I picked up the Independent newspaper before boarding the aeroplane on my flight to Copenhagen. It is not usual for me to be interested in a headline but this one read:
'Legalise cannabis and ecstasy now'! Wow. Finally, words of wisdom come from a panel of world leaders calling for an end to the 50-year war on drugs. A good percentage of them use it anyway, no doubt.
'Users of narcotics should be offered education and treatment, rather than being incarcerated'.
Hear hear! As they would say in the House of Commons.
The best way to see a city is to be shown around by a citizen.
Was it luck? Or trusting the better judgement that led me to follow my intuition and turn up at a foreign airport, with unanswered questions as to whom my tour guide was to be?
I had decided to keep cool no matter what the turnout. Coming out of the arrivals at the airport in Copenhagen I looked around at the unfamiliar faces standing by the rails, awaiting the passengers. With the picture I had in mind of Kristian's profile photo, he was not in sight. So, I walked straight to a panel where hotel information was listed. However, he called me and I could see this familiar face, standing tall above the crowd by the welcoming stands.
The day... In fact, the next three days were saved!
Kristian came to my rescue. We went straight to his spotless house, to freshen up before heading out to the tour of the city.
In the back of my mind, I could hear my friends' words of worry: "Are you mad?" And by the smile on my face they would answer themselves: "Yes, we know you are!"
Were they now to see this handsome 'fella' with his impeccable, friendly manners, who was to be my escort and companion on the three-day visit? The cheeky grin never left my face throughout the journey.
On our first bright, sunny day, Kristian took me to an area of the city where two-storey, red brick buildings were standing in a walled compound. My host explained how the previous meat market area facing us had now been turned into an event location for music and art. What amazed me was the emptiness of the streets (that is, compared to London), despite a younger crowd of people sitting in the sun, on the two long rows of steps, with the sound of house music coming from the background. We settled outside at a nearby cafe for a bite to eat and a beer of course.
After lunch, the walk continued to a more bustling area where more and more people were present.
Passing by the statue of the figurines above, my charming tour guide explained:
"Now, these men play their horns every time a virgin passes by the square," he then added with a smile: "And that's why they have never been heard before!"
Frankly, I did not think the question of a girl's virginity was something of importance in the open-minded Scandinavian world and I guess, this is their way of showing it doesn't... With humour.
There were statues of baby elephants scattered all over the city of Copenhagen, just as we had them here all over London last year. Our favourite, we agreed, was the one below. If you look closely, there are small drawings of faces drawn in black over the whole surface of the animal.
The tour of the city continued on foot towards the main harbour of rows of restaurants alongside the river, where a variety of live music was being played. Not only was every seat taken in the eateries, but people were sitting all along the river bank, drinking, picnicking and enjoying the glorious day.
After a long afternoon, Kristian took me to the infamous compound of Tivoli. We had to purchase tickets to enter this vast area of green land, filled with 'more' restaurants, bars and a vast section; the fun fair, where cries of the thrill from the rides could be heard, plus roller coasters and aeroplanes seen flying in the background.
The sun was setting and the feel of a chill went through my bones, due to the tiredness of travel and the action-packed afternoon of my visit to this wonderful city. We could hear a famous Danish band playing live, to the crowd gathering all around, but could not see a thing.
We dined at Nimb, in the vicinity and decided to head back home, shortly after. Taking the train and underground was a pleasure in Copenhagen. The double-decker train is my favourite.
Seems there is more to tell...
'Legalise cannabis and ecstasy now'! Wow. Finally, words of wisdom come from a panel of world leaders calling for an end to the 50-year war on drugs. A good percentage of them use it anyway, no doubt.
'Users of narcotics should be offered education and treatment, rather than being incarcerated'.
Hear hear! As they would say in the House of Commons.
The best way to see a city is to be shown around by a citizen.
Was it luck? Or trusting the better judgement that led me to follow my intuition and turn up at a foreign airport, with unanswered questions as to whom my tour guide was to be?
I had decided to keep cool no matter what the turnout. Coming out of the arrivals at the airport in Copenhagen I looked around at the unfamiliar faces standing by the rails, awaiting the passengers. With the picture I had in mind of Kristian's profile photo, he was not in sight. So, I walked straight to a panel where hotel information was listed. However, he called me and I could see this familiar face, standing tall above the crowd by the welcoming stands.
The day... In fact, the next three days were saved!
Kristian came to my rescue. We went straight to his spotless house, to freshen up before heading out to the tour of the city.
In the back of my mind, I could hear my friends' words of worry: "Are you mad?" And by the smile on my face they would answer themselves: "Yes, we know you are!"
Were they now to see this handsome 'fella' with his impeccable, friendly manners, who was to be my escort and companion on the three-day visit? The cheeky grin never left my face throughout the journey.
On our first bright, sunny day, Kristian took me to an area of the city where two-storey, red brick buildings were standing in a walled compound. My host explained how the previous meat market area facing us had now been turned into an event location for music and art. What amazed me was the emptiness of the streets (that is, compared to London), despite a younger crowd of people sitting in the sun, on the two long rows of steps, with the sound of house music coming from the background. We settled outside at a nearby cafe for a bite to eat and a beer of course.
After lunch, the walk continued to a more bustling area where more and more people were present.
Passing by the statue of the figurines above, my charming tour guide explained:
"Now, these men play their horns every time a virgin passes by the square," he then added with a smile: "And that's why they have never been heard before!"
Frankly, I did not think the question of a girl's virginity was something of importance in the open-minded Scandinavian world and I guess, this is their way of showing it doesn't... With humour.
There were statues of baby elephants scattered all over the city of Copenhagen, just as we had them here all over London last year. Our favourite, we agreed, was the one below. If you look closely, there are small drawings of faces drawn in black over the whole surface of the animal.
The tour of the city continued on foot towards the main harbour of rows of restaurants alongside the river, where a variety of live music was being played. Not only was every seat taken in the eateries, but people were sitting all along the river bank, drinking, picnicking and enjoying the glorious day.
After a long afternoon, Kristian took me to the infamous compound of Tivoli. We had to purchase tickets to enter this vast area of green land, filled with 'more' restaurants, bars and a vast section; the fun fair, where cries of the thrill from the rides could be heard, plus roller coasters and aeroplanes seen flying in the background.
The sun was setting and the feel of a chill went through my bones, due to the tiredness of travel and the action-packed afternoon of my visit to this wonderful city. We could hear a famous Danish band playing live, to the crowd gathering all around, but could not see a thing.
We dined at Nimb, in the vicinity and decided to head back home, shortly after. Taking the train and underground was a pleasure in Copenhagen. The double-decker train is my favourite.
Seems there is more to tell...
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