It has been a few days since I have last posted and WOW has a lot happened. We returned to Kobenhavn from Virborg last week. All of the girls were so excited for me to finally experience life in Kobenhavn since that is not where my trip began because I came late. When I arrived I was far more excited than most people would be upon seeing the place we were staying. Our home in Kobenhavn would be the basement of a school! This was going to be just like last summer in Bramwell, West Virginia. Unfortunately within a few short hours after our return from Oslo, Noway it turned out to be nothing like Bramwell. When we arrived I decided to download the pictures I had taken on to my jump drive because I was running out of space on one of my disks (because I never took pictures off from over 2 years ago!). I downloaded my pictures then when to find my camera. In my suitcase? Nope. Purse? Nope. Backpack? Nope. Ok, we had a long day of traveling and I am tired so I told another girl on the trip with us I was going to go take a shower and come back and look with a fresh perspective. I got in the shower and I was still contemplating all of the places I could have put it but couldn’t think of anywhere I hadn’t checked. Then as I kept thinking I realized when I checked my purse for my camera that my wallet was also not in my purse. I knew immediately what had happened, we had been robbed. I got out of the shower and went to another girl in my room and told her I think we have a problem. Well, as luck would have it we were officially robbed my first night in Kobenhavn. The thief found a few vulnerable Americans and made out with 2 wallets, 2 cameras, 1 iPhone, and iPod chargers. Not too shabby for raiding our room while everyone was having dinner. Although I was a little frustrated and it became a little hectic trying to figure out how to cancel credit cards from a foreign country, we were really lucky. As I sat at my computer trying to find numbers online to reach MasterCard I realized that another student in our group had just lost one of her best friends to brain cancer at the age of 20, what did I have to complain about? All I had to give up was a partially working camera and a wallet! That definitely put things in perspective for me.
Now, back to the great adventures of our trip! We took a cruise ship to Norway last weekend. Although this sounds like an amazing time, I didn’t have the best trip. I loved seeing Norway and I am sure there were pretty views along the way but unfortunately my stomach and my head don’t handle boats so well. I ended up spending pretty much the entire time on the cruise ship laying in bed, praying we’d be on solid ground soon! However, we did have a great time in Oslo. On the way there we decided to all dress up and enjoy dinner on the cruise ship. Then when we arrived the next morning in Oslo, we visited the Munch museum, which is the artist who painted “Scream”. We also went to the Kon-Tiki Museum and a Viking Ship Museum. We didn’t have much time in Oslo but we made the best of what we had.
Our week in Kobenhavn was scattered but full of interested times. I got to visit Copenhagen International School which was a real treat and now I am going to be teaching some summer school classes there my last 2 weeks here! I’m very excited because the students at this school are from all over the world. We also did lots of touring in Kobenhavn and even enjoyed the annual bonfire in the park for St. Hauns Eve. Originally witches were burned but now it’s just a fun bonfire that thousands of people crowd the park for. One day we spent time at the castle that is the setting for Hamlet. This was a beautiful place and it overlooks Sweden. Some of our time last week was spent wrapping up classwork, so we weren’t always able to go out and do fun things. We used our time the best we could and even when we were here at Niel Steensen (the school we are staying at) we had a great time!
This past weekend 3 students and 2 professors went to Stockholm, Sweden for the weekend. It was an amazing trip! We took the train to Stockholm (about a 5 hour trip), arrived there in the early evening, got some dinner then headed to bed to prepare for a long day on Saturday. We toured lots of museums yet again but one of our favorite was Jueniboxen! It was actually a childrens museum but you rode a ride that took you through a children’s book. It was an exceptional museum. We were able to see a lot of the city and I absolutely loved it! We decided to walk up to the Royal Palace on Saturday (a couple of us went to see it Friday night because it is beautiful at night) and we noticed people gathering around. We were able to watch the changing of the guard at the Royal Palace. This was a very interesting process and a lot of the guards were actually very kind, they were willing to take pictures and answer questions. However, they are not overly fond of dumb Americans who accidentally call them the Swiss Guard rather than the Swedish Guard (Thanks Erica!). I wish our trip had been to Stockholm with a weekend in Kobenhavn instead, it was a great city. The Swedish people are also very kind and helpful which made our trip even better. On our way home we had an interesting ride on the train. We made it all the way back to the bridge that leads from Sweden to Denmark when suddenly the brakes on the train were slammed on and we were at a complete stop in the middle of the bridge. Not many passengers were on board at this point but everyone began looking around. The train was having technical difficulties and had to stop. Perfect, right in the middle of a giant bridge. Thankfully, after a few minutes of waiting the train was ok to take us to Kobenhavn. However, we were not allowed to pick up any additional passengers along the way. At least we made it back!
