My Danish Teacher, Mette, is easily my favorite language teacher ever! She spends time on the culture of Danmark and doesn't fret about us writing an essay in Danish. Last week, she talked to use about Christiania. Started in an abandoned military barracks in the center of Copenhagen, Christiania is an autonomous community. Currently, the government (since 2004) is trying to normalize this freetown. This is the only place in the world were you can walk down the street and by hash from a vendor, and up until the 2000s, hard drugs (such as heroin) were rarely found on the the citizens of the town. Its a very hippie experience. I recently visited and found the area oddly beautiful. They have there own lake and the walls and houses are pieces of art alone.Also, this is probably one of few places that embraces multiculturalism. Everyone is so different there which is a change in DK. I really hope the government does not succeed in destroying the town; there is so much more to this town than just 'Pusher Street' (the hash vending street).
A Danish Singer named Nashaja Saad (mostly know in the States for Calabria 2007:) expressed her views on this new and warped Danmark in this Danish Regage song called Gi' mig Danmark tilbage(Give me back Denmark).
I'll post the translated lyrics later. Its easier to appreciate the song if you know what shes talking about...Some of the images used in this video relates to the traditional Danmark (Blue Skies and field). She is trying to show Denmark can still be Denmark with other cultures (counter to the Danish People's Party's Position - Anti immigration)
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Overview and FCK v. Brøndby
Since I'm sick this weekend, I thought I should finally update. I've had so many entries planned but the longer I waited, the less relevant they seem.
So, this week, the Danes at Grundtvigs were in Prague. They're coming back tonight.
This week flew by
On Saturday, my house mate and I went to Malmo, Sweden and celebrated the weekend with the Danes. Malmo is only an 1 1/2 from where I live, so it was an nice relaxing day trip. I think I need one more trip over there before I can compare and contrast...What else to say
On Sunday 19-09-10, DIS danish classes took a massive field trip to the FCK (Football Club Copenhagen)v. Brøndby.
THE BIGGEST GAME YOU CAN SEE IN COPENHAGEN.
This is the time where Danes go crazy and start riots and get arrested. It was amazing :) To set up this craziness- 19 people were arrested hours before the game started. I didn't know Copenhagen had police let alone a swat team train to take care of unruly soccer fanatics.
Just wait, it gets better! The Brøndby side starts the game off with flares and yellow smoke while FCK uses a collaged sign simply stating their greatness over the Bs. Brøndby litters the field with there pyrotechnics and the game starts...
Towards the end of the first and the beginning of the second half things are being constantly trown on to the field- halting the game at some points (not that I really paid attention to the field- the fans were almost more entertaining) Current score 1:0 FCK Leading.
On to the Second Half: Brøndby starts setting chairs on fire and yada, yada,yada. (Of course, the police are there). For a short time its calm, but then more cops arrive and havoc breaks loose! Fire, Cops, People running - this is when my friend and I decided to leave before it got worse.
Those who stayed told me, outside the stadium, there were riot dogs on the trains and in the streets...apparently, the cops were antagonistic... yada yada...
Overall, FCK won 2:0, 43 people were arrested, at least 600,000 kr worth of damage to the away section of the stadium and 58 people injured.
Wow Danmark, you remind me of the US everyday :)
(Maybe my next post will be about my adventure at Hillerød hospital)
So, this week, the Danes at Grundtvigs were in Prague. They're coming back tonight.
This week flew by
On Saturday, my house mate and I went to Malmo, Sweden and celebrated the weekend with the Danes. Malmo is only an 1 1/2 from where I live, so it was an nice relaxing day trip. I think I need one more trip over there before I can compare and contrast...What else to say
On Sunday 19-09-10, DIS danish classes took a massive field trip to the FCK (Football Club Copenhagen)v. Brøndby.
THE BIGGEST GAME YOU CAN SEE IN COPENHAGEN.
This is the time where Danes go crazy and start riots and get arrested. It was amazing :) To set up this craziness- 19 people were arrested hours before the game started. I didn't know Copenhagen had police let alone a swat team train to take care of unruly soccer fanatics.
