (you must apply to live here, you can't just set up camp..some have tried and were introduced to the bodyguards). If the town hall decides you can't live there they go to that house and kick you out. It seems ironic since Christiania was founded on a free love environment. But to each their own...

But that day was nice because I got to know Emily and Tim, who I have become pretty good friends with. We have both those classes together so we hung out, calling ourselves jokingly the Tripod. It was good that we got to know each other since literally, none of us could name one person in our European Politics class, which is the class we go on all of our travel tours with.

Speaking of which, that Thursday we left for our first short study tour. We left from Copenhagen at 8:30 to drive to the ferry, which we took to Lübec, Germany, which is apparently on the list of 1,000 places you must see before you die. In Lübec, we went to the Willy Brandt museum, who was a Nazi resistance leader. We also had a nice tour of Lübec from a man who had the most serious mustache:

The side view from the start of our tour

Here he is, at a 600 year old restaurant (where we ate when we arrived-wish I had known at the time to appreciate it more!) Here are more views of the restaurant:

A 400 year old table!

The restaurant name ^

Here are other pictures of Lübec:

And here is a piece of the Berlin Wall, at the Willy Brandt museum--very cool I thought!

Then we left for Hamburg on Friday, which is definitely a larger city with more stuff to do. I wish we could have had a lot of time there, but we were able to extend our stay, but not for the night since we were supposed to stay at a hostel in Sønderborg, Denmark (very southern part).

While in Hamburg, we went to their Parliament to hear about their relations with the EU. I also got to try my very first Schnitzel! Not bad...it reminded me sooo much of Milanesa from Argentina. In fact, I'm pretty positive it is the same idea. Lightly breaded thin meat. I went to the grocery store when I went back to Copenhagen and bought chicken schnitzel. I really wanted to get a pretzel while in Germany, but never did :( But hey, OKTOBERFEST IN 5 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!! Yay Richmond reunion!!

Oh and also, while we were in Hamburg, we saw a pro-Nazi and anti-Nazi march. It was so intense to see a pro-Nazi march! We briefly walked with the anti-Nazi march while walking to meet the bus.

Once we arrived in Sønderborg that night, we tried to find a place to go out. So a bunch of us walked for about 25 minutes and found a hopping little street where we first to Penny Lane, which was a Beatles tribute bar, where we met some Icelandic guys, who then took us to MexiBar....as sketchy as it sounds. We stayed there for about 12 minutes and left for our walk back to the hostel. And let me say, I hope to not stay in too many hostels...I could not help but think about all the hygienic problems with them....Thank goodness I brought my own sheets :)

On Saturday morning, we went to a lecture on German-Danish relations at Southern Denmark University, which was pretty interesting and then we went to the "Danish Gettysburg," even though the death toll was not even a quarter of Gettysburg. But it is where Denmark lost a huge part of their territory to Germany in 1864, I believe? Here is a photo from the fields:

After that, we drove a ways to go to an art museum, which I think was dedicated to Arne Jacobsen who was a famous Danish chair designer. It was a very contempary museum with lots of chairs.  He created the egg chair and lots of chairs that are kind of funky that are veryyyy common. Here's an example:

After that, we traveled back to good ol' Denmark. That night Emily and I just hung out and had a good time. And then it was back to the grind when Sunday came. This past week was pretty basic. On Tuesday, it was Emily's birthday, so I helped plan her birthday dinner at her kollegium. We made our cobb salad (yesssss!), a creamy curry chicken, and I bought a bunch of Danish bakery desserts for her cake. I think it was a good time for all. Then we all went downtown to go out since she hadn't been out yet and we definitely got her to have some fun :)

Then on Wednesday I had a field study at an Islamic art museum at 8:30, and another tour of Parliament, but I also got to hear a very enlightening talk on Turkey-EU relations (since my field study was for my Turkey at a Crossroads course). Our speaker was very diplomatic in her talk, and helped sway me a bit to accepting Turkey into the EU. Right now, however, I don't think I really think it is the time for them to join. There are so many variables, like it will be the 3rd largest member state, meaning large amount of representatives, meaning strong voting power at first entry and within 10 years it is supposed to have the largest population....Also, with the EU membership, there is free travling within EU borders...meaning Iraq will now border EU nations...I am worried how that would affect terrorist activities...But a huge bonus of Turkey joining is there would be a bridge between "Eastern" and "Western" culture, as well as the Islamic and "Christian" culture, which I think would be a huge benefit for both sides.

