tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59143640193534557302024-03-29T10:23:15.616+01:00Destination: DanmarkHillary Oneslagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15635530146628961414noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5914364019353455730.post-88937890358378697322012-12-14T15:26:00.001+01:002012-12-14T15:47:51.481+01:00A FOND FAREWELLI'm sitting in my room in my cozy apartment in the hip neighborhood of Vesterbro after four months of living in Copenhagen and I cannot for the life of me wrap my head around where the time has gone. From the day I stepped off the plane, I knew this semester would go by fast but now that I'm packed and ready to leave in just 24 hours, I'm at a loss for how to summarize my time here. This final post from Denmark is my best attempt to do that though I have a feeling that I'll be mulling over this experience for days, weeks and months to come.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hIjEmdDnlTCOnSAQ0aN4tLfd_ejxvqf2akFhnPBaubQ4pQgrY0N0OBqIVlnJPmT501_Xh6OK3xdLhS9SR1Df1RxeD355oZ_1pZ5Mg0nMmcDHfUKNRP466ZkAdG4gGkGHL5EW49qKEzTL/s1600/598574_10152345857340593_1152792361_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hIjEmdDnlTCOnSAQ0aN4tLfd_ejxvqf2akFhnPBaubQ4pQgrY0N0OBqIVlnJPmT501_Xh6OK3xdLhS9SR1Df1RxeD355oZ_1pZ5Mg0nMmcDHfUKNRP466ZkAdG4gGkGHL5EW49qKEzTL/s320/598574_10152345857340593_1152792361_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(A cold, cozy and colorful Christmas in Copenhagen)</div>
<br />
I knew that studying abroad would be a good thing for me; I expected to learn about myself and grow as a young, global citizen but looking back I'm still surprised at how much has happened and how much I've grown. As much as I love Georgetown, I very much needed a break from the Hilltop. The past two years were full of ups and downs and having a semester away to process it all has been incredible. I've been able to really evaluate the things I want to pursue, the passions I want to stick with and the people I want to keep around. I don't look that different (thought my hair is the longest it's been in over two years) and I still feel like "Hillary" but I'd like to think I'm a better, more capable version of myself now. When I think about where and who I was back in August, I'm proud to say that I feel much more confident, independent and interesting now. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWNaR-rxAic" target="_blank">Call me maybe</a>?<br />
<br />
Walking through the streets of Poland a few weeks ago, a friend and I were discussing what it would be like to go home. I said something along the lines of "I can't wait to make chit-chat with people at parties. I am so damn <i><b>interesting</b></i> to talk to now!" I half meant it as a joke but in all seriousness, I feel like I have a much broader view of life in general and I've learned a ton about myself and the world around me by living in Denmark. It's so easy to get bogged down in the details of day to day life that sometimes stepping away for a while reminds you that there's more to this big wide world than the drama-du-jour of college life. I tried to keep a list of all the amazing things that have happened and the things that I'll miss in Denmark but it got too long. This is just a snippet of the things that made my heart melt, my eyes water, or my mind grow.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Seeing the wind turbines for the first time; eating fresh baked bread in Jutland; meeting my visiting family; sailing through the Fjords to Norway; biking through Bornholm; realizing that I can read signs in Danish; walking through Hamlet's castle; rock climbing in Sweden for a day; my first Tuborg and Carlsberg beers; finding out that my last name is Danish in origin; Danish desserts and pastries; my visiting family surprising me with a traditional Thanksgiving dinner; climbing the Amsterdam sign; being in Moscow for the first snow of the season; celebrating Polish Independence day in Krakow; deciding to change my minor after taking an amazing class on feminist art and a trip to the Red Lights District; standing on the Acropolis in Greece; Danish babies in their snowsuits and massive buggies; super dense rye bread; spending eight hours at the Louvre; walking through Auschwitz; waking up to fresh snow in Copenhagen; Tivoli at Halloween and Christmas; seeing Putin drive by at the Moscow Kremlin; stumbling through Danish pronunciations in class; learning to read Russian; exploring Cinque Terre; eating crepes with Nutella at the Eiffel tower; talking with Danish students at my visiting family's school; meeting so many amazing people from all over the US and the world; knowing that a little piece of my heart will always be in Denmark should I be fortunate enough to return and find it.</blockquote>
Goodbyes never really hit me until afterwards so for now my eyes are dry, though I'm making no promises that they will stay that way. At this time tomorrow I'll be on a plane to DC and on Monday, a plane to Denver. It's been 118 days since I came to Denmark and I'm proud that I pushed myself outside my comfort zone and learned something new each and every week. As if I haven't said it enough, I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. I've made an incredible foreign city my home and I cannot wait to return to the States to see everyone and talk all about my adventures. Traveling is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer and I feel like the wealthiest person on the planet right now.<br />
<br />
Thank you so much for following my semester abroad through this blog. It's been a fantastic way to chronicle my explorations and work out my thoughts on my time here. Tusind tak, hej hej, og indtil vi mødes igen!Hillary Oneslagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15635530146628961414noreply@blogger.com373tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5914364019353455730.post-68807282110809863392012-12-14T13:59:00.001+01:002012-12-14T13:59:57.417+01:00THE TRUTH ABOUT STUDYING ABROADI've always been a fan of honesty. And honestly, studying abroad is a life changing thing no matter where you go in the world. If you have a Facebook and know anyone who is abroad then you're well acquainted with the perks. <i>"OMG Paris for the weekend!" "Wine tasting class? Obvi!" "Soooo tired from traveling! LOL life is good!" </i><br />
<br />
Yes, studying abroad has been amazing. But if anyone has told you that its one big Eurotrip, they're missing the finer points of the experience. Somewhere in between touring the streets of Moscow, climbing the Acropolis, and biking through Amsterdam you'll find things out about yourself that you never would have expected. I don't mean to go all "soul searcher" on you but I'd be lying if I said studying abroad isn't a challenging semester despite all the amazing things you get to do too. Being in Denmark hasn't changed my affinity for list-making so I wrote up a few things that I learned along the way that I wish I'd known--or at least understood better--before leaving the states<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>1. Missing home does <i><u>not</u></i> mean you're homesick.</b><br />
I really really really miss Denver and DC. But I also really really really love Copenhagen. Explaining this to friends who aren't abroad always make me feel like a spoiled brat. Yes, I'm having an incredible time in Europe but I still sometimes wish I were back home. This feeling is totally NORMAL! Just because you miss the States doesn't mean you don't appreciate the incredible opportunities you've been given. If anything, studying abroad has made me even more aware of just how lucky I am to have such amazing things to return to. I will <i>never </i>take my friends and life back home for granted again.<br />
<b>2. Not everyone will keep in touch while you're gone and that's ok.</b><br />
At first this drove me crazy. I didn't want to be "that friend" who left the country and was totally MIA for four months. I actually got really frustrated when I reached out to people from home and got little or no response. Part of this stems from the fact that one of my biggest pet peeves is unanswered and unreturned calls, emails and texts. It took me a little while before I realized that I was actually the one being selfish. The world is still spinning back home and people are busy in America, too. Relationships that really matter won't have changed with time and distance. I've occasionally been pleasantly surprised by who kept in touch the best and those are the friends I'm most excited to see when I return. If you're my friend from home and you're reading this, you'd better act damn excited to see me because I can't wait to see you!<br />
<b>3. "Living" is different than "traveling."</b><br />
Every counselor and advisor will tell you this but it won't really hit you until you feel comfortable in your new city and even then you may not be able to pinpoint the exact moment when it actually happened. I'm fortunate enough to have travelled a lot before studying abroad and was lucky to be able to continue exploring this whole semester. This difference really hit me when I got back from my first big trip to Amsterdam and I couldn't wait to curl up in my bed...in Copenhagen. You'll start calling your new city home and you'll notice differences between the places you travel and the place you're living. It's really a cool thing. If you're considering studying abroad but think you're "well traveled" and don't need it...well sorry, you're wrong. There's so much more to see and learn.<br />
<b>4. You'll learn more about American culture than you think.</b><br />
As surprising as it sounds, I'm returning to the States with a much better understanding of what American culture is. This seemed weird at first. I'm living in Denmark, aren't I supposed to be a pseudo Dane? Well, not exactly. Have you ever felt like it's easier to solve someone else's problem than your own because you're looking in instead of out? It's the same thing with understanding cultures. While I've certainly picked up things from living in Denmark, it's much easier to look back at America and see what the exact "culture" is.<br />
<b>5. Never feel guilty for acting like a tourist.</b><br />
I really love when people speak to me in Danish or ask me for directions because it means I look like a local. I got a new camera before leaving the States and even though I love being snap-happy, I hate looking like a tourist when I whip out my massive Nikon and start clicking away. After the newness of the city wore off, I was super conscious about looking too American or too touristy. It's definitely worthwhile to immerse yourself and respect cultural differences but at the same time, I <i>am </i>American and since I'm here for such a short time, I might as well embrace it and act the part. There's a balance, I think, between taking advantage of your time and aspiring to be a native. Even though I do my best to dress like a Dane, there are days where I can't be bothered to put on jeans and I venture outside in yoga pants (this is practically a cardinal sin here). You are there for a limited time so don't be afraid to indulge in the highlights like any other visitor.<br />
<br />
The truth is this: studying abroad is one of the most amazing, adventurous, challenging, frustrating, unique, eye-opening, thought-provoking and memorable experiences you will ever have. It's a hard thing to explain to be able who haven't done it because it's such a different experience from just traveling. Luckily there are plenty of DIS kids based in DC who I'll be able to reminisce with. I have plenty of stories to entertain everyone with but I'm equally looking forward to catching up on State-side happenings.Hillary Oneslagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15635530146628961414noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5914364019353455730.post-33779690252527839122012-12-12T16:51:00.001+01:002012-12-12T16:51:10.042+01:00PAIRS: THE FINAL ADVENTUREIt's hard to believe that my traveling time has come to an end. After submitting my final paper on Thursday morning, I went to my last two classes before jetting off for one last trip. Another good friend from high school messaged me back in September; Hannah was studying in Spain and wanted to know if I'd like to go to Paris with her. We took AP Art History together senior year and have both continued to study the subject at school. Because of busy lives and crazy schedules, I hadn't actually seen her since graduation but catching up over crepes, macaroons and tea made the last two years seem insignificant.<br />
<br />
On Friday morning we met up with one of my friends from Georgetown who has been in Paris all semester for hot chocolate and croissants. She picked a cafe right near all the big museums so after parting ways, Hannah and I set off to explore the Musee l'Orangerie and the Louvre. We spent a grand total of ten hours in museums that day. A group of Hannah's friends from school were also traveling through Paris so we met up with them that night and went out to an amazing dinner of cheese fondue and wine served in baby bottles.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyCFnnkLTGzCEXqzieHNFjI1A2gG5VayIWm7oQTja4EH5UnFMpNmvJkxtHwXBuQ6q1jWXuYPXK7VZPfrU3F4psabGWuUfrwfSNZJh8AcLWyZgh51TsbqryezdXl7A22O_9sy-V7cAlnh9n/s1600/DSC_0328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyCFnnkLTGzCEXqzieHNFjI1A2gG5VayIWm7oQTja4EH5UnFMpNmvJkxtHwXBuQ6q1jWXuYPXK7VZPfrU3F4psabGWuUfrwfSNZJh8AcLWyZgh51TsbqryezdXl7A22O_9sy-V7cAlnh9n/s640/DSC_0328.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvBqolHxt1xFDuOCphHGceJKeYfSU9ORY-uk4dNtYG-954e9tB352hDCXcsa1ZV2WIOf2WiDY_u43tmZGbt66rCTOFfTsLjzKVUiE15yVEqod0C-ILkZ2yhEkvyNCWLasV3uMiDucdMEe/s1600/DSC_0363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvBqolHxt1xFDuOCphHGceJKeYfSU9ORY-uk4dNtYG-954e9tB352hDCXcsa1ZV2WIOf2WiDY_u43tmZGbt66rCTOFfTsLjzKVUiE15yVEqod0C-ILkZ2yhEkvyNCWLasV3uMiDucdMEe/s640/DSC_0363.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuBzAmayY8gX3jtT65NQqGH1n71O980zuSjJRg6wgwEQspOmT6dphO-fAbcXTLyxVyB5eLzNdJ2AAenBdb4loorgnJYl6_-PDyAsoaAWGw3JxIjdDo0ev9XQ6Xr_TZ1zMoD-BoVbywWEWG/s1600/DSC_0452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuBzAmayY8gX3jtT65NQqGH1n71O980zuSjJRg6wgwEQspOmT6dphO-fAbcXTLyxVyB5eLzNdJ2AAenBdb4loorgnJYl6_-PDyAsoaAWGw3JxIjdDo0ev9XQ6Xr_TZ1zMoD-BoVbywWEWG/s640/DSC_0452.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpSMwnQzOtMEjvEnxENLehnm2UJkzGnfhwQ_1CkyPtgZQwh_gZHa01Rl9kR0UEChBYpnJUmYy43OTwwWzd4IeGY7RIAeKhXzXvWePvowABzi_hN9qzrN0bnnB73j-D2zw58FErBxmOX0JG/s1600/DSC_0457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpSMwnQzOtMEjvEnxENLehnm2UJkzGnfhwQ_1CkyPtgZQwh_gZHa01Rl9kR0UEChBYpnJUmYy43OTwwWzd4IeGY7RIAeKhXzXvWePvowABzi_hN9qzrN0bnnB73j-D2zw58FErBxmOX0JG/s640/DSC_0457.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We slept in a little on Saturday before heading out to see the D'Orsay Museum (which didn't allow photography). Along the way we happened across the Love Bridge. Couples attach a lock and throw the key in the river for good luck. I have every intention of returning to Paris someday to add my own. After another few hours of marveling at art, we made our way to Notre Dame, an incredible bookstore called Shakespeare & Company, and the Eiffel tower where we watched the hourly light show while sipping hot, mulled wine.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJlvkDEmuFmFIj0OnPax2OCo1YVztdv-cOqtK5d7SArn8-TfNlFdSMLGLCdo6BjuDJTs98k4BRUtjNCDXq4IfUFyJppwbjxvVfoyyU44ORgIWdMippZ5hpbhVtfY8IOP98cFWtsACgvl47/s1600/DSC_0474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJlvkDEmuFmFIj0OnPax2OCo1YVztdv-cOqtK5d7SArn8-TfNlFdSMLGLCdo6BjuDJTs98k4BRUtjNCDXq4IfUFyJppwbjxvVfoyyU44ORgIWdMippZ5hpbhVtfY8IOP98cFWtsACgvl47/s640/DSC_0474.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZxwkdi_HybMIk-AuHG-dF0nErXerXZLlaMTx4V6GFtre8-3iS38oLMsOLE3iN70Vcq_w74YTUFfuFTQp-1pnKqPlUb5hYmyNGNwCGNtjV_uyVT-6qCgSeMOrw6dNM7xxuo92UZnhxPJ3/s1600/DSC_0478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZxwkdi_HybMIk-AuHG-dF0nErXerXZLlaMTx4V6GFtre8-3iS38oLMsOLE3iN70Vcq_w74YTUFfuFTQp-1pnKqPlUb5hYmyNGNwCGNtjV_uyVT-6qCgSeMOrw6dNM7xxuo92UZnhxPJ3/s640/DSC_0478.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0m_sG54ah87jZCGvriuxmXZMIegckrcwrfP3MaXAOHwHl71wbKCY8_xoYIGz3NAJK1xv3ULyp2E1de0KkmlM8QlQKK7c8OQXuSEbQX3JM4b0KBNRtC7XjDXcI5smz6MXpe6yy7TfnCQW/s1600/DSC_0498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0m_sG54ah87jZCGvriuxmXZMIegckrcwrfP3MaXAOHwHl71wbKCY8_xoYIGz3NAJK1xv3ULyp2E1de0KkmlM8QlQKK7c8OQXuSEbQX3JM4b0KBNRtC7XjDXcI5smz6MXpe6yy7TfnCQW/s640/DSC_0498.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOjJy9VWWL1UrYyrrP6Mt8ds3MKcz5TymQRv-kguSvwEOwWI04Dj0SyIs3sRHe73_KSG6s4db2ppr_MRG5oFUTwRfwATZxnktU8BCER-WG9Cr_qYaQj65eIzmsAW0g25sN1lXngzFWuL0/s1600/DSC_0509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOjJy9VWWL1UrYyrrP6Mt8ds3MKcz5TymQRv-kguSvwEOwWI04Dj0SyIs3sRHe73_KSG6s4db2ppr_MRG5oFUTwRfwATZxnktU8BCER-WG9Cr_qYaQj65eIzmsAW0g25sN1lXngzFWuL0/s640/DSC_0509.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oa6lX_fjV54F_42VXHeI5F3DMENpZXy8efnbzKkzksdPKOGZkh8N6GB5D0iDjxDvnRyiCot5ir1HpQFZt9Q_RLlE64DkXPDx5nJQMBfgrCUofiqw26DPQphj0SJNvhS0wI2jub29P0n-/s1600/DSC_0515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oa6lX_fjV54F_42VXHeI5F3DMENpZXy8efnbzKkzksdPKOGZkh8N6GB5D0iDjxDvnRyiCot5ir1HpQFZt9Q_RLlE64DkXPDx5nJQMBfgrCUofiqw26DPQphj0SJNvhS0wI2jub29P0n-/s640/DSC_0515.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwPCLavyHXMO4iq2wl9I1os7_4ARHgPyg16Qqa3PIxtuFwEIdTalQX_iWghK9cPkCET446kEs3kfg1zfKs8etP2I0aCQWrAdJNVOzD8oYFEJobnrnWJHBuPHNsE3lNHGJslu3W_q6_baiO/s1600/DSC_0548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwPCLavyHXMO4iq2wl9I1os7_4ARHgPyg16Qqa3PIxtuFwEIdTalQX_iWghK9cPkCET446kEs3kfg1zfKs8etP2I0aCQWrAdJNVOzD8oYFEJobnrnWJHBuPHNsE3lNHGJslu3W_q6_baiO/s640/DSC_0548.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Since neither of had class on Monday, we opted to fly out then instead of on Sunday, giving us a whole extra day to do more sightseeing. I've always wanted to go to Versailles so despite the chilly weather, we took the train out to see the royal residence. The gardens, though relatively grey, were' still spectactular. I can only imagine how they look in the spring and summer. We finished off the afternoon by exploring Sacre Coeur, the Montemartre area and hunting down Chipotle for dinner (a true Colorado favorite).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3KE5qdhoxgB042a-pxTTG03b8LYWzFJyoHvJdmlgNi-ohI-H8zSuH_ehjHF4bkst2be5tEH73zfhyJWW08QWlqbBkwIuQRM1dMTsj0Yn3n0RsNX7Jjm-X1tHWRH-Fri7HhuAn9mICHOQ/s1600/DSC_0552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3KE5qdhoxgB042a-pxTTG03b8LYWzFJyoHvJdmlgNi-ohI-H8zSuH_ehjHF4bkst2be5tEH73zfhyJWW08QWlqbBkwIuQRM1dMTsj0Yn3n0RsNX7Jjm-X1tHWRH-Fri7HhuAn9mICHOQ/s640/DSC_0552.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgon4B77d88O9hybFeUZVV0FQeC9hyphenhyphenfNS6h9hOYr_zsEkRuLYgYX_Tayi9F-1rx5yDkMDaGMpS6WuYb4HyntLzGkjLZces07PnQVtUVSUMGu5NOBNDcuA3DlUfab2NJU5ucNZYqNeEwAzYs/s1600/DSC_0599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgon4B77d88O9hybFeUZVV0FQeC9hyphenhyphenfNS6h9hOYr_zsEkRuLYgYX_Tayi9F-1rx5yDkMDaGMpS6WuYb4HyntLzGkjLZces07PnQVtUVSUMGu5NOBNDcuA3DlUfab2NJU5ucNZYqNeEwAzYs/s640/DSC_0599.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLRG2m4YKFIofEmnCE-4QW8f15X3BwW_nq5rfb-0JOBoJqHUT-0QEI8p6y0ZMJz59k8Ta7NicWoKr71c52q2Es3IeoD_te24Sr0hq2A8U8THLEZONIVZrbZvrkt_TF9HuKGn_GtdU-lzEN/s1600/DSC_0638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLRG2m4YKFIofEmnCE-4QW8f15X3BwW_nq5rfb-0JOBoJqHUT-0QEI8p6y0ZMJz59k8Ta7NicWoKr71c52q2Es3IeoD_te24Sr0hq2A8U8THLEZONIVZrbZvrkt_TF9HuKGn_GtdU-lzEN/s640/DSC_0638.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpovLP9Sh6ZPrMMwSmPiKPBPzGO5ohKYQpR0htN3qRZa0L1ubCoz5W4CEhjsydiqxTWvSnxwqD1Umdb0Vv2UueeofvGRXdKLPCKjPRmQL9PUlaxz5dFkwV0JTndGgDxQEiZRit7W_iKGN/s1600/DSC_0672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpovLP9Sh6ZPrMMwSmPiKPBPzGO5ohKYQpR0htN3qRZa0L1ubCoz5W4CEhjsydiqxTWvSnxwqD1Umdb0Vv2UueeofvGRXdKLPCKjPRmQL9PUlaxz5dFkwV0JTndGgDxQEiZRit7W_iKGN/s640/DSC_0672.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6zLfgPRNWqo4844cHQRJV8yIHSx058mIA929Gz4dedKHFvGs9y1V4kWSyYGayE1Q_RLWqp-YbK1k3hyd0sGU6dkZ0BfjnUaDL33qHbLjjXR91mNjbBqzTxXcckXde2QavM47iLCj4RFg4/s1600/DSC_0678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6zLfgPRNWqo4844cHQRJV8yIHSx058mIA929Gz4dedKHFvGs9y1V4kWSyYGayE1Q_RLWqp-YbK1k3hyd0sGU6dkZ0BfjnUaDL33qHbLjjXR91mNjbBqzTxXcckXde2QavM47iLCj4RFg4/s640/DSC_0678.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKps1uoDija-sBxmK8klZK5b11PkRGbeGmaSBikAioFIl8b1nheCHozQCepzmGyrZGBP0MJX7W-BMnKY9ARlsdYLjQClt8Pdcem0XNjS8OD4P1q8XgHCV0vEIl2XmIVXxhxmo5s-8uBKPP/s1600/DSC_0702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKps1uoDija-sBxmK8klZK5b11PkRGbeGmaSBikAioFIl8b1nheCHozQCepzmGyrZGBP0MJX7W-BMnKY9ARlsdYLjQClt8Pdcem0XNjS8OD4P1q8XgHCV0vEIl2XmIVXxhxmo5s-8uBKPP/s640/DSC_0702.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The weekend was a huge success and I can't think of a more perfect way to round off my traveling in Europe. Hannah was a fantastic travel buddy; very few people would have been eager to spend hours looking at paintings in museums. Now that I'm back in (snowy) Copenhagen, I've got just a few days left to relax, shop and pack before heading back to the states.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This semester has been a non-stop adventure and I'm very much looking forward to three weeks spent doing absolutely nothing at home (and by nothing I actually mean doings lot of hot yoga, seeing old friends and eating at all my favorite restaurants). I fly to DC on Saturday to see one of my very best friends before she heads off to Jordan for the spring semester so I guess I still have one more weekend trip ahead of me. The past four months have been incredible and as sad as I am see it all end, I'm infinitely grateful to have such amazing people and things to go home too.</div>
Hillary Oneslagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15635530146628961414noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5914364019353455730.post-27652121470138455002012-12-06T09:34:00.000+01:002012-12-06T09:48:07.901+01:00DANCE IT OUTLike many of my American peers, I've become a pro at procrastinating when I really should be doing work. Thankfully, I just submitted my final paper assignment this morning and have two classes to attend before I'm officially finished with academics for the semester. Crazy right?! Even though I'm basically done, I figured I should share with you some of my favorite Danish songs. Because Hulu doesn't work in Europe and Netflix is limited, I've been turning to YouTube to fill the void during extended study breaks. I've watched everything...Dr. Phil reruns, medical documentaries and weird TLC specials (yes, I've actually sunk to this level of desperation). Despite being embarrassed to admit what I've been watching, I also found some great and entertaining Danish artist to distract you from whatever it is you should be doing. You're Welcome!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Rasmus Thude - Gider Dig Ikke Mer</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't actually understand this song but Rasmus is adorable. They also filmed this at Tivoli which is right near my apartment.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="333" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pTQcgNBvN-0" width="500"></iframe><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Specktors - Lågsus</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This song is always on at the gym. I can't get over the whole white-boy-rapping thing and their awkward shorts and more awkward dance moves makes this one a real winner.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="333" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/r8ImKJ3X6TE" width="500"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Christopher - Nothing in Common</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He's kind of like the Danish version of Jesse McCartney or J-Biebs. He also works out at my gym which is pretty cool.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="333" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/G9FdVfV74FY" width="500"></iframe><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Outlandish - Warrior/Worrier</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'd actually heard of this band before I got to Denmark. The guys were born in Copenhagen to immigrant parents.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="333" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Omyx49oyuG0" width="500"></iframe><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Nik & Jay - Laekker</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Slang for "hot," this old song is still played at all the bars. Watching this will remind you that somewhere, someone was once having a worse style-day than you.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="333" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GZL4oZI2Ro0" width="500"></iframe><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Hillary Oneslagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15635530146628961414noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5914364019353455730.post-75048274691575961942012-12-04T21:52:00.002+01:002013-03-13T13:53:49.097+01:00MILAN & CINQUE TERREWith the semester winding down, it's about time that I did a little traveling on my own. I'm really happy that I spent my designated travel breaks on DIS tours but it was a wonderful treat to spend this past weekend in Italy with a good friend from high school. I took one semester of Italian at Georgetown and I was surprised at how much I retained; I was able to read most signs and menus which was pretty cool.
