Strong Week

Alright folks! The first full week of classes is wrapped up and I, for one, am pooped!

In all honesty, this week was a lovely one full of small adventures. I visited the Arctic Institute, the Foreign Ministry, Copenhagen Street Food, Copenhagen Contemporary, a suburban high school, Saint Peter's Bakery, and saw a modern dance piece! And those are just the highlights.

What I am realizing is that Copenhagen is a small city by most standards but is quite tapped in to the larger world, more so than many American cities I have experienced. Take my visit to the Danish high school, for example. Not only did the 16 year old students speak fluent English (a second language), they were able to have insightful conversations on the state of both Danish, European, and American policy. Maybe it is because of my experiences with American high school students, but this struck me as exceptional. Since this week was such a blow to American freedoms on a legislative front, these students also were able to draw innocent comparisons between the two systems that resulted in comments like "I think Denmark has a better democracy than America" and "In Denmark, we really want everyone to feel safe". It stung, justifiably.

ART!!!

On a lighter front, I was also incredibly impressed by the art I saw this week. Copenhagen Contemporary is a smallish gallery in an area of Copenhagen called Paper Island. Outside, there was Yoko Ono's Wish Tree exhibit where visitors wrote their wish on a paper tag and hung it on a branch. These tags will next be delivered to Yoko Ono and buried in Iceland as a tribute to John Lennon.

Inside, there were different video installations as well as some pretty funky multimedia pieces-including tiny finches that flew around and landed on amplified electric guitars! Terrifying, if you are as skeeved out by birds as I am.

The dance piece, Vals was the first modern dance performance I have seen. It was beautiful, strange, technically amazing, and I don't think I understood it. But, that's art for ya!

FOOD!!!

I STRONGLY recommend Saint Peter's Bakery which is the oldest in Copenhagen. I went on a Wednesday but missed the famous "Wednesday snail" cinnamon rolls. Better luck next week!

Also: my first official street hot dog? Lovely and delicious from an eco-friendly stand steps from my dorm (dangerous for my budget!) and also offers vegetarian options. 8/10 mostly because my pickles fell off while I was eating it.

If you are a fan of Boston's Quincy Market, Copenhagen Street food is heaven. A bit pricey, but good deals are also available at this large warehouse full of stands with tastes from around the world. I got a piece of pizza (universal language) with eggplant and mozzarella and ricotta. Friends got pulled duck sandwiches and large plates of freshly topped pasta. Will definitely venture back to this lively spot on the waterfront, especially once it warms up.

Why I Didn't March

It is January 21, 2017 and there are massive groups of people taking to the streets on every continent to protest the new Trump administration and to show solidarity with those who will be most effected by the policy changes and hateful rhetoric and actions that has been on the rise since the election cycle. This is a day of global protest. There is at least one group of protesters standing in opposition to Trump on every continent of the world. Every continent. The entire world save from isolated pockets is actively beginning to ensure that the new American president and his party members will not be able to commit the actions that would stand in direct opposition to modern science, civil rights, human rights, ethics etc., It is honestly an incredible day to be alive, knowing that the entire world is looking out for my best interests.

However, today, I am inside. Why? A young, lifelong feminist, liberal, able bodied woman working towards degrees in Environmental Studies and Theatre, whose friends and loved ones very much belong to the groups most targeted by the hateful new party platform, is not taking to the streets?

Let me explain myself. Yes, I vehemently oppose everything that this new regime stands for. And, yes, I am going to be negatively effected if even some of Trump's campaign promises or the Republican platform is implemented. Yes, I have a strong moral compass that points me toward compassion, empathy, and sympathy whenever possible. No, I am not marching. I am also a week into a four month stay in a new city in a new country and grappling with a whole world of new stimuli and cultural exchanges.

I know nothing of Danish law, politics, or even how to navigate this city yet. I don't know who will be at the march, and I do not know what type of counter protest to expect. I am also on a leave of absence from a college that strongly stated that it is best to avoid protests and political situations when abroad in order to protect ones self from situations that would be challenging to navigate even on ones home turf. Emotionally, I am struggling to think of what is happening and to happen back home without shedding tears. So, with all of this in mind, I decided that marching was not the best outlet for my activism at this moment.

When I marched on my home campus, and was feeling guilty about not signing up to be a marshal at my first protest, a dear friend of mine took me aside and explained that there are many forms of activism and that everyone needs to be mindful of their own comfort zones. That an effective protest, particularly walks and marches, are designed to empower rather than frighten. And, that everyone has their limits and it is to the individual to know themselves well enough to understand where they are most useful and empowered. With this incredibly helpful advice in mind, and taking an objective look at my mental health (with assistance from my incredible parents), I am staying in today.

 In the days following the election, I remember telling my friends that it is now most important that we continue to buckle down and commit ourselves to our chosen fields of study. It is clear from the rhetoric and platform that there is little that is more damaging to this new regime than a woman who knows what she is talking about.

Despite my career prospects as an ES major focusing in government taking a major shift on November 9, 2016, I am using this first day of political activism to dedicate myself to the causes I care most about. I am spending the next four months studying the state of global environmental affairs, sustainable development, cross cultural exchanges, and the philosophy of human relationships. All things that will prove necessary in a government that turns a deaf ear to common sense, respect, and logic. I am going to be bringing back a big tool kit of activist strategies and knowledge when I return home that I intend to use for the rest of my life.

