Friday, Dec. 30, Copenhagen
Grethe was off work today. The sun was out, and everything was beautiful with about 30-40 cm (12-16 inches) of snow everywhere. We stayed inside during the morning and watched the film Frida which we had recorded. Then we left at 11:30 for the rest of the day.
We went first to Nørrebrogade, a street where many immigrants live and work. We went to my favorite shawarma place and each ate TWO sandwiches (pita stuffed with shaved meat, lettuce, tomatoes, and sauce). I put lots of hot pepper sauce on mine! UMMMM!
We proceeded downtown from there and went to the bookshop to use my gift certificate Grethe had given me for Christmas. I got two books I had considered buying in India--Salman Rushdie's first novel that made him famous, Midnight Children, and the current Indian best seller throughout the world, Shantaram by Gregory David Robetts, his life story about being a criminal and drug addict in Australia, escaping from jail, fleeing to India, becoming a Bollywood actor, leaving to fight in Afghanistan, etc. Here are links to both books:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0140132708/qid=1136028366/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/102-5166609-4721752?s=books&v=glance&n=283155
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312330537/ref=pd_bbs_null_2/102-5166609-4721752?s=books&v=glance&n=283155
Grethe wanted to go to Tivoli. It was the last day of the Christmas season there, so we spent about 1 1/2 hours wandering through the park. I took some good snow pictures. Grethe looked for sales and was disappointed to find there weren't any that were worthwhile. We got good close-up views, however, of the animated Christmas scenes and enjoyed the winter landscape.
http://www.tivoli.dk/composite-2450.htm
From there, we went to a next-door cinema to see Brokeback Mountain. It's very popular here. The former TV film critic (retired now) for Danmark Radio TV was in the audience with us. It was nice to see the film outside the U.S. I'm sure there were gasps in the audience in the U.S. when the guys had their kissing and their sex scenes. Here, it is considered a natural part of life.
http://www.brokebackmountainmovie.com/splash.html
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/brokeback_mountain/
I had a surprise at 6:20. Grethe and I were at Føtex to find some flowers to take to Jens' and Robert's when I heard someone say, "Randy?" I knew it was likely to happen, since I know so many people here. It was Stig from WHO and his partner Harry. How nice it was to be recognized and to see them briefly. I told Stig I hope to go by WHO on Tuesday of next week.
We had dinner with Jens, Robert, and thier friend Claus. It's so nice to be in their new, roomy apartment with them. We were so comfortable. And with its dishwasher, Robert no longer gets upset about being the one responsible for cleaning up. We had drinks with rice chips. T hen Jens brought out a beautiful 4 kg (9 lb) roast turkey. It was served with his fantastic potato salad (sliced boiled potatoes, sliced cherry tomatoes, chopped chives, vinegar, oil, salt, and pepper) and a bread dressing he made. We all stuffed outselves and drank a nice Italian wine. Later, we had sacher torte with coffee and drambuie. Grethe and I stayed until 11:45, the latest I have been out in ages, before leaving to walk with Claus to the stop where he caught the metro and we got a bus. It was a great day and evening.
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Winter in Copenhagen
Tuesday, Dec. 27, Copenhagen (Part II)
It snowed off and on all day. Sometimes it was quite heavy with huge flakes. The temperature hovered just above freezing so that the roads stayed safe and clear. It was fun to watch it fall, however. An even biger storm is expected on Thursday with the temperature staying below freezing.
The dinner went well, although Grethe was nervous about it in advance. She kept worrying that things should be started earlier than necessary. Helle was sick and couldn't come. But Morten, Ejgil and Preben were here. I made guacamole, chips, and bloody marys as a beginning appetizer/drink. Then we had duck-vegetable soup as the first course with Italian bread. For the main meal, we had roasted chicken seasoned with paprika, garlic and butter which was servecd with basmati rice, green beans, and a white basil sauce. Afterwards, we had chocolates, cookies, and coffee. Because E & P live about 1 1/2 hours away by train, they had to leave at 10:00 to make the last train home. Morten left about 30 minutes later, since tomorrow is a work day for him.
Wednesday, Dec. 28, Copenhagen
I took the bus at 10:00 to Evy's and Arvind's apartment. Oh, it was cold outside with a blowing wind! Then we all took another bus to Café Kronborg where Anita was celebrating her 50th birthday. It's a basement restaurant with thick walls, old pictures, a fireplace that had a live fire, and lots of atmosphere in general.
