“The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are.” –Samuel Johnson
Nordic Game came to an end on Friday afternoon, after quite a few meetings and a couple of sessions. It was time to say goodbye to all the great people I had the chance to meet and work with during the week and head to Kobenhavn.
Crossing the Oresunds bridge for the second time, I took mental pictures of the amazing scenery – or absence thereof. Moreover, I thanked God for the solidity of its structure…. +1 for Scandinavia.
My first stop (after the hotel of course), was Nyhavn, one of the most popular (and let’s face it, touristy) place in Kobenhavn. Imagine colourful houses lined on both sides of a canal, with terrasses and boats…. that’s Nyhavn for you. This would become my go-to place for the days to come.
On Friday, I had an interview with a journalist from Berlingske at the Canadian Embassy. Since I had already met him back in Montreal, we rounded up this update on our tax credits in a little over half an hour. 11:30 and… I was free!
The rest of the day was used walking around Stroget, the largest pedestrian street in the world, and its surrounding. Lively, colourful, with tons of smells and sounds to discover. I also ventured to Vesterbro to see Exit Through the Gift Shop at Vester Vov Vov, a cute little hispterish café cinema. Neat!
Today, totally free of all meetings and other obligations, I wandered through most parts of Christianhavn (including the famous land of the free/home of the hash sellers Christiania), took a wonderful boat ride along the canals, walked around the Latin Quarter and had dinner at L’Éducation nationale. Magret de canard, red wine, Francis Cabrel, the works. I wanted to visit Tivoli tonight but it’s been raining on and off so I came back to the hotel but will be heading out again for a beer.
Random facts
- Swedes are vikings; danes are hipsters
- Designer shops are everywhere and I want to buy everything in sight
- The weather was amazing in Sweden, a little less in Denmark. Yet, the sun is still shining at 9:15
- Kobenhavn is absolutely lovely but insanely expensive. 4$ for a glass of tap water? C-O-M-E O-N
- I can’t wait to go back to my vegetarian diet
- Noma never called back. I took a picture of the gorgeous building and promised myself to throw darts at it as soon as I come back in Montreal
- Danes had suggested I take one of those touristy boat rides and that I wouldn’t be disappointed. They were absolutely right, seeing the city from the water is a must-do
- The Little Mermaid is back from Shanghai. I saw her bum today (from the water). Barely 1,50 m high, I’m really wondering if it’s worth going to this isolated part of the city to take pictures from the land. *Flashbacks from MannekenPis in Brussels last year*
- Going to Christiania is a must. Squatted since 1971, this village has its own rules, its own shops and its own restaurants. No need to get out. Mostly famous for the Hash Street, where vendors litterally sell pre-rolled joints, one should not miss the street art, beautiful gardens, Christiania bikes manufacture, and enjoy a talk with its people. The constant smell will simply keep you light-hearted.
- Nyhavn. You have to go. Period.
