3 Day Study Tour Of Western Denmark
Thursday, Feb 19:
Departed for Western Denmark on charter bus. Checked out "Jystrup Savvaerk" (Co-operative Co-Housing). This style of living in a mini community was interesting along with the Architectural layout that makes it work. Then we left for "Musholm Bugt Ferie og Fritidscnter" (Summer Vacation and Recreation Center for Muscular Dystrophy Patients). This was another Danish Architectural accomplishment that addressed the needs of the participants while being aestheticaly pleasing. Then we were off to "Faborg Art Museum". The town/village atmosphere on the waters edge reminded me of those destination attractions on the Oregon Coast. Finaly ate dinner then we ended the day at the "Slotsobadet" (swim hall). THis place kicked ass with all the water features inside like water slide, steam baths etc, while being very architectural with the angle of the roof being carried out and repeated thru the supporting structural columns, curved glass curtains etc. I still can't get use to the co-ed locker rooms and bathrooms in Denmark. Just felt kinda different with everyone changing into swim suits in the same room area. Anyways, then it was a night out on the town and half of us hung out in a bar made out of half timber constuction with the exposed heavy wooden beams and all that stuff, kinda like a cottage I guess (Hey Gremlinkin, just like those exposed timbers at Merlins). Only stayed out until 1 in the morning and headed back to sleep.
Friday, Feb 20:
Woke up for some wierd breakfast at the Hostel. This was my first breakfast in Denmark by the way, because the Danes don't have breakfast places like Dennys, Mathews or Sherrys Resuraunt. Anyways, their version of breakfast is lunch meats and cheeses and bread and yogurt that comes in a milk carton that somehow pours out like sludge into your bowl. Anyways, I could only get myself to eat the fruit they had sliced up. Then we walked back down to the swim hall to see it during the day and actually study it, cuz the night before we went to go swim. Then we walked along the water over to the "Koldinghus" (Castle Restoration). The castle dates back to the 13th century. From 1975-1988 Some Danish Architects designed an exterior modern day skin to cover and protect the remains of the older castle. So when you walk thru you discover the old ruins integrated into the newer construction which is meant to protect and house the older construction. Anyways I took some good photos showing the integration of old and new. Also went to gift shop and sampled some "Dansk Mjod" (I think it means Danish wine). Anyways, I bought a bottle of it to bring back to the game group when I get back in the summer. THe name on the side of the bottle says "Viking Blod" 20% vol. Then we left on the charter bus to go check out the "Commerce and Education Center". THis is a Technical College with classrooms for Computer Design, Salon, dental, welding, etc. Incorporated into the Technical College is actual businesses and Industry Companys. So potentially a Danish student attends college, and after graduation he/she can apply for a job and start working under the same roof where they also studied at. Thats what is so great about Danish Architecture and Design, is the fact that they housed both the classrooms for study and some of the business that they can work for after graduation in the same building! Then we left for the "Trapholt Art and Furniture Museum". They of course had some of the famous Danish chair designs there. Took pictures of all the chair designs that go way above and beyond anything we are use to seeing in the USA. Then we departed for the 2nd largest city in Denmark called Arhus (400,000), behind Copenhagen (1.5 million). Another night out on the town and then ended the night with a bonfire back at the hostel located in the woods.
Saturday, Feb 21
Departed for the famous Architecture Danish Church "Enghoj Kirke". The interior had the all wood ceiling that resembles the bottom of a Viking Ship. Went to some other places and then the Bus caught the Ferry Back to Eastern Denmark, where we headed back for Copenhagen. As we were sleeping during the ride back to Copenhagen the bus suddenly stopped in the middle of nowhere with no lights. I noticed our program assistant Kristin sneak off the bus and down some dark road. During this time, Professor Thomas told us that we were switching bus drivers. Then after 15 minute wait, we bagan to get restless, cuz we wanted to get back home. Then Thomas told us there was a Surprise for us all outside. So I grabbed my camera real quick and headed out. Next thing I know we are hiking 1 mile down some dirt road into the dark. Then in the dark we came apon some mound formation and it was still pitch black out. Then all of a sudden we began to enter this Earth Mound shaped thing. Turns out we were entering a Viking Burial Mound. And when we got inside of it, Kristin had a few candles lit with all these shot glasses of alcohol next to the light source. There was 45 of us crammed into a space that was smaller then my Kollegium Room. Then Thomas our Danish Architecture Professor told us we were concluding our trip in an ancient Viking Burial Mound. Then we all solluted "Skull" and drank. Was a great ending to our trip. Took some photos inside and out of the Burial Mound.