The rest of the group left early this morning. I will be moving to Sonja and Petere’s house this afternoon for the rest of my trip. They are super excited about hosting an American for almost two weeks! I will be home in 11 days! Ready to head to Australia soon after that!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Denmark-Norway-Denmark
I can't even remember what I wrote the last time and I think it was only like a few days ago. I have been in Skagen, the very northern tip of Denmark. We were able to see where the two seas meet and stand on the tip top of Denmark, facing the oceans that lead to Norway and Sweden. It was really cool, of course, just getting to walk the beach was probably the best part. We spent a day and a half in Skagen and were soo excited to be able to rent bikes during that time, unfortunately our bottoms were telling us we had been riding after only a few hours. But we enjoyed the quicker mode of transportation and just fun.
We then traveled from Skagen to Viborg. Viborg is one of the oldest cities in Denmark, this was definitely my favorite city that we have visited so far. It was really beautiful there. We stayed at a school, it was for atheletes who have just completed high school but want to pursue one more year of school before going to college, sort of like a college preparatory school. There were lots of fun things for us to join, including rock climbing, pottery, and rhythmic gymnastics. It was a lot of fun and a really neat school to see. The students are given lots of options and were practicing while we were there for their Spring Performance. We got to see them practice but then had to leave before the big performance.
After leaving Viborg we came back to Kopenhavn (Copenhagen in English) for about an hour before getting on a ship to go to Norway. We sailed on the Pearl of Scandanavia to Oslo, Norway overnight. I did not have such a great time on this trip, as my stomach and head were making sure that I knew every second we were on a boat. I was sure thankful to be off, unfortunately the migraine that was caused by the boat did not immediately stop after getting off the boat! Ughh! But we still had a great day in Oslo visiting the Munch Museum (Munch is the artist who painted Scream), the Viking Ship Museum, and the Kon-Tiki Museum. They were all very different museums but very interesting. The best part is that to get to the Viking and Kon-Tiki museum we had to take a ferry! Yay for more boat rides! I survived though and enjoyed our time there.
After the day in Oslo, we then boarded the ship to sail back overnight. We returned to Kopenhavn late this morning and have had a day off. Well, a day off from school that we were suppose to be using for homework but instead found better things to do, like calling home, or goign to the Fakta and Super Best (Grocery Stores) 3 times!! Dr. Larison wants to make sure I know my way around Kopenhavn for when the group leaves so he made sure I went each time! Haha! I sure know my way to the grocery now, I won't get hungry!
Tomorrow I am going to visit and International School here in Kopenhavn, I have heard great things about it so I can't wait to experience it. Then tomorrow afternoon hopefully we are doing some shopping! Yay!
Hi Hi
We then traveled from Skagen to Viborg. Viborg is one of the oldest cities in Denmark, this was definitely my favorite city that we have visited so far. It was really beautiful there. We stayed at a school, it was for atheletes who have just completed high school but want to pursue one more year of school before going to college, sort of like a college preparatory school. There were lots of fun things for us to join, including rock climbing, pottery, and rhythmic gymnastics. It was a lot of fun and a really neat school to see. The students are given lots of options and were practicing while we were there for their Spring Performance. We got to see them practice but then had to leave before the big performance.
After leaving Viborg we came back to Kopenhavn (Copenhagen in English) for about an hour before getting on a ship to go to Norway. We sailed on the Pearl of Scandanavia to Oslo, Norway overnight. I did not have such a great time on this trip, as my stomach and head were making sure that I knew every second we were on a boat. I was sure thankful to be off, unfortunately the migraine that was caused by the boat did not immediately stop after getting off the boat! Ughh! But we still had a great day in Oslo visiting the Munch Museum (Munch is the artist who painted Scream), the Viking Ship Museum, and the Kon-Tiki Museum. They were all very different museums but very interesting. The best part is that to get to the Viking and Kon-Tiki museum we had to take a ferry! Yay for more boat rides! I survived though and enjoyed our time there.
After the day in Oslo, we then boarded the ship to sail back overnight. We returned to Kopenhavn late this morning and have had a day off. Well, a day off from school that we were suppose to be using for homework but instead found better things to do, like calling home, or goign to the Fakta and Super Best (Grocery Stores) 3 times!! Dr. Larison wants to make sure I know my way around Kopenhavn for when the group leaves so he made sure I went each time! Haha! I sure know my way to the grocery now, I won't get hungry!
