October First

Happy Birthday Rick!

This morning we walked across the bridge to see two more churches.
The first is Christians Church. A very simple church most interesting were the box seats on three tiers, just like theater boxes. Not quite sure what that is all about.

This area includes Christianna which is described as the Danish Amsterdam. In the 60's is was mostly abandoned and the hippies moved in as squatters. The government didn't mind and there was still some living without water and electricity but apparently some rather high end hippie wannabes have moved in more recently and it has become, in some parts quite ritzy. We took brief walk along the old battlements and then back down to our next church.

we went over to Our Saviors Church. Its spire is something of a landmark, with a golden staircase on the outside of the spire. It is possible to walk all the way up but given the wind that has decided to mark our last day in Copenhagen, Nor decided not to go up. There was never any question that I was not goving up.
The church is lovely, the altar is magnificent as is the organ. The organist was practising while we were there adding to the atmosphere wonderfully. The church is white plaster of saints and the high center is marked with four shields. Because the churches here do not have stained glass they are very light and inviting.
The baptismal font is magnificent with a golden crown hanging over it. The story is that the king gave the font to his childless wife. When she finally did have a child she died in child birth and the child died nine months later.

It is really very windy today. When we stop walking the ind tends to blow us back.

After visiting the church we were blown back across the bridge to a lovely yarn shop. I finally found scottish yarn (they don't seem to sell any in Scotland) and I got some beautiful danish wool as well.

We walked a new route toward Magasin du Nord and Nyhaven, as we got to the Hotel Angleterre there was clearly somthing exciting happening. There were motorcycle cops and tv cameras everywhere--we were hoping for Michelle Obama.

A couple came up to us and ask in Danish if we knew who it was, by this time I had seen someone in a very elaborate uniform and had decided this was someone from Spain. I told the couple in english of course that I did not know who it was. She agreed that we hoped it was Mrs. Obama. A few minutes later she came back and told me it was the Spanish king and queen, as she said, at least, we saw someone.
It appears that they are meeting for some part of the Olympic meetings at Amalieborg. As we walked on, a British couple behind us commented,
'well, now we don't have to go to Spain'.

We dropped off my yarn and went back out for a boat ride around the harbor. We didn't see anything new but it was fun to sit and watch for awhile. The guide was giving her tour in Danish, English and German, really impressive. As we went by Amalieborg, we saw a dingy of well armed police or soldiers and lots of police on the streets. It was probably a good thing that we went a few days ago rather than today.

I was reading that the Danes consider that they have a way of living called heggye. It is about being cozy and happy and content and interested in life. The city is so very comfortable although we were of course careful and not out really late, we never felt at risk. Everyone has been helpful and while not always smiling they were generous with their help and time.

Our stay in Copenhagen is almost over. There is certainly more to see and do. Perhaps we will have another chance to see Denmark. If not we did have a wonderful taste of a great city.