Full day in Copenhagen !

First, the ‘after’ picture 

Four tired feet! 

Here’s how we got here. It’ll probably be in more than one post, cause we’ve made Rick Steves proud today!

We met our local guide for a walking tour of the city. As always, our hotel is right in the middle of where it’s all happening, just to the left of where I took this pic. 

 Below, down a different canal, is the parliament on the right and the old stock exchange on the left. It was the world trade center of all Scandinavia, where buyers and sellers bought and sold everything. Zoom in on the spire...it’s the weirdest I’ve ever seen...3 dragon’s tails entwined!  

Back to parliament...it’s where the government meets, and decides how to spend all the taxes...which seem even higher than Sweden! The income tax rate starts at 40%. There is sales tax on everything. Cars, for example, which are discouraged, are taxed at 150%! I guess that’s why there are so many bikes!

I gathered from our guide that governing is quite a bit more effective here, as they needen’t argue about health care, education, or elder care..all of which of course are socialized. He stressed, just like our Sweden guide, that they define ‘welfare state’ differently than we do. It’s certainly NOT a free handout. Rather, it’s a system where the well-being of everyone is primary. So, of course this includes these 3 items, and so much more. Everyone pays in, gets out, and by and large wouldn’t change it...because it works! 

Here’s a daycare, out for a walk. As in Sweden, it is beavily subsidized. 

 Because EU elections are happening, we got to see (behind the bikes) a ‘demonstration’ given by a party that is concerned with global warming. Denmark has been building new construction a meter higher to accomodate sea level rise...and are particularly tuned in to all matters ecological. Copenhagen is on target for the entire city to be carbon neutral by 2025! Already they get 40%  of their energy by wind, which they have in spades. Their goal is 80% wind, with the balance from biomass, geothermal, and solar. We’ve seen wind turbines all along the landscape...many with the Vestas name...the largest wind turbine manufacturer in the world (Danish), and who George was working for until the day before we left! 

Here sits Soren Kierkegaard, the first existential philosopher. Each individual is responsible for finding meaning in their life by living authentically.

Speaking of living authentically, next we venture into a very interesting neighborhood of Copenhagen...Christiania. Politely, it’s an ‘alternative living community’. It could also be called a commune of hippies, pot-heads, idealists, anti-establishment types. Pot is illegal in Denmark, but somehow this area doesn’t have much enforcement. Still, we’re strictly not allowed to take pictures along the main drag, named ‘Pusher Street’. The sale of pot here has been taken over by outside gangs, and is serious business. Nobody wants their pics taken here!  I think we could get high simply walking around here! 







They definitely have a sense of living outside of the norm. I actually really enjoyed our stroll through the neighborhoods, where people were carrying on with their lives. There was a sense of life being very real here, without the ‘keeping up with the Jones’ pressure. I actually looked into communal living in my 20s, as it fits into my nature of working together towards a common goal by consensus, of simple living, and of non-materialism. The main problem...I’m completely not into the pot scene that seems to be a requirement of this lifestyle. Similarly, I like Greatful Dead music, but really dislike the Greatful Dead culture. Oh well, back thru the gate into the EU!

Ok, so if I’m going to live in our culture and own a house (SO materialistic of me, I know..), I may as well design with a minimalist style! Finally, my Holy Grail for this trip... the origin of Danish Modern design! 

Here’s an entire museum dedicated to what I believe is the most innovative, timeless, and beautiful design style there is! 

Finally, my obsession with the perfect chair is realized! This room of chairs is my nirvana! 


The museum had a great exhibit on Bauhaus, which was the beginning of the modern design movement. It was between WWI and WWII, and originated in Germany. Bere’s a blurb on Bauhaus, 

and how the Danish interpreted it

As you can imagine, George has been a saint. While I’m geeking out to Bauhaus and Danish design past and present, he’s hopscotching from chair to chair. So...now our feet are really tired. What’s next? Stay tuned!