Tomorrow I am going to visit and International School here in Kopenhavn, I have heard great things about it so I can't wait to experience it. Then tomorrow afternoon hopefully we are doing some shopping! Yay!
Hi Hi
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Trains, buses, taxis and finally we arrive in Viborg, Denmark. This is one of the oldest cities in Denmark. We are staying at a school here that is for upper high school students who want to focus for six months on athletics, any of their choice (including rock climbing). We have been travelling a lot in the past few days. We just left Skagen, where the two seas meet just above Denmark. And off in the distance to your right is Sweden and way off over the seas to the left is Norway. It is pretty cool to see two seas meet and just be at the beach for a day. We had a great time in the tiny town of Skagen (pronounced Scane). Favorite part, we had bikes for the day to travel around. It was so much faster and so fun to be like the Danish and travel by bike.
We will be here in Viborg until early Saturday morning when we leave for Copenhagen. We will only be in Copenhagen a few hours before boarding a ship to go to Oslo, Norway for the weekend.
Im off to finish some work for class, unfortunately that is the downside of the trip, theres homework! But I have learned a lot and really enjoy the class that I am taking.
Be Blessed.
We will be here in Viborg until early Saturday morning when we leave for Copenhagen. We will only be in Copenhagen a few hours before boarding a ship to go to Oslo, Norway for the weekend.
Im off to finish some work for class, unfortunately that is the downside of the trip, theres homework! But I have learned a lot and really enjoy the class that I am taking.
Be Blessed.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Arriving in Denmark
I arrived in Denmark early Thursday morning, which would be 3:30AM in the U.S. and 9:30AM in Denmark. Let’s just say, I wasn’t too perky, but definitely excited to be off of a plane and finally in Denmark. Waiting for me at the airport was one of Dr. Larison’s friends, Jakob (pronounced Yakub in Danish), he was so nervous about finding the right person even though he was the 1st person outside of the gates holding a sign that read SHANNON. He had already called Dr. Larison 3 times before I arrived. Haha! Jakob and I had coffee and then he put me on the train to Middelfart (yes, my 1st city in Denmark, how great!). When I boarded the train I was slightly worried because there was nothing written in English and all I knew was that I was going to a city where people relieved themselves. This was quite interesting but thankfully Dr. Larison had informed of how the name of the town was spelled and said in Danish so that I would hopefully arrive at the correct destination. & I did! I had to wait at the train station for about 15- 20 minutes before Dr. Larison and the rest of the American’s arrived. Then, we didn’t stop until late that evening, when I completely crashed at my host parents house.
My 1st day in Denmark was quite interesting. When I arrived at the train station Dr. Larison assumed that there would be somewhere there that I could store my luggage, because most of the time there is. Unfortunately, this was not the case in Middelfart. So, the entire day, from having lunch on the pier, touring the ceramics museum, meeting at the library and dinner back at Café Razz, my luggage was in tow. Did I mention it was really cold and raining, not sprinkling, pouring rain, the entire day? Yes , so much that much of Denmark was flooded by the torrential rain. Thankfully I have a decent suitcase that withheld the rain for the most part, only a few damp items in my suitcase. I think I just left it up to fate as my last name is Marshall and things like this do tend to happen to us.
My 1st evening here I got to meet my incredible host family. They are terrific, unfortunately because I arrived late to the program I will only have 2 nights with them. I live with Les, MJ, Jakob and Simon. They are a fantastic family that live out on a farm. Yes, a farm, who would’ve thought I would be put with the host family who has horses and sheep!?! But at least my gift for my host family was absolutely perfect, a horse platter! They simply loved it. (Thanks Katie) I was able to spend my 1st night with them, unfortunately I crashed nearly immediately after getting back and showering.
The next day was a fun experience, I saw the school that some of the other girls have been working at for a week. One group of girls was traveling to Ireland for the weekend so we did not have class Friday morning and I went with 3 girls and 2 professors to Odense, a slightly larger town nearby. We had a great time at the Odensa Zoo and Hans Christian Anderson museum. We then met the school principal who took us to the mall for some shopping and dinner. Of course, we all know I was simply thrilled! The style here in Denmark is amazing so the mall was great. However, the only things I purchased were a belt (which I had forgotten) and a winter jacket (did I mention it’s collddddd?). That night a group of us went a concert at a local high school, to see a band called Cody play. Noone knew quite what the band was like but didn’t think they were traditional Danish musicians. Turns out they were Bluegrass!! Haha! How ironic, so us Kentucky girls rocked out to some ohh so familiar Bluegrass Music. It was so much fun. That night I stayed with a different host family since so many people were out of town.
