Monday, June 30, 2008

Så har vi kørelys

It will be a little harder to meet random strangers now that we've gotten driving lights (kørelys) installed on the car. Traffic law in Denmark requires lights to be on at all times when driving, so it's easy in the bright summer days to forget to turn them off, resulting in a dead battery a short while after leaving the car. This has happened twice, both times I was able to find helpful strangers to get me back on the road. The last time was in Dragør during G&L's visit in April. It was a sunny day and as we left the car, I even looked back to ensure the lights were not on. To make a long story short, two drivers offered aid. Both were happy to take time from their weekend to help a stranded American speaking poor Danish. This was also true the first time it happened (in 2006) when I spoke no Danish at all. In Dragør we learned not to get a jumpstart from a Peugeot (apparently the electrical systems are not compatible). The Opel provided the juice we needed and we were soon on our way. Thanks to G&L for their patience and understanding. Anyway, those days may be over now that the lights are hooked up to the ignition.

We're having a relaxing weekend following our multiple social engagements the previous weekend (when it rains it pours). We had vienerbrød for breakfast in honor of my bithday followed by ice cream in the evening, so I'm headed for sugar detox next week. We had planned to eat out at a café for dinner and the weather was cooperating, although reluctantly. We ended up getting takeout because the cafés were packed with people having supper before the Bruce Springsteen concert.

Last weekend included a very nice barbecue in our apartment courtyard with lots of other families from the surrounding buildings. We met some delightful people and discovered how many young children live in the immediate area. The next day was the choir summer party where we ate dinner at a "familiehave" (lit., family garden). When we arrived a group of men dressed in American Civil War uniforms (mostly blue, one gray) and women in period dresses were just leaving. I wish I had asked what the occasion was.

Anya is doing very well and her parents are only moderately sleep deprived, that is to say I can still operate a motor vehicle. Here's a picture of her at the choir dinner sporting her sun hat.

Another source of entertainment this weekend is watching the celebrating gymnasium graduates. Gymnasium, as far as I can tell, is equivalent to college preparatory school. After the rigorous year-end exams, the graduates celebrate for about ten days wearing their distinctive white caps and riding around in the back of large trucks.

Lastly, on the subject of "some people have too much money," see the following pictures. This is a private yacht that has been moored in Copenhagen harbor this summer, Alexa and Anya's stroller provide a scale for the first picture and in the second - yes - that is a helicopter. Why it's painted battleship gray, I'm not sure. Maybe to ward off pirates. More can be read about it here.







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