I don't know what to do with my hands....the adventures of Copenhagen: PICTURES GALORE!

Ok, you guessed it. I took a ton of pictures (these are only a small small fraction of the whole amount). Friday night, my lovely roommate Kira was able to get us on the list for a fashion show after-party (it is Copenhagen Fashion Week after all). She also was the one who brilliantly suggested we go early to see if we could get into the show. And magically, we did! Don't ask me how....i've blocked it from my memory. Just kidding, I think someone bribed them....just kidding again. Maaaaybe. Totally worth it. Plus it was so much fun!!!

Kira and our friend Josh before the show

Today I went with some friends to Helsingør to see Kronborg Castle (aka: Hamlet's Castle). After I lead everyone to the wrong train station, other more directionally savvy people took the lead. Also, figuring out Copenhagen's super trusting transportation system has been kind of similar to learning another language...so if anyone needs help with it: email me. Because trying to teach yourself usually does not work...unless you are Rick Steves I guess, or my Uncle Tom/Aunt Carol. (The funnest things are Klippekorts! You pronounce it "Klippy-Kort" kinda sing song-y like; and when you use them you get to stick them in a really fun yellow machine that goes *chomp* and stamps your ticket).

Helsingør! Ain't it pretty? You can actually see Sweden from the coast too, which is why it was such a valuable city back in the days when the Danes and the Swedes were frenemies.

This is the MerMan. Yes he has legs. No he is not human. Yes he is still.....a MerMan. (We asked the information desk people. I promise my information is legitimate). In the end we figured he was just the Prince Eric to the little mermaid statue in Copenhagen. Watch out Jake, I have a new man and he is 100% Mer.

This is the new library in Helsingør. Architecture wise, this is one of the most amazing newer buildings I have been in. Ill put more photos on facebook, however, these chair things were definitely the highlight.

Haha Kira got stuck! Also I am 99% sure they are supposed to roll around.....also after we stopped playing on these we saw an older Danish man start to roll around in one. Too great.

Danish side note: I can't remember if I have elaborated on the whole "happiest country in the world," thing so here goes:

It's hard to remember that just because a country is named "the happiest," that doesn't mean that it is made completely out of sunshine and rainbows. (Although, personally, I believe that the Danes make their pastries out of such things with the assistance of unicorns). Believe it or not there is crime here. There are also other problems, like immigration conflicts and underage drinking (we are talking 12 year olds here people). However, I can easily believe that Denmark is the happiest country in the world. I can believe this because everyone here seems content. You can just tell by the people walking down the street. Most everyone approaches their day with respect and patience. Road rage is minimal, and its unbelievable how calm most danes are. So either the government has loaded the water supply with anti depressants and Vicodin OR they just know something the rest of the world doesn't yet. Plus, here a person's happiness comes from those around them, one's friends and family: the people who make life wonderful. Danes hold their family close and their friends closer. One's family and friends immediately come first (instead of money or career). Personally, I think Danes are some of the happiest people in the world because they value their time and spend most of it with loved ones, they don't have to stress about the costs of healthcare emergencies or school bills, and they have an impalpable sense of societal security. To quote one of my family's favorite movies, "Maybe it'll stop you trying to be so desperate about making more money than you can ever use? You can't take it with you, Mr. Kirby. So what good is it? As near as I can see, the only thing you can take with you is the love of your friends." - Grandpa Martin Vanderhoff.

Kronborg Castle! Can you feel the Hamlet? To be or not to be?

Castle courtyard.

BALLROOM!!!! When this ballroom was built it was the largest in Northern Europe. Numerous Queens and Kings have danced through this hall...and now me too! I'm pretty sure that means I am royalty.....right? Yes, that must be how that works.