<br />
<br />
EasyJet has super cheap flights to Milan so back in September we booked a weekend trip. I hadn't been to Italy previously; as an art history major there is SO MUCH I want to see and do there but trying to do Rome or Florence in just 2.5 days felt like a waste of time (plus I'm a hopeless romantic and would really like a future boyfriend/fiancé/husband to whisk me off to Tuscany, or something cliche like that). Milan isn't always a top travel destination but it served as a great introduction to the country. We spent all day Friday climbing the Duomo, window shopping and eating gelato and pizza.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2LmbvIsQH2kfTR33uknrP7zEtpUgE4UDZfH_S6JJ8PFbomCUyuSmBQNSaTIBjPv8pvdzZEFF3NDZlv3r4DDOsZTrPPUnJHHgCZyV2Tbo14DorgFzPVAIvQztBK_s7lCZa00k28nqp1SQ/s1600/DSC_0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2LmbvIsQH2kfTR33uknrP7zEtpUgE4UDZfH_S6JJ8PFbomCUyuSmBQNSaTIBjPv8pvdzZEFF3NDZlv3r4DDOsZTrPPUnJHHgCZyV2Tbo14DorgFzPVAIvQztBK_s7lCZa00k28nqp1SQ/s640/DSC_0031.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp6yeQ0D7EMftedyPNxoHbX4WsZd4ZMpEVwkOc4oNq4uGYfrxGl5gSYP1NifLyNoJCkoOTkYGl_KeQJ7yulLdDAMZPmvZa4KGcTdsvrO6bjx3U-L-D8SL6lffl7JSVxAGc3rRe13NrEQN_/s1600/DSC_0052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp6yeQ0D7EMftedyPNxoHbX4WsZd4ZMpEVwkOc4oNq4uGYfrxGl5gSYP1NifLyNoJCkoOTkYGl_KeQJ7yulLdDAMZPmvZa4KGcTdsvrO6bjx3U-L-D8SL6lffl7JSVxAGc3rRe13NrEQN_/s640/DSC_0052.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYdFg3myQe42UwA3TLAkNkFceTYvXoRawotNfPcGPARu5-3OVov7xJg7Gv3nGaav6ZHO1UC0FReiqEJOAvhve_uW647q7XlNAkP6MGYvU8cYnl0ADsTjGojGPiKFJIW9ElYG6VlXAEnaO/s1600/DSC_0065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYdFg3myQe42UwA3TLAkNkFceTYvXoRawotNfPcGPARu5-3OVov7xJg7Gv3nGaav6ZHO1UC0FReiqEJOAvhve_uW647q7XlNAkP6MGYvU8cYnl0ADsTjGojGPiKFJIW9ElYG6VlXAEnaO/s640/DSC_0065.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGHvgwsZegJSin6B1SKFH6bd6dLclvbGmPdxOvou0KdvFwe6OzagU-c6oTzhkwJNIDaG9g74AYGe-Waxh4Ico8FxJ8HatYZy1n5pw_bwKvrnhUJkg4gbg0yl4ngEGeQ6Q8HElXR2tHIL1E/s1600/DSC_0174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGHvgwsZegJSin6B1SKFH6bd6dLclvbGmPdxOvou0KdvFwe6OzagU-c6oTzhkwJNIDaG9g74AYGe-Waxh4Ico8FxJ8HatYZy1n5pw_bwKvrnhUJkg4gbg0yl4ngEGeQ6Q8HElXR2tHIL1E/s640/DSC_0174.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
Because Milan is considered a business city, one day was enough to see the major sights. Since Italy is well connected via train lines, we opted to do a day trip on Saturday to Cinque Terre. Oh. My. Goodness. It was just as picture perfect as Pinterest would have you think. We took an early morning train to Monterosso al Mare, the first of the five villages. From there we spent the afternoon hopping from town to town and taking in the colorful charm of the world heritage site.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjBfPAl2eAUmLxofcT4tirlQQNw69_AqoknazvouBAlwfeWNfaE9igp2DlIcjFLqkHpaQeP6431rygUPOFd8ADBD1qEcztCUUtt0lEDmveJDDkaIMGRk5p2x-D7rUm-8liKPbcFaPCRhc/s1600/DSC_0190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjBfPAl2eAUmLxofcT4tirlQQNw69_AqoknazvouBAlwfeWNfaE9igp2DlIcjFLqkHpaQeP6431rygUPOFd8ADBD1qEcztCUUtt0lEDmveJDDkaIMGRk5p2x-D7rUm-8liKPbcFaPCRhc/s640/DSC_0190.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb1LYXqdn1GyjtB23S8JxfRPfYRtj9C8ocVV4xZ7rJN-x_Bxm417vM13cg1opLrU-sIO9oIGacnYStZhOiy5jqAL4ws5B8g5mcy_5Dd7Q5e_rK8-qJAO5qSBuh870kKtB9BV8X2ikX6dxk/s1600/DSC_0191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb1LYXqdn1GyjtB23S8JxfRPfYRtj9C8ocVV4xZ7rJN-x_Bxm417vM13cg1opLrU-sIO9oIGacnYStZhOiy5jqAL4ws5B8g5mcy_5Dd7Q5e_rK8-qJAO5qSBuh870kKtB9BV8X2ikX6dxk/s640/DSC_0191.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
Vernazza had great harbor views and the most charming winding side streets. I could have easily spent several hours just walking through them all.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJijtOWQzAvugv8UuTY7_pkOeS89e1W_lWqSi5rt5VMChCw9xxN9QNHxzbPJuKEY5TAI564CjXVwFs38R-MVrnc1Mi5lnsWi660Gug_r9S254L3IH7Kb2OWitZCaIeI-WUAg4KM4D_aWm/s1600/DSC_0196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJijtOWQzAvugv8UuTY7_pkOeS89e1W_lWqSi5rt5VMChCw9xxN9QNHxzbPJuKEY5TAI564CjXVwFs38R-MVrnc1Mi5lnsWi660Gug_r9S254L3IH7Kb2OWitZCaIeI-WUAg4KM4D_aWm/s640/DSC_0196.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55lmvixgtCq6e2Ym9cSxU6bU30TNBdycPHXIwFxr_POuqde4kfRx85AUqB7KpvwIDuiVP59yj_JFhEu5Nq549ef5H5zraK1G-TcaBfLIvZlS3ZCGGKRoq-cp-s6z5OpJlk9jz9vOPnM04/s1600/DSC_0209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55lmvixgtCq6e2Ym9cSxU6bU30TNBdycPHXIwFxr_POuqde4kfRx85AUqB7KpvwIDuiVP59yj_JFhEu5Nq549ef5H5zraK1G-TcaBfLIvZlS3ZCGGKRoq-cp-s6z5OpJlk9jz9vOPnM04/s640/DSC_0209.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
Corniglia was a short bus ride up a (very steep) hill and offered stunning panoramic views of the sea and farming terraces.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90WYDAEZAVwyUwW0VW4c4ekNGeCD2nK7Zr4r6VgyFzMtHZYDRRGTI8IVeBfo6jICagAfYHKP9y3l70jwkUZR4XiyhWbgQqI0xbpJRCI9oFGiSYKw844XGFerOezZvHr47EsPrS73p45jX/s1600/DSC_0211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90WYDAEZAVwyUwW0VW4c4ekNGeCD2nK7Zr4r6VgyFzMtHZYDRRGTI8IVeBfo6jICagAfYHKP9y3l70jwkUZR4XiyhWbgQqI0xbpJRCI9oFGiSYKw844XGFerOezZvHr47EsPrS73p45jX/s640/DSC_0211.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTgyUz6tMb3nW2xtf5qpNwRvTu_89K5ssuyXx3ABIQRIwGH_gIQ88s1DT57VZNcCHV2uS-oqI0QRUvape_7dx_j49t0ei4rnrXGixbxerDvhtHzAph_OvVotYT2cS4q4IuLpViaejPsmNC/s1600/DSC_0217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTgyUz6tMb3nW2xtf5qpNwRvTu_89K5ssuyXx3ABIQRIwGH_gIQ88s1DT57VZNcCHV2uS-oqI0QRUvape_7dx_j49t0ei4rnrXGixbxerDvhtHzAph_OvVotYT2cS4q4IuLpViaejPsmNC/s640/DSC_0217.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
Manarola was the most iconic village, nestled in to the cliff overlooking the Mediterranean.<br />
We ate lunch (pasta with lobster and a glass of moscato) and the best cannoli I've ever had in a cute little cafe on the main square.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRjeIYa9WGp_Qrg9T0_8cP6CWJM_LM3LW4yKSQbJlmpAhwlHwAdDzVnBx4E2VYbkIeopPav28rTzW5otHArpXTafK2goa5LjtRZPz88Huo996fWoTZ7XMC8cCTmEFod3Ezo4qCQj4qoN9B/s1600/DSC_0225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRjeIYa9WGp_Qrg9T0_8cP6CWJM_LM3LW4yKSQbJlmpAhwlHwAdDzVnBx4E2VYbkIeopPav28rTzW5otHArpXTafK2goa5LjtRZPz88Huo996fWoTZ7XMC8cCTmEFod3Ezo4qCQj4qoN9B/s640/DSC_0225.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_ZeBMS0Dv1CQ2tH1i18tpZMKo2GE2wfFpxQhoWOMUdXO74w7h1sZo9uXjCgmvhlBnvOE8MksH7g5eTML109WjhVdNSuYaymZ0eL-C7Qn9oveMCmstkVRImmVJFJ9k15tLUs2PIzMhSWx/s1600/DSC_0224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_ZeBMS0Dv1CQ2tH1i18tpZMKo2GE2wfFpxQhoWOMUdXO74w7h1sZo9uXjCgmvhlBnvOE8MksH7g5eTML109WjhVdNSuYaymZ0eL-C7Qn9oveMCmstkVRImmVJFJ9k15tLUs2PIzMhSWx/s640/DSC_0224.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
Last but not least we caught a sliver of a pink and orange sunset from the streets of Riomaggoire, the last of the five towns.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUD-eBAZfUcNj_VP73kxS1oN1DCoS_-9DxqGijJBolgyrwQgnBoIMYm1ISlf7BxHQMNdPLcRj06vxDRj7OzzYJWoQvtdfkXb0e3KHCgaGmuzk_7ultibaogDcSp4nvB1bAJMbwjReXFMt/s1600/DSC_0275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUD-eBAZfUcNj_VP73kxS1oN1DCoS_-9DxqGijJBolgyrwQgnBoIMYm1ISlf7BxHQMNdPLcRj06vxDRj7OzzYJWoQvtdfkXb0e3KHCgaGmuzk_7ultibaogDcSp4nvB1bAJMbwjReXFMt/s640/DSC_0275.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
It was a little cold and the streets were quiet since it was the off season but I had an incredible time. I've seen so many pictures of the colorful villages online and it was such a "bucketlist" kind of day that it was worth every minute and penny. I can only imagine how glorious it must be in the summer. Even though it was December the hills were still lush and green and orange and lemon trees were dotted with colorful fruit.<br />
<br />
I have to keep reminding myself that I'm only 20 and still have my whole life to continue to seeing the world. If anyone is looking for a good gift to give me, I'll happily accept plane tickets to anywhere in Italy. If you want to include a moped, bottle of wine and a private villa I'd accept that too.Hillary Oneslagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15635530146628961414noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5914364019353455730.post-85311945311240552372012-12-02T18:33:00.002+01:002014-01-10T04:43:14.837+01:00A WALK ON THE WILD SIDEBefore I dive in to this post, I'd like to take a minute to thank you, the reader. My blog is an "official" blog for my DIS program and I just found out the other day that I was selected as the "Student Blogger of the Semester." I'm extremely flattered that people other than my parents take the time to read what I write. I've also gotten some really thoughtful comments and emails from people I've never met and it makes my day every time. So THANK YOU whomever you are for reading this.<br />
<br />
Since I wrote my last post about a key thing that I don't like about Danish culture, I figured I should talk about one of the aspects that I do really like. The realization that led to this post happened during a recent afternoon trip to the Copenhagen Zoo.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9p5TzjzkyRGKorz3El6OH3FX0GLjYdvlEekKypno3015ZXdkDFLFZeyfSV5hZQKiu-pKNd6FoAxBd2ayOSY3IpPbyYMbh2pDtBdQxBt0h8bKaSIRQQE4HFSzky5Qm3h57BypiGTFAkrIQ/s1600/cc1508dc37f011e287a122000a9f13ec_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9p5TzjzkyRGKorz3El6OH3FX0GLjYdvlEekKypno3015ZXdkDFLFZeyfSV5hZQKiu-pKNd6FoAxBd2ayOSY3IpPbyYMbh2pDtBdQxBt0h8bKaSIRQQE4HFSzky5Qm3h57BypiGTFAkrIQ/s320/cc1508dc37f011e287a122000a9f13ec_7.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(snuggling otters)</div>
<br />
The Zoo is a short bus ride away from my apartment so my housemate and I decided to go after class the other week. After checking out the new baby hippo and reading up on the Asian elephants we walked up to the otter enclosure. Much to my surprise, the glass barrier only came up to my waist. The front of their habitat was a pond and a large log was floating right next to the glass. An otter was perched on the driftwood and when he saw us looking at him he stood up on his back legs to say hello (yes, I speak otter). I swear to god I almost reached right over and patted his cute little head but I stopped myself when I realized that I was actually about to reach in to a zoo exhibit to pet a wild animal. That's when it hit me: this would NEVER happen in the States. Someone would have definitely touched the otter, taken him home or hopped over the fence to swim with him. In Denmark, the Zoo trusted that no one would do such a thing so there wasn't a ten foot wall, moat and lasers separating us from the animals.This example sounds silly, but the Danish tradition of trust is a cornerstone in their culture. They are a society that follows the rules. No one jaywalks. Women leave strollers with sleeping babies outside stores because they know that no one will take them (except, of course, people like me who are obsessed with Danish children).<br />
<br />
Trust in society is why the welfare state works. Danes trust each other to contribute and they trust the government to provide for them and thus everyone does their part. The Danes are very private people; they trust that they can walk down the street and not be disrupted or distracted by anyone else. Everyone has their personal space and the right to not be bothered and nearly everyone respects that. To an outsider these tendencies can seem cold but after living in Copenhagen for nearly four months I've come to really enjoy this value. I've never felt unsafe walking around and I know that I can get from point a to point b efficiently and without interruption. I have no doubt that the loud, push-and-shove mentality of the States will be quite a shock. I enjoy my quiet morning bus ride to school and love being able to explore the city in solitude despite being surrounded by hundreds of other people.<br />
<br />
I'm getting a handle on the Danish way but I guess it's the American in me that wants to pet zoo animals and not wait for the crosswalk symbols. I'm still tempted to adopt a Danish baby but I suppose animals are easier to care for so I may have to settle for a stolen otter. He'd be in good hands. Trust me.Hillary Oneslagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15635530146628961414noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5914364019353455730.post-37209487995412349622012-11-26T16:08:00.003+01:002012-12-14T15:40:58.845+01:00MY WAY OR THE DANISH WAYWith just three weeks left in Copenhagen, I've been giving a lot of thought as to what I want to bring home as a souvenir. I've gotten some little things here and there but I kind of want to get one big thing to remember my time here. It has to be cool, cute and totally Danish. If I had it my way, I would probably bring home a Danish baby. But let's face it, 20 is way too young to be a mom. Not to mention that stealing children off the street is probably illegal too.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7jVCqXhE7ngrQi4EE6MRxkaCFAHMVofB9nY1xYXFcMzMjOskQlGwVljAFHyBK_7pUxCEN532JtwGnIpMJbOim0yFuCPzX1gIgoYHTtqin98apxIJhWYgROyGurRtRrfSIVOW0-r1Fv_f/s1600/16ad7b1411e911e2957722000a1e9dcb_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7jVCqXhE7ngrQi4EE6MRxkaCFAHMVofB9nY1xYXFcMzMjOskQlGwVljAFHyBK_7pUxCEN532JtwGnIpMJbOim0yFuCPzX1gIgoYHTtqin98apxIJhWYgROyGurRtRrfSIVOW0-r1Fv_f/s320/16ad7b1411e911e2957722000a1e9dcb_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(Just creepin' on some nuggets at the bus stop)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I can't get enough of Danish children. They are ALL blonde with blue eyes and they have been dressed in full-body snowsuits (with boots and mittens of course) since October. They waddle around in their puffy coats and scoot down the streets on miniature bikes. I swear to god I melt every time I hear a bubbly little three-year-old say something completely unintelligible in Danish. As cute and innocent as they may appear, Danish children are much more independent than their American peers. I've taken the public bus with middle schoolers and waited at crosswalks with unattended first graders. This would never happen back home and if it did, it would probably make the nine o'clock news.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My Danish class has a cultural component to it and we've talked a lot about the Danish school system. Preschool and kindergarten here is much more focused on socializing. Preschool teachers have a different title than "regular" teachers and parents would be horrified if they actually taught their children anything. The point of the early years is to play, make friends, and learn to be social. This was amusing to my class but as we talked more about the progression of education, I came to realize what--in my mind--was really lacking in the classroom: competition.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There's actually a term for this phenomenon. It's called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_Jante" target="_blank">janteloven</a> (or the Law of Jante in English) and it basically says that it's inappropriate to hold your success over another. It has ten key points which all basically say you are not any better than anyone else. It's a pretty radical idea by American standards but has been embraced on many levels by Danish culture. I was happy to learn about this philosophy because it finally gave a name to what frustrated me so much about Danish culture.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I was never that involved in sports so I've never really considered myself to be competitive; since I've been in Denmark, I've discovered that I am, in fact, extremely competitive in a different sense of the world. If you know me personally maybe this isn't all the that shocking to you (but hey, at least I'm learning to identify my flaws). I don't necessarily feel the need to win, but I do like to be right. I'm pretty convinced that the world would run more smoothly if I did the planning. I like to be in control, I'm opinionated and I'm stubborn to a fault. When I apply for things, I usually get them. I have no problem saying something or someone is better than another. Honestly, how can you go through life and not think that something or someone is the best? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For Danes, everyone is equal and all ideas are welcome. While I appreciate being open minded (and this is actually a quality I like to think I have), I can't wrap my mind around <i>nothing</i> being "the best" or "better than" in the Danish sense. You know what? I'm good at writing. I know I am. And that's ok. I can also acknowledge that I suck at spelling, can't hit a tennis ball and will never be a scientist. That's ok! You're probably better at something than I am and I still value you as a person. That's ok too! Perhaps my insistence that my way is better than the Danish way only goes to prove their point but if nothing else, I'm learning way more about myself and American culture in general than I ever expected to learn in my Danish class.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'll be coming back to the states with new a perspective on my own personality and that's perfectly ok with me. Self-discovery is an important part of studying abroad and so far I've discovered that I have a competitive streak that I never really noticed. I will also insist that my future children wear neon snow-suits if it ever drops below 50 degrees...but that's a lesson for another day. </div>