Many people were there. I saw Annie and her son Tony who I hadn't seen for two years. I sat with Poul and Birte who usually take care of me at these events. Birte has finished law school and is now an assistant to one of the judges in a court. Poul's friend Bo was there and sat with us with his girfriend who is originally from Austin.
I returned to the apartment and napped during the afternoon. Then Grethe and I prepared dinner for Jens and Robert. It was almost the same menu as last night, except that she made fruit salad for dessert and we had vermouth rather than bloody marys for the before-dinner drink. They arrived on time. It was good to see them. They stayed until 10:00, leaving then due to Grethe dhaving to get up early for work and out of fear that the snow storm everyone is expecting might arrive at any time.
Thursday, Dec. 29, Copenhagen
There's been a major snow storm today. Snow has fallen all day and is thick on the ground, the cars, etc. I'm so glad I could stay inside and just enjoy watching it through the windows. Evy called to cancel the trip to their summer house saying it would be too dangerous to go.
I stayed indoors and read both a book and on the Internet. I researched hotels where I might stay inh Lisbon and found 4 possibilities ranging from $43 to $63 per night. I'll decide on one in a day or two and make a reservation.
I also made some phone calls today. I reached several people and was able to catch up on what is happening in their lives.
Grethe got home at 3:30. We had coffee and pastries and watched the 3rd part of Angels in America. We had leftovers for dinner--the chicken with a curry sauce, potatoes, etc. I'm gappy we didn't have to go out into the snow storm tonight.
It snowed off and on all day. Sometimes it was quite heavy with huge flakes. The temperature hovered just above freezing so that the roads stayed safe and clear. It was fun to watch it fall, however. An even biger storm is expected on Thursday with the temperature staying below freezing.
The dinner went well, although Grethe was nervous about it in advance. She kept worrying that things should be started earlier than necessary. Helle was sick and couldn't come. But Morten, Ejgil and Preben were here. I made guacamole, chips, and bloody marys as a beginning appetizer/drink. Then we had duck-vegetable soup as the first course with Italian bread. For the main meal, we had roasted chicken seasoned with paprika, garlic and butter which was servecd with basmati rice, green beans, and a white basil sauce. Afterwards, we had chocolates, cookies, and coffee. Because E & P live about 1 1/2 hours away by train, they had to leave at 10:00 to make the last train home. Morten left about 30 minutes later, since tomorrow is a work day for him.
Wednesday, Dec. 28, Copenhagen
I took the bus at 10:00 to Evy's and Arvind's apartment. Oh, it was cold outside with a blowing wind! Then we all took another bus to Café Kronborg where Anita was celebrating her 50th birthday. It's a basement restaurant with thick walls, old pictures, a fireplace that had a live fire, and lots of atmosphere in general.
Many people were there. I saw Annie and her son Tony who I hadn't seen for two years. I sat with Poul and Birte who usually take care of me at these events. Birte has finished law school and is now an assistant to one of the judges in a court. Poul's friend Bo was there and sat with us with his girfriend who is originally from Austin.
I returned to the apartment and napped during the afternoon. Then Grethe and I prepared dinner for Jens and Robert. It was almost the same menu as last night, except that she made fruit salad for dessert and we had vermouth rather than bloody marys for the before-dinner drink. They arrived on time. It was good to see them. They stayed until 10:00, leaving then due to Grethe dhaving to get up early for work and out of fear that the snow storm everyone is expecting might arrive at any time.
Thursday, Dec. 29, Copenhagen
There's been a major snow storm today. Snow has fallen all day and is thick on the ground, the cars, etc. I'm so glad I could stay inside and just enjoy watching it through the windows. Evy called to cancel the trip to their summer house saying it would be too dangerous to go.
I stayed indoors and read both a book and on the Internet. I researched hotels where I might stay inh Lisbon and found 4 possibilities ranging from $43 to $63 per night. I'll decide on one in a day or two and make a reservation.
I also made some phone calls today. I reached several people and was able to catch up on what is happening in their lives.
Grethe got home at 3:30. We had coffee and pastries and watched the 3rd part of Angels in America. We had leftovers for dinner--the chicken with a curry sauce, potatoes, etc. I'm gappy we didn't have to go out into the snow storm tonight.
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Snow and Arne's Birthday
Monday, Dec. 26, Copenhagen (Part II)
I like Jens' and Robert's new apartment. Their things fit well together in it. Also, it is so roomy and airy compared to their previous apartments. There's lots of light coming in.
