Wow, I am exhausted!! We spent the day walking around the centre of Copenhagen, acquainting ourselves with the layout and some of the sights. We walked around Slotsholmen, a small island in the centre of the city. The island itself contains the Danish parliament (Christiansborg) and the gardens of the Royal Library. Most impressive of all, however, is the new extension to the Royal Library, the Black Diamond (see right). An impressive building, its exterior is made of granite (flown in from Zimbabwe of all places) and glass. Interestingly (or not, depending on your point of view) the building leans at a 7º angle so that when the sun catches the water just right the building ‘sparkles like a diamond’. Cool. If only libraries in the UK looked this interesting!
For lunch we ate at Carl’s Restaurant on the famous Nyhavn canal (see left). The canal itself was dug in 1671 to enlarge the harbour. The buildings themselves are beautiful. They actually kinda remind me of Prague’s Old Town Square. It’s weird, you see pictures of places like this all the time abd when you are actually there it takes a while for it to sink in. Before we left England, the image I had in my head of Copenhagen centred on these colourful houses that ran either side of the canal. The area itself has a very lively atmosphere. Street musicians play jazz while tourists and locals eat Smorrebrod and drink Carlsberg. What a beautiful scene. The sun was shining, everyone was just chilling out and admiring the view. Usually in places such as this, where tourists are everywhere, you feel a little insecure as pickpockets always love the touristy areas. However, I never felt in the least bit insecure.
We then did the touristy thing of a boat trip around the canals. Normally we avoid these things, but we thought what the hell let’s go mad!! The boat trip took us up as far as the mermaid before heading back through Christianshavn and Slotsholmen, before heading back to Nyhavn. I was not too sure of the quality of our guide on the tour. Apparently, a bronze statue of David (see right) that we saw was an original by Michelangelo made in case the marble version was damaged. I am very sceptical about this 'fact'. What on earth is a statue of David doing in Denmark?? Besides, we have seen the original in Florence and I am not too sure they look quite the same. Still, maybe the Danes do have an original!
We also got to see Denmark’s only submarine (used in the first Gulf War) and the new Opera House (see left) on the banks of the river. This was another impressive example of Scandanavian design and was just down the river from the ‘Black Diamond’. The two sights together certainly give the impression of a vibrant modern city that placed design at the heart of the city’s development. It is certainly refreshing to see a certain amount of architectural experimentation. I think this is something that is certainly starting to catch on in England with some recent developments. However, I do think that judging by what I have seen so far, we have some way to go before we catch up with other European countries.
Tonight we ate at an Italian restaurant called Vesuvio of Copenhagen. It was pretty standard Italian fare to be honest and still no Danish food (well except for the wonderful Danish pastries served in the morning at our hotel…yummy!!!). The only hint of excitement came when the waiter and the maitre d’ had a full blown tiff close to our table. I don’t know these Southern Europeans and their Latin temperaments!! The one thing I have noticed so far is the expensive restaurants. So far we have been hard pushed to find a place that serves meals for much less than £15/20. Denmark is not for those who are faint hearted when it comes to money!!
After dinner we went to a Scottish bar (not quite sure what makes it a ‘Scottish’ bar – I’ll resist the temptation to resort to stereotypical gags about the Scots!!) and watched England and Sweden draw 2-2. Did strike up a conversation with some other English guys but, upon realising that they didn’t quite share my views about the England team I decided to concentrate on the match. Still it was a good game, despite the usual nervy England performance.
What has really struck me so far is everyone’s ability to speak English fluently. Why are we so poor at learning other languages?? I admit that I cannot speak a word of Danish (well, apart from hej and tak – hello and thanks) but I can at least speak a little Spanish. Is this really down to a ‘little England’ mentality?? Or is it the same in other English speaking countries?? There also seems to be a more liberal attitude to life here than back home (and some other European countries too it has to be said). I was surprised to find that leaflets advertising the Museum of Erotica being widely distributed (and widely discarded on the streets) with graphic pictures of, well, acts of a sexual nature. Weird that these leaflets are banded about in full view of children and, for that matter, the population in general. The only indication of any controversy surrounding the infamous Danish cartoons was a couple of Muslim guys displaying a sign that said ‘Muslims also believe in peace’. It’s strange to think that a couple of months ago there was a huge controversy and yet, now, you would barely know there was any problem at all. Surely not another example of the media blowing things out of proportion?? Who knows?
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