<br />Hillary Oneslagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15635530146628961414noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5914364019353455730.post-30099842874230278902012-11-22T18:01:00.001+01:002012-11-22T18:05:59.195+01:00SO...CONGRATULATIONS?We had a guest speaker this morning in my 8:30am class. As he shuffled his notes around and got his powerpoint presentation set up, my friend Lauren mentioned that it was Thanksgiving. "It's a holiday for us," she said, "that's probably why people are running late." The guest looked up and said in all seriousness "Oh right. I know about that. So what do I say? Congratulations?" He meant well and we all smiled and tried to hide our laughter. Being abroad for such a quintessential American holiday just isn't the same.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFCiWJU5ksbaxOo_TI3e9kf7BcoIiJKUHMRgipEBpeb5JVBQUTIWfaatI6CB7xpi9xHxAnDmdM7eqrEHXlo16QisAZin2bRaXx4wRhekjS62K3puexyqkk2U8HRA0kg0fLUMXwErc3gFr/s1600/1d58c532348411e2b9ed22000a1f8cd8_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFCiWJU5ksbaxOo_TI3e9kf7BcoIiJKUHMRgipEBpeb5JVBQUTIWfaatI6CB7xpi9xHxAnDmdM7eqrEHXlo16QisAZin2bRaXx4wRhekjS62K3puexyqkk2U8HRA0kg0fLUMXwErc3gFr/s320/1d58c532348411e2b9ed22000a1f8cd8_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(A pastry feast from my Renewable Energy professor. Ironically he's from Mexico)</div>
<br />
Not being in the States definitely makes the day a lot less exciting. I'll probably end up having a really simple and boring dinner because I'm not exactly the best chef (although I did buy sweet potatoes to make in to fries so I'll get at least a taste of a traditional dish). Despite the minimal celebration, I figured I could get in the mood by making a list of all the American things that I've discovered I'm thankful for since going abroad. It's all in the little things, right?<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Reese peanut butter cups; PAM non-stick cooking spray; Fahrenheit measurements; any meal that is not pasta, grilled cheese or an omelette; chocolate chips; milk chocolate; fabric softener; bedding that includes more than a flat sheet, comforter and one pillow; hand-sliced deli meat; lunch meat that is not bologna; normal-sized shrimp; being able to read food labels; ZIPLOC BAGS; stick deodorant; closet space; wearing yoga pants in public without judgement; sunshine; not having to order everything specifically without mayo; big dogs; Target; department stores; cable TV; graham crackers and s'mores; one dollar bills; reasonably priced peanut butter.</blockquote>
There are also plenty of Danish things I'm thankful for. If I can't bring a turkey with cranberries and stuffing to the culture, I can at least spread the attitude of gratitude while I'm here.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Walking past Tivoli everyday; PASTRIES; super reliable public transportation; being able to celebrate Christmas starting November 1st without being over eager; really cute guys at the gym; eyeing really cute guys at the gym; nifty hot chocolate machines; 7Elevens; super sleek chairs; Danish design in general; Danish babies bundled up in snowsuits; Christmas Beer; cheap avocados; really dense rye bread; candles; Sample Sunday at the Glass Market; never having to calculate the tax when buying anything; using famous towers as directional landmarks; over-sized scarves; black always being an acceptable outfit choice; hyggeligt (aka feeling warm, safe, and cozy).</blockquote>
Happy Thanksgiving from Denmark! Congratulations on being so thankful.Hillary Oneslagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15635530146628961414noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5914364019353455730.post-80195038823543155622012-11-19T10:54:00.003+01:002014-01-10T04:38:01.110+01:00FALL BREAK: POLAND & GREECEIf there's one thing I love about schools in Europe, it's the fact that they get a week off for fall break. DIS is no exception; last week was our final travel break and I elected to take two other classes that travelled during the time. <a href="http://www.disabroad.org/study-abroad/tours/optional/auschwitz-genocide-memorial/" target="_blank">Auschwitz: From Memorial to Genocide</a> and <a href="http://www.disabroad.org/study-abroad/tours/optional/classical-greece/" target="_blank">Classical Greece</a> took me to Krakow and Athens and despite the jam-packed days, the break was incredible.<br />
<br />
<b>Poland</b><br />
I've always been morbidly fascinated with the Holocaust which is way I was thrilled to be able to take a class on the subject and then travel to Poland to see the camps. I realize that "thrilled" is the wrong word to use but I can't find a word that properly conveys both my excitement and the gravity of the sites we would be seeing. Krakow, much to my surprise, was absolutely beautiful. The old city center was impeccably clean and the winding side streets had buildings from every major design period that all fit together in perfect, eclectic harmony.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKO66wWmz8Am_LbVvQ3icHsQ7Mb6JxZeD0dsw6OBPwD9KHSZzAWikWjt4L_Q_haG2zdxB1Bg7fjZmzHUSNVwTlTRwe7em9OvonAJI7hWOPKV6K9stHVGWAxMzkwxA8RbjsTpg7s_69dGa/s1600/DSC_0142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKO66wWmz8Am_LbVvQ3icHsQ7Mb6JxZeD0dsw6OBPwD9KHSZzAWikWjt4L_Q_haG2zdxB1Bg7fjZmzHUSNVwTlTRwe7em9OvonAJI7hWOPKV6K9stHVGWAxMzkwxA8RbjsTpg7s_69dGa/s640/DSC_0142.JPG" height="333" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1rFgJ8RIWf7HhVf7Ild0f-s0qMCx6EnguDlpw-6soWrQoJ2ftJIfZVGwcs6qDNepxIxuka2OsRQxzzeI5-V_7cjF1eMi7WXWT1hosNpmOHH_lnos7nbAJKZF7U9hzbFAzSNHUqGSDfbG6/s1600/DSC_0169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1rFgJ8RIWf7HhVf7Ild0f-s0qMCx6EnguDlpw-6soWrQoJ2ftJIfZVGwcs6qDNepxIxuka2OsRQxzzeI5-V_7cjF1eMi7WXWT1hosNpmOHH_lnos7nbAJKZF7U9hzbFAzSNHUqGSDfbG6/s640/DSC_0169.JPG" height="333" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
It was hard to wrap my head around such a gorgeous city being so close to the world's worst Nazi death camp. After walking around the city, our teacher, Torben, led us on an exploratory adventure to find Plaszow, the camp portrayed in <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108052/" target="_blank">Schindler's List</a>. Most of the buildings are now piles of rubble and the area has been transformed in to a park with a few memorials at the top of the hill. As we walked along the newly graveled path, we watched a mom pushing her child in a stroller past the debris and stepped over a few empty condom wrappers. Call me crazy, but a concentration camp is the last place on earth I'd want to go on a walk with my child or to roll around in the hay.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhWPyKSgrqpPKPwQH5BVVu-4PQJAMszHr3vDDaZx-On9ICjStgzbx45da7ES1tQcZaAbuziy2MNp3jIhcDoHWyWmxe_FvmYqdwR5yUXLloq7r1eblhaChG0llF9PTzaESOeZfNfz8qFDqk/s1600/DSC_0351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhWPyKSgrqpPKPwQH5BVVu-4PQJAMszHr3vDDaZx-On9ICjStgzbx45da7ES1tQcZaAbuziy2MNp3jIhcDoHWyWmxe_FvmYqdwR5yUXLloq7r1eblhaChG0llF9PTzaESOeZfNfz8qFDqk/s640/DSC_0351.JPG" height="333" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjezuPbiwv4sXcDphb25JKv9NdXszrajXbPaZ509FTQWaI4lID0csZQ5hqtJA_TKuztZ-S5vxrg_n7TAsl4KAcTtcx9QiV0FTC6aMHAxvsbkVz-Jip3sTrLlJ5c0tAn0Zl8nqN80TGLWKtc/s1600/DSC_0365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjezuPbiwv4sXcDphb25JKv9NdXszrajXbPaZ509FTQWaI4lID0csZQ5hqtJA_TKuztZ-S5vxrg_n7TAsl4KAcTtcx9QiV0FTC6aMHAxvsbkVz-Jip3sTrLlJ5c0tAn0Zl8nqN80TGLWKtc/s640/DSC_0365.JPG" height="333" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7rPvsSfKkFQp1ekBrS44GpoTCZpZQWmew9rToVWG8Bv6g4K88wPacNRb-PaRbMEiF-saMFAVQLGAfCiSw78j9NY_CGVITLY6Ap7kdHZo1d94SPwrggIFXUI5qvzJlo9X9o_mLHtfrLyg/s1600/DSC_0369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7rPvsSfKkFQp1ekBrS44GpoTCZpZQWmew9rToVWG8Bv6g4K88wPacNRb-PaRbMEiF-saMFAVQLGAfCiSw78j9NY_CGVITLY6Ap7kdHZo1d94SPwrggIFXUI5qvzJlo9X9o_mLHtfrLyg/s640/DSC_0369.JPG" height="333" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9CnJRtJ8pUBdfuudlyuSB7tMb9OE1dpTpo7l0MyBRXr7PsN3eb1_UPj6zMPhn8qOay-1uxJbNSg3qeYlQl_teuwloPQUm-EEXNc5OesCHfCHx9SOGMVEksTk3kzDN-b68OOL1D2A4sz4/s1600/DSC_0372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9CnJRtJ8pUBdfuudlyuSB7tMb9OE1dpTpo7l0MyBRXr7PsN3eb1_UPj6zMPhn8qOay-1uxJbNSg3qeYlQl_teuwloPQUm-EEXNc5OesCHfCHx9SOGMVEksTk3kzDN-b68OOL1D2A4sz4/s640/DSC_0372.JPG" height="333" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThtmnuO0et7cSlCDmD6sqvE7TubGeHUw2ABeG_vuijhEMJnlNv_e9pJJiiN_cELbwSDntCEMTfisKp-DJ_2TqG3oUARBd9wgHGNImmL8P3Enm6z2eCC3I9wzEdZa5aN5e_kzJts38OE-K/s1600/DSC_0378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThtmnuO0et7cSlCDmD6sqvE7TubGeHUw2ABeG_vuijhEMJnlNv_e9pJJiiN_cELbwSDntCEMTfisKp-DJ_2TqG3oUARBd9wgHGNImmL8P3Enm6z2eCC3I9wzEdZa5aN5e_kzJts38OE-K/s640/DSC_0378.JPG" height="333" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(Torben's expression in this photo is 100% who he is as a person. He's awesome)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc10JrzEF-7ArLswPYNE_KzqdKoxypCKUAxY7xuigXwp5_v4-NDNELiT8yKLF6h49pL35I7eMC3x6FwKlhikhIl-2FuBe5sYc8jBXgqZv6KVHuDxUl1e86EDGO-mKnhWNfcnve9kPnkYHs/s1600/DSC_0395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc10JrzEF-7ArLswPYNE_KzqdKoxypCKUAxY7xuigXwp5_v4-NDNELiT8yKLF6h49pL35I7eMC3x6FwKlhikhIl-2FuBe5sYc8jBXgqZv6KVHuDxUl1e86EDGO-mKnhWNfcnve9kPnkYHs/s640/DSC_0395.JPG" height="333" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
The Plaszow visit wasn't on our official agenda but I'm glad we went. It was an incredible contrast to Auschwitz and made me rethink my initial shock at seeing the camp used as a park. We toured Auschwitz I with a guide before moving on to Auschwitz II-Birkenau (the actual death camp) with Torben as our guide.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSe1CpuAc6yJyNk0jCcEnDNlRhQ8cBByraVSMz0yL4bPLs8kGX5cWI9VCEy8qZJR6RVHxJTfcbuIGXUdlLy2WyQjbw0K1muCfLYGOeyqNipjdzzhutxmeiVW6c5gJAMFYu1l3joDvAeWa/s1600/DSC_0449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSe1CpuAc6yJyNk0jCcEnDNlRhQ8cBByraVSMz0yL4bPLs8kGX5cWI9VCEy8qZJR6RVHxJTfcbuIGXUdlLy2WyQjbw0K1muCfLYGOeyqNipjdzzhutxmeiVW6c5gJAMFYu1l3joDvAeWa/s640/DSC_0449.JPG" height="333" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hlYrhR6yRN-EHPUmT0ipU-K30MouZ8hPx9LGkIyBKPLESZOE7m-RB7QgG4XE0l4LDj38EvfZ4TG68QUN4dOwCstvMuHomER49mczHaT90XAJoQTFRjafPvZa0Tauy2jDRSBt6r5Gi6Ou/s1600/DSC_0469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hlYrhR6yRN-EHPUmT0ipU-K30MouZ8hPx9LGkIyBKPLESZOE7m-RB7QgG4XE0l4LDj38EvfZ4TG68QUN4dOwCstvMuHomER49mczHaT90XAJoQTFRjafPvZa0Tauy2jDRSBt6r5Gi6Ou/s640/DSC_0469.JPG" height="333" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCRtxEkbFV4FOcoc8gi1ZMII-gy8zmzoaR6JZr0lo3Mntl2ZbwQgQcFGqtze3F2FdVP4FTt055KpDnADMexqOrVqA5yyqUpwbD4x89GxFS9FrIxFXEjzWajnND54KU27mD0jGvOZA3kn6/s1600/DSC_0470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCRtxEkbFV4FOcoc8gi1ZMII-gy8zmzoaR6JZr0lo3Mntl2ZbwQgQcFGqtze3F2FdVP4FTt055KpDnADMexqOrVqA5yyqUpwbD4x89GxFS9FrIxFXEjzWajnND54KU27mD0jGvOZA3kn6/s640/DSC_0470.JPG" height="333" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zMrQXu6gBYYTFAN_4Pb4Ejr6wWKPbdyBIqpv9ZbyhynJZBtndhCdCFEHig-5pjdglu2nX3ovOJ3p9LDrrfeRIKik5h_u7FUEH19NyoHQpogzcYFO21VzxI05YVQ3Hs1B-OLrY49vDg-P/s1600/DSC_0489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zMrQXu6gBYYTFAN_4Pb4Ejr6wWKPbdyBIqpv9ZbyhynJZBtndhCdCFEHig-5pjdglu2nX3ovOJ3p9LDrrfeRIKik5h_u7FUEH19NyoHQpogzcYFO21VzxI05YVQ3Hs1B-OLrY49vDg-P/s640/DSC_0489.JPG" height="333" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8aHQeXQln-Go5ZNUavH7JBOBoESJXFm9Ialan1Y-zbt9iSmshB6Xm9lnrVggdZo2z1lt_pAi_vx5P8oLVMZRZ8bXYYzux4tnTnh2465VmvFZk-0HX5sZWWjMRXvBWSKoG7OqVGBewht2B/s1600/DSC_0503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8aHQeXQln-Go5ZNUavH7JBOBoESJXFm9Ialan1Y-zbt9iSmshB6Xm9lnrVggdZo2z1lt_pAi_vx5P8oLVMZRZ8bXYYzux4tnTnh2465VmvFZk-0HX5sZWWjMRXvBWSKoG7OqVGBewht2B/s640/DSC_0503.JPG" height="333" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45buaYHYkY4mp3THNX0jYC41ZDZmI0fdimzJrgYvbBPizKe1QTMokwrZyHfYGb8wIawPskK8MitJyQ0xiegXM1GxjqRZZnbDY2AjkmAYn_ReI-0vCjpeR45iefwvFxxuvJFogM4TeVbeX/s1600/DSC_0523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45buaYHYkY4mp3THNX0jYC41ZDZmI0fdimzJrgYvbBPizKe1QTMokwrZyHfYGb8wIawPskK8MitJyQ0xiegXM1GxjqRZZnbDY2AjkmAYn_ReI-0vCjpeR45iefwvFxxuvJFogM4TeVbeX/s640/DSC_0523.JPG" height="333" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
The camp was shrouded in mist and as we walked through the brick foundations and old ash fields, I was surprised to find myself feeling both haunted and at peace. Walking the barracks and seeing the remains of the crematoriums was eery; walking through the mass grave sites was not. At the back of the camp is a large field surrounded by tall thin trees. It's marked with three simple black tombstones and is Europe's largest mass grave site. An estimated 250,000 people's ashes are in the field; bone fragments can still be found in the dirt. I know it sounds crazy but I found the field to be absolutely beautiful. The grass was green and the area was peaceful. I'm not Jewish nor am I religious, but I'd like to think that the people there have found some sort of peace. They are visited by millions of people every year, many of whom leave flowers or place stones on the headstones (an old Jewish tradition). Their grave is full of wild flowers in the spring and the earth has been churning up their remains for decades, ensuring that they are never forgotten. It was there that I began to understand the camp-turned-park at Plazow. Despite the atrocities, the park and field were peaceful. For all those who met an early and inhumane death, I hope they have found comfort in the fact that their grave is a beautiful place that can be visited and enjoyed for generations to come. I'm sure there are people who will disagree with me or find my observations horrible, but as Torben pointed out, Auschwitz is an experience that is different for everyone and will last a lifetime. I've been back for less than a week; I'll have my whole life to let the camp's impression work its way in my head and heart.<br />
<br />
<b>Greece</b><br />