Then on Friday, a bunch of us went to Tivoli for the evening and my friend Jen and I got to go on a bunch of rides, including the famous swings, which is (I think) the highest points in Copenhagen--you litereally see everything when you're on the swings and it's kind of like the ones at typical amusement parks, but A LOTTTTTTTTT higher, like a lot a lot, faster, and only seats of two every so often. But it is seriously AWESOME, one of the coolest things you can do. I hope they keep it open, even when all the rides close so we can go on them when y'all visit! Then we were able to hear the band that was performing that night, Infernal, which is a really famous Danish pop band. I think I am going back to Tivoli Monday night to see another concert.

Then after, Jen and I walked around and met many random people who came and talked to us, including some guys who were from Italy and Turkey. Then we finally settled on going to Happy Pig, which is a really popular bar/dance place. Reminds me of Richmond. But it was an awesome night, we just danced the night away with different people and stayed out until 6 AM! I saw the sun beginning to rise....

Then on Saturday, I went to my friend Brielle's (from UR) "apartment." It was a teacher she babysits for apartment, but while they were away she and our friend Abby were living there since they hate their kollegium. We ate pizza and drank some girlie drinks and then went out. We ended up going back to Happy Pig so we could meet up with some of Richmond guy friends. We ended up staying there until about 2, then we decided to hop around and then went back pretty early.

They had to take the night bus, while I had the metro. And that's when reality struck. It's amazing to think I have been here for about a month. But also because of that feeling, I felt safe and comfortable, so I'm glad I got this somewhat scary reminder. I admit, it's not smart that I went to the metro at night by myself, but it was just easy. But this man followed me down to the metro and cornered me against the esclator asking for my phone number and telling me how beautiful I was. And I told him I had a boyfriend and he wouldn't like this and he kept thinking we should be friendly companions, so I told him I saw my friends and went up to these Danish girls and grabbed one's arm and acted like we were best friends. Fortunately, the one girl whose arm I grabbed, understood, but her friends were confused and were talking so loud like "WHERE ARE YOU FROM?" but I just hung out with them. I got on the metro and then was going to get off with them and wait for the next metro (the guy told me he was going to my same stop--I never told him where my stop was or anything. I said I was from Canada, named Amalia and had been studying here a year and he didn't get why I wouldn't say where I lived). Anyways, as I was getting off, two girls from Richmond happened to see me on the metro and called my name (ughh since I was Amalia, not Caroline!--the guy was watching me the whole time on the metro). So I told them we had to get off at the next stop and wait, so fortunately we got off at Christianhavn and waited ten minutes for the next metro. Safe and sound and with others :)! A reminder to never be by myself, because that was definitely a bit frightening.

Met the new Fam...hopefully they aren't sick now!

So as it turns out, sickness does in fact follow me. Who knew you could catch the flu while abroad...basically starting as soon as I stepped off the plane. I guess "living the life of riley" (as Dad would say...if it is in fact, "riley") has really caught up to me. I thought I may had just a cold and sore/achy from all the walking, but it was really just the flu, which I left practically untreated, until now. My fever finally broke after not being able to sleep last night (up until at least 4:30 AM to wake up for a 9 AM Field Study!). Anyways, I bought some mystery Danish medicines that the pharmacist recommended and they definitely helped my fever. Now I am just using sudafed for my ear ache and dayquil/nyquil.

