A short Scandinavian jaunt
Copenhagen's Black Diamond Library via ruddrudd
So Copenhagen was f-ing glorious. Reminded me of all the best parts of Northern Cal. Helped that we somehow managed to get brilliant weather despite the usual iffiness of April. If I had the cojones to become an expat I'd be packing my bags. Amsterdam was also lovely and somehow warm and sunny, but after the basic cleanliness and considerateness of the Danish, everyone else just seemed a little primate. Goddamned expensive tho.. hoo boy is the dollar not doing well over there. The _shopkeepers_ were telling me to mind my shopping. I ended up coming home with a coloring book and some crayons, a couple of baby clothes, and airport knick knacks for gifts. Now I really, really wish I'd splurged for some Jensen eyeglasses but damn.
Now I totally understand why everybody boo hoos about not being able to bring dairy products back with them. F. Ing. Glorious. Butter. Oh god. The butter. And I may not be able to eat from another so called "bakery" on American soil. Emphasis on the soil. I've tried, and what tasted meh to begin with now tastes like unsalted cardboard. I do not bake myself, but for the love of god someone on this continent should.
The Copenhageen also have a very civilized custom allowing beer to be drunk in the middle of the day, in the street, having a sandwich, taking in a little sun. Like god intended. And nobody gets bent about it. It's not illegal. There aren't frat boys chugging kegs on every corner. People have _a_ beer. It's sold everywhere including the hot dog cart at the Little Mermaid and the cafe at the library. I'll let that sink in. The Library. I think I saw a total of 2 unobtrusive street drunks the entire week I spent downtown. The locals about seemed slightly embarrassed rather than disgusted. I thought I smelled pee once. But then, they also have Toilets. Maybe you've heard of them. Unlocked. Clean. Positive toilet paper. Did not appear to have wild animals nesting anywhere inside. F-ing civilized.
Sunshine always gives me quite a lift, so luck was with me to begin with. However I am also a fag and therefore love being surrounded by beauty. And I don't just mean the Danes themselves, though they seem to be born with an innate sense of dressed down style. (PS: Americans, please stop wearing shorts in Europe. I mean it.) The architecture, thank-god-modern-is-back-in-style, is simply amazing. I am now a believer in the ability to mix old classic architecture and new modern buildings and have it Work. Somehow the Danes are able to showcase their highly modernist buildings in a way that also re-emphasizes rather than distracts from the beauty of their architectural forefathers. missdimple and I have had many discussions on that front, she of the Victorian and myself of the Modernist bent. For myself, I have seen the light.