8/20/10


I met with Sofie today and Tom and Ferida. Sofie and I had a good conversation about Copenhagen in general. I mostly talked for an hour. Today I got lost, but didn't need to ask for directions until the end of the day which was a great improvement from yesterday. I learned the word for cozy (hygge) in Danish. I also learned the phrase for saying thank you after meals with friends. So I arrive no problem to Ferida's house thanks to google maps and the sign on the bus saying which stop to get off. I got there about 45 min. early and had a good conversation with Tom about studying abroad and the benefits of being in a different culture than your own and what you take for granted. I've been on an all carb diet and desperately need some fruits and vegetables. My phone finally came in today! The food at the dinner was tasty. It was hygge and I felt like I was in the right place somehow. Then, the talk turned to politics and stuff went way over my head. I prefer to stay out of politics and I'm not sure why. I like to remain neutral-so much for all my debate training and so much for all my musical training. After dinner and talk of the history of Denmark and the story about the King Christian IX and how he was willing to give up all of Denmark to Bismarck, but Bismarck didn't want all of Denmark. Later, there was a classical music concert where we sang and played music. I joined in on some of the American soldier songs and patriotic songs. I embarrassingly got through a few measures of Debussy with a prior warning that I couldn't complete the song and don't know how far I can get-It turns out not very far-so much for the 11 years of piano lessons down the tubes. Then I couldn't figure out how to get back from Tom's house so Michelle waited for me and we took the bus together.