As a part of living in Copenhagen DIS asks that we do two immersion activities. Betsy and I have tried to really take this seriously and be proactive in our immersion. For example, Saturday night after a long three days of traveling ( and partying, these Danes really enjoy to drink) around Western Denmark I was looking forward to finally returning home. I planned to cook a nice relaxing meal before I rallied for the evening's festivities. However, what I found in my kitchen was not the peace and quiet I had both wanted and expected. Our SRA Alexander, decided to throw a party in our Kitchen. I was immediately bombarded with alcohol and rowdy Danish men... By the time Betsy returned the party had grown substantially, and some of our hall mates had even joined in. Betsy was quick to follow, and at first I was a little unsure because I had made tentative plans with some friends from my study tour. However, in the true spirit of immersion I decided what the hell if there is a party going on in my kitchen I might as well join in. We ended up having a great time and even learned a Danish drinking game called beer bowling ( which i won ironically because I can't drink beer).
After our Danish Pre-Game we decided to meet up with some of our friends. However, we had been bitten by the immersion bug and left to meet our new Danish friends at one of our staple bars Francis Pony ( best Mojitos I've ever had). I think my favorite part about hanging out with the Danes is that when ever you enter the room they all yell " AHHHHHHH" like you are the exact person they want most to see at that moment ( However, it took me a while to feel this way as the first time I was extremely embarrassed because I unsuspectingly walked into the kitchen in the middle of their party)
We again left the Danes, but don't worry that was not the last of them. As fate would have it we later ran into Alexander and his friends in the streets and went with them to a late night bar called "out of juice" for the remainder of the night.
Obviously our evening of immersion would not have been complete without a stop at one of the University of Copenhagen's welcome parties. Let's be honest, we need our elevated surfaces fix and who doesn't love a little Medina...
On a more serious note, however, after my family's experience with an exchange student I decided that I would really like the opportunity to be paired with a Danish family. My family, the Berghs, live in a little town along the coast of Denmark 30 mins. outside of Copenhagen. The family consists of Sussi ( mom), Regitze (19 year old daughter) and Laura ( 15 year old daughter). I have only visited twice but I already feel a part of the family. My first visit was two weeks ago. I at first was a little hesitant when they invited me to join them for Sunday dinner, not only as you all know do I have dietary restrictions (making me a little high maintenance) but also I feared the dinner would consist of pickled herring and mayo, the two main Danish food groups...
However, the family made me a delicious (gluten free) dinner and I was pleased to find out that the oldest daughter Regitze was also gluten free. Like with most European's dinning with Danes is truly a leisurely experience. I arrived at their house around 4pm and the family felt bad for making me leave by 9pm. I had such a lovely night and it was nice to feel a little more comfortable in a still foreign country. They even invited me to their Daughter's birthday party (which I missed because of my trip, but heard was quite the rager as Laura was bar tending) This invitation would have surprised me had they not been the most genuine people I have encountered thus far in Denmark. Yesterday I went for my second visit. We went to the Louisiana modern art museum to see its newest exhibit called "Living", which was absolutely incredible. It showed the different ways in which we live in the world today. My favorite was a section on tree house inspired homes, with one made entirely out of glass so that it appeared to be almost invisible. Not only was the exhibit thought-provoking and inspiring but the museum itself boast an amazing view of the ocean. I was also freaking out because I had my first celebrity sighting in Denmark. After spending some time infiltrating the Danish frat scene, Medina, has become one of my itunes top played. Regitze casually pointed her out and of course as my typical American, celebrity-obsessed self, I started to freak out. This is another major cultural difference. In Denmark even the Queen is known to casually stroll the city streets without being bothered by the people. Therefore, I decided to refrain from asking for an autograph. After the museum we drove along the coast back to their town and they stopped at Regitze's college ( like our high school) because I had been trying to explain to them the complete absurdity and chaos that has been renamed the "college application process". It is really no wonder they have he best restaurant in the world because these Danes are truly gourmet chefs and luckily I ended the evening again with an amazing dinner and wine. Unfortunately I am traveling the next two weekends so I am not going to see the girls for at least three weeks but Sussi works in the city and invited me to see her workplace and for lunch. The family also has a house in Italy and when I told Sussi that my parents were coming to Europe she wanted to invite us to their house (however, she said it will be too cold in November...so mom and dad if you want Italy I suggest coming now).
Betsy and I have become so this week in Danish culture that we even began to have bike problems. I returned from our study tour to find that my bike lock keys no longer in my jacket pocket so now my bike is locked until I can find a hardware store to get some pliers that can cut through metal...( ok so mine might be more clumsiness than immersion) Betsy, however, has truly embodied the essence of Danish immersion as she returned from her study tour to find that her bike was stolen...
Well that's all for now! We are off to Florence on Friday to visit McCallen and Hannah!!
Looking forward to meeting Sussi and the girls. I was laughing out loud on your most recent immersion experience. Good luck with the bikes girls.
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