After a heavy trip through Poland, landing in sunny Greece was a great way to spend the last half of the break. As an art history major, seeing the ancient sites was a dream come true. Add that excitement to some much needed sunshine and amazing Greek food and you've got a recipe for one very happy girl. We toured the Acropolis, the sites at Delphi, the citadel of Mycenae and several other theaters, ruins and towns. I don't have as much to say about this trip besides the fact that I not-so-secretly wish I were Greek and could probably eat stuffed grape leaves and baklava everyday for the rest of my life.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4peJkkc9ZqHdCEfccxU3FUhyNvnUvFkKjwGKnB7B7At0ucOvu3p74rCMkR26iP1cvSQQdwjzISHWb6iSt6_1E5koD7R2ARSin-krLTW7JCPlfT2zP3xxcAfANm33GV05aEvZpy49CjZ9/s1600/DSC_0696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4peJkkc9ZqHdCEfccxU3FUhyNvnUvFkKjwGKnB7B7At0ucOvu3p74rCMkR26iP1cvSQQdwjzISHWb6iSt6_1E5koD7R2ARSin-krLTW7JCPlfT2zP3xxcAfANm33GV05aEvZpy49CjZ9/s640/DSC_0696.JPG" height="333" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuw7s2wNcTxiWOhwW7TZqe7BQePOFkZ1GWZp3yZ0cld5ZFzbDKZeb_SQswa-z19A_yzdKp61EmBR9wFQWdOkWc3ADa2VJCuNyQ5ZTRLMNLE7Gux46RxmOOq3HBuxw30AS4T9hsYqiXyQiZ/s1600/DSC_0719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuw7s2wNcTxiWOhwW7TZqe7BQePOFkZ1GWZp3yZ0cld5ZFzbDKZeb_SQswa-z19A_yzdKp61EmBR9wFQWdOkWc3ADa2VJCuNyQ5ZTRLMNLE7Gux46RxmOOq3HBuxw30AS4T9hsYqiXyQiZ/s640/DSC_0719.JPG" height="333" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVd9aglYphUNZ2lWbaPQX-eXZlaW461k6qkD1dUQj50EhjLltHzoqdT11nkwEC-IdLJSwiGtl-bch8hbc4qf9Js4P3m0mwXeOKrx6hBcjlLP6H9XI4DtOu8jHAMFBdqNMkGIZoEx_L60z2/s1600/DSC_0839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVd9aglYphUNZ2lWbaPQX-eXZlaW461k6qkD1dUQj50EhjLltHzoqdT11nkwEC-IdLJSwiGtl-bch8hbc4qf9Js4P3m0mwXeOKrx6hBcjlLP6H9XI4DtOu8jHAMFBdqNMkGIZoEx_L60z2/s640/DSC_0839.JPG" height="333" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTd628EmI6x0iP7PPX1iXoX0OfqT4581hX_drmTqOGBAkI497V-vSdyFNzmhNf_iKtHOurP5dkL8ObwBShmE7XrJ8r0pLapNuzjS9JnP7R_lYDVtzMcdAnIqqo2oZUdzx20e3VuhG5kF6g/s1600/DSC_0953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTd628EmI6x0iP7PPX1iXoX0OfqT4581hX_drmTqOGBAkI497V-vSdyFNzmhNf_iKtHOurP5dkL8ObwBShmE7XrJ8r0pLapNuzjS9JnP7R_lYDVtzMcdAnIqqo2oZUdzx20e3VuhG5kF6g/s640/DSC_0953.JPG" height="333" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcoP96IkmKxkOuNfK_wrKWR9q30Kx3IIWznEapIx0lAHLOSkqkSDYlRwD1kW6Wi92WhNW_PY0MN5OHfiwvL7NIdsj2XfmgJ3xnsK_L2XO-8Cpnkiwmy-gUTwFwJGD2OZoHgNjSxVLqCo3/s1600/DSC_0051_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcoP96IkmKxkOuNfK_wrKWR9q30Kx3IIWznEapIx0lAHLOSkqkSDYlRwD1kW6Wi92WhNW_PY0MN5OHfiwvL7NIdsj2XfmgJ3xnsK_L2XO-8Cpnkiwmy-gUTwFwJGD2OZoHgNjSxVLqCo3/s640/DSC_0051_2.JPG" height="333" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Tyge, the teacher, was insanely knowledgable about everything we saw and I was surprised at just how awesome the sites were. Looking at pictures of the Theater of Epiduorus cannot compare to standing in the center and hearing the effects of the perfect acoustics.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT20lERmpQG65IM_cQ5M9VhBsZcLpO_zk_hshuwKP9EehkLHJU7eCUsBsGIWgHEseJaTA_O1rGWO9E_9CjhBRsiCEbpS5OpFYzIHXMDuaKXYMehsjspRfbROOU8_7zHdARj74ByYSL8Mkg/s1600/DSC_0100_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT20lERmpQG65IM_cQ5M9VhBsZcLpO_zk_hshuwKP9EehkLHJU7eCUsBsGIWgHEseJaTA_O1rGWO9E_9CjhBRsiCEbpS5OpFYzIHXMDuaKXYMehsjspRfbROOU8_7zHdARj74ByYSL8Mkg/s640/DSC_0100_2.JPG" height="333" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwx8cRACHISJ4Ni0mVd-vh62kmiN-QJ_8GAsBQbSxIW13OBqrFOGCqGZf_TVZ7Pitw-nY_3GpuhB8I5maiFHSi8aJBCbfUXPPBqkYTJJAGXlhsH7D34UewzPer_S4TQn-f3PVshERXaa2j/s1600/DSC_0107_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwx8cRACHISJ4Ni0mVd-vh62kmiN-QJ_8GAsBQbSxIW13OBqrFOGCqGZf_TVZ7Pitw-nY_3GpuhB8I5maiFHSi8aJBCbfUXPPBqkYTJJAGXlhsH7D34UewzPer_S4TQn-f3PVshERXaa2j/s640/DSC_0107_2.JPG" height="333" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ll4eR0cxLwOBiMfcI1d6bQjVQDsQbucHnUmSf8Th6h2Pop5Ty18FIAEHkPdfrHMM0nLLP721aMD0qpbmXtdpS_N4pedvOddRNZ2sJdQahoXXqJz56vbmvUlXFh3Fe8K8QGJvRxTXPVYX/s1600/DSC_0119_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ll4eR0cxLwOBiMfcI1d6bQjVQDsQbucHnUmSf8Th6h2Pop5Ty18FIAEHkPdfrHMM0nLLP721aMD0qpbmXtdpS_N4pedvOddRNZ2sJdQahoXXqJz56vbmvUlXFh3Fe8K8QGJvRxTXPVYX/s640/DSC_0119_2.JPG" height="333" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I was definitely a little sad to leave the warmer temperatures and sunshine of Greece but coming back to cozy Copenhagen felt like coming home. I have four more weeks left in the semester. I cannot fathom how time has gone by so fast. I've got two more weekend trips and lots of pre-Christmas festivities planned which I'm sure will do little to slow down the clock. World traveling makes the days go by fast and I plan to savor every last minute I have left of this adventure.</div>
Hillary Oneslagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15635530146628961414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5914364019353455730.post-24483843490204623362012-11-19T09:12:00.001+01:002012-11-19T15:39:43.613+01:00RUSSIA: MOSCOWMy apologies on the delay of this post. Who knew that you actually had to do homework while studying abroad? Hint: you do.<br />
Back to Russia: in comparison to St. Petersburg, Moscow felt like a completely different world. After a night spent on the midnight train, we arrived in Moscow early Thursday morning. Just moments after stepping out of the station, we were greeted by a light snow flurry, the first of the season. It wasn't much, but I'm a Colorado girl at heart and any sign of snow makes me happy. We made our way to the bus and as we drove to our hotel, the sheer size of the city came in to view. Moscow is the biggest city in Europe (assuming that you consider it to be a European capital). It's bigger than both Paris and London and the huge freeways, towering skyscrapers and constant traffic were a sharp contrast to the quaint streets of St. Petersburg.<br />
<br />
After a delicious breakfast (I've come to judge a city based on their breakfast buffets and this one was by far my favorite) we made our way to Red Square. The square isn't actually red; the word for red in Russian also means beautiful, leading to a misinterpretation of the square's name in English. We had a blast taking pictures in front of St. Basil's Cathedral and touring the many chapels inside the iconic church.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrII6F2noNp4dWxY715YWNIlHYKxsyEYZnZqhEj0HoREeXyRjRLJiStOt3ySu5oInpKL-ZRPgrZNbzwEEVo417Fclgz0B45usksTgPuJLDAtMnn34ZF79xl6aIcA2EART9jkXLaoQ16vw/s1600/DSC_0210_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrII6F2noNp4dWxY715YWNIlHYKxsyEYZnZqhEj0HoREeXyRjRLJiStOt3ySu5oInpKL-ZRPgrZNbzwEEVo417Fclgz0B45usksTgPuJLDAtMnn34ZF79xl6aIcA2EART9jkXLaoQ16vw/s640/DSC_0210_2.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipojzHNsU5qteNEBLeqw12mNfidUrrzfLPsPQ6h_b2cFKyAFhPqGX-v5tYh36Xoy173_yAB11FugJyPtjz1UTUbe9pO_w8vI8ohsxxBbT2oqEDqbidFKv6b6xUmoVk2NXffzrgy22AyLSK/s1600/DSC_0275_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipojzHNsU5qteNEBLeqw12mNfidUrrzfLPsPQ6h_b2cFKyAFhPqGX-v5tYh36Xoy173_yAB11FugJyPtjz1UTUbe9pO_w8vI8ohsxxBbT2oqEDqbidFKv6b6xUmoVk2NXffzrgy22AyLSK/s640/DSC_0275_2.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMssKC3qjzLhINba8NoMLwaIUvn1n9sAUm0DJXj_9WIWMybcnJJmoVLN1xkZhOH_or0DTKUl71p3gtacxze5MX53-HhuoRkQov8lRNv-D-meDjTPxX_w1Qk3uCeFJh8y8e1V5Dz_qkCqL0/s1600/1032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMssKC3qjzLhINba8NoMLwaIUvn1n9sAUm0DJXj_9WIWMybcnJJmoVLN1xkZhOH_or0DTKUl71p3gtacxze5MX53-HhuoRkQov8lRNv-D-meDjTPxX_w1Qk3uCeFJh8y8e1V5Dz_qkCqL0/s640/1032.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99H456Nax-3Kar17eh4HfoWFJJ_ePmcf120SCOw0nDuPsafpLqolI-rOfTw_ZwKK6Y2qwpAojhB5SAYKY8wL-OHVaPUtCXGDNB6fMjxIf-T9FhI9QIH6c6eY9zygdyBLZl_n1KFmKm_t9/s1600/DSC_0294_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99H456Nax-3Kar17eh4HfoWFJJ_ePmcf120SCOw0nDuPsafpLqolI-rOfTw_ZwKK6Y2qwpAojhB5SAYKY8wL-OHVaPUtCXGDNB6fMjxIf-T9FhI9QIH6c6eY9zygdyBLZl_n1KFmKm_t9/s640/DSC_0294_2.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRNfh6DXo1QgOdVUkGKimLKeFDMP4a1DowZPLagnat1hrp9YLu5YaW-_MIc3l4OkKwZTCW1ym6bSzmHsvIsLy_eOli9eAiWB5PwPdLGPENcXh4fBh2HizkSLlhaUV9Z_wiw3clbPiWapVG/s1600/DSC_0328_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRNfh6DXo1QgOdVUkGKimLKeFDMP4a1DowZPLagnat1hrp9YLu5YaW-_MIc3l4OkKwZTCW1ym6bSzmHsvIsLy_eOli9eAiWB5PwPdLGPENcXh4fBh2HizkSLlhaUV9Z_wiw3clbPiWapVG/s640/DSC_0328_2.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvXHoyUxdHaBNW8Lsnw9xRyi5H-m2uQXLZ5QXOQgoVo9VB5rIfipsoG4J1lb_w_Wxf9Umxf4IV1d5jIkBS4178xKjdni_zYddYJ31jmnwVUt7cBbkGY4LZ1VVLmUXOvup3CEl85Jloimlg/s1600/DSC_0342_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvXHoyUxdHaBNW8Lsnw9xRyi5H-m2uQXLZ5QXOQgoVo9VB5rIfipsoG4J1lb_w_Wxf9Umxf4IV1d5jIkBS4178xKjdni_zYddYJ31jmnwVUt7cBbkGY4LZ1VVLmUXOvup3CEl85Jloimlg/s640/DSC_0342_2.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After being sufficiently touristy all afternoon, we headed back to the hotel to spruce up for dinner. Instead of going out to a restaurant, Jon had arranged for us to meet with a group of Russian students who would be taking us to their homes for a dinner party. Four other students and I were paired up with Christina and Demetri for the evening. They took us back to their apartment in the city center and we laughed and chatted over a meal of meat and potatoes. Christina spoke better English but Demetri was an expert on the city so after we finished we went on a walking tour of Moscow by moonlight. It started snowing again and despite the cold it was incredible to see the city lit up by night.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTz3fRlLmW9OS5YD05Ui1pM1IUKJg-7Zjt2If4whzEwLPAblN_fcbLInEje3yKMEdmJolXrBuGaxPtDCy4mvQEEURVx1eq-PbnaZzA1aI-P5W2W0-5mChy3lqiAGrA5PuV3wRIP7-sxhR/s1600/DSC_0384_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTz3fRlLmW9OS5YD05Ui1pM1IUKJg-7Zjt2If4whzEwLPAblN_fcbLInEje3yKMEdmJolXrBuGaxPtDCy4mvQEEURVx1eq-PbnaZzA1aI-P5W2W0-5mChy3lqiAGrA5PuV3wRIP7-sxhR/s640/DSC_0384_2.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZP9RCET8iEukI76L5QLGgay5kjEgnnJmOu1OCmpTToi-5yLY3kUhNKTN2CbrZhnx_cH_OzR-RbHCyqf98KcIFfYXt_OLT4RG6Xe8O-QVTjECOTgtbFpBDv2GvhB9yAwk_MiKrvJQzfbzZ/s1600/DSC_0388_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZP9RCET8iEukI76L5QLGgay5kjEgnnJmOu1OCmpTToi-5yLY3kUhNKTN2CbrZhnx_cH_OzR-RbHCyqf98KcIFfYXt_OLT4RG6Xe8O-QVTjECOTgtbFpBDv2GvhB9yAwk_MiKrvJQzfbzZ/s640/DSC_0388_2.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The next day we met with the Young Guards, a political group that supports Putin and his party. We got to ask them questions about the Russian government and hear their answers in a round table discussion. Keeping with the political theme, we toured the Kremlin that afternoon before meeting with a opposition journalist. As we left the Kremlin we were yelled at by a guard to not cross the street. Being yelled at by anyone in Russian is scary enough but when someone in uniforms raises their voices, you listen. Confused, we stood on the curb and waited. A moment later a motorcade came speeding through; Putin had just driven past us. Casual.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_7QB6OygXsVHTaV2dMQJe8QtDsZmiIjAP8V51Sz96hi6UdaOX65J8-opfGD1z8SJmbruqedg9DLn3osPsevEo-nMI6y7vtoxarga9cA4r7_LQipNc_s2LM0HwjFfd4DKRHmxx0vxT3ps/s1600/DSC_0392_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_7QB6OygXsVHTaV2dMQJe8QtDsZmiIjAP8V51Sz96hi6UdaOX65J8-opfGD1z8SJmbruqedg9DLn3osPsevEo-nMI6y7vtoxarga9cA4r7_LQipNc_s2LM0HwjFfd4DKRHmxx0vxT3ps/s640/DSC_0392_2.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWnZi1A1ft-mJjGwHTBkfbOvhOjEXN2jri_CpJbCwv_wAxOXTp7O8hVpn8OO7WdlTlegOKK3BwrIQsfLSxo44_S6sxzbQR5tazJx8NSI8oZ72e5ES_iUr_s_i-0UZ7s9yKr0_RUUjjvz1x/s1600/DSC_0406_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWnZi1A1ft-mJjGwHTBkfbOvhOjEXN2jri_CpJbCwv_wAxOXTp7O8hVpn8OO7WdlTlegOKK3BwrIQsfLSxo44_S6sxzbQR5tazJx8NSI8oZ72e5ES_iUr_s_i-0UZ7s9yKr0_RUUjjvz1x/s640/DSC_0406_2.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfq_6Xc7fj2r51WXR93u17t3UoohHTciq_VogeP3ucTJ1g4yzNSVKnnhzGDoqHTszutw54LBeodNwa0YPHfTBS6A3AJhy3n1kNCFSF290w4U74Wnd834zEGWMzFIPmN3zqByeEkbf-7MfT/s1600/DSC_0412_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfq_6Xc7fj2r51WXR93u17t3UoohHTciq_VogeP3ucTJ1g4yzNSVKnnhzGDoqHTszutw54LBeodNwa0YPHfTBS6A3AJhy3n1kNCFSF290w4U74Wnd834zEGWMzFIPmN3zqByeEkbf-7MfT/s640/DSC_0412_2.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuA1X4QpDjrexMHxYTjXbPh9yByPR8ipsSOyzocPpCbYyyDfnpa5ucxSdb_H9s4ThxX3DmQ0CpTRCz7v6pxDPaWB-J3oCZZDQgm-l-ujPkjGTbXxQdZALbWEYj-35nZNdg8tBcLukfbR_C/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-11-19+at+8.50.04+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuA1X4QpDjrexMHxYTjXbPh9yByPR8ipsSOyzocPpCbYyyDfnpa5ucxSdb_H9s4ThxX3DmQ0CpTRCz7v6pxDPaWB-J3oCZZDQgm-l-ujPkjGTbXxQdZALbWEYj-35nZNdg8tBcLukfbR_C/s640/Screen+shot+2012-11-19+at+8.50.04+AM.png" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
While I had strong feelings about St. Petersburg and its relation to my perception of Russianness, I can't as easily pin point how I felt about Moscow. In many ways, it felt like any other bustling metropolis; the expansive highways and modern buildings didn't lend it the same USSR charm that St. Petersburg had. Despite the differences, Moscow presented its own set of indications that we were, in fact, still in Russia.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One thing I could not help noticing was the lack of respect on the roads. Traffic in the city is so bad that we allowed three hours to get to the airport. On our midnight tour of Moscow, we had thirty seconds to cross an eighteen (yes, 18) lane road and even though we ran the last half we were still playing chicken with cars who couldn't have cared less about pedestrians. It may sound trivial, but one of our guides pointed out that Russian road-etiquette was incredibly indicative of the mindset of the country: bigger is better, look out for yourself first, and disfunction is the norm.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We also had more opportunities to talk with locals in Moscow. Christina and Demetri were both intellectually driven and extremely well read. Sitting in their apartment and listening to them talk about their studies didn't seem all that different from talking with students back in DC. What Christina pointed out, however, was that she and Demetri were the exception. Christina's own younger sister had no interest in school and at just fourteen thought she was ready to do away with being a child. While I can certainly relate to the teenage angst, the difference in Russia was that most kids actually followed through with their intentions.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Even if some of the younger generation are busy making bad life choices, I was strangely impressed with the Young Guards. Wether or not you agree with their political affiliation, I have to commend them for being involved. One could argue that "brainwashing" youths with Putinism is bad, but one thing a representative said really struck me: Russia, as we know it today, is young. Even though they have a long history as an empire and a recent history as the USSR, Russia has undergone drastic changes in the last hundred years and to judge them now as the "former Soviet Union" doesn't do much good. Sure, it's important to keep the past in mind but many people (myself included) tend to judge Russia by a select few historical events: WWI & II, the Cold War and the Cuban Missile Crisis. I don't mean to underscore the importance of these things, but as Christina pointed out, Russian students do learn about it but there isn't the same emphasis as we have in the states. Russia is more than their ancient empire, the USSR and nuclear development. The current constitution is new; there's no way to predict the future of Russia based solely on previous eras that have led to "shock therapy" of a country in limbo.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
All in all, I had an incredible time in Russia. I never would have gotten to experience everything I did if I'd gone on my own. I have no doubt that it will be a trip that I talk about and think over for many years to come. Plus I did some serious Christmas shopping. Hopefully everyone is ok with Russian souvenirs!</div>
