The d is pronounced like a rolled letter l. A Danish woman waiting on me in an apotek (pharmacy) told me if I want to learn a Scandinavian language, I should learn Norwegian because their letters sound as they are written.
Købmagergade is a major street. It dates back to 1200 and it is beautiful. I want the floors in my house to look like this.
People walk on it, ride bikes on it, and drive on it. It is breath taking.This shot better conveys the sheen of this street.There are beautiful statues along the wayAny vehicle drives on it, but always with respect for pedestrians and cyclists first. I watched a van follow a guy in an electric wheel chair at the pace of the wheel chair for two blocks. It was so cool!There is a plumbing issue under the street. The have pulled it up to expose the pipes, but there are bags of sand at the ready for them to put all those stone tiles back. Amazing!
I am working while I am here. I split the day between that and checking out grocery stores. So only a few more pics.
I walked by this store front and had to take a pic.
After supper is spent blogging while Brian shares the history of Denmark. When he takes out his camera, there will be much better pictures to share.
Great way to spend the end of the day. The roses were $2.25 usd at the store. What a place!
Within the first hour we arrived I managed to blow a fuse. I brought a power strip intending to use it with the adapters we brought. I plugged it into an adapter, plugged the adapter into the wall and all the lights went out.
Thank goodness we found the fuse panel in the utility room
Yesterday we stayed in ‘hygge’ or cosy style. He cleaned. I baked. This is how it works in the states. We are growing accustomed to our temporary home.
Brian did the laundry. I applaud him. The washer and dryer are completely labeled in Danish. I found a manual in English for the dryer which helped.
Utility Space
He set the dryer to run. It would, for a minute or so, repeatedly. With the manual, he did a closer inspection. There is a compartment to collect lint and condensation together. We believe that the lint had not been cleaned out in a very long time. When he was done cleaning it, it worked just fine.
The washer has a setting called Skyl/Centrifugering. It sounds like an airplane taking off. But when it is done the clothes are closer to dry and they are easier to move to the dryer. Most things here are efficient.
Cycle/Centrifuge
A few days back we went to lunch with the Executive Director of the school and were gifted a cookbook. If you know me, you know this was a good thing.
I am Scandinavian by heritage. Cardamom is a smell and taste from my childhood.
So I wanted to bake. But alas, I had very few tools. This is a temporary home for visiting faculty. I decided I would try making these buns just the same. I used my counter. I used my hands in lieu of a rolling pin, or a wine bottle, or any cylindrical shape. I used YouTube to understand how they were shaped.
Roll it out. Spread the filling. Fold it in thirds and then roll it thinner.I may need to work on my technique. I used an oven roasting pan lined with parchment paper.Now to figure out the oven. We are eating them just the same.
Today I shopped for new baking tools. That is a post for tomorrow.
Right across from our door is this little cafe with a glass encased firepit.
Cafe G
The Church of Our Lady is the cathedral of Copenhagen. It is situated on the Frue Plads public square in central Copenhagen, next to the historic main building of the University of Copenhagen
Copenhagen CathedralDown the streetThis is a street, shared by pedestrians, bikes and vehicles.Some spaces are not for vehicles
Saturday we went walking down by the canals. It was brisk but beautiful.
Christiansborg Palace, home of the Danish ParliamentI think I may have to come back for a kayak ride and a cocktail when Spring gets here.
We went to see the space in which Brian will teach. In Winston-Salem, the university is three miles away. Here we are three minutes away on foot.
The teaching schedule
Back in the states, Brian typically has 120 students per semester. Here he will have seven. Needless to say, he is feeling liberated.
The ClassroomThe Lounge around the cornerThe Lounge KitchenDon’t forget to recycle.
Most, if not all desks in this school are hydraulic. I believe that is true of most desks in businesses, too. This allows one to work standing and then lower the desk again when they want to sit. I want one of these.
The residence paperwork lists me as supportive spouse. To be supportive I am checking out grocery stores. First stop – Aldi because that is where I shop at home. Of course, it was nothing like the Aldi where I shop at home.
Next was Netto. Not much more money, a broader selection, and right around the corner. Wifi meant I could use my phone for translating. Yesterday it was Fatka. I have a list of stores and an open market to visit next week.
So much to see, translate, and price.
I have decided to stock the pantry one meal at a time. I only shop with a hand-held basket to be sure I can carry everything home and up 5 flights of stairs. Each excursion includes some staples.
These cibatta are ready to eat but they recommend you throw them in the oven for 10 minutes. Delish!
The first night I made sausage sandwiches on baguette with salad. The next night I thought a family favorite would make it more homey. American Chop Suey. Alas, I got diced tomato instead of crushed. I forgot parmesean, too. Not exactly like home. But it is an adventure.
Last night we got take out, Schwarma with tzatziki, hummus, warm pitas and salad. It was tasty. Tonight it is leftovers. I picked up the parmesan and crushed tomatoes so we will revisit the chop suey with those cibatta rolls.
We are living in Copenhagen (København) in a 4th floor walk-up over a record store. Brian is teaching here for the Spring semester. The school has supplied an apartment.
Our front doorCome on up!
It is a garret with beams, lots of beams. We are learning to duck.