My good fortune and privilege to be able to mobilize in this way is just part of the equation. I am also going to be contacting my politicians to encourage them to continue the good fight (Elizabeth Warren, anyone?) as well as following the representatives that need to hear the roar of the crowd advocating for change. On a more simple level, I am going to be consuming news only from credible, fact checked sources that do not bend to the will of those decrying good journalism as personal attacks. My activism is through education and the written word (at least, for now).

Activism is not meant to frighten the activist. There are so many outlets nowadays to garner attention and make change. If one option sits better with you than others, go for it. Diversity is what makes my country wonderful. It is only fitting that concerned citizens and onlookers,then, engage with a diverse range of activism. If you are marching for our rights today, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your strength, courage, empathy, and love makes the world a better place. In return for your incredible gift, I am writing my representatives and studying hard for our collective future.

In solidarity,

Sarah

First Three Days

It's crazy to think that it is only day 3 of my Danish adventure! Let me give a brief recap of what I've been doing so far.

On the 13th I flew out of the United States and arrived in a dark and chilly Iceland at about 1 am Boston time, had an hour in a lovely and quiet airport. One funny thing- the bathrooms in the Reykjavik airport is wildly intimidating! High white glossy walls, shiny floors, and stalls with personal sinks inside them! Brilliant design, but intimidating!! After boarding my next flight, I spent 3 more hour in the air flying over Greenland, the Arctic (?) and the Atlantic oceans and finally arriving in Copenhagen after 10 hours of travel. The view from my seat as my plane descended was of a lovely blue ocean, a wind turbine farm, and the incredible architecture that I am still finding my way around! Along the way to Copenhagen, I met lots of students also embarking on their adventures. Thus far, everyone is very friendly and excited to embark on this semester.

The first day we arrived, my flat mates and I got to know one another over dinner, unpacking, exploring the block, and navigating jet lag. Really, jet lag feels like finals week back in the U.S.! We all managed to get up early enough to cook brunch for one another. Two cultural quirks: cocktail weenies with breakfast, and chocolate milk -called cocoa milk- is super tasty and a totally acceptable thing for "adults" to drink at breakfast. Up next was our first trip to the cheapest supermarket around-The Netto. It is rather small and the selection is variable, but it seems the bargains are there if you know where to look. Our program food stipend also works there, and since it is just  5 minute walk from my dorm, pretty perfect. We also had a mandatory "get to know your neighborhood" challenge that paired us housemates up and sent us off to explore our temporary city! My group and I ended up exploring Norrebro which is a built up lake area. I was reminded of home when I spotted the swan boats stored away for winter. Why swan boats? Well, it probably has something to do with the 20 or so swans we found swimming in a small portion of the lake that had remained unfrozen.

Day 2 was just as fun. We had the opening ceremonies. They were held in the Danish circus building-dating to the 1800s and is currently used for major events and awards shows. After being formally introduced to the leaders of the program, we were treated to a few songs from a big Danish group "CHINAH". They are quite catchy and, as residents of the Performing Arts Living Learning Community, my flatmates and I were itching to danced but decorum won out (this time). For a quick pick me up, the flatmates popped into a library cafe called Cafe Palladin that is absolutely flooded floor to ceiling with books and serves up not terribly expensive coffee. Culture quirk: Coffee is sold in what we would use as tall drinking glasses in the U.S. but at a temperature where you won't scald yourself. I guess that's hygge (pronounced hoogah) for ya! After, I began exploring my neighborhood more with a few other students that I surprisingly had connections with from home. We ended up heading to Rundetaarn, or The Round Tower, which is the oldest observatory in Europe. The views as the sun set over the city were simply incredible-pictures to follow!

Today was even more adventurous. According to my roommate, we walked over 5 miles over 2 hours and only saw a few highlights. Some included getting a brief history lesson at Christiansborg Slot-the Danish Parliament Building. Fun Fact: The current building is only 100 years old but is built on an incredibly old foundation of 9000 sunken oak beams that were meant to stabilize the squishy island ground of the area. We also popped by the Royal Library, commonly called the Black Diamond because of its modern facade. There, we ended up hearing a sound art installation that played with the funky acoustics of the huge building. Then, we visited Nyhavn (pronounced New-haun) which is the iconic and colorful dock area that makes its way onto lots of tourist material. Beautiful! It is quite close to the Queen's Palace where we headed to next. There we saw the changing of the guard-a surprisingly lengthy process and picked up some more interesting tid bits about Danish history. The palace is actually  several buildings and I think is split up by residence. For example, the queen lives in a separate building than each of her adult sons. Apparently, the Queen and the Princes were both home because flags were flying on three of the four buildings. Then we took the metro back to the flat where we have all been preparing for the academic orientation tomorrow. Exciting stuff!!

 Sorry for the long post-but now you are caught up with my adventure itinerary!

Introduction

Hi folks!

Welcome to my blog that I will be maintaining throughout my semester in Denmark, Hanging with Hamlet! I am so excited to keep you updated on the fun things I am doing and the amazing things I am learning about sustainability as well as Denmark and Europe! I am going to be studying at DIS, a study abroad institute for American students to explore Scandinavia (there is also a "campus" in Sweden). I am fortunate to be living in downtown Copenhagen in a building with many other study abroaders, steps from my classes and so many incredible historical and cultural sights so will be sure to keep you posted on my adventures! I'll try to keep a consistent record of things that I find fascinating, quirky, or interesting enough to write about. Thanks for reading, everyone and I hope you enjoy Hanging with Hamlet!

Sarah