Hillary Oneslagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15635530146628961414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5914364019353455730.post-6360627341576449472012-11-04T16:00:00.000+01:002012-11-19T15:43:58.278+01:00RUSSIA: ST. PETERSBURGIt is absolutely not possible to fully summarize my trip to Russia in just a few blog posts. I've been back a week and I'm still digesting, mulling and thinking over everything from the trip. Our teacher, Jon, told us every class leading up to the trip that Russia would be unlike anything else we'd ever seen. He was absolutely right.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We started our weeklong trip in St. Petersburg. After arriving at the Copenhagen airport well before day break, we boarded the plane for a short hour and a half flight. Upon arrival we were greeted with a light misting rain and grey skies: it was exactly the kind of weather that you would expect to encounter in Russia. As we drove to our hotel, Jon started what would be a constant narration of our trip. We used head-sets with ear pieces so Jon could speak normally in to a microphone and everyone could hear him. Normally I would have laughed at the idea but it was absolutely brilliant; you could stop, take pictures and walk at your own pace and still hear everything Jon had to say. And trust me, he had something to say about <i>everything</i>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Despite the less than stellar weather when we landed, our first full day on Monday was full of sunshine. We set out on a canal tour to see the city and made our way through the Peter and Paul Cathedral, the Summer Gardens, The Church of the Spilled Blood and a market full of Russian souvenirs. Jon talked the entire time and it was incredible being in the city with someone who knew it so well.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSc96SmTAj_vUW2yPkAMZjd5hb8sgUzYnJLE3HBT77GbWmsPjcRBrIqActYguHluG7pP8g1Br04ujNgn2M4nJwom14Xrvg4VQWTqS3deLY9PRNZOjgSmFaAv7kIpSgcT8P-JP_iMWozSvs/s1600/DSC_0129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSc96SmTAj_vUW2yPkAMZjd5hb8sgUzYnJLE3HBT77GbWmsPjcRBrIqActYguHluG7pP8g1Br04ujNgn2M4nJwom14Xrvg4VQWTqS3deLY9PRNZOjgSmFaAv7kIpSgcT8P-JP_iMWozSvs/s640/DSC_0129.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJt1HF4Ed4R27iG6KS1A1izr2RrJmZC86bBGTtqBmxuAo7Q6urCTHZxaQ6twYBMAEYyQRIKiSivZ3sRLQDCuwIv0Uzr_crBq6RWyIKAyykMcjNGsFILuexV9hWFPfOOnAsH_jRfYul9rNX/s1600/DSC_0132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJt1HF4Ed4R27iG6KS1A1izr2RrJmZC86bBGTtqBmxuAo7Q6urCTHZxaQ6twYBMAEYyQRIKiSivZ3sRLQDCuwIv0Uzr_crBq6RWyIKAyykMcjNGsFILuexV9hWFPfOOnAsH_jRfYul9rNX/s640/DSC_0132.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWGlJtoC2bn7ArD7NCJ4Xx-tXkkf5mRwxUVp0Wv4pv3u1sVGgbLrud-1YOlInQedgwrvaTkczP1WfMCpCQK0GxvUgcxL9WE1xf8LcnlXkYG75SRb72mtBC2H1zM7YMOqINgrV-INsolvl9/s1600/DSC_0321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWGlJtoC2bn7ArD7NCJ4Xx-tXkkf5mRwxUVp0Wv4pv3u1sVGgbLrud-1YOlInQedgwrvaTkczP1WfMCpCQK0GxvUgcxL9WE1xf8LcnlXkYG75SRb72mtBC2H1zM7YMOqINgrV-INsolvl9/s640/DSC_0321.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIrNyDiRh-1W1JmkfHUhFZTikF14q4iP5RgO78WTrjqtjlwUeHnkhVVtg1QsD9wfb0nBVBzlIia9vRTcvCZd4MYeMwGf4w8QnPp825hemJR1Tm7P8dDrW7Ig6d9Cy058jMfuJAj1YFIfcx/s1600/DSC_0360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIrNyDiRh-1W1JmkfHUhFZTikF14q4iP5RgO78WTrjqtjlwUeHnkhVVtg1QsD9wfb0nBVBzlIia9vRTcvCZd4MYeMwGf4w8QnPp825hemJR1Tm7P8dDrW7Ig6d9Cy058jMfuJAj1YFIfcx/s640/DSC_0360.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbq9eumvAdtQsCQ1xkZMLw8-JWop_3nUu7EZCt5pbiJMi_PCQypY__AQEqlDRybvR4MuV-Z-lFbiukKFGnPUVfJ0rtotqlV7PfRnFJ-wrqldlI8IhpXduEn0wI_C3p8sz_LiSlccY-YAA/s1600/DSC_0425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbq9eumvAdtQsCQ1xkZMLw8-JWop_3nUu7EZCt5pbiJMi_PCQypY__AQEqlDRybvR4MuV-Z-lFbiukKFGnPUVfJ0rtotqlV7PfRnFJ-wrqldlI8IhpXduEn0wI_C3p8sz_LiSlccY-YAA/s640/DSC_0425.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_OhuTLPOKCh8AxRfe2pb48BhUOGxX-upVYp9Pp7y2NhxWrjox_7QXEmhsaEgPs95664cANk4qfGuE9YyRcwyxgAcHMkv0WV8q4ovf3fFUxzf3M8sZwmqaCJ3Pjk9x1uepxuystNpAf6u/s1600/DSC_0492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_OhuTLPOKCh8AxRfe2pb48BhUOGxX-upVYp9Pp7y2NhxWrjox_7QXEmhsaEgPs95664cANk4qfGuE9YyRcwyxgAcHMkv0WV8q4ovf3fFUxzf3M8sZwmqaCJ3Pjk9x1uepxuystNpAf6u/s640/DSC_0492.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfrwWClQc4WPBwwyV18dMyuzVGy4UWdi-JE4ODzJcto7l-bbyRF66iNBsR5oDLPGN5wKk4vlFJZgPJrqOtVWcq_fcP072XhuDXfjlzqM3pi68DdZwpIo8JlaFoft5dk8Xn2wrZuAiZHki/s1600/DSC_0561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfrwWClQc4WPBwwyV18dMyuzVGy4UWdi-JE4ODzJcto7l-bbyRF66iNBsR5oDLPGN5wKk4vlFJZgPJrqOtVWcq_fcP072XhuDXfjlzqM3pi68DdZwpIo8JlaFoft5dk8Xn2wrZuAiZHki/s640/DSC_0561.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The next morning we toured the Winter Palace and Hermitage Museum. I've been to a lot of museums in my life but I have never seen anything that can compare to the opulence and excess of the Hermitage. Most museums are lucky to have two or three Picasso paintings; this museum had two entire rooms devoted to the artist. Jon told us that the museum has a policy of buying any valuable painting that went up for auction and it was blatantly obvious that the policy had resulted in massive amounts of priceless works.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span id="goog_1331294443"></span><span id="goog_1331294444"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCygWFVk9sAVigoG2uFvc5k4wVYx2KkngF_JE0w3B4lk_fkeUHAc0twY1M1b4e6T_W0p3cVYFKScjrwM8dHyibmbbXy4YD8HzorFrJsadDq7Vt2kePcRhKTIbHLtBKXgu1kA7G23Lgux8y/s1600/DSC_0809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCygWFVk9sAVigoG2uFvc5k4wVYx2KkngF_JE0w3B4lk_fkeUHAc0twY1M1b4e6T_W0p3cVYFKScjrwM8dHyibmbbXy4YD8HzorFrJsadDq7Vt2kePcRhKTIbHLtBKXgu1kA7G23Lgux8y/s640/DSC_0809.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFclBJRenB7XCxGHzTTq1iz7amJeA8gyMmyMccwJlBHe8iwk7ms3o4NAy187ClZhK9_xr2riNv4VLedbfnNkWSsvba10kDlsHiLob5TpDE-rV5TpcC_zMi2kK_-26M858fqDkuigj9n2w/s1600/DSC_0821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFclBJRenB7XCxGHzTTq1iz7amJeA8gyMmyMccwJlBHe8iwk7ms3o4NAy187ClZhK9_xr2riNv4VLedbfnNkWSsvba10kDlsHiLob5TpDE-rV5TpcC_zMi2kK_-26M858fqDkuigj9n2w/s640/DSC_0821.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2_ZfEfPYIrzWsWpe6aq5NVY4osFD1Sp1dr7GMuTlE1EBd8tiogDFMVS12yXJ6yfUPiP1vb8vonxTbOyoEZJePd72Tvs8Y1_cWyOpXkuF2jHTnSOMpiu_FFyPHy0WRY7OAsZbK8DacSm3/s1600/DSC_0877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2_ZfEfPYIrzWsWpe6aq5NVY4osFD1Sp1dr7GMuTlE1EBd8tiogDFMVS12yXJ6yfUPiP1vb8vonxTbOyoEZJePd72Tvs8Y1_cWyOpXkuF2jHTnSOMpiu_FFyPHy0WRY7OAsZbK8DacSm3/s640/DSC_0877.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Afterwards, we had an incredible opportunity to go "behind the facade" and were given a tour of a residential area of the city by a local student. The tour included shots vodka (of course) and the chance to see a communal apartment. Think of every 1930s movie you've seen and you'll have an idea of what the apartment looked like. One of the residents who lived there spoke to us about what it was like to live in a single family apartment with eight or so other people. From what we could tell, he was relatively indifferent to the situation. He didn't seem eager to move and we surmised with input from the student tour guide that there wasn't really anywhere else he could go.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWoa6BeJfElfcwEcLap8Bibnze4dsOFayKo84DQFGIRFEBJl4KaCJczcv6MQVWW9tKWUF5aTlw4GLxWgDPyRobn-bj7zyI3jXFgUb8gzG1F3LnxDuQU66SNsBIEhun3sJo8_-ngTUNlMdy/s1600/DSC_0001_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWoa6BeJfElfcwEcLap8Bibnze4dsOFayKo84DQFGIRFEBJl4KaCJczcv6MQVWW9tKWUF5aTlw4GLxWgDPyRobn-bj7zyI3jXFgUb8gzG1F3LnxDuQU66SNsBIEhun3sJo8_-ngTUNlMdy/s640/DSC_0001_2.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwFPZlCkUGVrQxdpzYcBRlTrqu1TFqn7Kg8v8C4-ENdd-rDeLcCKGsXm4hFJFQXSQ4mpKYzNUhNr1kCbWg6LaIknJ1y5qvuZagg9XqFs7A5zvvc5xxUddvzUs4IV6Z9YIn8Qf569lkr2k/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwFPZlCkUGVrQxdpzYcBRlTrqu1TFqn7Kg8v8C4-ENdd-rDeLcCKGsXm4hFJFQXSQ4mpKYzNUhNr1kCbWg6LaIknJ1y5qvuZagg9XqFs7A5zvvc5xxUddvzUs4IV6Z9YIn8Qf569lkr2k/s640/DSC_0003.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7f_sNsjNRHMF5HnVjWMvvwrzh1Mel7-782-0MMe3-1UEwM2dK8kXIJ82z2ObpPJskJbjSyCKJRCgyzR8a2-BmN0aFMs67TOAEHL0G3i-BoCzowEYIOYcKEI4b5Zcjr2gWVBcwxBUr6vj/s1600/DSC_0999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7f_sNsjNRHMF5HnVjWMvvwrzh1Mel7-782-0MMe3-1UEwM2dK8kXIJ82z2ObpPJskJbjSyCKJRCgyzR8a2-BmN0aFMs67TOAEHL0G3i-BoCzowEYIOYcKEI4b5Zcjr2gWVBcwxBUr6vj/s640/DSC_0999.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
We also got to attend the opera Boris Godunov at the Marinsky Theater before boarding our midnight train to Moscow. Fun fact: I tweeted a photo from the event and the theater retweeted it. Dorky, I know, but it was pretty cool to be twitter-famous in Russia.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZFk2_DP712QXcfdVBd1cFCGnB5MJ6nT9xKsNz86Z49qSLYVmeZ9yAWGCAopbW9bw2RP_U04DNG1iYIhsB7rNOcahaElbkDWZrqZkjiEkyLeP6TQjTHmguGDuo_8L-5wecegJ4JoOkGXc/s1600/DSC_0163_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZFk2_DP712QXcfdVBd1cFCGnB5MJ6nT9xKsNz86Z49qSLYVmeZ9yAWGCAopbW9bw2RP_U04DNG1iYIhsB7rNOcahaElbkDWZrqZkjiEkyLeP6TQjTHmguGDuo_8L-5wecegJ4JoOkGXc/s640/DSC_0163_2.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSCAmshJCX0Uc_XM6R3ZfceCrk0IO_eiG0xK9m5BBgvtDeZf3p7L-pHM5BRF7umMzWihTnEUzLNwr-MY4R575TRe2oZuUUtQqgqaRfg1AeqKDiW8-StM82fiI0HNhKCU7VQPnETwzLE3cb/s1600/DSC_0168_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSCAmshJCX0Uc_XM6R3ZfceCrk0IO_eiG0xK9m5BBgvtDeZf3p7L-pHM5BRF7umMzWihTnEUzLNwr-MY4R575TRe2oZuUUtQqgqaRfg1AeqKDiW8-StM82fiI0HNhKCU7VQPnETwzLE3cb/s640/DSC_0168_2.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPLtjzdAf3-b45SumQ0tq-jVvW3XrxjVUMZgOtioSpI23P9DMUKPGf215bzYy5MRvgrHFIQKrcVcTwUjsr8WdbNLyj-1jrmNjkserLNdIw_ot8wzW7snVapC2nfVMgEiuv8BTI3UCjB8_o/s1600/DSC_0170_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPLtjzdAf3-b45SumQ0tq-jVvW3XrxjVUMZgOtioSpI23P9DMUKPGf215bzYy5MRvgrHFIQKrcVcTwUjsr8WdbNLyj-1jrmNjkserLNdIw_ot8wzW7snVapC2nfVMgEiuv8BTI3UCjB8_o/s640/DSC_0170_2.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
By the time we left St. Petersburg, we all felt that we had a pretty good handle on the city. The streets are long and designed to stretch your vision towards the horizon every time you look down an avenue. Arriving in the bustling metropolis of Moscow was definitely a shock after the quaint streets in St. Petersburg (but more on that later).<br />
<br />
I was admittedly a little nervous to go to Russia; while I'm well aware of the chaos and poverty that arose when the Soviet Union crumbled, I've always considered Russia to be powerful. Any nation that can compete in the space race is "developed" in my book. Maybe this is an ignorant view but it's the neccessary background to understand why I was so shocked about certain aspects of the city. For one, you can't drink the water in St. Petersburg. It's not like being in other parts of the world were the locals drink from the tap but foreigners are advised not to so because they aren't used to the bacteria in it. In St. Petersburg, you can't drink the water because it actually isn't clean. Everyone, and I mean everyone, drinks bottled water.<br />
<br />
While many of the buildings are beautifully designed, their pastel-colored exteriors were often dirty and unkept. All the wiring in the city is external and above ground, creating a spider-web effect over the streets that added to the grungy-ness. Cross walks were hard to come by and no one drives in their lane or follows traffic signals. The escalators in the metro are flanked with wood panels that look like they are straight out the 60s. Being in Russia was like stepping back in time or entering a movie set; nothing felt real.<br />
<br />
I'm still working through all my thoughts on the city, but I would say my working theme for St. Petersburg is "contradictions." The art museum has at least a billion dollars worth of Picasso paintings but the sewage system is so horribly outdated that you can't flush any paper products. Nearly half a million people in the city live in the soviet-style communal apartments but every street is lined with shiny BMWs (often parked on the curb, in the crosswalks or blocking other drivers). If you've made it this far in the blog post, you might think I left St. Petersburg with a negative view of the city but that couldn't be further from the truth. I feel that I left with a deeper understanding of what the country has gone through, where they've been and what they're doing now. In a country that used to be a world class empire, it's easy to understand why they put forth a gilded front at all their culture landmarks.<br />
<br />
I'll be doing a second post to talk about Moscow and will then tie all my observations together. Stay tuned. More to come!Hillary Oneslagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15635530146628961414noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5914364019353455730.post-52842701126100233092012-10-28T13:08:00.001+01:002012-10-28T20:59:11.189+01:00RUSSIA: SIXTY SECONDS<div style="text-align: left;">
I just got back from Russia last night and as with my trip to Amsterdam, I have SO much I want to write and talk about. Until I have some seriously long posts finished, here's a 60 second recap of the last 6 days in St. Petersburg and Moscow. In one word: AMAZING.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/52322143?badge=0" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="500"></iframe> </div>
<br />Hillary Oneslagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15635530146628961414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5914364019353455730.post-11280360929781724392012-10-20T14:19:00.004+02:002012-11-18T23:11:47.784+01:00AND IN OTHER NEWS...<div style="text-align: left;">
Remember when I <a href="http://destinationdanmark.blogspot.dk/2012/09/avicii-who.html" target="_blank">posted about how I found a Danish rap</a> song I liked? And when I also confessed my love for Pitbull and other bad, vulgar rap? Well the official music video for USO's Klapper Af Den is out. It is absolutely ridiculous and totally makes my Pitbull obsession seem tame. This is probably the worst representation of Danish music I could possibly show you but I'm posting it anyway.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="333" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/fYi74Ywb_9I" width="500"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Even with the flames, strobe lights and bizarre set pieces I still love this song. And now I'm going to head to the gym and hit the stair-master for a few hours. Perhaps another world-wide commonality is the ass-obession. I need to get in on this game.</div>
