Aarival in Aalborg

Today I am in the University library. I think either a police man or a librarian rode by on a Segway just now. And the keyboards are different- for example, it has the letters Å, Æ, and Ø. This is a strange place.

Traveling here was a doozy! I sat next to a very nice Swedish man on the plane from Omaha to Chicago. Afer I arriving in Chicago, I boarded my plane to Amsterdam with no time to spare, and realized only after sitting down that I left my (well...Zach´s)mp3 player on the plane. I was so mad at myself I didn´t sleep at all. Which made me very tired!! I arrived on Friday after 17 hours of travel. The airports in Amsterdam and Copenhagen were absolutely amazing. I probably spent half an hour jogging to each flight in my heaviest clothes! The plane from Copenhagen to Ålborg was in a plane which had black propellers, it looked about fifty years old! But it actually was my smoothest ride. While the trip was stressful, I have never been one to enjoy flying, and am glad that I will not have to again for quite some time. I was grateful that I brought along the book Twilight, a series which I am quite unfortunately obsessed with.

My coordinator picked me up from the airport, and he was the jolliest man! He drove me to the hotel in downtown Aalborg. On the way, I noticed a couple things.

1. People just drive up on the curb. All the time! wow!
2. The town surrounds Limfojrd, a river which split Denmark in half 100 years ago
3. It is very industrial in parts
4. It is bigger than I expected.
5. The downtown area is beautiful!

I made it into the hotel, were I was greeted by the delightful Americans. They are amazing people! They are students from all over the US. Even now, I sit in the computer lab next to two of my french friends, I miss the americans. We all spent those first few days bonding- exploring the city, eating franktz dogs, looking at the gorgeous array of shops, and visting what I call "The Strip" which is a long section of downtown full of places to hang out. The Danish girls who hang out there dress way to revealing for this cold. The cold is invigorating- it's bearable, but it does make you walk faster.

Yesterday I moved into my apartment, which I like quite a lot, save the smell that is in it. My neighbors tell me they loved the guy that was in there before me, but they understand why I thought it smelt bad. I have my own bathroom and kitchen, and the best water pressure in my shower anyone has ever seen! I can wash and condition my hair in under a minute.

I go a little crazy cleaning my room when I move in, scrubbing everything clean, even though it wasn't really dirty to begin with. I'm just a bit neurotic, I think. And mom, if you are reading this- I wish I would have brought more blankets and some notebooks!!!! I have hardwood floors and the nicest furniture out of everyone. It's like super super nice furniture. At least compared to my dorm at Nebraska Wesleyan.

Everyone in my kollegium is so nice! They always stop by to visit. I feel a little guilty, since I've spent a lot of time in my room unpacking and "nesting," but I think they understand. Luckily they dont ever see me as the mad washerwoman. As soon as I'm settled I plan to start socializing more : ) After I moved, me and a couple Americans went to the grocery called "Fakta." This was a great experience, however very intimidating!!! Nothing is translated, so I bought things that were clearly identifiable: eggs, bread, cheese, cold cuts, olives. Very plain. Then walked the two or three miles home. I haven't ate much at all since I've been here- I'm so busy and I'm all nerves. I'm sure I'll loose weight here, I walk at least 5 miles everyday, and eat nothing!

To cap, here are just some things I have observed while in Europe:

(List format applied to help with the randomness)

1. Europeans are dirty! Seriously! Some things are old and pretty, most of it is old and dirty. Aalborg is very clean where I am at and downtown, but I think I like that everything in America is new. I like fresh paint and new wood. And concrete. I can appreciate cobblestone, but I don't think people should think roads are romantic. And the Danish think so too! They are very practical, and no one looks at you funny for putting your hood up or wearing giant boots. Because everyone does.

2. All guys here dress like they are in a band.

3. There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.

4. My love for British people is genuine. I have two English neighbors and I am like their pet. I follow them around imitating every word they say. The accent just rubs off on me! I think they are annoyed that I always want to be around them. Next time I see them, I am inviting over for tea. Although, they did bring their own. They don't trust the Danes.

5. The toilets are so different here! No handles. Just a button on the top. There are two options. Half and full. I am told the "half" is for your "lighter business."

6. The kroner system is confusing. When I buy a soda, I freak out and get all ghetto like "I aint payin no ten dollas fo dat soda...shoot." But its not ten dollars! In USD, it equals out a little under two dollars. And that soda is delicious- different here! It´s made with real sugar, not corn syrup.

7. Danish words are very long. Like this could be a Danish word : Leavlendlkjæsielø. And if you couldnt say it, old ladies on the bus laugh at you. I can´t wait to start Danish lessons

8. All restrooms are called "toilets." I find this revolting and offensive. Eww. Today, I asked at a restaurant if I could have tap water, and they told me to go into the toilet and get some. All I could picture was someone dipping a cup into a toilet bowl. That is so disgusting.

Well, I´m finishing orientation today. I have about 4 classes that meet once a week! I have class Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. That means my weekend is longer than my week. Ohhhhhh yeeeaaaaahhhh!!!

To any readers, sorry about the craziness that is this post. It´s also very long. If you had any specific questions, or want me to clarify, or want to scold me for a grammar mistake(please do), email me- kpowell@nebrwesleyan.edu. Love you all!