Away in April 2011

Day 18 – Orientation to Copenhagen

Copenhagen, Vesterbro

Monday, 18 April 2011

Our apartment is beautifully light-filled and comfortable. Pillows are too soft for Anthony but I am very cozy with my own quilt (European/ Japanese style where you have two single quilts on your king/ double bed).

As I sit here daydreaming about living in Copenhagen, in this apartment, the only thing I would change is to fit black-out blinds on the eastern dormer windows (and find a space for a washing machine and have a lift to fourth floor) – no I am being picky as the apartment is quite charming and beautifully furnished and climbing stairs is very good for you!

Breakfast out this morning at an early opening cafe. I had the brunch buffet which was a veritable feast on a square plate – small glass of yoghurt, honey and fruit; small fry up of scrambled eggs, sausage and bacon; small crepe with a lovely berry jam; a couple of different cheeses; croissant with nutella; tuna and mayonnaise salad; and fresh fruit. Basket of bread between us that we couldn’t finish – lots of heavier European style breads that I like. Tea was the only disappointment – KASIR uplifting – more herbal with cardamom than English breakfast! (But we have some real tea from Canterbury to finish, now that we have access to a teapot again – just need to buy some milk.)

Anthony had the breakfast buffet with an equally wonderful selection.

Then onto a local supermarket – Fotex. We both love going into supermarkets when we are away. They are so familiar, yet not – like finding the same brands of toothpaste, yet having to decide which one is butter? Is 2.5% like light white milk? Looking at all the different breads, different cheeses, different cereals, small goods, meat, fish! And then through the checkout when your items are totaled – which money do I give? It’s certainly part of the drama of being away in a different country!

Felt a bit under the weather today and headachy. Anthony believes it is caffeine withdrawal as I have missed my usual fix of tea. So, after unpacking our groceries, some aspirin, a bit of a sleep, and a pot of tea, I did feel better.

So out for a walk, first to the tourist Information centre diagonally across from Central station.

Then headed towards the old town and the longest shopping street – Stroget – reportedly a kilometre of shopping, all pedestrian. It’s broken by a series of squares, none of which are as splendid as some we’ve seen in Prague or Wroclaw but with their own distinctive feel. It was a pleasant meander past many “high street” shops, cafes and speciality stores. We browsed in Illum Bolighus – a department store stocking Danish homewares – lots of beautiful Danish design. Next door was the Royal Copenhagen shop – home to the famous Danish ceramics brand. Also browsed in House of Amber on Stroget. No purchases as yet but we’ll see.

Behind Stroget there are many smaller streets with cafes and restaurants. We stopped at one of these – Stella – for an early dinner. Friendly waiter – Anthony had a beef burger with a 750ml glass of beer whilst I had crayfish tail salad.

Walk after dinner towards the “meat packing” district, Vesterbro, a traditional working class area that has undergone extensive urban renewal. It is a real mix – red light district, take away kebab shops, cafes, small restaurants, fruit and corner shops and apartment blocks.

Crossed over a bridge above Dybbolsbro railway station to a shopping centre called Fisketorvet which had lovely canal views on the other side.

Back in our apartment, still not feeling entirely orientated to the city, so studied all our brochures and did some planning for our day tomorrow.

	Brunch plate (Brunch Tallerken) [Map]		Breakfast plate (Morgan Tallerken) [Map]
	Anthony with his Gron Tuborg, stor (750ml) [Map]		Entrance to Stroget – kilometre long shopping stri [Map]
	We saw many of these old mile posts around Copenha [Map]		Vesterbrogard (main street) with separate lanes fo [Map]
	Look at the variety of cycles – many with carts on [Map]		Our street – Absalonsgade Copenhagen [Map]
	Our apartment- Absalonsgade 20, Copenhagen top flo [Map]