Hillary Oneslagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15635530146628961414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5914364019353455730.post-7469024211226940042012-10-20T12:53:00.000+02:002012-11-18T23:14:01.138+01:00THE NEVER ENDING CALENDARI'm the first to admit it: I really really really like routines. I also really enjoy crafting, color-coding and organizing said routines. For the most part, my OCD tendencies are a good thing. I rarely miss deadlines and am a pro at planning things for the long term in advance. If there's one thing that study abroad has changed about me, it would definitely be my reliance on a set schedule. In fact, I actually have to be reminded that my life must continue in Copenhagen in between traveling and spontaneous jet-setting.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I've gotten very accustomed to my daily routine during the school week, so much so that I occasionally need a reminder that my time here is limited. The downside to being comfortable somewhere is that it's easy to forget that there is still so much more to see outside of your day-to-day comings and goings. Just one glance at my impeccable iCalendar reveals that, excluding travel breaks, I only have about five weeks left in Denmark. That is insane to think about. As excited as I am for my upcoming trips (I leave for Russia tomorrow!), I'm now switching my frame of mind to included Copenhagen as one of these limited-time destinations. Since returning from Amsterdam, I've done some more exploring but there is so much more to see and do.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Culture Night in Copenhagen. We hit up the planetarium and old Carlsberg town.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRBRK1cVNlNrUY60TdI_cCYhLUj09WDj6Jo99AchvWneojx-58u7LOFe8OSFQHMYx30mCilZWFZLr2AEbbTPjhYwpsCdwpv8ZXhyhMQE4rNtR3WsxYcwenxnKFRDhmuIp4y7Hmar2Pj0-v/s1600/DSC_0229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRBRK1cVNlNrUY60TdI_cCYhLUj09WDj6Jo99AchvWneojx-58u7LOFe8OSFQHMYx30mCilZWFZLr2AEbbTPjhYwpsCdwpv8ZXhyhMQE4rNtR3WsxYcwenxnKFRDhmuIp4y7Hmar2Pj0-v/s640/DSC_0229.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfb-f9WgXQE2DHsoRsWBUsDw3xVzipe9-eJJdWVpBgVt2jOpTZYZSbbk8iwnn5i9pr6_swiW-5t-0eUynx_Ht3bXfY9vImnYF4U30cZtTGzftZt3diO8vDRPtB1DtskeGImg2aNf1IPu0T/s1600/DSC_0236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfb-f9WgXQE2DHsoRsWBUsDw3xVzipe9-eJJdWVpBgVt2jOpTZYZSbbk8iwnn5i9pr6_swiW-5t-0eUynx_Ht3bXfY9vImnYF4U30cZtTGzftZt3diO8vDRPtB1DtskeGImg2aNf1IPu0T/s640/DSC_0236.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6HpCJgcMHuhtBo-ShtDaF5GgJR-ZxpRe96vFH5BQsZgP-zSHNVNGszZPggFP1l8L7x8xXahXVtp6oREmotHtSHkJszTmt9XhFaS2XuZt-F_pKDelmimNVm2ga77HSfaTCkvpIvfB60Im/s1600/DSC_0239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6HpCJgcMHuhtBo-ShtDaF5GgJR-ZxpRe96vFH5BQsZgP-zSHNVNGszZPggFP1l8L7x8xXahXVtp6oREmotHtSHkJszTmt9XhFaS2XuZt-F_pKDelmimNVm2ga77HSfaTCkvpIvfB60Im/s640/DSC_0239.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVT35FWEZrflz67pXrjxbnFFp8skXGMGbZMDSLAIPxeuGij6yh3aav5sVNHUBS5Ugcwc7dn_d_UgJy1S26zO7FKfkt6gINJCD72EWj_aJf6nXCHq6o_WJSpGldnzn7fN2VCTxYiFD74IWD/s1600/DSC_0242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVT35FWEZrflz67pXrjxbnFFp8skXGMGbZMDSLAIPxeuGij6yh3aav5sVNHUBS5Ugcwc7dn_d_UgJy1S26zO7FKfkt6gINJCD72EWj_aJf6nXCHq6o_WJSpGldnzn7fN2VCTxYiFD74IWD/s640/DSC_0242.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A Saturday spent exploring the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art just north of the city.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibS71rZKRCPuefBc0gTPtt5sDBU9P6zLVKDVAB4cmzOEp5FQjqr0HvzsmnE67qrR3Th_8Hq0cX50PjyOrmpxUtxCqudN5FcNh0H1ce_h2VhrTgVHkASR56js0w8o0TkWFildyjtX_pCiAb/s1600/DSC_0300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibS71rZKRCPuefBc0gTPtt5sDBU9P6zLVKDVAB4cmzOEp5FQjqr0HvzsmnE67qrR3Th_8Hq0cX50PjyOrmpxUtxCqudN5FcNh0H1ce_h2VhrTgVHkASR56js0w8o0TkWFildyjtX_pCiAb/s640/DSC_0300.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQCfoIFVHJmJKOg9N5h_RYeOnqlvB3C3zbCCMoh1v33OSQ1TYhvyH_JVShtcLTDaElPwAgL8EhQnPmb34aLTremKL3CMdNaYCDJO0Tr7nWH-g1_ZEr6e0LfqMAXoRlj3FiVtPwjH637RqA/s1600/DSC_0256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQCfoIFVHJmJKOg9N5h_RYeOnqlvB3C3zbCCMoh1v33OSQ1TYhvyH_JVShtcLTDaElPwAgL8EhQnPmb34aLTremKL3CMdNaYCDJO0Tr7nWH-g1_ZEr6e0LfqMAXoRlj3FiVtPwjH637RqA/s640/DSC_0256.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDCoR6FNb5XXtMFXrNpL08rCu90zIJSqPyppBnSPcmyEO7itmPrIdFO9EuZ6wtO61xB3doyklUdxNUUOpp3WgkmQIfPomH1f4HlmGZGP9uP6Yf4GchJqkGLrcAKB94yoHmgTpSfqosEXU/s1600/DSC_0258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDCoR6FNb5XXtMFXrNpL08rCu90zIJSqPyppBnSPcmyEO7itmPrIdFO9EuZ6wtO61xB3doyklUdxNUUOpp3WgkmQIfPomH1f4HlmGZGP9uP6Yf4GchJqkGLrcAKB94yoHmgTpSfqosEXU/s640/DSC_0258.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQIJXlNnPh-1vBkfDdc71Nr9xsYKiXONP0UMfnWWxvStolaROPsYDyDF3qH6PJoaydWNycT69hnTT2Da8-YAkR2TM2QqSiDScPKObHecytr8WRbbSre9bWz5aqdY0KMtOCtbEFPCJner2/s1600/DSC_0262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQIJXlNnPh-1vBkfDdc71Nr9xsYKiXONP0UMfnWWxvStolaROPsYDyDF3qH6PJoaydWNycT69hnTT2Da8-YAkR2TM2QqSiDScPKObHecytr8WRbbSre9bWz5aqdY0KMtOCtbEFPCJner2/s640/DSC_0262.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimd4jmDCvmCuq_APjRuRXURZPl4ZRBaglWUmee_A71XB6UMN-qZnB85iHedZv3GfC45e1rDVuQz68VUK-iFWxr4GLMw5UddhjZxfhUaknKrS79TALxw7gEZVi5ys3s9T_vwLYWq_ydivnB/s1600/DSC_0279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimd4jmDCvmCuq_APjRuRXURZPl4ZRBaglWUmee_A71XB6UMN-qZnB85iHedZv3GfC45e1rDVuQz68VUK-iFWxr4GLMw5UddhjZxfhUaknKrS79TALxw7gEZVi5ys3s9T_vwLYWq_ydivnB/s640/DSC_0279.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2ZhGZrStfz2SokrDT3JMJqAeboSO982JgJ_dZwCGuMuFeZCqTyLL49WBzCN2tMPwinxHTW_FS8tdi8yivlH8HpQkyxBbMIo3wytRyiY8Uy4rEeKv63LXk_TscFkXIf3aCRjLWWzSBlhQ/s1600/DSC_0283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2ZhGZrStfz2SokrDT3JMJqAeboSO982JgJ_dZwCGuMuFeZCqTyLL49WBzCN2tMPwinxHTW_FS8tdi8yivlH8HpQkyxBbMIo3wytRyiY8Uy4rEeKv63LXk_TscFkXIf3aCRjLWWzSBlhQ/s640/DSC_0283.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifsrEcDNuky_093OExCO952m_vD4NfhNv1_fTLDRyUs7MJw6ls545dX0avWS3hlyc0wXvRBv3izIc_9U1LwA3b5D00nDOu5Zj-WuFPYgT5AqxSMfeAoaBZSSqTjA9lD3VvRllPq0MjwoKB/s1600/DSC_0290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifsrEcDNuky_093OExCO952m_vD4NfhNv1_fTLDRyUs7MJw6ls545dX0avWS3hlyc0wXvRBv3izIc_9U1LwA3b5D00nDOu5Zj-WuFPYgT5AqxSMfeAoaBZSSqTjA9lD3VvRllPq0MjwoKB/s640/DSC_0290.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A field trip to the National Museum with my Danish Class (and yes that's me being outfitted in a 19th century corset).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYNYil5u8FG6-f7EhZN16Jui5lXqpSc6qZkbguZ5bHp2jwYwo__-mKN3t0qs37VE2I4omCYQG6e8h8xK1g5l4HWi2Nfh9bAuB1TODfWk4VwcPJjq5eo-K6j9nfymhA3JnxTVm6JvW3tpS/s1600/DSC_0230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYNYil5u8FG6-f7EhZN16Jui5lXqpSc6qZkbguZ5bHp2jwYwo__-mKN3t0qs37VE2I4omCYQG6e8h8xK1g5l4HWi2Nfh9bAuB1TODfWk4VwcPJjq5eo-K6j9nfymhA3JnxTVm6JvW3tpS/s640/DSC_0230.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBP4GkuOdBLHPLxTPVLqTjEhQZffaVTZWEasb7wNuA7g7yynd7JWiYxZHA5JZhLoGTwYnROCcJQinbiZgVsL9WCIbeZDAy9K5Z8Mngb8BN26KzfmTDG_Lou-ZcDuUz7U_lgOMsw1R91QY/s1600/DSC_0232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBP4GkuOdBLHPLxTPVLqTjEhQZffaVTZWEasb7wNuA7g7yynd7JWiYxZHA5JZhLoGTwYnROCcJQinbiZgVsL9WCIbeZDAy9K5Z8Mngb8BN26KzfmTDG_Lou-ZcDuUz7U_lgOMsw1R91QY/s640/DSC_0232.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_7_4ejQgWH14I_pJx16ZfUDtIUjntMm-ke9edXS0MB2ToMUO5v-vKNkTGnJJe79_NvJK75_miSsReLl78eo3iMW6wPRxaa46PyKqhLkwJgAykgCYaja4FxUjvpGPoOsc35CexYyo-BKX/s1600/DSC_0237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_7_4ejQgWH14I_pJx16ZfUDtIUjntMm-ke9edXS0MB2ToMUO5v-vKNkTGnJJe79_NvJK75_miSsReLl78eo3iMW6wPRxaa46PyKqhLkwJgAykgCYaja4FxUjvpGPoOsc35CexYyo-BKX/s640/DSC_0237.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFnUVjiaP8vaYwHdgxwSfG-I38icO256U0ogDI64FhhdZll7Y3kki4IrayKG6zWSrNgZIDehgnd1dRRRC18tGHxmCsCDh6qalWS2n9a_hSYFxAyg8feaZHNvpXmYdLBgV_vIYwzXFMG1u/s1600/DSC_0247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFnUVjiaP8vaYwHdgxwSfG-I38icO256U0ogDI64FhhdZll7Y3kki4IrayKG6zWSrNgZIDehgnd1dRRRC18tGHxmCsCDh6qalWS2n9a_hSYFxAyg8feaZHNvpXmYdLBgV_vIYwzXFMG1u/s640/DSC_0247.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcw757q3oFP1Z3JnZijMrvMK64YnV7ufH2ZNBBoyqeSBdCtKJzqSFumK1x1bX8YUVW-NqkvmcCqAFU3fNRSymVZdxxEc7xUmLercDImjJLqKVvKALp2jWj8486nyrUzpINzoX706raj5M/s1600/DSC_0249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcw757q3oFP1Z3JnZijMrvMK64YnV7ufH2ZNBBoyqeSBdCtKJzqSFumK1x1bX8YUVW-NqkvmcCqAFU3fNRSymVZdxxEc7xUmLercDImjJLqKVvKALp2jWj8486nyrUzpINzoX706raj5M/s640/DSC_0249.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm making a list of everything I've yet to do and see in Copenhagen. The goal is to cross at least one thing off everyday that I'm still here. Call me crazy, but the list is only half the fun.</div>
Hillary Oneslagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15635530146628961414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5914364019353455730.post-70735410708216399772012-10-12T23:20:00.001+02:002012-10-12T23:20:09.760+02:00STAY AWESOMEI'm having one of those silly moments where I can't stop smiling no matter how hard I try. This has been a tiring week back in Copenhagen; I didn't really realize how much we did in Amsterdam until I got back to Denmark, had a moment to breath, and went straight in to a busy week with 7am alarms every day so far. Despite being constantly on the go, I can honestly say that I've never been so perfectly happy in my whole life.<br />
<br />
We're a week shy of the half way mark and in no way am I ready for this adventure end. Tomorrow I'm spending the day at the <a href="http://www.louisiana.dk/dk" target="_blank">Louisiana Museum</a>. In the next two months, I'm going to Russia, Poland, Austria, Greece, Italy and France (and maybe Turkey, Switzerland or Hungary if I can squeeze it in). I'll be reunited with two friends from high school and two friends from Georgetown in three different countries. Time is flying by and no matter hard I try to stop it, it won't slow down.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0SBGSKx_4QcfHG8CYYf8nuOlUK9tTthnraisvH5DEl63SwKL7mIWroQyc3G4CZXExFWVwRV4ZA8mQjS0rc_Bsnk_aIwJ3wpzx-R6mP18qpqau4-lYQU6wPrRwxP8-c7E56tLlZPm8kzJX/s1600/aba023eef1ea11e1a0d822000a1c42d1_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0SBGSKx_4QcfHG8CYYf8nuOlUK9tTthnraisvH5DEl63SwKL7mIWroQyc3G4CZXExFWVwRV4ZA8mQjS0rc_Bsnk_aIwJ3wpzx-R6mP18qpqau4-lYQU6wPrRwxP8-c7E56tLlZPm8kzJX/s320/aba023eef1ea11e1a0d822000a1c42d1_7.jpg" width="220" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJD1tXheqhH1rzEDmbeBuX3X__5d_-Rcv4uU0DEZsrzRfCT1IZBsGXEIOgzCuDEF6DAjrIYEru6J5d-815zFTW-00VXPFVZdVY0iWXmYMB0R94QB-GPLfbcEtME3SvSL_WDBjbMAxY_5n/s1600/36649326beff11e1b10e123138105d6b_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJD1tXheqhH1rzEDmbeBuX3X__5d_-Rcv4uU0DEZsrzRfCT1IZBsGXEIOgzCuDEF6DAjrIYEru6J5d-815zFTW-00VXPFVZdVY0iWXmYMB0R94QB-GPLfbcEtME3SvSL_WDBjbMAxY_5n/s320/36649326beff11e1b10e123138105d6b_7.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(From Denmark to DC, my homes are beautiful!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'd be lying if I said I don't miss things about DC but what has me smiling is how excited I am to go back. Don't get me wrong; I'm not homesick and I don't want this semester to end. Even though I'm having the time of my life here in Denmark, I've come to realize just how awesome my life at Georgetown is. I'm so lucky to have such incredible people and projects to go back to. When the time comes, it'll be bittersweet to leave Copenhagen behind but I cannot express how grateful I am to have such wonderful things waiting for me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Life is simply amazing. I don't know how not to sound sappy or spoiled saying it, but my life is pretty great. The Danish expectation theory is rubbing off on me. I expected to have a great semester but that was far too low a standard for what has happened so far. It's a big world out there and the more you get lost in, the smaller your problems seem and the bigger your happiness grows.</div>
Hillary Oneslagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15635530146628961414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5914364019353455730.post-16556736489195478592012-10-08T10:31:00.000+02:002012-10-08T10:37:19.124+02:00AMSTERDAM: AN OVERVIEWI still can't believe that I just spent a week in The Netherlands for school. I would really like to thank whomever it was that decided that students should get college credit for studying abroad. The <a href="http://www.disabroad.org/study-abroad/tours/" target="_blank">study tours</a> were one of the reasons that I found DIS so appealing and I'm happy to say it did not disappoint. We took an overnight train on Sunday night and hit the ground running as soon as we got off at the station.<br />
<br />
We spent Monday in Rotterdam visiting the <a href="http://www.unilever.com/" target="_blank">Unilever</a> office, enjoying a fantastic <a href="http://www.bazarrotterdam.nl/" target="_blank">lunch</a> and meeting with an awesome think-tank-style collaborative work community call <a href="http://www.except.nl/" target="_blank">Except Netherlands</a> that develops creative design solutions to environmental problems. We had the night on our own to explore before heading to bed for our early wake up call the next morning. On Tuesday we toured the Rotterdam Port by bus; it's one of the largest ports in the world and transport over 11 million crates every year.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2EU4r_z2PLXhGvdIYPVt5Mb44hHJ-Neb0_wTiyndcIe8kHlMGh2EFxhgmQ47O0HDc5qdmCn7T3uGT_1iTI5vmDw9BwyHIeBBqTCIbZSoWFHkYNbQYVjWR5TSryvoi9u8MOVfw1LWb6-nt/s1600/DSC_0071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2EU4r_z2PLXhGvdIYPVt5Mb44hHJ-Neb0_wTiyndcIe8kHlMGh2EFxhgmQ47O0HDc5qdmCn7T3uGT_1iTI5vmDw9BwyHIeBBqTCIbZSoWFHkYNbQYVjWR5TSryvoi9u8MOVfw1LWb6-nt/s640/DSC_0071.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMSKg67A4AyoGdTTiJMnobZvR2Cqjs_V_sUrvBuvfH6gckw1ra8YFbQO0-czsgNIwuTYE-p5Eel1HUnsyXtZxY6G5gr8_8SrkO08XdUVlEbFooZqk-eFJy8wVP-uCKYB7Bzi2wku602Sa/s1600/DSC_0195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMSKg67A4AyoGdTTiJMnobZvR2Cqjs_V_sUrvBuvfH6gckw1ra8YFbQO0-czsgNIwuTYE-p5Eel1HUnsyXtZxY6G5gr8_8SrkO08XdUVlEbFooZqk-eFJy8wVP-uCKYB7Bzi2wku602Sa/s640/DSC_0195.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
Our tour ended at the train station and after a quick hour-long commute, we arrived at Amsterdam Central station and were greeted by a glorious blue sky and plenty of sunshine (it rained every morning after that). We had a few hours to explore so after dropping our bags at the hotel we set out to climb the I AMsterdam sign.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7wQVWgNfrF8sEox_Lo4K2Gm2Blfm-ACWAosjdSWytLfJ_Bv3MAFtdVaCyxgQblwsGKdqyqB_torfmbu7Oysa1FdrliYQvWkAdy4cftVgTjCUWgYmPEEEQMd8UsSdwe6jX_XN-fo8Vh6a/s1600/DSC_0234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7wQVWgNfrF8sEox_Lo4K2Gm2Blfm-ACWAosjdSWytLfJ_Bv3MAFtdVaCyxgQblwsGKdqyqB_torfmbu7Oysa1FdrliYQvWkAdy4cftVgTjCUWgYmPEEEQMd8UsSdwe6jX_XN-fo8Vh6a/s640/DSC_0234.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWTOyCtSTdBX21sBH68pM94OJd9U3iW5yrkD3wvfaqaXE5_-mzcle5xhBw853O8d2ceVsG5SnQWvBZTxt48hES8eKkguaxQKLDChtKBfAdy2CMXJveSHmnPK1Hquw6URfqiIQ2OMhhwHq/s1600/DSC_0245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWTOyCtSTdBX21sBH68pM94OJd9U3iW5yrkD3wvfaqaXE5_-mzcle5xhBw853O8d2ceVsG5SnQWvBZTxt48hES8eKkguaxQKLDChtKBfAdy2CMXJveSHmnPK1Hquw6URfqiIQ2OMhhwHq/s640/DSC_0245.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMflBGnKySrRmBfd1TNm1vVCN2lf_7NuzsAwKS1XAfTKqFm5j3jYSbR0OKpiY7U340QcW8yRrjNeDNLrC5qNjnA_CzVeKf2LxIXdBQNMTTSKSW_QFWc04K7cd_NwVQ4QVRmM7pUBE2ho0g/s1600/DSC_0270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMflBGnKySrRmBfd1TNm1vVCN2lf_7NuzsAwKS1XAfTKqFm5j3jYSbR0OKpiY7U340QcW8yRrjNeDNLrC5qNjnA_CzVeKf2LxIXdBQNMTTSKSW_QFWc04K7cd_NwVQ4QVRmM7pUBE2ho0g/s640/DSC_0270.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
Tuesday evening we attended a culinary workshop and dinner that was absolutely mind-blowing. The chefs work to create the "plate of the future" that combines good food, sustainable living and culinary art in to each dish. Our menu was inspired by their recent trip to Shanghai and I can honestly say that I've never had such an incredible meal.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfPjH85oynUgS6DCWYXvZPsYfoDw3NuJ66MHq8joWG2AP6Pe_ozdiCOsPKaGD2V14TVJ1G5ISOqk_ok75TAy8zvNkE2Jsa-WhVw0Yj57N8SxNIToiFJf6uH-p25XY2w0cDknYZB0zpmBd/s1600/DSC_0413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfPjH85oynUgS6DCWYXvZPsYfoDw3NuJ66MHq8joWG2AP6Pe_ozdiCOsPKaGD2V14TVJ1G5ISOqk_ok75TAy8zvNkE2Jsa-WhVw0Yj57N8SxNIToiFJf6uH-p25XY2w0cDknYZB0zpmBd/s640/DSC_0413.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0o8VIgHb-UNsCkWoqQVAGI9u3HDMtiU9d-LKn-KAHHtEAwEIkObDEC8HmxtiC7-z2g4eYH6G4VCmUU6sAZVfTi4aa0nReHuQOm-8ZKlE44-bpz_yc-vcARLf_QQWQPFqriU43C6IPBedx/s1600/DSC_0452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0o8VIgHb-UNsCkWoqQVAGI9u3HDMtiU9d-LKn-KAHHtEAwEIkObDEC8HmxtiC7-z2g4eYH6G4VCmUU6sAZVfTi4aa0nReHuQOm-8ZKlE44-bpz_yc-vcARLf_QQWQPFqriU43C6IPBedx/s640/DSC_0452.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUrWqMj0P4D-TCEy-FMv6kOf9UStiW-bOJ3_IrzhdDpZ3VLcKBMGY0LfQDFvXpxc5UEhgmyUWcGxD9eURLlN2OYSx2HKnhY9I1j9yUSdaTIDDOMn_NHbtMw1PWARJDzMb4_WktfZ-GeJr/s1600/DSC_0524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUrWqMj0P4D-TCEy-FMv6kOf9UStiW-bOJ3_IrzhdDpZ3VLcKBMGY0LfQDFvXpxc5UEhgmyUWcGxD9eURLlN2OYSx2HKnhY9I1j9yUSdaTIDDOMn_NHbtMw1PWARJDzMb4_WktfZ-GeJr/s640/DSC_0524.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
