The SAS flight out of Chicago to Copenhagen was on time and very comfortable (note: Economy Plus airline tickets are totally worth the extra dollars!) From CPH airport we took a train to “Kobenhavn H”, the central train station in Copenhagen. A short 2 block walk away was our hotel, the Andersen Boutique Hotel.
The Golden Girl is out on her bike today!
The above sculpture of a woman on a bicycle was created in 1936 by Einar Utzon-Frank. Known by all as one of the “Weather Girls” , the golden girl on the bike comes out when the weather is sunny and warm. On less than perfect days, the golden girl with an umbrella comes out walking her dog. We would like to think she was predicting the current weather in Copenhagen as it was quite nice out with no chance of rain however the mechanism that animates the sculptures broke down in 1996 and apparently the cost of getting it fixed is quite high. What a shame.
Copenhagen on Day One
1) Bathroom fixtures in our hotel and practically everywhere in Denmark have a unique look and function that we just don’t get here in the US. They all seem to have two control options: Water pressure and Water temperature. 2) Looking outside our hotel window were these women soliciting for various services. Prior to 1999 ‘a person was permitted to engage in sex work only if prostitution was not his or her main source of income’ but now it is more than tolerated. The hotel staff was not amused. 3) I’m with H.C. Andersen looking across the street at ‘the gardens.’ 4) Usually stated as the oldest amusement park in the world, we are holding off going to Tivoli until after the cruise. Note: The really OLDEST amusement park is only 10 minutes drive north of Copenhagen. It’s called Bakken and it has been around since 1583 ! We would have gone there but it is only opened in the Summer months ;(
Walking around town
1) This appears to mean that there is a restroom about 20 meters away if you make two left turns. When you get there, you will have to pay 5 DKK (about $.85) to use the facilities. 2) A Copenhagen canal boat. A great way to view the city; we will get on one of those in a few days. Wait for it. 3) This could be in The Marble church (Marmorkirken) on the Strøget. I thought this guy was picking his nose. Nope? Sorry. The Strøget by the way, is the longest and oldest walking streets in the world. 4) A Lego Dragon at the Lego shop in Copenhagen. Yes, the world headquarters is in Billund, Denmark, but I was never that enthralled by those plastic building blocks to warrant a trip out there. This shop was good enough.
Last view befor cruise time
1) There are bicycles in Denmark! Most of them are in Copenhagen. A whole lot of them are parked in double-decker bike racks. 2) The spot at Kongens Nytorv (Kings Square) where according to the stone plaque there was a pillory on this spot up until the year 1780.