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In so many ways the countries of Scandinavia seem alike. And in others they are so different.

Denmark

Hank Shiffman
2003-11-26 18:04:59

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Copenhagen

In so many ways the countries of Scandinavia seem alike. And in others they are so different. Copenhagen seems less plagued by the modern construction that occupies so much of Stockholm. It's full of the kind of fairy tale architecture you would expect from the land of Hans Christian Andersen, even if he was far less well adjusted than the way Danny Kaye played him.

Of course I had to go and find the Little Mermaid, who seems rather more pensive and brooding than Disney would ever have dared to portray. I think the sculpture was the best part of the city. That may have come from spending a weekend in a town where everything but the bars close at two on Saturday afternoon and stay closed until Monday. But then again, maybe I'm just an art lover at heart.

One of the surprises of Copenhagen was how colorful it could be. This row of brightly painted houses (now mostly restaurants) along a canal seems far too cheerful for my image of the Danes. Now I understand; like the Chiloeans at the other end of the earth they're just trying to keep their spirits up during a long and depressing winter. But it must be said that at least a few Danes do have a sense of humor. How else to explain this used bookstore near the main shopping street? Here I was, walking along and minding my own business, when I spotted this fellow who had taken a tumble down the stairs. Certainly got my attention, which I suppose was the point. More to the point, it got me to stop and browse. I'm a sucker, I guess, both for old books and for clever marketing.

There are more pictures from Copenhagen on my digital camera page.

Odense, Denmark

My second trip to Denmark came just a few months after my first. This time I got beyond Copenhagen, as we gave seminars at universities throughout the country. Our second stop after Copenhagen ...