Hopenhagen-Global Climate Change Conference

Some of you may know about the climate change conference going on right now. Hilary Clinton came today to speak and Obama arrives tomorrow. The pictures here are what was set up in the main square, Radhuspladsen to raise awareness about the environment.



There are bikes located around the big Christmas tree that you can ride. When you start pedaling you generate energy to keep the tree lit. This was my attempt.

The large globe was in the center and it listed facts about energy consumption on it. The picture above it is somewhat blurry but it shows large green glass rooms that you could enter and read about different energy saving options, etc.

Traditional Danish Party / Julie's Birthday

Last Saturday was my good friend Julie's birthday party. I went over early to help her set up and we cleaned and set the table. Of course, all the Danes arrived promptly at 6:30 and dinner was served an hour later. I thought since we were keeping to such a rigid schedule that most guests would leave by midnight, but most of us happily stayed until 3 in the morning! Happy Birthday Julie!!

Julie preparing the welcome drinks

Julie's boyfriend Jesper cooked the entire meal except the gravy which Julie's mom made. She is famous for it and after tasting it I understood why!

The main course, very Danish. Pork with the rinds attached, sweetened potatoes, brown potatoes, red cabbage and beets. Delicious!

The dessert 'pancake' which is pretty much a crepe with ice cream and syrup on top.

Julie, Jesper and Martin.

Nicholas, Ida, Mikkel and I

Frederiksberg Park

I discovered this park a couple weeks ago and wished I had known about it earlier. It is right next to a zoo, so I was able to get close to some elephants. : )

These guys wouldn't stop wrestling!

The entrance

The castle

Just wanted to clarify after my dad pointed it out, that the 6th of December celebrates the namesday of St. Nicholas. Unfortunately my family has not taken part in the tradition of putting shoes out so I have been deprived of chocolate for years. Good thing Sofie didn't forget about me Dad. ; )

Sinterklaas has arrived!!

Last night Sofie told me that that night I should put my shoes outside my door, because Sinterklaas was supposed to visit. (only if I was a good kid though) In Belgium Sinterklaas comes the 6th of December. It is similar to putting up stockings in the U.S. I got really excited by this, so I put two pairs of shoes outside my door! I 'went to bed' but kept coming out to go to the bathroom to check my shoes. Sinterklaas had not come. This morning when I woke up for my final exam I found these Belgian chocolates in my shoes : ) Love you Fieke thank you!!

Ice Skating in Frederiksberg

As a study break I went ice skating! Another exchange student, Nico from Switzerland plays hockey and was nice enough to teach me how to properly skate. I only fell flat on my butt once! Yay! It's really starting to get chilly here, the days are really short so you have to get up early to enjoy the day.

Beginner


Pro

Thanks Nico!

Thanksgiving In Copenhagen

For Thanksgiving I went to a party with a group of exchange students in the northern part of Norrebro. We had a diverse bunch, some were Canadian and thought Turkey Day was a month earlier, some were from Denmark and hadn't eaten turkey before, and then there were the Americans who wanted to do something that reminded them of home. Since none of us had prepared the full dinner before, we each cooked a dish and the turkey was a collaborative effort. : ) I was excited because we even got to watch American football! (Unfortunately not SC but I was still grateful)

Our turkey, we finally got to eat it at 10pm.

Some of us glued to the game

The group! Yay we did it!

One more exam left and then I will be able to post more frequently!