Old Grethe looks good. She is healthy other than her problems with macular degeneration. She seems to be adapting to that. She gets talking books on CD from the library sent to her and has a special machine for playing them. And she has begun to limit her life to the area very near her apartment.
It was the first time for Nurse Grethe and Old Grethe to meet, although they had both heard about each other from Arne and me before. They liked each other. I thought they would. Nurse rethe had a good time looking at all the paintings on the walls. And both of them shared their experiences related to visiting Texas.
It was a night of tradition and memories for me. Grethe served her homemade cake and cookies which she usually serves. And for dinner, we had her Danish matballs with potatoes and parsley sauce. She made an apricot-apple compote for dessert which we ate with cream. It was both an enjoyable and a sad evening--enjoyable being there, seeing Grethe again, eating her traditional foods, etc. And, of course, it was sad because we can never be together without missing Arne.
Tuesday, Dec. 27 (Arne's Birthday), Copenhagen (Part I)
Grethe recorded the first segment of Angles in America and we watched it this morning. The other two parts will be on TV tonight and tomorrow, so we will see them, too.
My nose is slightly better. Maybe the snow has settled the allergins from the air. It snowed much of yesterday and is still snowing today. It's a light snow, so it isn't deep. I could breathe better while sleeping last night, though. For some reason, however, I have an upset stomach today. I just can't seem to be well while here. I've taken imodium for my stomach.
Today is Arne's birthday. I went to the cemetary and dusted the snow off his wreath and the ceramic angle. I miss him greatly and being here makes the feelings and memories be even more immediate.
Grethe and I have company coming tonight, so I have also been out shopping this morning. I'll prepare most of the meal, so I'll be busy all day. Of course, every day seems busy while I am here. I wish I could have 2-3 days with no commitments, but that's not possible.
I like Jens' and Robert's new apartment. Their things fit well together in it. Also, it is so roomy and airy compared to their previous apartments. There's lots of light coming in.
Old Grethe looks good. She is healthy other than her problems with macular degeneration. She seems to be adapting to that. She gets talking books on CD from the library sent to her and has a special machine for playing them. And she has begun to limit her life to the area very near her apartment.
It was the first time for Nurse Grethe and Old Grethe to meet, although they had both heard about each other from Arne and me before. They liked each other. I thought they would. Nurse rethe had a good time looking at all the paintings on the walls. And both of them shared their experiences related to visiting Texas.
It was a night of tradition and memories for me. Grethe served her homemade cake and cookies which she usually serves. And for dinner, we had her Danish matballs with potatoes and parsley sauce. She made an apricot-apple compote for dessert which we ate with cream. It was both an enjoyable and a sad evening--enjoyable being there, seeing Grethe again, eating her traditional foods, etc. And, of course, it was sad because we can never be together without missing Arne.
Tuesday, Dec. 27 (Arne's Birthday), Copenhagen (Part I)
Grethe recorded the first segment of Angles in America and we watched it this morning. The other two parts will be on TV tonight and tomorrow, so we will see them, too.
My nose is slightly better. Maybe the snow has settled the allergins from the air. It snowed much of yesterday and is still snowing today. It's a light snow, so it isn't deep. I could breathe better while sleeping last night, though. For some reason, however, I have an upset stomach today. I just can't seem to be well while here. I've taken imodium for my stomach.
Today is Arne's birthday. I went to the cemetary and dusted the snow off his wreath and the ceramic angle. I miss him greatly and being here makes the feelings and memories be even more immediate.
Grethe and I have company coming tonight, so I have also been out shopping this morning. I'll prepare most of the meal, so I'll be busy all day. Of course, every day seems busy while I am here. I wish I could have 2-3 days with no commitments, but that's not possible.
Monday, December 26, 2005
First Christmas Day Luncheon
Sunday, Dec. 25, Copenhagen (Part II)
I went to Evy's and Arvind's at 1:30. It was so nice to see everyone again. Gitte, Carit, and their daughter Sascha were there. Neils, his partner Helle, and his twin children Teddy and Sabrina were also there. I've been a part of their family for so many years that I think of them as family. And I know they think of me that way, too.
As usual, Arvind had made a Christmas centerpiece for me. Over the years, he has always done this only for their children and for Arne and me. And Evy had a jar of her homemade pickled herring for me. They updated me on all the happenings in their lives and showed me photos of the new campground where they now have their caravans as summer houses. Arvind has built a small guesthouse, and Evy suggested that Sue and I should come in the summer and stay there with them.
