I recently took a day trip to the small city of Odense, on a separate island in Denmark. It is the birthplace of Hans Christian Anderson, so naturally I visited his old house and the museum. I also visited "Egeskov Slot", or castle, that included professionally kept gardens and hedges, and museums of old motorcycles, bikes, cars, and other machines surrounding it. I walked around the city of Odense, stopping at a small coffee shop for a six dollar latte.... It was good to get away from countryside and explore on my own, which excited me even more for the new places I will soon be visiting. My time at the apple orchard has been lovely but I am ready for a change of scene, language, and... people.
Cecilie explained when I came back that Danes, a little more so than other Europeans, are particularly independent when they travel. I had commented to her that most everyone I saw while I was traveling to and fro was wearing headphones. They all looked to know exactly what they needed to do, where they needed to go, and when. Sure, most of the people I saw were probably commuters who knew their routine like I know the drive to Woodstock so well. But it made me afraid to ask for directions and to look like a clueless American. I felt like I had to act professional, I couldn't look different, I couldn't smile, couldn't nod my head to music. I saw no one who stuck out, no one who looked like they were deliberately trying to be/act different than everyone else! I'm sorry if I'm making generalizations here but it seems like they all wear a combination of the same types of shoes, jackets, pants... whatever is in fashion at the moment. Naturally I wore my most European clothes possible and I like to think with blonde hair and blue eyes I fit in fairly well here. But I like the diversity I saw in New York, however unfamiliar.
I don't think I should say that life in Denmark is almost too perfectly calm...oops. Is it so American to say I miss drama?
That said, two weeks in, I appreciate the time I've had to settle into European life and am looking forward to meeting young adults like me in hostels, making connections, and talking to strangers :)
P.S. what the next two weeks look like: Copenhagen, Brussels, Germany, Amsterdam