Just wait, it gets better! The Brøndby side starts the game off with flares and yellow smoke while FCK uses a collaged sign simply stating their greatness over the Bs. Brøndby litters the field with there pyrotechnics and the game starts...
 |
| Away Team's Fans |
 |
| The Stadium was very smoky after the fire show |
 |
| FCK side :) |
Towards the end of the first and the beginning of the second half things are being constantly trown on to the field- halting the game at some points (not that I really paid attention to the field- the fans were almost more entertaining) Current score 1:0 FCK Leading.
On to the Second Half: Brøndby starts setting chairs on fire and yada, yada,yada. (Of course, the police are there). For a short time its calm, but then more cops arrive and havoc breaks loose! Fire, Cops, People running - this is when my friend and I decided to leave before it got worse.
Those who stayed told me, outside the stadium, there were riot dogs on the trains and in the streets...apparently, the cops were antagonistic... yada yada...
Overall, FCK won 2:0, 43 people were arrested, at least 600,000 kr worth of damage to the away section of the stadium and 58 people injured.
Wow Danmark, you remind me of the US everyday :)
(Maybe my next post will be about my adventure at Hillerød hospital)
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Quickly-
I have a huge trip to western Denmark- meaning the mainland. I'm travelling around DK for 3 days
we're visiting the Jelling stones
Dybbøl- Gettysburg of Denmark
a Danish concentration camp called the Frøslev Prison Camp (for the Danish Police Force during occupation)
and towns around the country...
We get back on Saturday night and then its MY 20th BIRTHDAY on Sunday!!!
I've been working on another post about this amazing class I'm taking
And I know I still need to post tons of photos
L'Shanah Tovah
L
we're visiting the Jelling stones
 |
| http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jelling_stones |
Dybbøl- Gettysburg of Denmark
 |
| http://www.milhist.dk/1864/dybbol/dybbol_uk.htm |
 |
| http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frøslev_Prison_Camp |
and towns around the country...
We get back on Saturday night and then its MY 20th BIRTHDAY on Sunday!!!
I've been working on another post about this amazing class I'm taking
And I know I still need to post tons of photos
L'Shanah Tovah
L
Sunday, September 5, 2010
I know! It's been a week and I haven't posted anything (as my father so nicely pointed out)...but I have a ton of photos and a ton of homework (so guess which one wins). I think once I get back from Jutland (Mainland of Denmark) I'll have more time before I head off to Czech Republic and Sweden. I think its clear to say that I'm having a ton of fun here.
But quickly heres a small update about Friday
I finally met my visiting family in Borup. They were a special treat. I was specifically placed there because of the mother's request for an African American female. It was the sweetest thing! Her daughter was adopted from the US and she's never had a Black American female role model in Denmark. They are the sweetest people ever! The daughter is 16 and the son is 13 (i think). They remind me so much of my childhood friend's family. It really makes me miss my home too. But for now, I'll have them and they seem very excited to get to know me and I'm even more excited to show her how to take care of her hair and whatever else my mother has taught me growing up! How can you do that in 3-4 months. It's quite nerve racking! I should have brought some Soul Food with me now!!
I also can't help but find this so ironic. At school, I'm not even "black enough" to be useful in BSA or to hang out with that crowd. Life is funny...
I guess, we'll see how this goes.
Miss you all so much!
Linds
But quickly heres a small update about Friday
I finally met my visiting family in Borup. They were a special treat. I was specifically placed there because of the mother's request for an African American female. It was the sweetest thing! Her daughter was adopted from the US and she's never had a Black American female role model in Denmark. They are the sweetest people ever! The daughter is 16 and the son is 13 (i think). They remind me so much of my childhood friend's family. It really makes me miss my home too. But for now, I'll have them and they seem very excited to get to know me and I'm even more excited to show her how to take care of her hair and whatever else my mother has taught me growing up! How can you do that in 3-4 months. It's quite nerve racking! I should have brought some Soul Food with me now!!
I also can't help but find this so ironic. At school, I'm not even "black enough" to be useful in BSA or to hang out with that crowd. Life is funny...
I guess, we'll see how this goes.
Miss you all so much!
Linds
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