København, Firenze or Melbourne?

Hej Hej!!

And the junket begins! A quick driving orientation by my excitable landlord from the airport helped me get my bearings, and then I spent the afternoon walking through the streets of the old town. It looks like the compactness of the city and the mighty Kroner will keep me from stacking on pounds as a $6 capuccino or $10 sandwich is off-putting enough to convince you that you are not really so hungry after all.

I arrived in a town bathed in sunlight, and was thankful that I did remember to brings shorts and thongs (although a singlet and city map were casualties of my now infamous time management skills). Tom, the excitable landlord was proud as punch about the beach park which extended along part of the coast from the airport, but i didn't have the heart to ask if he'd been to Australia.

Evidently last night there was "Blitz", which I told Tom was lightning in English. But I didn't notice, having entered a rather deep sleep since about 6pm. And today is raining and overcast, leaving me to wonder - am I still in Melbourne?

The apartment is maybe 20mins walk north of the town centre, which is perfect. But those who shared the experience of stairs in Florence will empathise with the numerous floors I have to climb. Should keep me fit.

Shopping yesterday for some food, I found an Aldi, which stocked some 'different' items. In the bread section, my small knowledge of german helped me realise that 'kartoffel rugbrød' was probably potato bread and best left unpurchased. From the food I did find at Aldi, I made them some scrambled eggs for breakfast, which they found very unusual and curious. Turns out that Tom normally has 'potato bread' and honey. Go figure.

Rather disturbed by my inability to communicate yesterday, I quizzed Tom and his wife Winnie about some basic Danish, which has already reaped smiles today. Apart from some basics, Tom thought it was essential to teach me 'smukke kuinde' which he said means 'beautiful girl'. However his wife thought that saying that might lead to a slap on the face, leaving me curious as to the level of formality (or otherwise) of the phrase. Only one way to find out... Meanwhile an appropriate synonym would probably be 'Dansk kuinde'. It would appear that the sterotype is oh-so true. Certainly, it is the sheer number of intensely blonde people that remind me that I am actually in Scandinavia.

Love to you all,

ben