The Christmas luncheon was a huge feast. There was brown (rye) bread and Evy's homemade white bread for making smørebrød (Danish open-faced sandwiches). Among the toppings, which were so numerous that I can't remember them all, were: pickled herrings with onions, herring in wine sauce with onion, herrings in curry sauce, smoked eel with scrambled egg, gravlax and smoked salmon with honey mustard and dill, meatballs with pickle, boiled eggs with caviar (red and black), paté with fried bacon, shrimps with lemon and mayonnaise, etc. We had beer and snaps (akuavit) to drink. Then all of that was followed by a cheese tray (brie, cram cheese with garlic, Norwegian sweet cheese, typical Danish cheese, etc.) and various kinds of crackers. Next came rice-almond pudding with cherry sauce. Then we left the dining table (after 2 1/2 to 3 hours of eating and visiting) to move to the living room where we had coffee with Danish Christmas cookies (klejner, Finskbrød, cocos kranse, pepper nuts, etc.).
For the first time every, Sascha felt comfortable enough to visit with me in English. And Teddy, who is 13 and has been in a gifted and talented program for years, visited with me quite a bit. He's matured so much since I last saw him two years ago. He has a very outgoing personality and sweet facial expressions.
I excused myself at 7:30 and caught the bus back to Grethe's. She had shared a Christmas luncheon with her brother Morten and his wife Helle and then had done laundry. I now have clean clothes! We tried to watch a movie, but I was just too tired. I went to bed at 9:00.
Monday, Dec. 26 (Second Christmas Day), Copenhagen (Part I)
I was quite miserable all night with my stuffy nose and irritated eyes. Grethe thinks I have a cold, but I'm pretty sure it is allergies. My nose is drippy and the mucous is clear when I blow into a tissue. I wish I had some Claratin; I think it would clear up immediately if I did. I may try taking a part of an antihistamine tablet that I have with me to see if it will help. I 'm just worried about it making me sleepy all day.
I also forgot to take my melatonin last night at bedtime. I usually take it the first 3-4 nights to help me adjust to the time zone changes. Since I didn't take it, I awoke earlier than usual this morning. I still slept about 9 hours, however.
Today is still a holiday here in Denmark. People branch out to spend this second Christmas day (third day of holidays here) with friends. I'll see Jens and Ro ert this morning, then Grethe and I will go spend the late afternoon and evening with Old Grethe.
I went to Evy's and Arvind's at 1:30. It was so nice to see everyone again. Gitte, Carit, and their daughter Sascha were there. Neils, his partner Helle, and his twin children Teddy and Sabrina were also there. I've been a part of their family for so many years that I think of them as family. And I know they think of me that way, too.
As usual, Arvind had made a Christmas centerpiece for me. Over the years, he has always done this only for their children and for Arne and me. And Evy had a jar of her homemade pickled herring for me. They updated me on all the happenings in their lives and showed me photos of the new campground where they now have their caravans as summer houses. Arvind has built a small guesthouse, and Evy suggested that Sue and I should come in the summer and stay there with them.
The Christmas luncheon was a huge feast. There was brown (rye) bread and Evy's homemade white bread for making smørebrød (Danish open-faced sandwiches). Among the toppings, which were so numerous that I can't remember them all, were: pickled herrings with onions, herring in wine sauce with onion, herrings in curry sauce, smoked eel with scrambled egg, gravlax and smoked salmon with honey mustard and dill, meatballs with pickle, boiled eggs with caviar (red and black), paté with fried bacon, shrimps with lemon and mayonnaise, etc. We had beer and snaps (akuavit) to drink. Then all of that was followed by a cheese tray (brie, cram cheese with garlic, Norwegian sweet cheese, typical Danish cheese, etc.) and various kinds of crackers. Next came rice-almond pudding with cherry sauce. Then we left the dining table (after 2 1/2 to 3 hours of eating and visiting) to move to the living room where we had coffee with Danish Christmas cookies (klejner, Finskbrød, cocos kranse, pepper nuts, etc.).
For the first time every, Sascha felt comfortable enough to visit with me in English. And Teddy, who is 13 and has been in a gifted and talented program for years, visited with me quite a bit. He's matured so much since I last saw him two years ago. He has a very outgoing personality and sweet facial expressions.
I excused myself at 7:30 and caught the bus back to Grethe's. She had shared a Christmas luncheon with her brother Morten and his wife Helle and then had done laundry. I now have clean clothes! We tried to watch a movie, but I was just too tired. I went to bed at 9:00.
