Jul i København

The Danes began decorating and celebrating the holiday Christmas season (Jul) at the end of October.  It was a bit strange to see Christmas trees and lights being put up before Halloween and Thanksgiving, but it has certainly put me in the holiday spirit!  The whole city is decked out for the season and it looks beautiful!  There are lights, trees and garland EVERYWHERE!  Something I have noticed is that although the lights everywhere are very pretty and impressive, they are all white.  I miss my blue icicle lights from home!

This picture shows the decorations on one of the pedestrian walking streets in downtown CPH.

On our last day of classes (last week) some of my friends and I decided to celebrate by going ice skating next to Nyhavn Harbor.  It is a pretty little rink set up in the middle of a square and surrounded by Christmas lights.  We chose a wonderful night to go skating outside... it started raining once we got there.  The picture below shows my incredible skill on skates (I fell down right after the picture was taken).

For our final week in Denmark, Erin's brother and his girlfriend visited us.  We decided to show them around a bit and we took them to Tivoli.  Tivoli has re-opened temporarily for the holiday season and it was completely decorated and very festive.

There was a building set up as a Nisse (elf) village.  Even though we walked through the building, we felt as if we were on the Danish version of the "It's a Small World" ride in Disney.  The picture above shows Erin and I popping up through holes in the ice to meet some local Nisse.

On one of our last nights in the city, several of us decided to check out the Absolut Icebar.  This is a bar made entirely of ice (walls, bar, seats etc.).  It is a fun, unique place to go and we had fun.  In order to keep the place from melting, the bar is kept at a very cold temperature.  Therefore, we were supplied with big parkas, gloves and Kirby even had to wear booties.  We were allowed to spend 45 minutes inside and we got our drink served in a solid ice cup... it was extremely chilled.

So... thats the end of my story.  I have now shared with you my whole study abroad experience (for the most part) and I hope you have enjoyed my semi-regular postings.  I am literally at the close of my trip because I currently sit in the Copenhagen airport waiting for my flight.  In a matter of 12 hours I will be tackling my mother and Uncle John in the Boston airport.  I am extremely excited to be coming home.  I have had a trip of a life time, but I cannot wait to see all of you.

Thanks for reading! God Jul (Merry Christmas)!!