MONDAY-FRIDAY
After 2 weeks, my school week feels routine– in a good way! It’s nice to have Wednesday’s off to get a break from the long hours I’m in class, and to have a chance to spend time with friends.
SATURDAY // exploring CPH
Saturday is when I do cute things with my roommates + LLC friends, meaning back to the Glass Market (Torvehallerne) for brunch and chorizo. This time, I spoke Spanish with the women working at the Spanish food booth. I was a little shy, but she was very friendly, and I was happy to have the chance to practice.
After brunch, we went to Island Brygge, a harbourfront area on the north-western coast of Amager. We swam, jumped off the pier, and spent time laying in the sun just getting to know each other better. I am so thankful that it’s still warm enough to swim. I know soon enough I’ll be missing the feeling of sunshine on my skin.
SUNDAY // Malmö
Sunday morning I woke up wanting bread (more-so than usual), so H and I got up and went to a bakery around the corner. At 8am on a Sunday, the streets are deserted, and remain almost nearly so for the rest of the day.
We didn’t mind though, because an hour later we left for Malmö, Sweden. In truth, we kind of winged it. Metro to the CPH Airport, and CPH Airport to Malmö Central Station– all around, the trip was 30 minutes. For context, it took me less time to go to another country than it did to complete my commute last summer. The train ride was short, but it was long enough for me to reflect once again on how incredibly lucky I am to have this opportunity, to be right here right now.
In the spirit of the Danes, I am trying to worry less and be more present, enjoying each moment as it comes.
It took us a little while to get our bearings in Malmö, but we visited the info office and quickly got the hang of things. We started our trip with a boat tour around the canals. It was a great way to see a mix between old and new architecture along the waterfront, and I exited the boat feeling newly inspired for my current architecture project. Next, we went to Lilla Torg (“Little Square”) for lunch, an area with a variety of outdoor cafes and cute Scandinavian architecture. We had Indian food, which reminded me of the many times I shared similar meals with my Middlebury friends. I do miss my friends, but in the sense that I wish they were here to enjoy this experience with me, not that I am unhappy here or wish I were where they are.
After lunch we went to the Form and Design Center, and later, the Moderna Museet. Both were free, fairly small, and made me happy. The Form and Design Center exhibited contemporary furniture that challenged the typical purpose of functionality. The works on display at Moderna Museet bordered on unsettling, but I enjoyed the experience regardless. They dealt with the information age of the internet, the refugee crisis, and perceptions of crippled WWII veterans– hard to watch, but important to see.
We stopped in a church on our way back to the train station. It was beautifully renovated from its medieval origins, but the most striking feature was the section featuring preserved, hand-painted ceilings. We spent our remaining Swedish Kronor in a chocolate shop, (GREAT decision) and then took the train back to Copenhagen.
CONCLUSION //
As I mentioned before, I am incredibly happy, and notably less stressed than I usually am at Middlebury… and I’ve actually started applying to extend my stay here to a full year. I don’t have to decide yet, but I think I love it here for the right reasons. I am learning so much every day (art, design, how to pronounce “ø,” mastering public transportation) and feel really comfortable and safe here– the first city where I’ve felt this way! Hopefully I continue to enjoy my experiences here as much as I already have.
Stay tuned for updates on my core course week adventures! I am feeling inspired and excited to learn!