Merry Christmas

God Jul, Now Det Cool

I became acquainted with a song that proved to be an ear worm and which dominated my thoughts while in Denmark.

On the #159 bus in Ballerup, this funky song played over the bus driver's radio. It was of all things, a Danish rap song. Even more unusual, a Danish Christmas rap song. I immediately thought it interesting. It was a catchy tune.

With only the tune in my head and the fact that it was both Danish and a rap song, thankfully, I didn't have to search for too long. Even if I didn't know any of the lyrics and had to rely on carefully strung together search words, it was found after only a few tries. After all, I don't think that there are many songs in this genre out there. Unless there is some crazy Scandinavian underworld that I'm not familiar with.

So, when you listen to the song, try and picture this stark scenery while amongst only elderly people who are silent, on a bus in the middle of nowhere. Oh, and picture that you're probably the only American for miles. It adds to the humor. At least it did for me.

Finally, Photos of Madrid

This is the last of my vacation photos! I didn't spend much quality time in Madrid and this album documents the few areas I was able to explore. For reasons previously explained, I waited until much later to tackle the photos from the last leg of my November 2007 trip.

Perhaps, someday, I will be able to look at them without my blood pressure skyrocketing.

Here they are. Enjoy!

Wearing Flowers in Our Hair?

We are braving the bad flight luck which has been the bane of my existence this past year and going to San Francisco! We leave on December 28 and come back on January 1, giving only three full days to enjoy the sights, but that is fine by us. I'm crossing my fingers and toes that things go to plan.

So far, I have booked a day long organized tour to Alcatraz, Muir Woods, and Sausalito. Alcatraz is high up on the must see part of our trip. I can't wait until I finally get to see the Redwoods at Muir Woods.

We're staying in the Union Square area of the city at the King George hotel. From the looks of their website, it's gonna be a cute, centrally located place.

Learning from past mistakes, I plan on (hopefully) checking in the day before our flight, and the battery charger is packed away in my camera bag.

We are super excited about the trip and happy to have the opportunity to actually leave the airport this time considering our previous temporary visit in August.

Even though it's just days away, we still have lots to plan and itineraries to suss out.

More to come!

Finally, Photos of Sweden

Here is my album for Helsingborg and Malmo, Sweden. I took the ferry from Helsingor, Denmark to get there. It took about 20 minutes to cross. Okay, I'm glad I crossed the Oresund into Sweden, but I found these two towns lacking compared to what I was experiencing over in Denmark. I think if I ever go back, it will be to Stockholm.

Because of the time I overspent in Helsingor, Denmark, I didn't get to my last destination, Malmo, until the evening. This cut into the amount I could see and experience as it was dark and things closed up so early. Although the two countries are very similar, there are marked differences between the two and it was nice to experience these differences.

Here they are. Enjoy!

Finally, Photos of Ballerup & Helsingor

Ballerup, Denmark was really an everyday town. I visited for the museum that displayed items owned by Grand Duchess Olga of Russia, who was exiled there after the Russian Revolution. Yeah, I'm a geek!!

My photos of Ballerup are here.

Helsingor, Denmark was a really cool town. I spent more time here than I thought I would, creating a domino effect, and screwing up the amount of time I was to spend in Sweden. Looking back, I don't regret it one bit!

My photos of Helsingor are here.

Enjoy!

Finally, Photos of Copenhagen

I have finally sifted through almost all of my vacation photos. Warning, there are over 200 alone in the Copenhagen album. Yes, I'm that dork who takes pictures of food and gives commentary in her snapshots.

Denmark was fantastic. I LOVED the time I spent there and would definitely go back again. I would recommend visiting in the summer months though. During the winter, things shut down much earlier than, say, a city like London would. Christiania was a trip! You aren't allowed to take photos inside the community, so that's why there aren't many in my album.

Here they are. Enjoy!