After our first day in Amsterdam, the rest of the week flew by. We met with officials from the Amsterdam Municipality, went on a (terrifying) bike food-tour of the city, explored a cradle-to-cradle tile showroom, had a group meditation session and enjoyed more delicious (and sustainable) meals. Somewhere between all these visits we found time to tour the Heineken factory, visit the Anne Frank house and marvel at all the tulip stands.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVVg0tu_NH2crsuZ_F1D4PLAc6qfzN8wH1IR6bJKEbNm2HgHJ2-gZqmht0dKDmMFiIxsb4Uxmeksj1L2B5JUm9nFzwOENXsZUnvqLSLoI7LGFeXkkIG7smLE0okcy6tr8Tlp0vq5P9OGe/s1600/DSC_0550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVVg0tu_NH2crsuZ_F1D4PLAc6qfzN8wH1IR6bJKEbNm2HgHJ2-gZqmht0dKDmMFiIxsb4Uxmeksj1L2B5JUm9nFzwOENXsZUnvqLSLoI7LGFeXkkIG7smLE0okcy6tr8Tlp0vq5P9OGe/s640/DSC_0550.JPG" width="500" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxcj0ltGVeIirpYj49WulDmR7TrtNBp706b8fpx5zgmdCvj-SfhxyHinZ4hrsXl_YI9gB2C8xgWngrGBel8fa6s4JlGjBFRD3q9xtkoN4RbM27fxMNLdZ0MJV5UQdwT-MR-9HXdwA6CAvr/s1600/DSC_0626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxcj0ltGVeIirpYj49WulDmR7TrtNBp706b8fpx5zgmdCvj-SfhxyHinZ4hrsXl_YI9gB2C8xgWngrGBel8fa6s4JlGjBFRD3q9xtkoN4RbM27fxMNLdZ0MJV5UQdwT-MR-9HXdwA6CAvr/s640/DSC_0626.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqkijIpZb9DfhoF7_SrYcTxpJVAgHHXwNCRTgrc25bby9VXlca3MKz6M45o5zqThYkzS6OZrBLO_K4UPf80CYN-0iPYd-WsO5ZIZAJptzL1_OdKvirxOL3B0Uu_p_ibGxS0n7DolP29CGK/s1600/DSC_0650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqkijIpZb9DfhoF7_SrYcTxpJVAgHHXwNCRTgrc25bby9VXlca3MKz6M45o5zqThYkzS6OZrBLO_K4UPf80CYN-0iPYd-WsO5ZIZAJptzL1_OdKvirxOL3B0Uu_p_ibGxS0n7DolP29CGK/s640/DSC_0650.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOn1znBhListQCTjZ7nmIi5YaUnMLJTXFaM1dLFgPmsfEjsZBOZQkbWgy2GJwIxR2IuZTB4rsebD5XlCo4d_UdUNMWuTo_Xy21CVGLcPfFuUVqWUnm3-PjGVyR4yCtEdm2c2GA8pTfhs0J/s1600/DSC_1015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOn1znBhListQCTjZ7nmIi5YaUnMLJTXFaM1dLFgPmsfEjsZBOZQkbWgy2GJwIxR2IuZTB4rsebD5XlCo4d_UdUNMWuTo_Xy21CVGLcPfFuUVqWUnm3-PjGVyR4yCtEdm2c2GA8pTfhs0J/s640/DSC_1015.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHM00Nf6dkrEbeNFkKYpmQ97i0zpW1OR8Ydsjd3OBu00VLZWHVdO2fD7QBxQ8am_cQdQHh90PpGYIzeWgF4QwobzEq1FmziNcB6AIdYWLetmK_LNREo5_FdSBx1qa0Hvty741h9ZT-r7Wt/s1600/DSC_0770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHM00Nf6dkrEbeNFkKYpmQ97i0zpW1OR8Ydsjd3OBu00VLZWHVdO2fD7QBxQ8am_cQdQHh90PpGYIzeWgF4QwobzEq1FmziNcB6AIdYWLetmK_LNREo5_FdSBx1qa0Hvty741h9ZT-r7Wt/s640/DSC_0770.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFB2XoNFY1A9B4w4FqXV3AjsQvS1P0Aw4v0l6Yy3rDqA2JsrkcfYzfbmNovZ6zymNRyeRMJ3l5jw48KGumn5XRGPaFcgJOP261mg-Efm8DBrbUNI_cYcox0K5k1rxJdS8JiFLVLBIMsT6/s1600/DSC_0779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFB2XoNFY1A9B4w4FqXV3AjsQvS1P0Aw4v0l6Yy3rDqA2JsrkcfYzfbmNovZ6zymNRyeRMJ3l5jw48KGumn5XRGPaFcgJOP261mg-Efm8DBrbUNI_cYcox0K5k1rxJdS8JiFLVLBIMsT6/s640/DSC_0779.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tJNZJVjAa2c7v19Bzsm1MdkrNIxqSz9iJed5pI97kDH2MlPiky9Xt_RyJbupt-59Kz2Ik1R0oVCXyaxBj5KxeIsC8DqBawn3mJJjg2QPOeh_yy-5B_iovNjJNoowM7mTHyL2CGJ0D7kz/s1600/DSC_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tJNZJVjAa2c7v19Bzsm1MdkrNIxqSz9iJed5pI97kDH2MlPiky9Xt_RyJbupt-59Kz2Ik1R0oVCXyaxBj5KxeIsC8DqBawn3mJJjg2QPOeh_yy-5B_iovNjJNoowM7mTHyL2CGJ0D7kz/s640/DSC_0033.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Sr_MX00xuSpQkBTEoePlIz1gBXOsP64UskLi4GjWKZ1nH4ze0n3plIkKtMrL4bbJ8ZOKS9J7uGl_j2qk1j9fVK8-eJJn7Z83fV2ISFE3YyvhiRq16m6Psso4YNj1GvQExfi59eyXhJ4S/s1600/DSC_0294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Sr_MX00xuSpQkBTEoePlIz1gBXOsP64UskLi4GjWKZ1nH4ze0n3plIkKtMrL4bbJ8ZOKS9J7uGl_j2qk1j9fVK8-eJJn7Z83fV2ISFE3YyvhiRq16m6Psso4YNj1GvQExfi59eyXhJ4S/s640/DSC_0294.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpH92luCWt0r8RuqNX-QUGetbCiAVlsGybRZddgNanvT72B2IDIHT9UUA9MXaVQnWW5iI5fiUL0dCE0UTOFX6m_19Yhrc-PhdJTP-F5FjGXNSd6nr6xO9z9vwhAI8_kUUT6w86ixbsBG-1/s1600/DSC_0064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpH92luCWt0r8RuqNX-QUGetbCiAVlsGybRZddgNanvT72B2IDIHT9UUA9MXaVQnWW5iI5fiUL0dCE0UTOFX6m_19Yhrc-PhdJTP-F5FjGXNSd6nr6xO9z9vwhAI8_kUUT6w86ixbsBG-1/s640/DSC_0064.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Coming back to Copenhagen was bittersweet. Sweet because it felt like home, bitter because I love traveling. It also struck me just how fast the rest of the semester is going to fly by. From here on out, I have two weeks of class, another travel break (Russia here I come), two more weeks, a travel break (Poland and Greece await), two more weeks and then finals. I'm grateful that I have a fantastic school to go back to next semester but I'm definitely not ready for this adventure to be over.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have a few more things I want to write about regarding Amsterdam so I'll get those posts up soon. Until then, stay green!</div>
Hillary Oneslagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15635530146628961414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5914364019353455730.post-58049405704079127792012-10-06T21:13:00.000+02:002012-10-08T16:11:31.172+02:00AMSTERDAM: SIXTY SECONDSI just got back from my long study tour to Amsterdam this morning. I have so much I want to write about but for now here's a teaser of the trip. 1200 photos, 5 days and 1 sixty-second video.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="333" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/50892198" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="550"></iframe></div>
Hillary Oneslagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15635530146628961414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5914364019353455730.post-85293043244280589732012-09-30T17:08:00.000+02:002014-01-10T04:26:30.348+01:00ONE CAKE TO RULE THEM ALLI'm a firm believer that cupcakes have a way of bringing out the best in people. Think about it: when was the last time someone gave you a cupcake and it made you angry or sad or upset? Back in DC, I bring cupcakes to nearly every group potluck, volunteer event or department meeting that I attend. The Danes seem to like cupcakes just as much as I do which is pretty lucky since I've come to count on them as my main contribution to every relationship.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvs1rjWuUmoOpy4M4idpiMoq2Et5nwx_mNvA_0ibX3rtW2YaYu6fARgu1X7XVEzW8G2e3AIROFQamAFedP1UQum03HvUqRbRZ3ebzcGj6tIPqOPuTtdVeHzGCmpHP6GDDiu3rBqvhCHj3O/s1600/6ad6426609ba11e2b19422000a1e9dd4_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvs1rjWuUmoOpy4M4idpiMoq2Et5nwx_mNvA_0ibX3rtW2YaYu6fARgu1X7XVEzW8G2e3AIROFQamAFedP1UQum03HvUqRbRZ3ebzcGj6tIPqOPuTtdVeHzGCmpHP6GDDiu3rBqvhCHj3O/s200/6ad6426609ba11e2b19422000a1e9dd4_7.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL3fwcXJvACQRYMg37FrxbMfDQy3zAluNBN2KvcXuuecdeZfOXXSuV8wvVFrYwiLz2Q_vhlTXOkUOk7VO0JdW540vGMl2nvK_zrlA62rW_CMsYav8Ylo7hwQtrHC0dTliWj818ZcujxRQT/s1600/ae0773fafa7b11e1ae5f12313804f9a9_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL3fwcXJvACQRYMg37FrxbMfDQy3zAluNBN2KvcXuuecdeZfOXXSuV8wvVFrYwiLz2Q_vhlTXOkUOk7VO0JdW540vGMl2nvK_zrlA62rW_CMsYav8Ylo7hwQtrHC0dTliWj818ZcujxRQT/s200/ae0773fafa7b11e1ae5f12313804f9a9_7.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
On Friday night I took the train down to Køge for dinner with my <a href="http://www.disabroad.org/study-abroad/culture/visiting-family/" target="_blank">visiting family</a>. Jesper, the father, and Emma (14) met me at the train station. Emma gave me a walking tour of the town center; last time I made the journey down south for dinner we didn't have time to walk around. The main part of the town was picturesque and perfectly charming. Cobble stone streets were flanked with red and yellow buildings. The main church was made of bright red brick and was next door to a house that was built in the 1600s. In the town square, the city was hosting a police dog showcase and the organizer gave a speech in Danish as we waited for our ride back. The only word I understood was "fire" (pronounces fee-yah) which means four. Emma said the woman was talking about "four legged friends" and I was quite proud of myself for picking out at least one thing that I understood.<br />
<br />
Once we got back to their house we sat down to a delicious dinner of pork roast, potatoes, homemade bread and red cabbage salad with walnuts and pomegranate. After sufficiently cleaning my plate, we opened the box of nine mini cupcakes that I'd picked up before leaving Copenhagen. As we sat around the table drinking tea and savoring every little bite, we started talking (it's really hard to chat when you're busy devouring a fantastic meal).<br />
<br />
We discussed whether or not I thought the Hunger Games movie was too violent. I told everyone all about s'mores, the fantastic combination of peanut butter and Oreos and the process of leasing a house at Georgetown for senior year. We talked about cursing in America and how it compares to the used language in movies, how Danes working with Americans have to be extra cautious to be "politically correct" and whether or not I was going to vote in the upcoming collection.<br />
<br />
I never considered the Hunger Games to be particularly violent in comparison to other movies but I was reminded that Danes can't own guns and that their perception of violence is much different than that of Americans. I was admittedly surprised by how many locals I heard on the streets dropping the f-word but as Jesper explained, the American movies make swearing seem much more casual than it is. I'd never really considering just how much Hollywood skews the image of American normalcy until someone said the f-word when interviewing me for an internship. While I have quite a mouth of my own, movies do a horrible job at showing when it is and isn't appropriate to swear. Thankfully I've come to feel very comfortable in Danish society but talking about the finer details and little difference was much more interesting than just keeping a running tally in my head of things I'd noticed and really forced me to consider what I'd learned and encountered thus far.<br />
<br />
We definitely covered a wide range of topics but I couldn't have been happier with the evening. As great as Copenhagen is, it's nice to get out of the city and enjoy a real home-cooked meal (I've become the queen of pasta and grilled cheese since that's about all I can make). We had great conversation that made me think more closely about my own culture and how it's perceived by the rest of the world. Everyone loved the cupcakes and I couldn't help but be pleased with myself for bringing them. Cupcakes have a funny way of bringing people together. Even in Denmark, some things never change.Hillary Oneslagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15635530146628961414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5914364019353455730.post-28657431075214622292012-09-26T13:40:00.002+02:002012-09-26T13:40:34.187+02:00THE SECRET TO HAPPINESSAccording to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvFqFppIoBA&feature" target="_blank">numerous sources</a>, the Danes are the happiest people in the world. There are plenty of different theories as to why they consistently rank at the top of the world list: everything from low expectations to the welfare state have been targeted as the root of their happiness. Living in Copenhagen, it makes sense for me to embrace the happiness theme and work towards having my happiest semester yet.<br />
<br />
But there's a catch: I'm not a Dane. I have high expectations for my time abroad (which means I could be let down) and I'm not entitled to most of the benefits given out by the government (meaning I have to worry about things that the Danes don't). So how then, can I be the happiest version of myself? Over the summer I read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Happiness-Project-Aristotle-Generally/dp/0061583251" target="_blank">The Happiness Project</a> by Gretchen Rubin. An American author and self-made happiness expert, she suggested that the best way she found to achieve happiness was to "be Gretchen." Extending this theory to myself, I should simply "be Hillary" while abroad. And Hillary likes to be busy.<br />
<br />
Even though I <a href="http://destinationdanmark.blogspot.dk/2012/08/deja-vu.html" target="_blank">wrote over the summer</a> about how I wanted to have free time to explore Copenhagen, the truth is that I like to be busy. This semester was going to be the first time I didn't have a job since graduating high school but today I landed an internship.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaqy2WuPATAB6vws28F4MMd1TSQa4meVP6KvFSuMYSjf6JHrx2R1p9ucQArHiTOLKOuvFFF_ILPy3zws6EjMtFjvvPYWUOk_Dyuy5fkswy7OA_05H5R50NWM4C9gpycuES0T-qibu4gfp/s1600/7ee968a407c211e28fa722000a1fbcea_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaqy2WuPATAB6vws28F4MMd1TSQa4meVP6KvFSuMYSjf6JHrx2R1p9ucQArHiTOLKOuvFFF_ILPy3zws6EjMtFjvvPYWUOk_Dyuy5fkswy7OA_05H5R50NWM4C9gpycuES0T-qibu4gfp/s320/7ee968a407c211e28fa722000a1fbcea_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(You can see all the major towers from the office window)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'll be working at <a href="http://sciencenordic.com/" target="_blank">ScienceNordic</a>, a year-old digitally based company that works to provide high quality science news from the Nordic countries. They're looking to attract more American and academic readers so my task will be finding ways to market their stories and website to a culture that I know well. I have a background in marketing and a passion for sustainability so this will be a cool way to combine two of my seemingly unrelated interests.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I debated wether or not to pursue an internship while abroad but I ultimately decided that it would be a fantastic immersion activity. It's a completely different way to get involved in the culture even if it's at a desk or behind a computer. My coworkers will be Danes and Norwegians and I'll be working in a European market. I'm equally excited about working for the company as I am about working in a foreign country.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Fear not though, my hours will be flexible and I'll still have plenty of time to enjoy Denmark and explore Europe. Just last night I booked a trip to Paris with a friend from high school. I may not have the same sources of happiness as the Danes but not even the rain can dampen my mood. Happiness is what you make it and I'm pretty happy with what I'm making of my semester thus far.</div>
<br />Hillary Oneslagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15635530146628961414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5914364019353455730.post-33382111304815560272012-09-24T21:06:00.001+02:002012-09-24T21:17:22.009+02:00HIKING, BIKING AND BALTIC BEACHES<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I <a href="http://destinationdanmark.blogspot.dk/2012/08/ride-or-die.html" target="_blank">wrote previously</a>, biking has never been my favorite activity. Despite my aversion to cycling in general, my adventure trip this past weekend was absolutely fabulous. We spent the weekend on Bornholm, a small island in the Baltic Sea that is
actually closer to Sweden and Germany but is still a part of Denmark. It’s a
popular summer destination for many Danes; I’d liken it to something like Cape
Cod/Nantucket/Martha’s Vineyard as an American comparison.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We boarded a late, overnight ferry on Friday and got as
comfortable as possible in chairs and on the floor to try and sleep before we
docked at approximately 6am Saturday morning. We arrived in Bornholm before the
sun had come up and sleepily boarded the bus to head to Gundjem, a little town on the opposite
side of the island. I signed up for the trip with a friend from Georgetown but a girl from my Danish class and another Hoya (whom I knew by association but had never actually hung out with) were there too so the four of us spent the weekend exploring together. DIS gave us suggested biking routes so we opted for the Wilderness Tour. After breakfast at the hostel, we picked up our bikes and
readied ourselves for the day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The first leg of the trip took us through rolling farm hills en route to the most famous round church on the island. From there we pedaled through a
