May 28 . Helsingør, Small World.

Helsingør

I arrived in this beautiful seaside town quite jetlagged on the train from Copenhagen. (PICTURE) The city is relatively quiet but is an active seaside port with lots of travelers going back and forth between Sweden. The Danes go to Sweden to buy expensive goods because the exchange rate is good right now and the Swedes go to Denmark because their liquor prices are controlled by the government and they can get a better deal in Denmark.

I set out down numerous picturesque market streets that were lined with Danish flags (Photo, Right). There were stores for all of the practicalities of life (bread, cheese, meat) as well as shoe and clothing stores. Cafes lined the streets and many people were out enjoying the weather. Things were busy but very relaxed on this Thursday afternoon. I've noticed that Denmark is always relatively relaxed, regardless of pressures.

I walked to my hostel and found it to be a converted manor home with numerous outbuildings that house weary travelers, families, and youth groups (Photo, Right). The hostel overlooked the ocean and had a view of Sweden on the other side of the water. I was assigned a four-person room but because there were not many visitors, I did not have to share with anyone for the duration of my stay. The kitchen was in the same building and the appliances were amazing. A microwave, convection oven, and grill -- all in one!

Later on in the afternoon I walked to Hamlet’s famous Elsinore Castle, which is also located on the sea overlooking Sweden. There was a moat filled with beautiful swans and cobblestone paths around the castle. This is where port taxes were collected from the Swedes for passage through the area. The Swedes didn’t like this very much, apparently, because I think they still hold a grudge to this day against the Danes. Apparently Americans are well-accepted, though, because it wasn’t long before a young Danish guy walked past and noticed me drinking a Carlsberg (local brew) by myself and sat down next to me to tell me all about his crazy experiences as a Danish exchange student in Dundee, Michigan. He was only in Michigan a year but I could tell he made quite an impression. In Denmark, a lot of things are socially acceptable that are not acceptable in the United States. For example, -- teenagers drinking alcohol, drinking in public, smoking, nude sunbathing, and making out with girls in the presence of their parents. Needless to say, the Christian family in Dundee probably thought Martin was a bit weird (Photo, Right). After an hour or so of chatting, I find out that Martin actually works for Johnson Diversey in Denmark. The factory and warehouse was located just outside of Helsingør. It’s a small world, indeed.

This is probably where I lost my guide book from MPL and had to pay $40 (200+ DKR) for a new one.