Copenhagen

 

 

I had high expectations preceding my visit to Copenhagen, and I was not let down one bit.  The surprise began when the bus drove into some peculiar storage garage, and soon I realized it was the huge ferry which transported the vehicles across the strip of ocean separating Germany and Copenhagen. The approach of the Danish shore brought a sense of delight that only grew the more I discovered of the fabled city.

 

One thing that caught my attention immediately after my arrival was the intimate connection with storywriter Hans Christian Anderson (with a main street named after him along with a prominent statue), engaging several mental forms from a strange night this past July.

                                                   Mermaid Statue

H.C. Anderson is more or less the "Danish Walt Disney" and the Tivoli Park situated just across from H.C. Anderson Blvd. and his statue gazing toward the park supposedly inspired Disney world.



 

Just as Amsterdam spoke to me with messages of resolution, Copenhagen seemed to impart one of positivity and acceptance, as if to be saying, "You should say 'yes' a little more."

 

 

I was sure to make the trek to the famous Christiana commune. In this village dubbed "free town," best known for its "pusherstreet" where weed and hash is semi-openly sold. In Christiana, the commune is self-governed and somehow manages to keep the police out. Freetown is heavily visited by tourists who are welcome as long as they follow the four posted rules:
1. No cameras.
2. No running
3. Have fun
4. Be happy

For obvious reasons, I have no pictures from my adventure through Christiana, but my general review is that as can be accepted, it's not well kept, although I can appreciate the level of freedom, creativity and general happiness permeating throughout the village. Supposedly, there used to be many issues with crime and gags, but the village has been gradually becoming much more peaceful.  The pictured gate reading "You are now entering Christiana" reads, on the other side, "You are now entering the EU." This got a rise out of me.


I was pleasantly surprised to discover my bus was actually leaving a solid nine hours later than I had thought, affording me unexpected time to rent a bike with my German roommates and visit the famous mermaid statue(allusion to the Anderson story) as well as the botanical gardens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amsterdam

 

 

 

 

 

It may be fair to say that Amsterdam was the first city that I allowed myself to experience the essence of the city. Everywhere else, I was trying so hard to "keep things tight" that I gave little focus to this kind of thing; the message I received here was, "Let it go." 

 

 

I covered a lot of ground in Amsterdam by foot, and I'm impressed by my walking skills. A certain portion of that distance walked happened to be comprised of circles getting "lost". I had a certain system going on with the street sign/map collaboration going but then I stepped out of that system to utilize my compass so I can wonder in a general direction according to where I am and where I want to go without tryin to search for particular, often unmarked, streets. Upon chance, I ended up exploring of certain components of UvA's campus including the brain and cognition center.  Another pleasant surprise was a used book store with a philosophy section I could really appreciate. As a matter of fact, the fella working there is a doctorate candidate at the University, and I learned about a recent student-led revolution from a conversation with him and an English professor from Texas.

The way this town if constructed, with a radial structure, with canals everywhere, you're likely to arrive upon the most unexpected situations one could imagine. A guy gave me a free sub at a food shop because they had actually just closed.  I would really enjoy going on one of those cabin/barges someday.  One may live in any fashion he/she desires in Amsterdam;  there is as far ying and far yang available to human choice in this city, and the realm within that continuum someone embodies is matter of his will.  

Before leaving, I visited a coffee shop breakfast bar called popeyes treated myself  to this wonderful "happy English breakfast" which indeed included some of Popeye's spinach.