Hiatus

Please excuse the interruption (and the use of this semi-annoying video)

With two recent trips behind me, I'm ready to start taking something seriously that I have been neglecting for the past few months...

School.

The Danish education system works a little differently than what I'm used to. Instead of many small assignments throughout the term and one large examination at the end, I just have a couple of massive papers due at the end of May. So this blog may be taking a monthly hiatus as I bury myself in piles of books (and yes, there will be photographic evidence of these piles).

So bye for now. So long, farewell. I will do my best to get this blog back on track after all the work is done!

A little bit of whimsy

Something that I have been looking forward to for a long time is finally happening:

Barcelona!

My little red Air Canada suitcase is all ready for my next adventure. 

I leave tomorrow and cannot wait for all the tapas, sangria, and whimsical architecture. 

{photo taken from the National Geographic website. View of Barcelona from Gaudi's Park Gueil. Photo by Michael Colwell/My Shot}

St Petersburg: In the Beginning

In late March, I departed for the vast country to the East that has been a subject of fascination for many. Russia is unlike any other place that I've visited; it is a country that is still evolving and facing various challenges. The current president is rumoured to have gotten his position illegally which has caused civic uproar and tension between the citizens and the establishment. Needless to say, I definitely visited Russia during a very interesting time in its history. 

The first stop on my study tour was St Petersburg - a location that has always fascinated me since I watched 'Anastasia' when I was young and learned about the Romanov family. I will definitely be watching Anastasia in the next few days to see if it is even slightly historically accurate! Since the Romanov family was on my mind from the start, it was great that we visited the Peter and Paul Fortress on day one. The remains of the Romanov family rests at the Fortress in a ornate room that is characteristic of many Russian interiors.

{gate to the cathedral}

{love the blue and crystal}

{Romanovs}

{the cathedral grounds}

Then we visited the Cathedral on Spilled Blood, one of the many breathtaking cathedrals I'd visit during my stay in Russia. But even after visiting plenty of cathedrals, I'm still captivated by regal chandeliers (you'll notice a recurring chandelier theme throughout my Russia posts!) 

{a very detailed cathedral}

{more details}

{chandeliers are a welcome addition to any room}

{details}

{all the images on the walls are mosaics}

{other cathedral visitors}

{floral gate}

{market by the cathedral}

On the itinerary for the following day was the two excursions that I had been looking forward to the most: Catherine's Palace and the Hermitage Theatre production of Swan Lake. 

{Catherine's Palace - a gift from the Prussian king to Russia's imperial family}

{raven perched on the balcony}

{room of mirrors}

{mirrors and gold}

{looking into the amber room. Photography was not permitted inside the amber room but we were able to take photos from the other room}

{rounded tree on the palace property}

{pathway}

Love Locks in St Petersburg

I have made an effort to search for Love Locks in every city that I visited. I luckily ended up finding some in St Petersburg

{first love lock adorned with lace}

{closer}

Swan Lake

My bag is packed, my camera is safely stowed and I am off to Russia tomorrow morning! Since the trip is organized through the University, I will be amongst 40 other excited international students. The highlights of my trip will definitely include a visit to the Amber Room on my 21st birthday and Swan Lake on my birthday eve. It's official:  I will be turning 21 in style.

I wonder if the Swan Lake costumes will look like these:
(taken from the Life Magazine photo archives)

Be back on April 8th!

Frederiksberg

Every Wednesday I partake in something I like to call "cultural Wednesdays." Cultural Wednesdays was formed after various discussions with friends about how we'd been in Copenhagen for a couple months but hadn't really seen much of it.

So for about a month now, a friend and I have met up every Wednesday to explore different parts of the city. Whether it be a trip to a museum, or a park, after every excursion I feel like I have gotten to know Copenhagen better and I fall in love with it even more.

This past week I visited a beautiful park beloved by locals and tourists alike. This park is also the site of a larger pacifier tree than the one in the park behind the Statens Museum for Kunst. Frederiksberg park is situated on the edge of Copenhagen which gives it a rural feel and provides an escape from the busyness of downtown. I know that Frederiksberg will be a favourite place of mine to relax on a sunny day with a good book, good food and good company. Nevertheless, it's nice to know that the busyness of downtown will still be there when I crave some excitement.

{setting sun through the branches}

{swampy area}

{dogs can run free!}

{so much green}

{my friend Lucy and a birdy}

{reflections in the river}

{strange trees and people out lounging}

{such a colourful duck!}

{a daisy. A flower that I love and the symbol of Danish women}

{spotted: a rooster strolling in the park}

{sunrays shine on a duck couple sitting by the pond}

{duck couple}

{blossoms on the tree}

And then I came across the original pacifier tree. I couldn't get over how many pacifiers and heart-felt notes were dangling from its branches!

{strands and strands}

{ribbons and bags}

{bunches}

{this roughly translates to: " I have become a big girl and do not use my dummies. You will take care of my dummies. Hugs, Filucca 2 1/2 years}

{strands and strands and strands}

{danglin'}

Sunny Scandinavia

Although it's currently very cloudy in København, signs of spring are everywhere. Today being the first official day of spring is the first sign that the cold winter is finally drawing to a close. Last week was so sunny that I was able to ditch my smokey winter coat and don the shades. The change in attire was very much needed after a cold and windy February.

There are many things that I am looking forward to during the spring/summer months.

I am especially looking forward to various outdoor concerts/festivals/events such as:

1. Queen Margrethe II's birthday: On April 16th the current Queen of Denmark, Queen Margrethe II appears on her balcony so she can be wished happy birthday.

2. May Day (also known as International Workers Day): A leftist political day on May 1st which many get time off work for so that they can attend and participate in the various demonstrations. This day celebrates the past victories of the worker's movement, most notably the establishment of the 8-hour work day.

3. Distortion: Five days of street parties between May 30th to June 3rd.

4. St John's Eve: A celebration on the eve of the summer solstice which takes place on June 23rd. It is celebrated by making a large bonfire on the beach to ward off evil spirits. A witch made of straw and cloth is placed on the bonfire in order to send the witch away. As the bonfire burns songs are sung, speeches are made, and delicious picnic food is eaten.

5. Roskilde: A music festival in the nearby town of Roskilde that starts on June 30th and ends on July 8th.


And without further adieu, here are some photographs that show the approaching spring season (there may or may not be a chance of blue skies!)

{tulipaner}

{stone lion}

{pathway in Rosenborg slot}

{tree blossoms in Christiania}

{blossoms}

{zoomed out blossoms}

{statue by an entrance to Assistens Kirkegård. Kirkegård is Danish for cemetary. Apparently this isn't a well-liked statue!}

{Assistens Kirkegård pathway}

{flowers}

{watering cans}

{growing flower}

{bluebird}

{gnarled tree}

{spring flowers}

{old gate}

{winter leaves}

{goodbye winter leaves}

{bushel of flowers}

{blooming}

{sun rays}

{mischievous squirrel}

{mischief managed}