When I picture Copenhagen, the image of those houses is always conjured up. You know–the postcard, picturesque colorful houses lining the bay? These are the homes in Nyhavn (still can’t figure out how to pronounce this), and their fantastical appearance is just as charming in reality as in pictures–their beauty was to be expected. However, what I did not expect was to find other areas that emulated the calm, cozy, and simplistic beauty bestowed to the houses lining Nyhavn.
And this, my friends, was found in cows.
Yes. Cows.
Allow me to clarify:
Upon arrival, I discovered my housing, called a kollegium, was not in the central area of Copenhagen, but rather in a more suburban area about a 15 minute metro ride from the city. Divided into zones, the center of Copenhagen located in Zone 1–I found myself in Zone 3, approximately a 30 minute commute from my classes.
At first, I was apprehensive about being slightly outside of the city, among 20 other DIS(study abroad) students and 100 other international/local Danish students. I was nervous about the commute, missing out on the experience of living in the city, and finding friends within the kollegium.
However, within the past six days since arrival, I have begun to realize the incredible benefits of my living situation, and a lot has to do with this window:
The window frame in my single apartment in Denmark is painted bright yellow. Its hue reflects the sunlight beaming through its pane–the permanent cheeriness suitably emulates the surrounding scenery. Outside my yellow window, there are children biking with bright laughs, dogs wagging happily alongside their owners, and elderly couples strolling. There is a peacefulness to the area, one that provides me the space to reflect upon my experiences in the more busy city. It’s truly difficult to not have a sunny disposition when looking out of a yellow window.
Just outside, there is a large area named Amager Park, complete with trails, a casual viking ship (apparently its part of an art installation by Alfio Bonanno, perhaps more to come on this later), and yes, cows.
Here, I have explored the trails, shopped at the local grocery store (that was quite the adventure), and learned to navigate the metro. With almost no prior experience with public transportation, I have managed to get on the incorrect train only once, which, honestly, is kind of a huge success for me.
Living in a kollegium, additionally, has given me the ability to make Danish friends. Their English is honestly better than my own, and their eagerness to get to know us is comforting and exciting. My Danish, perhaps, has a chance of slightly improving with their help.
After a week of orientation meetings, two days of classes, a couple of cooking disasters, and the beginning of great friendships, I feel myself starting to adjust to this new life. It may not be yellow and sunshiney all the time (as the weather will soon show), but honestly, my experience thus far has been one of hopeful beginnings.
So here’s to yellow windows, to cows, to quick and simple transportation, and to beautiful, colorful houses lining the bay. Here’s to appreciating the sun and warm weather while it lasts, and to many more evenings wandering through the city, a little lost, but less than before.
Capturing Copenhagen 