Monday, Dec. 26 (Second Christmas Day), Copenhagen (Part I)
I was quite miserable all night with my stuffy nose and irritated eyes. Grethe thinks I have a cold, but I'm pretty sure it is allergies. My nose is drippy and the mucous is clear when I blow into a tissue. I wish I had some Claratin; I think it would clear up immediately if I did. I may try taking a part of an antihistamine tablet that I have with me to see if it will help. I 'm just worried about it making me sleepy all day.
I also forgot to take my melatonin last night at bedtime. I usually take it the first 3-4 nights to help me adjust to the time zone changes. Since I didn't take it, I awoke earlier than usual this morning. I still slept about 9 hours, however.
Today is still a holiday here in Denmark. People branch out to spend this second Christmas day (third day of holidays here) with friends. I'll see Jens and Ro ert this morning, then Grethe and I will go spend the late afternoon and evening with Old Grethe.
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Jule Aften (Christmas Evening) and First Christmas Day
Saturday, Dec. 24 (Jule Aftens Dag/Christmas Evening Day), Copenhagen (Part II)
The cemetaries were full of people. It is always nice seeing so many people remembering those who are gone. When we arrived at Arne's grave, there was a small ceramic angel and a candle there. I'm sure they were left by Annette, our neighbor who has always appreciated and remembered Arne. I'll call her after Christmas and thank her for being so kind. I placed the candle inside my wreath and the angel on the edge of the wreath. It looked very nice.
I bought a calling card to use while I am here. I called a couple of people yesterday, but the timing wasn't good for finding most people at home. I'll call more people after Christmas is over.
Grethe made a wonderful traditional Danish Christmas dinner for us.æ We enjoyed the meal and then opened gifts while still at the table. She gave me a ticket for an opera at the new opera house, a gift certificate for a bookstore, and some Lubeck marzipan. I gave her some sandalwood soap, an Indian wrap-around fabric, a bag of cashew nuts, and a 2006 leather-bound journal.
My sister Sue called us in the evening. She told us about her Christmas plans in Texas, and we told her about our evening. Grethe received some other calls, but essentially we just had a nice, quiet evening together after dinner.
Sunday, Dec. 25 (First Christmas Day), Copenhagen (Part I)
Grethe and I were up by 8:00. We had a nice, quiet breakfast at her coffee table. She left to go to Hillerød to visit an aunt in the hospital. I made soup using the bones and leftover meat from our duck. We'll add some potatoes and leeks to the soup and serve it as a first course when we have guests on Tuesday night.
I have spent much of the morning remembering how Arne and I always spent our Christmas mornings. I miss them. He made a very special breakfast with treats we normally didn't eat. And we opened gifts we had bought for each other, alternating turns until the 10-20 gifts each had all been opened. Christmas with him was always as special as it was when I was a child.
The cemetaries were full of people. It is always nice seeing so many people remembering those who are gone. When we arrived at Arne's grave, there was a small ceramic angel and a candle there. I'm sure they were left by Annette, our neighbor who has always appreciated and remembered Arne. I'll call her after Christmas and thank her for being so kind. I placed the candle inside my wreath and the angel on the edge of the wreath. It looked very nice.
I bought a calling card to use while I am here. I called a couple of people yesterday, but the timing wasn't good for finding most people at home. I'll call more people after Christmas is over.
Grethe made a wonderful traditional Danish Christmas dinner for us.æ We enjoyed the meal and then opened gifts while still at the table. She gave me a ticket for an opera at the new opera house, a gift certificate for a bookstore, and some Lubeck marzipan. I gave her some sandalwood soap, an Indian wrap-around fabric, a bag of cashew nuts, and a 2006 leather-bound journal.
My sister Sue called us in the evening. She told us about her Christmas plans in Texas, and we told her about our evening. Grethe received some other calls, but essentially we just had a nice, quiet evening together after dinner.
Sunday, Dec. 25 (First Christmas Day), Copenhagen (Part I)
Grethe and I were up by 8:00. We had a nice, quiet breakfast at her coffee table. She left to go to Hillerød to visit an aunt in the hospital. I made soup using the bones and leftover meat from our duck. We'll add some potatoes and leeks to the soup and serve it as a first course when we have guests on Tuesday night.
I have spent much of the morning remembering how Arne and I always spent our Christmas mornings. I miss them. He made a very special breakfast with treats we normally didn't eat. And we opened gifts we had bought for each other, alternating turns until the 10-20 gifts each had all been opened. Christmas with him was always as special as it was when I was a child.
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