Tina is an amazing host Mom. Saturday she took a small group of us to LegoLand, because Denmark is where Leog’s were created. Thankfully, the sun finally shined on Denmark and we had a fantastic day at Lego Land. Unfortunately I do not have many pictures of any of these events because my camera was totally dead and I had left my charger at my original host parents house. Opps! But, I did buy a few post cards to remember the scenes by. After returning from Lego Land we had a fantastic dinner at Tina’s (she’s a great cook and always goes to the bakery for us!) then a girls night watching Mama Mia! It was too fun.
Today (Sunday) has been rather relaxed. I am back at my original host parent’s house, I just got here a few minutes ago. The girl I am rooming with and I are making a traditional American meal for our family tonight, meatloaf and scallop potatoes. Needless to say I sure hope she is a better cook than I am.
Tomorrow we are leaving for the Northern part of Denmark and I will not be at the same location for more than 2 nights anytime in the next week. So, who knows when I will update this again but this one is long enough to late for a while.
Note to Mom – I have eaten more bread since I’ve been here than I have in my entire life. It’s amazing! The bakeries are wonderful and I love the bread.
Be blessed and enjoy all of that heat in the States,
Brrr from Denmark!!!
My 1st day in Denmark was quite interesting. When I arrived at the train station Dr. Larison assumed that there would be somewhere there that I could store my luggage, because most of the time there is. Unfortunately, this was not the case in Middelfart. So, the entire day, from having lunch on the pier, touring the ceramics museum, meeting at the library and dinner back at Café Razz, my luggage was in tow. Did I mention it was really cold and raining, not sprinkling, pouring rain, the entire day? Yes , so much that much of Denmark was flooded by the torrential rain. Thankfully I have a decent suitcase that withheld the rain for the most part, only a few damp items in my suitcase. I think I just left it up to fate as my last name is Marshall and things like this do tend to happen to us.
My 1st evening here I got to meet my incredible host family. They are terrific, unfortunately because I arrived late to the program I will only have 2 nights with them. I live with Les, MJ, Jakob and Simon. They are a fantastic family that live out on a farm. Yes, a farm, who would’ve thought I would be put with the host family who has horses and sheep!?! But at least my gift for my host family was absolutely perfect, a horse platter! They simply loved it. (Thanks Katie) I was able to spend my 1st night with them, unfortunately I crashed nearly immediately after getting back and showering.
The next day was a fun experience, I saw the school that some of the other girls have been working at for a week. One group of girls was traveling to Ireland for the weekend so we did not have class Friday morning and I went with 3 girls and 2 professors to Odense, a slightly larger town nearby. We had a great time at the Odensa Zoo and Hans Christian Anderson museum. We then met the school principal who took us to the mall for some shopping and dinner. Of course, we all know I was simply thrilled! The style here in Denmark is amazing so the mall was great. However, the only things I purchased were a belt (which I had forgotten) and a winter jacket (did I mention it’s collddddd?). That night a group of us went a concert at a local high school, to see a band called Cody play. Noone knew quite what the band was like but didn’t think they were traditional Danish musicians. Turns out they were Bluegrass!! Haha! How ironic, so us Kentucky girls rocked out to some ohh so familiar Bluegrass Music. It was so much fun. That night I stayed with a different host family since so many people were out of town.
Tina is an amazing host Mom. Saturday she took a small group of us to LegoLand, because Denmark is where Leog’s were created. Thankfully, the sun finally shined on Denmark and we had a fantastic day at Lego Land. Unfortunately I do not have many pictures of any of these events because my camera was totally dead and I had left my charger at my original host parents house. Opps! But, I did buy a few post cards to remember the scenes by. After returning from Lego Land we had a fantastic dinner at Tina’s (she’s a great cook and always goes to the bakery for us!) then a girls night watching Mama Mia! It was too fun.
Today (Sunday) has been rather relaxed. I am back at my original host parent’s house, I just got here a few minutes ago. The girl I am rooming with and I are making a traditional American meal for our family tonight, meatloaf and scallop potatoes. Needless to say I sure hope she is a better cook than I am.
Tomorrow we are leaving for the Northern part of Denmark and I will not be at the same location for more than 2 nights anytime in the next week. So, who knows when I will update this again but this one is long enough to late for a while.
Note to Mom – I have eaten more bread since I’ve been here than I have in my entire life. It’s amazing! The bakeries are wonderful and I love the bread.
Be blessed and enjoy all of that heat in the States,
Brrr from Denmark!!!
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