LONDON CALLS FROM A RED PHONE BOOTH

LONDON called ten days ago and said i should really pop on over for a cuppa and a scone sooner rather than later... so off i went for afternoon tea.

This is my second time here and I fall more in love with London each time I visit, the architecture, parks, greenery, little cafe's, smell of coffee and so much more; allure one to stay.

although the weather is warmer this side than Copenhagen, the greenery and quaintess can compare. the nights are long and days way too short. I must say the trip this side was a breath of fresh air and a good little getaway from Copenhagen.

Big Ben, Buckingham, H&M, Oxford street and A Winter wonderland dazzled my eyes. London is beautiful this time of year and if its a christmas tingle in your body that you want, this is the place to be.

No trip is complete with a few bends and turns, some excitement and fun, fatigue and hunger, coldness and aching feet... so stay tuned for some short stories on London...should be amusing

• A TEACUP SERENADE AND NAUSEATING SPINNING
• A STROLLER, INFANT, TODDLER AND POINTY BOOTS WITH MILES TO WALK IN LONDON, AND DID I MENTION QUITE A FEW SHOPPING BAGS
• I LOVE LONDON AND I'LL TELL YOU WHY

VAI ITALIANO

My love for all things Italian (well most things)..the pasta, the wine, the vineyards, the language, monica belluci, the accent, the culture, the class... and i could go on.

Living in Europe has made me get my ass in gear because I always dreamed of going to Italy and practicing my italian even if it was weak. I want to fill my belly with a traditional pasta made by a mama in the kitchen. I want the sun on me in tuscany and I want to be with the one I love and take photos of everything else my heart falls for.

So, my Italian is nowhere near where it should be, so from today, its Vai Italiano!!! an italian lesson 5 days a week till I reach my destination.

BUONA FORTUNA TO ME

p.s if theres a language that speaks to your heart, learn it. Even if you dont live there, have a language goal. Travelling across the world has taught me that the understanding of more than one language puts you in good stead; culturally and from a business perspective.

CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR

The round tower is a definite must see and a 2min walk away form Christiana, so convenient to see both.

A 30dkk fee will get you to the top, 400 steps later. A narrow staircase and a bit of waiting for other tourists to pass you by, be patient and the wait will be worth it. The view is priceless.

The staircase gets more and more narrow as you reach the peak, gold railing and brass/copper steps lead the way to the top. The wind was chilling and my fingers literally froze but it was definitely worth it.

Christiana "losers paradise"

Of all the top ten things to do and sight searching for top tourist sights, the chance to see Christiana intrigued me the most.


Just some back ground info; Christiana is a "free town", it came into being in 1971. Basically it is a self governing neighbourhood whereby the people live freely. If you live in Denmark, you will understand why this place is so magical, with all the tax and restrictions, the town of Christiana is a breath of fresh air.

The former military area was taken over by locals and the rest is history. Christiana is a state within a state governed by its own people with its own rules. Its a paradise for vagabonds, gypsyies, homeless, abandoned, soul searching people.

Violence, guns, stealing etc is all banned, as well as hard drugs. The use of cannabis and light drugs is seen out in the open and sold freely at stands.

Christiana is truly a unique little place, using its surround to construct a canopy of safety for those who choose to not be part of a governed society.
Artwork, graffiti, arts and crafts, graphic designed bicycles and so much more can be seen.


Many say this treasure and top tourist attraction will not be here forever and if you are able to grab the chance to see it you must. The government and Christiana seem to be in limbo at the moment, after many riots and protests; the fight for Christiana is what the people seem to want.

No photographs are allowed to be taken, the people of the area are very protective of their haven.
But just to paint the scene; rastafarians and all kinds pass you by, groups are huddled aroud metal barrels of fire, tourists have grabbed a sliver of sun to sit and drink their beers, theirs a smokey hazy as you pass by a table selling cannabis and all kinds of smoking tools. Their is a designated area for a market whereby you can buy woolen beanies, silver jewellry from mexico, arts and crafts and the best fallafells ever!

The well trodden path leads you past groups of people in the grass enjoying the afternoon, bicycles whizzing past and a bridge that just sets the scene, sail paper boats are floating in the lake and if you look closely you will see a teapot set on the waters surface.

The colours, the fragrances, the faces...its beautiful


A definite must see.

The Absurd makes sense

As I cycled to check out a swimming pool centre in our area, It dawned on me that I have become part of a society that follows a straight and narrow line. Riding your bike on the other side of the road, crossing the street a second earlier, blowing your horn...these are all actions that are heavily frowned upon and I find myself  frowning with masses. I never thought I would slide and fit so snugly into such a conservative structured society that just does things the way it does. You dont ask questions and you dont bend rules and that naughty side of you that wants to rebel doesn't even lift its mischevious head to try and test the system.

Things just work here and people just obey...its so strange. No cowboys and indians over here, just well behaved Danes.

Sometimes it gets a bit mundane and robotic for me when I really stop and think about it, I am used to jay walking, skipping red lights, speeding and swearing, pulling a finger or hooting at the elderly woman who just skipped the green light for the second time. But maybe thats all wrong and where I am right now is right.

I wont lie, I miss the unexpected..but it also means I am safer and that in its self is far more valuable to have.

When you first get to Denmark, you are so aware of how to cross the road, get on a bus, swipe a ticket, you are so aware of yourself and your actions, it becomes very annoying. But then you are here for a few weeks and it just works so well, why challenge the system? why go right when you know you are meant to go left.

Guess you need to be here to know what I am talking about...

medieval forest

A 4min walk from the apartment will land you up in a forest to feast your eyes, Autumn is swaying into Winter and it seemed the perfct time to take advantage with my camera.



Manipulating light and focus; here are a few of the shots taken of the Charlottenlund forest.

The forest is safe, kids, lovers, elderly couples can wander through its paths without worry

The colours in the forest clash and compliment; e. this trees bark was a teal colour and I loved the contrast against the autumn bed of oranges and reds

Peanut butter oat choc chip cookies

The inner Martha Stewart in me decided to fill our apartment with the aroma of delicious peanut butter oatmeal choc chip cookies and to of course indulge in the little guys too. Instead...a burnt aroma has clouded the kitchen.

I will now proceed to post this recipe because they are delicious once you take the black parts off and sink ur teeth in...promise.

Peanut butter and all the rest cookies:

1 and a 1/4 cup oats
Half a cup peanut butter
1/2teaspoon bicarbonate
1 egg
Half a cup brown sugar
Chips of some sort, raisins or choc chip, cranberries

Cream sugar and peanut butter, add egg. Mix in oats and bicarbonate, sprinkle in chips and mix all together...done

Oven should be set to 250 degrees, and pop them in for 6-8 min (you judge this one cos I burnt mine)

It makes about twelve cookies which is great, enough till fill the tum but not too many that you feel like a cookie pig.

Enjoy guys

Camera time

One thing about a brand new shiny place, is that everything you see is exciting and different. My camera and I are bonding again.

On a recent trip to Ikea, I bought an orchid, at all the flower shops and grocery stores you will find them, they seem to be the flower of the city. That suits me just fine as they are one of my favourite flowers. The combinations you get are unbelievable; speckled, snow white, black and blue.

This is a pic of my orchid in the room, I have the capability of killing a cactus so I am realy hoping that this plant bears with me and stays alive for long to enjoy.

I have noticed that there are always flowers and candles in peoples windows, it is a beautiful sight and there are very few windows that dont have an orchid placed neatly on the window sill.

The coziness and warmth that candles create in the windows are called hygge here.

 I don't have candles in my window but flowers and apples will do the trick.