Copenhagen

I assumed it was also summer in Europe. I was right, but not the summer I expected. It was cold and autumn-ish. How can I survive the next 16 days having brought only summer clothes from Japan? And with that question in mind, my Europe trip began. First stop -- Copenhagen, Denmark. It was also my first time to meet Kat, and was expecting to see her carrying a placard of “Welcome Totomai” while waving a Danish flag. She didn’t. Boo! A quick look at the neighborhood before both of us went to our respective commitments as I went to shoot Kybele (hope I can blog about it too) and she on an event she organized.

The following day marked the start of my walkathon days in Europe. If only I knew, I could have done some preparatory leg exercises. Walking around the city instead of taking a bus or train was way, way better and gave me the chance to see more of Europe. It's my first time to be on this side of the world, and I am not ashamed to say that I was in awe that I sometimes forgot to click my camera.

glossy paper dreams

turn to real-life canvass

chocolates and beers

First stop was at NY Carlsberg Glyptotek. Luckily for us, it was free admittance on a Sunday. The place was very interesting, it was home to thousand powerful sculptures of ancient era. The past was well-represented and one should stay here for a day to appreciate all that's being showcased.

Walking further, we were led to the Copenhagen's number 1 tourist attraction -- The Little Mermaid. The small statue was indeed popular as tourists and locals alike swarmed the area in order to get a souvenir shot with her. Me included. Tourists posed with wide grins on their faces but if you look closely, the mermaid's face is contemplative and hurting like that of a brokenhearted. No sympathy extended!

The sculpture pictures her as she sits and looks out over the water, after having gotten legs and come on land, never actually having married the prince, and reminiscing over her childhood and lost life in the sea, as a mermaid. more here

On the way to above spot, we got to chance to have a glance on other tourist destinations. Among them is the Tivoli Gardens, one of the oldest amusement parks in the whole world. Should I go back to Copenhagen again, I will pay it a visit and will ride all the possible rides that may bring me to early 1900's.

And there's the Amalienborg Palace. A part of it was under construction during walkathon stop-over. It was also the point of the cycling event thus the security was tight. We left after a few clicks. Nobody's really there except the royal guards marching from one end to the other.

I initially planned to include more photos and places for this entry but I better not to. I'll let the curious ones visit Copenhagen and discover the other gems of the city. My few days in Copenhagen were well-spent and will always be remembered. Clichéd as it may sound but this experience is already locked in my system. Frozen. Painted. A million thanks to Kat, as well as to her very accommodating and kind-hearted family and friends for everything. Words, as they say, are not enough to describe how appreciative I am. I think I better stop as I keep on throwing one cliché to another. Or hand me another can of Carlsberg.

Tak!

totomai
10/15/2011