I feel guilty now for not treating myself, since I'm now worried I may have gotten my visiting Danish family sick :(...who I met this past weekend!!! There is Dad, Claus, who I had been in contact with and speaks fluent English, Helle (pronounced Hell-ah, I believe), who is pretty good, Isabella (12) and Oliver (6). Oliver does not speak any English and Isabella is just learning. They are such a tall family--not what I was envisioning, since they had brown hair, but still very Danish :) After a fiasco at the train station with trying to find the intercity train, the right spor (aka track), etc. I finally arrived. Claus picked me up at the Roskilde station, which is about 15 minutes from their house. Normally I would go to one much closer, but do to construction this was my only option.

As we driving to their house in Tølløse, a small "suburb" slash country town outside of Copenhagen. Their family has 3 cats, many bunnies, a new very cute puppy Aslac (which I can hardly believe I say it is cute since it's a small brown terrier...but it is so adorable!), and I believe some guinea pigs? They're family is very children oriented--the entire backyard is dedicated to their kids. They had a TV in practically every room in the house, which was unexpected (seemed like a more American trend, or so I thought). The house itself seemed more simple on the outside, but beautiful on the inside, very modern, simplistic--a light wood, white walls, silver accessories. Very trendy. Claus and I talked for awhile and I had the grand tour of the house. It is considered large for a Danish house (had 3 floors), but probably average for an American idea of a house--an interesting difference I noted.

Finally it came time for dinner, and we had burgers and fries. They thought I would be missing some good old American food and apparently Oliver loves burgers. It was exciting though because basically I made the french fries--peeled the potatoes with Oliver, cut them into fry shapes, oiled them, put them on a pan, and let Claus salt them because I was worried I would overdo it...love that salty food! After dinner we all watched TV; they wanted to show me a TV show they really liked which was like a combination of Survivor and Fear Factor, but unfortunately due to the Denmark-Portugal soccer game it was not on. Instead we watched Coyote Ugly, as a family. Not a movie you would expect to be make international fame...At first I thought they kept it on because it was American and English, but I asked if they had seen it before (since Oliver was watching too, not the most appropriate I would have thought) and said yes, so it was an experience! Haha, but it was nice of them to have us all hang out.

After the movie I went to bed in their basement on this semi-pullout couch, it was perfectly decent and I was able to sleep in order to get back on an early train into Copenhagen. I needed to be back by 9, which meant I had a 7:45 train to catch.  I needed to be back early for an Ikea trip.

To be continued...

OKTOBERFEST is official!

YESSSS!!! I finally booked my plane ticket which means I am officially going to Oktoberfest, I have my room already and just need to get the other ticket thing. I also just bought my Sensation White ticket!!! Great times to be had I'm sure! Sensation White is basically an all night techno event--I hear it's one of the best times and it's right here in Copenhagen!

Other than that, I have been getting into the swing of things, building a routine. The rain has officially started. It poured on and off today, proving bringing my rain boots an amazing choice. I have already bought another umbrella because the one I brought cannot handle the wind and rain. I am excited to experience the Danish "hygge" or pronounced "who-gah" which is supposed to be a state of mind of coziness, comfortableness, etc. This is how they are the happiest country in the world....staying cozy with candles :) As the rain was starting up again this afternoon, I passed a bagel stand and this man gave my friend Nicole and I free bagel sandwiches. She got a salmon sandwich and I got a chicken salad one...kind of smelly, but at least it was free! A nice treat considering how expensive DK can be.

On another side, I am meeting my visiting Danish family! They sound great; there are the parents, Claus and Helle, and they have two children and many pets. I can't wait! However, I'm trying to decide what may be a good gift to bring...

Other cultural fact I learned:
No doggy bags from the restaurants! They will look at you like a crazy person if you ask for one

Oh and p.s. daddy, if you thought my feet were dirty before, you can't imagine after these showers! It's so gross thinking about what touches this floor