I didn't necessarily know where to begin with this particular blog, so I have put off writing it for a few days or so. In that period of time, however, I have learned so much about the Danish culture that I'm afraid I will forget some of my observations if I procrastinate any longer.

I have only been in Denmark for 8 days, but they have been the most remarkable 8 days I can ever remember having. There have been many difficulties, some of which are the result of a lack of foresight, others that are pure happenstance, and then there are those that arise from moderate cultural dissonance. According to my good friend Leah, even buying shoes in Denmark can be an arduous task. Sometimes I find myself wishing for nothing more than to be at home eating my dad's tuna casserole, taking a hot shower, and climbing into an extra-large bed. Once these thoughts have penetrated my consciousness, I banish them. I am living a dream life here, and I only have four months to make the most of it.

I'm using my time here to improve myself, to indulge in every leisurely, productive activity possible. I find that I have an abundance of time, it's a luxury I never thought I would have again. It's something the Danes seem to value. I read philosophy, take long walks through the city, browse through art galleries, partake in yoga, and whatever else comes to mind on a whim. I'd really like to take some time to work on the piano in the main room of the building, since no one else seems to take advantage of it. The Danes, I've found, love to indulge in painting. They enjoy painting canvases and hang them in their personal spaces. I'm always very impressed with their artistic ability. I'd like to give it a whirl, though I may wait until I'm home, so I don't have to worry about transporting a masterpiece. ;)

What I admire most about Danish culture is their joie de vivre, their zest for life. They do not aspire beyond their means, they merely look to improve themselves through the arts, through their relationships, through their experiences. To the people of Denmark, trying and failing is exponentially worse that never trying at all. It's quite contradictory to American ambition. It is common, and perhaps expected, for a Danish high-school graduate to take a few years off to travel the world, and then return to study at a university. They are in no rush to grow old, to adapt to a life of convention and routine.

Success is rarely equated with material possessions, which may correlate with the mostly even distribution of wealth across the nation. Denmark, at one point a few years ago, was considered a classless society. To them, it is not considered "proper" for a distance of power (rich vs. poor) to exist. They are raised to believe that they are no better than anyone else, and it is evident in their daily interactions. The "garbage holder" has the same status as a "lecturer", so says my Danish professor.

And if my mother happens to read this, she can rest assured that this is a very safe country. People simply obey the rules, the norms, the laws. They are trusted. Pedestrians will not cross the road at 2am, even if there are no cars in sight, until the light turns green. Students are allowed to take the dishes out of the dining hall and are trusted to return them later. Beer is sold in the vending machines at the university, as well as in the movie theaters. Policemen do not patrol the streets regularly, rather they are called when needed, which seems to be a rare occasion. The first few days, I walked around with my purse tightly guarded. And although I'm still cautious and careful, I feel much more relaxed now. There is something to say about the lawfulness that a certain degree of trust provides. Mothers leave their children outside in strollers while they enjoy a nice lunch indoors. Speaking of mothers, it is illegal to slap your child here in Denmark, even on the bottom. It is something they consider "morally wrong" and children can bring their parents to suit over it.

Sounds similar to a utopian society, no? I can hardly think of any outstanding flaws. One interesting nuance, however, is that the word "please" does not exist in the Danish language. Instead of saying "please," they often form commands as a question, such as "Would you give me that bottle?"

Yesterday, in my Scandinavian literature class, our professor gave us a taste of Pico Mirandola's "Oration on the Dignity of Man." It has instantly become a staple of my personal philosophies. I went home and read the entire oration. I love being inspired by learning and my Danish classes thus far have been worth the three-mile bike rides in treacherous rain and wind. I'll share my favorite passage of Mirandola's piece:

"Adam, we give you no fixed place to live, no form that is peculiar to you, nor any function that is yours alone. According to your desires and judgment, you will have and possess whatever place to live, whatever form, and whatever functions you yourself choose. All other things have a limited and fixed nature prescribed and bounded by our laws. You, with no limit or no bound, may choose for yourself the limits and bounds of your nature. We have placed you at the world's center so that you may survey everything else in the world. We have made you neither of heavenly nor of earthly stuff, neither mortal nor immortal, so that with free choice and dignity, you may fashion yourself into whatever form you choose. To you is granted the power of degrading yourself into the lower forms of life, the beasts, and to you is granted the power, contained in your intellect and judgment, to be reborn into the higher forms, the divine."

Leah and I have become very close over the past week. It's such a comfort to have someone to relate to and someone who's willing to walk to get dinner at our favorite spot, The Take Away Shop. I'm happy to say that we will be traveling together during October break. Our plans are as follows:

Odense, Denmark > Hamburg, Germany > Berlin, Germany > Prague, Czech Republic > Munich, Germany > Zurich, Switzerland > Paris, France > Amsterdam, Netherlands

I'm still trying to figure out plans for September 26th weekend, it has to be somewhere cheap. We're thinking...London.

Anyway, the bar opened at 10pm and it's now 22:30 and I haven't even started getting ready. I'll leave you with a few little oddities and observations in list form.

1) The public bathrooms cost about .40 cents.

2) Portion control. A small coke at McDonalds is a little bigger than a juicebox, at least they don't put ice in it.

3) You can take smoke breaks during exams. Primarily because the written exams are 3-6 hours long. Professors (lecturers) have no problem exclaiming, "I need a cigarette!" in the middle of class and then excusing us for a fifteen minute break.

4) They sell jelly, but not peanut butter.

5) Lines and personal space don't mean as much over here as they do in America

6) Danes reallllly like the color purple. Perhaps because it is the color of royalty?

7) Yes, I do see a lot of Great Danes... in the park.

8) The stoplights turn also yellow before going green

9) Danes love to eat outside.