Not just beer and skittles

In an attempt to convince the doubters (and there are numerous of you) that my Danish adventure is not just beer and skittles, I should let you know that classes have now begun. I am even presently sitting in the Royal Library of Copenhagen, surrounded by books. It's one of those libraries where the books are so old you can smell them. The beginning of the Danish semester has had two important demographic effects: an influx of yet more international students, and the return of the danish students from their holidays. You can tell by the blindingly blonde hair swanning around the university buildings.

I am taking three law subjects, which is equivalent to a full load. They may seem out of character, but they are:
- International Crimes in National Jurisdictions, which basically is about the legal efforts and problems in prosecuting people who have committed crimes such as genocide (eg Rwanda, the Balkans) and who try to attain a safe haven in, say, Denmark.
- International Protection of Refugees, in order to avoid 8am classes on Tuesday and Thursday.
- The Law of Armed Conflicts, for which I have had no classes yet.
Plus I am also enrolled in a Danish culture course, not for credit but they take us on excursions around Copenhagen and Denmark; and Introduction to EU Law, which lost in a war with a siesta on Friday afternoon.

In ground-breaking news, I am enrolled in another subject, one which interests me. This is a whole new concept of study!! Its called History of the Modern Middle East, and covers the last 200 years of the various conflicts, growth and activity in the region, as well as a country by country synopsis.

So, for a fleeting moment, there was a danger that life here would quieten. There was even an introduction for the international students, involving a danish choir and guest speakers, including Mary Donaldson's father (a guest professor in mathematics). This was held in the 500 year old main university hall, the type with frescoes along the walls and wooden floors, walls, roof. It seemed very formal until a dividing wall sank into the ground to reveal a very danish introduction - a bar with barrels and barrels of beer. I was not the only one to emerge from the choral trance with renewed fervour. That was Thursday.

And then there is the Fredagsbar or Friday Bar. Starting at around 4pm, going through until god know when; serving deliciously cheap (and delicious) beer - who could ask for more? But i digress from the attempted savoury theme. On Saturday arvo I found myself playing for the Copenhagen Crocs. I had turned up late to watch a mate here, Big Al, fill in for the Nth Copenhagen Barracudas (due to the Fredagsbar), and was itching on the sidelines. The bottom of the ladder Crocs were a player short for this, the last game of the season, and I quickly obliged. It only took five minutes to seriously regret that decision. Clearly cycling to uni and the pub is not sufficient exercise on its own. Surprisingly I lasted through the game, although not without embarrassment. Running with the ball I ended up flat on the ground as I encountered what must be the biggest hill in Denmark (it's a flat country). The undulations of the field were a bogey; I'm glad Al didn't get pictures of either occasion!

Sunday afternoon soccer (i'm told it's called football) is a glorious thing. The sun is shining this week in Denmark and its good to be outside, even if my muscles aren't paying me back with every bit of pain they can muster. Another week here has passed (they go so quickly) - a week of new people, uni classes, sport and, yes, beer... but no mention of skittles. It's not all beer and skittles. Did you doubt me?