Last weekend I was in Amsterdam, got in late Friday night and left early Monday morning; I went with the same 3 girls that I traveled to Stockholm with Saturday we went to the Van Gough Museum which was awesome, we even saw Starry Night!
Sunday we went to the Anne Frank house, where Anne Frank hid out during the Holocaust. It is kind of like a museum, the parts that have been re-done are very modern to clearly show it is not the original structure but at the same time a lot of the house has not been touched. We walked around the few rooms in the attic where they all hid out. Some of the pictures that Anne hung up were still on the walls; and there was a map that her dad had with pushpins representing the countries as Hitler took over.
In addition to museums we also walked around the red light district, both during the day and at night. Our hotel was on a beautiful street on a canal. There actually are a lot of canals in Amsterdam, it’s a pretty city.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Weather
It actually has not been too cold lately. Of course I still have my winter jacket on but it’s not uncomfortable whatsoever to be outside! I went to check the weather today (I usually just look at the 10 day forecast). I saw March 6th on the website and was confused for a second and then realized March would be included in the 10 day forecast! That means its probably & hopefully just not a warm couple of days- its getting warmer in Copenhagen!
This is probably why I didn’t mind walking around for 40 minutes trying to find the Carlsberg brewery; which by the way was totally worth it. The tour was pretty cool and we got 2 free beer vouchers! That is definitely something I will miss here when returning to the states.
This is probably why I didn’t mind walking around for 40 minutes trying to find the Carlsberg brewery; which by the way was totally worth it. The tour was pretty cool and we got 2 free beer vouchers! That is definitely something I will miss here when returning to the states.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
I accomplished the impossible
Holy sh*t. Sorry for the language but it is completely accepted here. It is also what the lady standing next to me said as she walked away when seeing the transit officer on our train.
I had the bus system down. I take the 6A to school every morning. Until Monday when I saw a few DIS students from my Kollegium walking away from the bus stop. A women had just walked past and informed them of the bus strike. Luckily, they knew how to get to school on the train right next to us.
Tuesday I left earlier to finish some homework in class so I was on my own. How hard could it be? I manage the NYC public system (like 5 times the size) and DC!
When it was time to switch trains I saw one across the platform and just as I arrived at the station and hopped on. “Does this go to Norreport (basically main station)?” I asked someone; she responded with a no just as the doors closed. Oh well, I will get off at the next stop and go in the other direction- no big deal, I am early anyway.
In Denmark the transit system is by zones; I have a zone 1 and 2 pass. Well I got checked and apparently was on zone 3. I explained that I had got on the train the wrong way. Did he care? Not at all. He pulled out a ticket and asked for my CPR card. Did I have it? No ((see explanation below!)). Next he asked for my address. I don’t carry around my address because look where it got me last time ((below!)); and its pretty hard to memorize when you don’t know the letters. He then asked my if I know my birthday. Of course I do- it’s the same as Suzanne’s! I explained that I take the 6A and the buses are on strike and I had no idea where I was going.
He said with no identification he would have to call the cops; everyone must carry their CPR card. I started to cry a little (right on queue). I pulled out my wallet with my DIS student ID, AU student id and library of congress id card! Well a little bit later I was walking down the stairs to go to another track to get back to Norreport with no $$$$ fine.
I had the bus system down. I take the 6A to school every morning. Until Monday when I saw a few DIS students from my Kollegium walking away from the bus stop. A women had just walked past and informed them of the bus strike. Luckily, they knew how to get to school on the train right next to us.
Tuesday I left earlier to finish some homework in class so I was on my own. How hard could it be? I manage the NYC public system (like 5 times the size) and DC!
When it was time to switch trains I saw one across the platform and just as I arrived at the station and hopped on. “Does this go to Norreport (basically main station)?” I asked someone; she responded with a no just as the doors closed. Oh well, I will get off at the next stop and go in the other direction- no big deal, I am early anyway.
In Denmark the transit system is by zones; I have a zone 1 and 2 pass. Well I got checked and apparently was on zone 3. I explained that I had got on the train the wrong way. Did he care? Not at all. He pulled out a ticket and asked for my CPR card. Did I have it? No ((see explanation below!)). Next he asked for my address. I don’t carry around my address because look where it got me last time ((below!)); and its pretty hard to memorize when you don’t know the letters. He then asked my if I know my birthday. Of course I do- it’s the same as Suzanne’s! I explained that I take the 6A and the buses are on strike and I had no idea where I was going.
He said with no identification he would have to call the cops; everyone must carry their CPR card. I started to cry a little (right on queue). I pulled out my wallet with my DIS student ID, AU student id and library of congress id card! Well a little bit later I was walking down the stairs to go to another track to get back to Norreport with no $$$$ fine.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
A bit over due...
So this post is a bit over due because it happened a couple weeks ago but I just didn’t feel like writing about it before; however, the details are essential for what comes next.
