OVer the Hill!

This past weekend, has been the best experience fro me by far. Being that is was my (host fathers) 50th Birthday, we were leaving the tiny island of Bornholm and hiking to the big city. Leaving Friday night at midnight we rode the night ferry for 6 hours, where we slept in our cabin for most the time. When 545 am came around all of us in our cabin were woken by some loud rumbling. I thought the ship was sinking or something tragic was occurring. Yet when i looked out the window i saw land. The ferry that was preparing to dock to the shores of Koere. Everyone woke up and began to look out the window. Now being my first time off the island since i had arrived, i was so excited to look around. And what did i see... A big mass of land full of TRASH! along with the piles of stinky garbage surrounding the ship, it was raining and once again...COLD! We deboarded the ship and got in our car that had taken the ride with us across the Baltic Sea in the cargo hull.

We began our morning with a pit stop at a bakery where they bought all types of goodies, but we couldn't enjoy them till we got to their friends house in Copenhagen. When we arrived we I got to me some friends of my host family and we enjoyed a breakfast filled of sweets, breads, butter, and coffee! The morning quickly got lost from under our feet and it was time to get going to the hotel we would be staying at. On our way we passed right through downtown Copenhagen. When we arrived at the hotel it was located way north of the city in a suburban area on the coast by the beach. To my surprise the hotel was extremely extravagant. Filled with plush seating and warm paintings. The patio had wicker chairs and giant wicker lamps hanging from the center of each chair grouping. At night the hotel was lit up by spotlights and the restaurant where lit by candle light. The porch with all the wicker furniture had heating lamps on to keep everyone warm. Also on the porch giant chandeliers that rested on the ground had candles placed inside to add a romantic feel. LOL The night came to an amazing meal which we shared with my host families relatives. Lots of SKOLS (Cheers) and thanks were given. I was taught the correct way to drink wine. When the danish celebrate special occasions it is very popular to have a different wine with every course of the meal. So we had 3 different wines. And no it wasn't like wine get drunk... it was wine to taste and enjoy. I was told how to tell a good wine from a bad and what flavors i should taste for to see how the growing season was. The immaculate dinner ended around 9o'clock but the talking and laughing didn't not end till around midnight.

During the meeting of my host families relatives, i met one that was quite interesting...Mary Anne. The thing that interested me about her was that she was a Baroness. She told me stories where she has had lunch with the Princess of Denmark and have met and gone to parties with the Prince of Germany, the Princess of Wales, and The Queen of Denmark. It was absolutely amazing to meet someone that has interacted with royalty and has experienced a very formal life style.

The weekend brought so many new learning experiences. I got to dine with a man who's is over the hill, learn how to sip wine the correct way with a Danish Baroness, and Finally begin to feel part of my new family here in Denmark.

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Kyle Lyon (USA2DENMARK)