Hej:First Day in København

Copenhagen Airport

In planning my trip to Ireland, I figured that while I was there, I should take advantage of the proximity of Dublin to so many other great European cities. While I studied abroad, I managed to see a small snippet of five other countries: Edinburgh (Scotland), Brussels (Belgium), Paris (France), London (England), and Madrid (Spain). In reality, I could've (and should've) ventured to more of a variety of places, and even to more countries since it would've been so much cheaper and I had so much time.

But now that I'm limited to two weeks of vacation and needing to start in the US as a base, I needed to really utilize my time that I was spending. So there were talks of a mini-trip, one or two countries over the course of 3-4 days (I wasn't going to give up too much of my time spent in Ireland). And luckily Shannon was all for this idea, having a goal of hers being to visit as many countries as she is old (24 countries by the time she's 24) and she was almost falling behind. (My fact about Shannon that I tell EVERYBODY is that she's been to every continent, that includes Antarctica). So we set out to find the best option for a short break and landed on Copenhagen, since Denmark was on her list as a place she had never been. So let's get to the mini-trip shall we...

We were already enthralled and impressed by Copenhagen when we landed at the airport. Beautifully designed chairs and hardwood flooring (not to mention the famed hot dogs have a stand before customs).

We took the what I suppose you would call the metro, to the stop closest to our hostel and I proceeded to walk us in the wrong direction. In case you were unaware, Danish is a confusing language. Also getting lost will become a common theme during this vacation, along with hot dogs and hurting feet.

We eventually figured out where our hostel was, Generator Copenhagen, and FYI, it's not that hard to find. I would highly recommend a stay at Generator, I know they're spotted around Western Europe (Dublin, Barcelona, Berlin, etc.) and they're some of the nicest that I've stayed at with ample sized storage for your luggage under your beds, reading lights, key cards, outlets at every bed, and a really good breakfast for not very much. The only downside we encountered during our stay was an odd (and seemingly angry) couple who were in the bunks across from ours and the massive school group that was there but neither particularly hindered us aside from lack of seating and needing to be quiet at odd times just to be considerate.

As we arrived mid-afternoon, we had hoped to get a hot dog from DØP before trying to tackle one of the sights. Little did we realize that Mondays are days on which things tended to be closed or closed early on, so we ended up missing the infamous hot dogs, but did make it just in time to visit the Rundetaarn (round tower), which gave us spectacular views of the city, and some history before we ended up settling for shwarma close to Tivoli (this was our first debacle with using the Danish Kroner, it's hard okay?)

While the views from the top were amazing, the highlight of the day for me was walking down Stroget (the main pedestrian shopping area), and looking to my left to see my beloved waffles from Brussels. We had continued walking to dinner, but OBVIOUSLY we stopped on our way back to the hostel and I was over the moon! I believe my Instagram photo caption referred to the waffle as "the love of my life".

I'll leave you with a picture of the love of my life waffle while you wait for Part 2.

Until then,

-J

Painting with Wolverines: Ann Arbor

One day I will write about my own hometown. Today is not that day.

Today I wanted to give a shout out to a city that, as a Spartan alum, I have never appreciated for what it is. Ann Arbor is about an hour away from metro-Detroit, at least where I live. It is home to the University of Michigan and also to my friend, M, which is why I spent last Wednesday night amongst the Wolverines. 

M texted me on Wednesday morning and asked if I wanted to go to Paint and Pour with her that night. It was free, involved wine (we didn't realize that was BYOB until we were already in our smocks, take note for future reference) and all I had to do was drive to Ann Arbor through rush hour traffic after work to get there by 7. Done deal. 

I was quite impressed that I got to my destination prior to 7, although in hind sight we realized that we could've stopped and gotten wine prior to the class as it didn't start until more like 7:20, but I digress... We left with spring versions of a painting called "Swing into Fall". 

Afterwards, we strolled the streets of downtown Ann Arbor, streets I had never been down (sober). My roommate in college and I used to visit our friend from high school a few times a year when he went to U of M, but that never included us visiting places that weren't populated with other drunk or hungover 20 year olds. I had never taken the time to appreciate the city that held my alma mater's rival. But on that breezy spring night, sitting down to the best Belgian waffle I've had outside of Brussels itself, I realized what a great place Ann Arbor can be outside of your collegiate years.

This beauty, The Peanut Butter Cup, was courtesy of The Wafel Shop. A Belgian "tourist" waffle and probably not the best idea for dinner, but I was extremely pleased by my decision. M opted for the savory Luxembourg in the background, which was made up with goat cheese, arugula and a balsamic reduction on a Brussels waffle. Upon a second look at their menu just now, I will definitely be making a return trip. Probably for that Wafel Poutine.

I also need to give a shout-out to my favorite place to eat in Ann Arbor, Zingerman's Delicatessan. Over priced? Maybe. Delicious? Definitely. There are three different Zingerman's establishments: the Roadhouse, the Bakehouse, and the Deli, and all located in Ann Arbor. I've even been to Zingerman's training facility (also in Ann Arbor), which is located in a Wonka factory-like little neighborhood of different buildings making and baking Zingerman's finest. I discovered this expensive company working at my previous job which sold many of their products (Go Blue! Blueberry Pie, try it, love it, try not to eat the whole thing). I've taken trips to Ann Arbor solely to eat at Zingerman's and even agreed to pick up my roommate in Ypsilanti solely because I knew I could stop and eat there.  

I usually opt for the #14 Charlie M's Tuna, full sandwich. Because at only $2 more for a full than a half, it makes financial sense to just get the whole thing, right? And for dessert, I recommend a Peanut Butter Cosmic Cake, their Hummingbird Cake, or as mentioned above, a slice (or a whole pie, whatever, I'm not judging you) of their Go Blue! Blueberry Pie. I mean if you're in the land of Maize and Blue, why wouldn't you?

Seriously though, way to go Ann Arbor, you've won over this Spartan. If only for the food. 

Until next time, 

-J