Let me start off by saying that I lived in New York City all of my life and have never had anything stolen. Please knock on wood. I was in Zara trying on jeans and went back out to get another size. Did I leave my backpack with my wallet in the dressing room? No, I was smart and took it with me. Well, I returned to the dressing room to notice my book bag was open with my wallet gone. I told the women working at the the dressing room and she ran with me downstairs to security. I was pleasantly surprised how well she responded to the incident but she didn’t seem very surprised by what had happen.
We filed a report at the store and headed back to DIS (my school) because my key (oh, and address) was safely in my wallet. I was sent to the police station to get a police report. Luckily I ran into one of my friends who volunteered to come along for the adventure because the police station they sent me to was closed and I had to find another one. I didn’t have to wait at all to make a police report.
I made it back to DIS to find how we could change my lock! While waiting for Martin to figure how we could take care of everything another friend showed up with M&M’s and water. Dam I have good friends. Martin handed me a map, put me on a bus, he got on his bike and told me to meet him somewhere that was pointed out on the map. What? I had no idea where I was going. I turned to the person standing next to me, showed her the map and said – are we near there yet? She told me she would tell me when to get off. I walked off the bus and Martin was waiting with his bike. We walked to a locksmith and he gave me all the essentials to take out my current lock and put in a new one- we thought.
The screwdriver they gave me could take out every screw in the door except the one I needed. I called the number they told me to call if I had any problems; no one answered. DIS called a locksmith who came and reassured me that they had given me the incorrect screwdriver!
I had a new lock but still could not get into my mailbox because it was the same key. I had been waiting for my CPR card (basically like a social security card; it allows you access to the library, free health care and all the other essentials in Denmark).
Let me start off by saying that I lived in New York City all of my life and have never had anything stolen. Please knock on wood. I was in Zara trying on jeans and went back out to get another size. Did I leave my backpack with my wallet in the dressing room? No, I was smart and took it with me. Well, I returned to the dressing room to notice my book bag was open with my wallet gone. I told the women working at the the dressing room and she ran with me downstairs to security. I was pleasantly surprised how well she responded to the incident but she didn’t seem very surprised by what had happen.
We filed a report at the store and headed back to DIS (my school) because my key (oh, and address) was safely in my wallet. I was sent to the police station to get a police report. Luckily I ran into one of my friends who volunteered to come along for the adventure because the police station they sent me to was closed and I had to find another one. I didn’t have to wait at all to make a police report.
I made it back to DIS to find how we could change my lock! While waiting for Martin to figure how we could take care of everything another friend showed up with M&M’s and water. Dam I have good friends. Martin handed me a map, put me on a bus, he got on his bike and told me to meet him somewhere that was pointed out on the map. What? I had no idea where I was going. I turned to the person standing next to me, showed her the map and said – are we near there yet? She told me she would tell me when to get off. I walked off the bus and Martin was waiting with his bike. We walked to a locksmith and he gave me all the essentials to take out my current lock and put in a new one- we thought.
The screwdriver they gave me could take out every screw in the door except the one I needed. I called the number they told me to call if I had any problems; no one answered. DIS called a locksmith who came and reassured me that they had given me the incorrect screwdriver!
I had a new lock but still could not get into my mailbox because it was the same key. I had been waiting for my CPR card (basically like a social security card; it allows you access to the library, free health care and all the other essentials in Denmark).
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Danish Time!
Friday night I went to dinner at my visiting family’s house foe the second time. They live in a nice area of the city and have two kids, a 14-year-old girl and 12-year-old boy. The mom is a great cook (almost as good as my own mother) and I really enjoy spending time with them.
Yesterday I meet my Danish network person, which is basically just a friend and another way to get to know the Danes. She is only 18 but from the way she acts and looks I would have thought she was 25.
The Danes are known to be rude and to them selves. I definitely agree. We were warned that they don’t say excuse me on the bus or make attempts to be friendly. However, all you have to do is ask. Once you make an attempt to ask a question about anything they are more than willing to stop and help as much as possible. The other day I was supposed to get a haircut but when I showed up there was a sign in the door in Danish. My Danish skills thus far were not good enough so I asked the next person who walked past me on the street to help translate.
Yesterday I meet my Danish network person, which is basically just a friend and another way to get to know the Danes. She is only 18 but from the way she acts and looks I would have thought she was 25.
The Danes are known to be rude and to them selves. I definitely agree. We were warned that they don’t say excuse me on the bus or make attempts to be friendly. However, all you have to do is ask. Once you make an attempt to ask a question about anything they are more than willing to stop and help as much as possible. The other day I was supposed to get a haircut but when I showed up there was a sign in the door in Danish. My Danish skills thus far were not good enough so I asked the next person who walked past me on the street to help translate.
Can you believe it?
Danes leave their baby carriages (with their babies) outside!!! I am not kidding. Our Danish teacher tried to make us feel better about it by saying they would not leave them outside a grocery store and go shopping for an hour but they would leave the baby carriage outside if they went into a café and then sat down and could somewhat see the baby (but your back is till turned while you are waiting in line to buy that coffee!). I have seen carriages outside of small shops while walking down the street. Apparently a couple of years ago a Dane was arrested in New York City for leaving their baby outside of a store. Crazy!
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