Firstly today, we read the awful news just before bed last night about the MH17 flight being shot down by a missile. RIP to all on board who perished. It's terrible that a conflict between two countries has now affected so many other different countries in such a horrible way. Makes me feel sick thinking about it. We have also now watched the news which shows the victims' suitcases. Broke my heart to see a little kids Disney case. I hope they find who did it and bring them to justice.
Last night we had a traditional Danish dinner - not! Haha. We had a cheap kebab and chips. Funny how in Poland the three of us could have a main and a drink and it would be $40. Here we each had a kebab, chips and a soft drink and it cost $30! Ah well, such is Denmark. It's so beautiful that the cost doesn't matter!
Today we had our included breakfast. Pretty exciting moment for me, because apart from crashing Dad's in Oslo I hadn't had one of these since Mykonos!
We caught an 8am bus to Hobro. This was a little confusing to figure out yesterday as the sign said 'togbus' which means 'train bus'. But in the end we figured out it was a train replacement. We caught it no problems and then got a train from Hobro to Århus which Pa had said was worth a look - which it was!
We spent about an hour and a half looking around. Started off walking in the shopping area/Stroget until we arrived at the cathedral (church count = 23). The interior was really cool with some interesting frescoes. We then climbed the tower and enjoyed a great, sunny view from the top!
We continued to just walk around cute little streets. Eventually we reached a park and saw the ARoS art museum. Then we headed back to the station and each got a cold drink at Maccas. Mum had a smoothie and me a frappe - and my phone didn't even get stolen! For those not getting the reference, last year in Madrid while waiting for a frappe a gypsy stole my phone. Bad times :(
Next we were back on the train to Odense. The trains here are so comfortable and fast that it made the whole day easy just hopping on and off as we went. We ended up next to two nice ladies as the train was very full. All the people here have been nice now I think of it. People help us with the cases on the train when we don't even ask!
We arrived in Odense about 1.50pm, the town where Hans Christian Andersen was born and grew up! Like our family name on my Mum's side (Hansen), his ends with 'en'. This is because it means 'son of' the start of the name. So Hansen means 'son of Hans' and Andersen means 'son of Anders'. This tradition continued until some time in the mid 1800s, when people then just adopted the surname their father had.
After initially getting quite lost in the station, we found our way to a walking route my guidebook had recommended. We walked around and through Nedergade, Overgade, Overstræde and Bangs Border. Here we saw beautiful cobblestoned streets lined with lovely pastel coloured cottages. It was so beautiful! I loved the HCA themed pedestrian lights too!
We had a look in a really cute souvenir shop and then made our way to the Hans Christian Andersen Museum, partly situated in the house in which he was supposedly born. We had another one of those 'right place, right time' travel moments much like I did in Sweden. We saw a castle type thing and a flyer nearby but didn't read it. By chance mum saw a sign in the shape of a book and we decided to have a look. It was the same as the flyer and said that there was an HCA pantomime on at 11, 1 and 3 in the summer. And it was 2.45pm - yay! So we had an icy pole and watched the show. It was so great! It started with HCA himself and involved lots of singing, props and mini stories. We knew some of them such as Thumbelina, the Ugly Duckling, the Steadfast Tin Soldier and the Princess and the Pea. It was all in Danish except for snippets so we laughed wondering what on earth was going on sometimes! Afterwards I had my photo taken with Thumbelina, HCA and the Steadfast Tin Soldier. Some were little kids and they did a fantastic job. Thumbelina was so pretty!
Then we went into the museum. It had about 10 rooms in all, telling of the life and times of HCA and displaying some of his belongings and his work. I never knew he was also good at drawing and paper cut outs! You also got to go into the house where he WANs supposedly born, but apparently he himself denied this!
Along the way we learned a lot about HCA. In total he wrote 156 fairy tales, but he also wrote plays, poems and novels. He lived from 1805-1875 and died of liver cancer, he was very tall for his time (25cm above average at 180cm) and was apparently quite strange looking. He had a sense of humour that reminded me of Dane Swan. He had filled out a profile and under 'if you could be anyone but yourself who would you be?' He had written 'Hans Christina Andersen'!!
He seemed to be a bit quirky and even strange such as carrying a 9m rope with him on his travels in case of a fire so he could escape out the hotel window. It was interesting to learn that he got the idea for The Ugly Duckling from his own life, as he often felt an outcast and different to everyone else. Speaking of him travelling, he said one of my favourite quotes - "to travel is to live". That one he got right!!
He grew up in a poor family in Odense and his father died when he was a child. He left for Copenhagen at age 14 looking to become successful in the theatre but that didn't work out. Instead he lived with the Collinns family (who were his benefactors) and tried his luck with writing. He became famous due to his first published book of fairy tales. However, by the time he was rich and successful he was too old to marry. He instead had a 'family' by spending time with his friends and their children. He is now the world's most translated author, having had his works translated into 150 languages!
After seeing the museum we walked back to the station. We thought we would miss the 5.07pm train so relaxed and took our time. As it turned out it was a little late so we made it instead of having to wait til 5.46pm!
We crossed from Jutland to Zealand (islands of Denmark) and flew through Korsør, which is where my great-great grandpa grew up. I'm so excited to go back there on Monday and see the town as well as search for graves in the cemetery of long lost relatives.
We arrived in Copenhagen about 6.30pm. Our hotel is really nice and in a great location! Much quieter than last night's, swear we had elephants living next door to us this morning. We walked up the Strøget to the Latin Quarter and enjoyed dinner at a burger restaurant with Danish bacon in our burgers. Was delish and fairly reasonably priced.
Tmro we do a walking tour and then go to Tivoli theme park for the rest of the day - so excited! The blog may be up a little late as we plan on staying at the theme park until midnight (8am Melbourne time). So if not up just check back later :)
Love being here and love this incredible and beautiful country!!
Love to all
Claire
Xoxox
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