Jægersborg Dyrehave

We took advantage of the free train on Sunday (the first Sunday of every month the shops are open and trains are free) and got out of Copenhagen to Dyrehaven or "The Deer Garden".

They are supplementing the deers diet by providing hay and sugar beets around this old bar, which was dated 1890. 

 Its was a dark and stormy sort of day (aren't they all?), perfect for wandering through the old woods in search of the 300 Red Deer, 1600 Fallow Deer and 100 Sika Deer who live there. The trees were huge old Oaks covered in green moss and algae. They lined the old muddy roads that wind throughout the park giving it a very medieval feel. Saule really enjoyed climbing the trees knobby roots and trunks. 

We rode our bikes onto the train so we could ride around the park when we got there- which really was a good idea since the park is huge (~7 square miles) and the roads are VERY muddy. Next time we know to wear our play clothes. Its also worth adding (for any one reading this who is considering taking the trip) that there was no train that goes all the way to the park (even though it has a station), we were let off in the stop 1 town away and road our bikes the rest of the way. 

We intend to go again next month- because by my calculations they should have lots of little babies in tow by then. Its the perfect place to pack a picnic and sit for an afternoon. The deer are shy, but some will let you get very close if you approach slowly and respectfully.

The Mermaid

Saule sleeping in the trailer

We took a ride out to see the Mermaid for the first time today. She is reputed as being one of the most photographed statues in the world, and is an icon of Copenhagen. We peddled across town and by the time we got close, Saule had fallen asleep in her trailer, so we dismounted and cut across a park on foot so we could talk. The bike riding we have done on the street here is very fast paced and not concussive to conversation, so it was nice to slow down and watch the world a little.

 We passed a grove of trees hiding pillbox forts from  WW2, winded our way through a military fort shaped like and a  star surrounded by a moat and several draw bridges.  We saw mute swans lumbering on the iced over canals, diving moorhens, and Japanese tourists.  Our GPS was slightly off on the location of the mermaid, but the small crowd lead us straight to her. Shortly after we arrived, it started to rain, and we were left alone on the shore with the fair maiden. Lots of travel reviews say she is a letdown, but I have to disagree. I thought she was really beautiful, perfectly placed, exactly what I expected.

Saules breakfast house tour

Having berries for breakfast

boo!

New couch

pots.

playing babies

My clothes

My shoes.

Our bed.

Danish unknowns.

It seems like when ever I move someplace new there are lots of new things to learn. Language is the most obvious and I admit I have done little to learn any Danish yet. Its just that between my ongoing Lithuanian project, and Danish words like "Speciallægepraksisplanlægningsstabiliseringsperiode" and "Konstantinopolitanerinde" which are real words (some how It seems like allot of Danish sounds like that) I haven't found the motivation yet. Although I am sure after a few outings in the city I will find motivation enough.....

So here it is, the start of my strange Danish stuff thread. I am sure all of these things have very useful purposes, I'm just not really sure what they are. Maybe you know? Most were found in the kitchen.

Really sleek Tupperware?

This one really has me guessing. 

Bug zapper? Kept in the kitchen....

OK- please help me make some sense of these oven controls. 

One of our cook books. 

Denmark Day 1

Best discovery of the day:

On our trip to the shop today I discovered the most affordable cheese on the shelf is double creme french brie, at $4 per pound. Oh BOY! Saule had mac and cheese with brie for dinner and loved it. I just had brie on "Viking" brand bread (which by the way taste how you would imagine). Its 1A.M. and we are all still wired on NY time . Pollo starts school in the morning.

Worst discovery of the day:
A forth floor walk up in Denmark is a fifth floor walk up in NY.  Don't forget floor #0 is ground level. But don't worry, this solves any potential problems caused by excess brie consumption.

 My favorite quote of the day "What one lacks in brains they make up for in muscle."
(Our landlady forgot the contract in our apartment and had to come back up to get it- its a fifth floor walk up)


Coming soon, a name that strange Danish appliance thread. Stay tuned.

"I am flying!"

Saule loved flying this time. She really got excited starting about a month ago, and was looking forward to it. She told us over and over she was excited. When we got on the run way and started to move, she put her hands in the air and yelled "I am flying! HERE WE GO! YIPPIE!"

Our flight was booked with Iceland Express which turned out to be a true budget airline. The only thing you can get for free in flight, is ice. There is a $2.50 charge for a small (tiny) bottle of water. They also had an in flight movie available to rent- in Icelandic language. There were several duty free offers from the sky mall including a single toast with a single slice of smoked lamb for $7.90. Luckily we had a sub at the airport and packed lots of snacks for Saule.

They do have really flexible flight terms though, and they didnt balk at our huge excess in luggage. So I guess I cant really complain. 

As far as Saule was concerned, we were flying first class! She had her OWN window, her OWN ticket, and all kinds of special treats and toys. She watched "Dora" on Tete's computer and fell asleep. She slept through Iceland and woke up in our final decent into Copenhagen.

Tomorrow we move into our new flat.

String your Cheerios

If you string up cheerios (and raisins If you use a needle) you can control how many end up on the back seat of the car, or all over the floor where ever you are. Oh yeah, and its a good way to work on fine motor development. And it looks cute. Oh look here someone else is doing it too.