Departed for Western Denmark on charter bus. Checked out "Jystrup Savvaerk" (Co-operative Co-Housing). This style of living in a mini community was interesting along with the Architectural layout that makes it work. Then we left for "Musholm Bugt Ferie og Fritidscnter" (Summer Vacation and Recreation Center for Muscular Dystrophy Patients). This was another Danish Architectural accomplishment that addressed the needs of the participants while being aestheticaly pleasing. Then we were off to "Faborg Art Museum". The town/village atmosphere on the waters edge reminded me of those destination attractions on the Oregon Coast. Finaly ate dinner then we ended the day at the "Slotsobadet" (swim hall). THis place kicked ass with all the water features inside like water slide, steam baths etc, while being very architectural with the angle of the roof being carried out and repeated thru the supporting structural columns, curved glass curtains etc. I still can't get use to the co-ed locker rooms and bathrooms in Denmark. Just felt kinda different with everyone changing into swim suits in the same room area. Anyways, then it was a night out on the town and half of us hung out in a bar made out of half timber constuction with the exposed heavy wooden beams and all that stuff, kinda like a cottage I guess (Hey Gremlinkin, just like those exposed timbers at Merlins). Only stayed out until 1 in the morning and headed back to sleep.
Friday, Feb 20:
Woke up for some wierd breakfast at the Hostel. This was my first breakfast in Denmark by the way, because the Danes don't have breakfast places like Dennys, Mathews or Sherrys Resuraunt. Anyways, their version of breakfast is lunch meats and cheeses and bread and yogurt that comes in a milk carton that somehow pours out like sludge into your bowl. Anyways, I could only get myself to eat the fruit they had sliced up. Then we walked back down to the swim hall to see it during the day and actually study it, cuz the night before we went to go swim. Then we walked along the water over to the "Koldinghus" (Castle Restoration). The castle dates back to the 13th century. From 1975-1988 Some Danish Architects designed an exterior modern day skin to cover and protect the remains of the older castle. So when you walk thru you discover the old ruins integrated into the newer construction which is meant to protect and house the older construction. Anyways I took some good photos showing the integration of old and new. Also went to gift shop and sampled some "Dansk Mjod" (I think it means Danish wine). Anyways, I bought a bottle of it to bring back to the game group when I get back in the summer. THe name on the side of the bottle says "Viking Blod" 20% vol. Then we left on the charter bus to go check out the "Commerce and Education Center". THis is a Technical College with classrooms for Computer Design, Salon, dental, welding, etc. Incorporated into the Technical College is actual businesses and Industry Companys. So potentially a Danish student attends college, and after graduation he/she can apply for a job and start working under the same roof where they also studied at. Thats what is so great about Danish Architecture and Design, is the fact that they housed both the classrooms for study and some of the business that they can work for after graduation in the same building! Then we left for the "Trapholt Art and Furniture Museum". They of course had some of the famous Danish chair designs there. Took pictures of all the chair designs that go way above and beyond anything we are use to seeing in the USA. Then we departed for the 2nd largest city in Denmark called Arhus (400,000), behind Copenhagen (1.5 million). Another night out on the town and then ended the night with a bonfire back at the hostel located in the woods.
Saturday, Feb 21
Departed for the famous Architecture Danish Church "Enghoj Kirke". The interior had the all wood ceiling that resembles the bottom of a Viking Ship. Went to some other places and then the Bus caught the Ferry Back to Eastern Denmark, where we headed back for Copenhagen. As we were sleeping during the ride back to Copenhagen the bus suddenly stopped in the middle of nowhere with no lights. I noticed our program assistant Kristin sneak off the bus and down some dark road. During this time, Professor Thomas told us that we were switching bus drivers. Then after 15 minute wait, we bagan to get restless, cuz we wanted to get back home. Then Thomas told us there was a Surprise for us all outside. So I grabbed my camera real quick and headed out. Next thing I know we are hiking 1 mile down some dirt road into the dark. Then in the dark we came apon some mound formation and it was still pitch black out. Then all of a sudden we began to enter this Earth Mound shaped thing. Turns out we were entering a Viking Burial Mound. And when we got inside of it, Kristin had a few candles lit with all these shot glasses of alcohol next to the light source. There was 45 of us crammed into a space that was smaller then my Kollegium Room. Then Thomas our Danish Architecture Professor told us we were concluding our trip in an ancient Viking Burial Mound. Then we all solluted "Skull" and drank. Was a great ending to our trip. Took some photos inside and out of the Burial Mound.