picturesque forest on our way to lunch. Emerging from the woods we headed to Svaneke, a cozy town famous for smoked herring, glass blowing and candy shops. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFp_EwCoWGXd-p5DySrcA149ANomtyDwaSLireXLHwuO-Vvb91HoE1bdqLQjd-JIpdAzOXQwMN98rRxcRC8_EJjjzCKwy0h56dMyr89-ANfb46cYnoGYDawHkSXfSOX0vsz0Gvni2pbND/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFp_EwCoWGXd-p5DySrcA149ANomtyDwaSLireXLHwuO-Vvb91HoE1bdqLQjd-JIpdAzOXQwMN98rRxcRC8_EJjjzCKwy0h56dMyr89-ANfb46cYnoGYDawHkSXfSOX0vsz0Gvni2pbND/s640/DSC_0004.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo73yuI8jJBSEkqOTyWCUBPqkKwKBfiywY7rWU6nl1Sx_DBKV7304anG38NpFsRQVLQOSF2tduCmijKvbdDbRsMHOLtbMW8Xr8iuPNsyPW-f7IRWpO9preuYOE3Hns1gC3EygmJt0voZUk/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo73yuI8jJBSEkqOTyWCUBPqkKwKBfiywY7rWU6nl1Sx_DBKV7304anG38NpFsRQVLQOSF2tduCmijKvbdDbRsMHOLtbMW8Xr8iuPNsyPW-f7IRWpO9preuYOE3Hns1gC3EygmJt0voZUk/s640/DSC_0012.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYKdwAsNch1jkjKbfYP9IzxPo8iNtszzEyghmi-N5WW-P-wxERIYd3mC7683EowIBRNE2Ade6m5zGDBI4i2LFBM_DBr_C4t0dDDy2D0yv5mlMpwaW96ZteSe2CUjlA2kIvpHb9utg-8oY/s1600/DSC_0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYKdwAsNch1jkjKbfYP9IzxPo8iNtszzEyghmi-N5WW-P-wxERIYd3mC7683EowIBRNE2Ade6m5zGDBI4i2LFBM_DBr_C4t0dDDy2D0yv5mlMpwaW96ZteSe2CUjlA2kIvpHb9utg-8oY/s640/DSC_0026.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbhSact96tSE0TUSzQS8IEBmB4Vu51shJeGr7yS2WaAH9ItKtZdhVSg5g1_laT_QsV-yYw3Fe-RxJRNIqVq__ynzVkvurfY5U8mOESQD1bZupnJ0b61CFzugClUkbNmhh2O7l_Vx6ikML/s1600/DSC_0057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbhSact96tSE0TUSzQS8IEBmB4Vu51shJeGr7yS2WaAH9ItKtZdhVSg5g1_laT_QsV-yYw3Fe-RxJRNIqVq__ynzVkvurfY5U8mOESQD1bZupnJ0b61CFzugClUkbNmhh2O7l_Vx6ikML/s640/DSC_0057.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1VKNf5TU8S1S4hKylbWV75OyvtYPFivwZFinp9lkRtkqYJdQus4QDhfxYMw5DR3UHzy6-4IIrSATzEGDcTsWIH6kpb4cHejRPryt9PdndmMRiA1t5eIcLk91MDmVSUBc1sQvoPIaIE8Bb/s1600/DSC_0076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1VKNf5TU8S1S4hKylbWV75OyvtYPFivwZFinp9lkRtkqYJdQus4QDhfxYMw5DR3UHzy6-4IIrSATzEGDcTsWIH6kpb4cHejRPryt9PdndmMRiA1t5eIcLk91MDmVSUBc1sQvoPIaIE8Bb/s640/DSC_0076.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVzRNH_Ay5uz6qAZzxSSH4fyh_IIANJ1nyM00pNqjm0I_rwyV7lSA_cw5VFyIdgzFs7zjnBaGyuwBKm3goal7YU-00eO_RiKRMA2V_NFi-UTadqGTT_ZCvBXjDk_EeXQou0e-81fgBXZr/s1600/DSC_0092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVzRNH_Ay5uz6qAZzxSSH4fyh_IIANJ1nyM00pNqjm0I_rwyV7lSA_cw5VFyIdgzFs7zjnBaGyuwBKm3goal7YU-00eO_RiKRMA2V_NFi-UTadqGTT_ZCvBXjDk_EeXQou0e-81fgBXZr/s640/DSC_0092.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsbtLexB0kXgBQExAZkYWrjQgt0X6ePvrhgjej0G4BQuWq1E852NXuBICsbi0REuRLOhFlWJpVEN7ya3373vnjDpbJbhunWIvPVoE9N0d1LibdQ853GIATgTqysNYvkx_SQkm2bw8EiOj/s1600/DSC_0097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsbtLexB0kXgBQExAZkYWrjQgt0X6ePvrhgjej0G4BQuWq1E852NXuBICsbi0REuRLOhFlWJpVEN7ya3373vnjDpbJbhunWIvPVoE9N0d1LibdQ853GIATgTqysNYvkx_SQkm2bw8EiOj/s640/DSC_0097.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMV-ySvqNmFCI3d-SXHFrXpXVs2gD4VUq5as7RfH7XgfBk3EyR5eFwKmcmd2Lt1nm-scxtoCj3999egw5HbIjzzpLCL2Jr4oLhx0v1-58TratTzSjVJ4W2hCTMH2GsOyXRQYBeGW0IfLJU/s1600/DSC_0106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMV-ySvqNmFCI3d-SXHFrXpXVs2gD4VUq5as7RfH7XgfBk3EyR5eFwKmcmd2Lt1nm-scxtoCj3999egw5HbIjzzpLCL2Jr4oLhx0v1-58TratTzSjVJ4W2hCTMH2GsOyXRQYBeGW0IfLJU/s640/DSC_0106.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had biked over 45km by the time we reached the hostel for
dinner and after a quick outing to the local ice cream store for dessert, we
turned in early so we’d be well rested for more exploring the next day. The weather was a bit sunnier on Sunday so we opted for a
quick ride out of town to explore the rock formations, Black Cauldron cave, art
museum and Denmark’s “highest” waterfall.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCn79ie-Aed32vrVSQhgeokvAwASShSLVgmJiRwWWNYT8yYJRcLiCojB6-qLwb-Zn1PV-vtCpP77Y3oiulu_gKzbFQKhxlP6-gyJ3gnFT74xTBBNZux9wL4-x7ElxuGlOTApfo_6Xw5ViQ/s1600/DSC_0172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCn79ie-Aed32vrVSQhgeokvAwASShSLVgmJiRwWWNYT8yYJRcLiCojB6-qLwb-Zn1PV-vtCpP77Y3oiulu_gKzbFQKhxlP6-gyJ3gnFT74xTBBNZux9wL4-x7ElxuGlOTApfo_6Xw5ViQ/s640/DSC_0172.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisMWfsGOFRDgdb4RZ6AbxGCaZzWMs236WjJovtHz3OwYkCXtYpevqXjX8d2Gn6JXMoA84_uHwfl8nSKumr66SQVNLk1du8KsfBNqbI6UxOYrEwzWUv44DJsei0Ifa0mNIt58Phx_4XL43x/s1600/DSC_0189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisMWfsGOFRDgdb4RZ6AbxGCaZzWMs236WjJovtHz3OwYkCXtYpevqXjX8d2Gn6JXMoA84_uHwfl8nSKumr66SQVNLk1du8KsfBNqbI6UxOYrEwzWUv44DJsei0Ifa0mNIt58Phx_4XL43x/s640/DSC_0189.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbbMYgwRxFlBfDRdpT19173d4DmzD3GWa8jbwsFrzGjhawPlc9XfEOfNWj5k2t12khJAmKcl-PbMNl5NEirpKw0_ufd0mLjv8eKezstgmmwy1z0kbA-0KbppeV7c2leFjc1fUG3p9qIEym/s1600/DSC_0213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbbMYgwRxFlBfDRdpT19173d4DmzD3GWa8jbwsFrzGjhawPlc9XfEOfNWj5k2t12khJAmKcl-PbMNl5NEirpKw0_ufd0mLjv8eKezstgmmwy1z0kbA-0KbppeV7c2leFjc1fUG3p9qIEym/s640/DSC_0213.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99TMXMP0mlxefelnCi0gKMgiF-Bd_LFkpDjJeKJfb4cvg7fQEpqX-8fsr3UGksD_w3Tp80MEkYfno01xkVEXgp63dlPk74FohKNHi054fVkv6hLzfX0vSi0guVRVg2AKCUTm5XQ7I0P41/s1600/DSC_0218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99TMXMP0mlxefelnCi0gKMgiF-Bd_LFkpDjJeKJfb4cvg7fQEpqX-8fsr3UGksD_w3Tp80MEkYfno01xkVEXgp63dlPk74FohKNHi054fVkv6hLzfX0vSi0guVRVg2AKCUTm5XQ7I0P41/s640/DSC_0218.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9o7ojvvE8FCQSlb-SipmmPns0sqNu9_yhAuuPQsG-gP53xSjexQD584oF2WsdmyRr8vUSesdJQZgvDWE6H_KcF5x39lqr3PQmi29FqX3Z8hVMqlSBnUEDbazIZjXAFsiBrNaj3hv8z0h-/s1600/DSC_0220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9o7ojvvE8FCQSlb-SipmmPns0sqNu9_yhAuuPQsG-gP53xSjexQD584oF2WsdmyRr8vUSesdJQZgvDWE6H_KcF5x39lqr3PQmi29FqX3Z8hVMqlSBnUEDbazIZjXAFsiBrNaj3hv8z0h-/s640/DSC_0220.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQVP5XDTwp93OrKvUJ3vE3y3piTBbcKkEMzsx0TJ94_0BObgtzBMsM6kvQWzfmu-BGPJX_ckQ1vOeKI3_9OCfBC_zL-YzX74RKsWFIOFt_2oF6essYpKDrfenGTjqoKkTwFypYUvHSxdO/s1600/DSC_0250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQVP5XDTwp93OrKvUJ3vE3y3piTBbcKkEMzsx0TJ94_0BObgtzBMsM6kvQWzfmu-BGPJX_ckQ1vOeKI3_9OCfBC_zL-YzX74RKsWFIOFt_2oF6essYpKDrfenGTjqoKkTwFypYUvHSxdO/s640/DSC_0250.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOmi6ez7bxSEiMilJUS1HfU9VIjzlb3O7HcG3kNCMcKyYzRh3uY3Psu38bncU2lq8AWov75NMrBOmwyDV6B-t9zorwBo5h1ZBj38R26nveVc0cuNw5LuFCeMevfEB25PEfVl2ffgQesat7/s1600/DSC_0266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOmi6ez7bxSEiMilJUS1HfU9VIjzlb3O7HcG3kNCMcKyYzRh3uY3Psu38bncU2lq8AWov75NMrBOmwyDV6B-t9zorwBo5h1ZBj38R26nveVc0cuNw5LuFCeMevfEB25PEfVl2ffgQesat7/s640/DSC_0266.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3W7rkj8FmrztN8R67wLAVSyZLFT7eyDSsDSbRCIGeiQF_tcmk7ELGkrzYeIl6Vf8g3u3i_ts6ExZKSwLZQhfSveBrDCakv73I_t0IGc54mZpr4L2Feon_AQRa35Zk9mUJyiNXaAT3JsoP/s1600/DSC_0293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3W7rkj8FmrztN8R67wLAVSyZLFT7eyDSsDSbRCIGeiQF_tcmk7ELGkrzYeIl6Vf8g3u3i_ts6ExZKSwLZQhfSveBrDCakv73I_t0IGc54mZpr4L2Feon_AQRa35Zk9mUJyiNXaAT3JsoP/s640/DSC_0293.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Despite the light rain and stubborn clouds, Bornholm was beautiful. I can only imagine how it must be in the summer when the streets are bustling and the sun is shining. The trip fit perfectly in to my "explore Denmark" theme of the month and I doubt I'll ever have the chance to go back again. It was truly a <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=yolo" target="_blank">YOLO</a> kind of weekend.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm not sure what it is, but the further I get from Colorado the more I crave being outdoors. The further I get from DC, the more Georgetown people I meet with whom I've overlapped but never actually spent time with. I never would have guessed it would take a weekend of biking for me to realize just how small the world really is. My thighs are as hard as rock and I don't think I'll be able to sit comfortably on a bike again for at least month but if nothing else, I've come to appreciate my nature-girl side, expanded my Georgetown bubble and proved to myself that I can, in fact, ride a bike without injury.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Hillary Oneslagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15635530146628961414noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5914364019353455730.post-30351276379723003202012-09-20T21:12:00.000+02:002014-01-10T04:21:52.009+01:00YOU ARE WHAT YOU READ<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yesterday I didn't have any field studies for any of my classes so I packed up my bag and headed to a cozy, student-friendly coffee shop to get some work done. I was seated at a window bar that overlooked the street out front and was completely absorbed typing on my computer. As I paused to assess the design I was working on, I happened to look up and see this sign in the window of the bookstore across the street.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleymOMBkBZdtsZnFTbjGYJ-WKWakYYSoLcP4Qhp3o81HqxAijIylqIqd47TVLsJGNucz89daE006DrAlFMTEwyVDo-EdgKMHxKqLtBGOfGOnvpIZTQReGa_n23TgrGiwK08jeaYeyBVLa/s1600/f26b1100025a11e29fa5123138203b41_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleymOMBkBZdtsZnFTbjGYJ-WKWakYYSoLcP4Qhp3o81HqxAijIylqIqd47TVLsJGNucz89daE006DrAlFMTEwyVDo-EdgKMHxKqLtBGOfGOnvpIZTQReGa_n23TgrGiwK08jeaYeyBVLa/s320/f26b1100025a11e29fa5123138203b41_7.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You are what you read. It took me a minute before I realized I'd just read something in Danish without even realizing it. Is this what it feels like to be a local? If I am what I read and I just read Danish, does that make me a Dane?! It was a major "<a href="http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/oprahs-aha-moment-added-to-merriam-webster-dictionary-2012168" target="_blank">aha moment</a>" made all the more special by the fact that yesterday was the one month anniversary of my arrival in Denmark. September 19<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">th</span> isn’t really a special day by ordinary standards but I’ve already seen and done so much since I got here that, looking back, I feel the same way I do every year on December 31<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">st. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You see, New Year’s Eve is my favorite holiday. It has little to do with the flashy parties, new beginnings or anti-climatic ball drop in Times Square (I still think that it would be <b><i>much</i></b> more exciting if the ball actually shattered). Every year I most look forward to thinking back on the past twelve months and marveling at how much has changed. There are always so many things, good and bad, that happen that I never would have predicted. I'm always floored by the realization that life can and will continue to you surprise you--sometimes without you even realizing it until later. This was exactly how I felt sitting at the coffee shop yesterday.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p>Since I started my study abroad adventure, I’ve met some incredible people. I've travelled throughout Denmark, spent hours exploring museums and sailed on a whim to Norway. I’ve mastered which buses get me back to my apartment, can give directions to lost tourists and have conquered the Danish grocery store. I'm amazed that time has gone by so quickly and how perfectly comfortable I feel living here. I've had moments of frustration and bouts of FOMO but I can honestly say that I feel "at home" in Copenhagen even though I'm not quite sure when that exact moment occurred. </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p>In ten days I leave for Amsterdam and in a month I'll be in route to Russia. Come November I'll be off to Poland and Greece and a few other destinations once I get all my weekend trips booked. Even with a quarter of the semester behind me, there's too much to look forward to worry about how quickly these past thirty days have gone by. If anything, it's made me even more determined to soak up every minute of my time here and to embrace every challenge and triumph. People weren't kidding when they said these four months would fly by and so far the first one has been one hell of a good ride.</o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Hillary Oneslagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15635530146628961414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5914364019353455730.post-37919935292827336482012-09-16T14:13:00.000+02:002012-09-16T15:24:49.983+02:00CRUISIN'In what I consider a stepping stone to an actual <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eat,_Pray,_Love" target="_blank">Eat, Pray, Love</a> inspired trip, I spent this past weekend in Oslo, Norway. I originally planned to explore Denmark because I thought I'd be without my passport but I ended up having my travel documents after all. A friend from Georgetown had told me about a<a href="http://www.dfdsseaways.co.uk/mini-cruise-breaks/oslo-mini-cruises/oslo/" target="_blank"> mini cruise to Oslo</a> that she and her friends were doing and when another DIS student posted that his ticket was for sale, I jumped at the opportunity to sail to Norway for a few days and bought it.<br />
<br />
After meeting up with my friend and her group at the train station, we headed to the harbor and boarded the ship. I didn't actually know the three guys I'd be bunking with but they were incredibly sweet and very organized with all their bags in the tight quarters. We sailed overnight on Friday to Oslo and had all day Saturday to explore the city. I wasn't quite sure what to expect from the Nordic capital. I didn't think I'd dislike it but I was not prepared for what happened next.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<b>I fell head over heels IN LOVE with Oslo.</b></blockquote>
I woke up early on Saturday morning and slipped out of the cabin to watch our arrival from the deck. The view was absolutely breathtaking. We were sailing up the narrow channel from the open sea to the city and the waterway was flanked with small islands and rolling hills full of green pine trees and brightly colored houses. I felt like I was back at home in the Rocky Mountains but the air was the crisp salty kind you can only find along the coast. We lucked out weather-wise; the sky was an unreal shade of blue and it was sunny and near 65 degrees all day.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpc8xefd8UhPdaa9Sp_1hchfzLu2yWqGBUOwAdZBnOyqnOT0N8VnaHUDb4YwlslVqgJBsBl0bsaSKIT2YSXm__3Dky56SXILlJRrdQTek_B9P-59XMomzxtBV2klA1Pe9V1HUy-AdBvw7y/s1600/DSC_0262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpc8xefd8UhPdaa9Sp_1hchfzLu2yWqGBUOwAdZBnOyqnOT0N8VnaHUDb4YwlslVqgJBsBl0bsaSKIT2YSXm__3Dky56SXILlJRrdQTek_B9P-59XMomzxtBV2klA1Pe9V1HUy-AdBvw7y/s640/DSC_0262.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqljVPHP-Ff3Vix762oJ4zcYbHE1LDG75Wo1yfu1xbE_6SbYAQ1fSkCLIgumxaRgO_0q811472NzQSMwt7px125wiVYss63BnSd5oCxXGMkICeg4vXXW_MlSIIka-e6471E86JI7e27Pf/s1600/DSC_0269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqljVPHP-Ff3Vix762oJ4zcYbHE1LDG75Wo1yfu1xbE_6SbYAQ1fSkCLIgumxaRgO_0q811472NzQSMwt7px125wiVYss63BnSd5oCxXGMkICeg4vXXW_MlSIIka-e6471E86JI7e27Pf/s640/DSC_0269.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After docking in Oslo we were set loose to explore the city. My friend was extremely organized and had made up an itinerary for the day. We headed to the tourist center to pick up <a href="http://www.visitoslo.com/en/activities-and-attractions/oslo-pass/" target="_blank">Oslo Passes</a> that gave us all-day transportation, museum entrances and discounts. We started out at the Munch Museum to see the famous "Scream" painting. From there we took a breathtaking (albeit slow) train ride up to the famous<a href="http://www.visitnorway.com/en/Where-to-go/East/Oslo/What-to-do-in-Oslo/Attractions-in-Oslo/Holmenkollen/" target="_blank"> Holmenkollen ski jump</a>. The view from the top was incredible and only reaffirmed my love for this new place.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9IWGBrjyOhn_9-OM3JcSfhUsGRIu-BNG9GP7eB0chbWi2ibh8uk9aqfeaRCO0kwrkLqzGH8zB27vQflBx1tFGF2_qWsh19YrZ5R5SGhR8RNvDEWSiXf1SHZvRRv4-U8KakmVutt3o6lxb/s1600/DSC_0302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9IWGBrjyOhn_9-OM3JcSfhUsGRIu-BNG9GP7eB0chbWi2ibh8uk9aqfeaRCO0kwrkLqzGH8zB27vQflBx1tFGF2_qWsh19YrZ5R5SGhR8RNvDEWSiXf1SHZvRRv4-U8KakmVutt3o6lxb/s640/DSC_0302.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMdzfZ7CPk0q9VrT4yzQO2JJol-SG2Z7GUnThK-_BipduPz_zL-N3vI1u-OXLzRh5kNVQ6Buw6Ttyz8LSqZFj10WLZkvB52NRl6HVuAFAPK7asAd8WW_AJgKIhaC97vbVzcz9G2eJLKot/s1600/DSC_0333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMdzfZ7CPk0q9VrT4yzQO2JJol-SG2Z7GUnThK-_BipduPz_zL-N3vI1u-OXLzRh5kNVQ6Buw6Ttyz8LSqZFj10WLZkvB52NRl6HVuAFAPK7asAd8WW_AJgKIhaC97vbVzcz9G2eJLKot/s640/DSC_0333.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAm9Qgdus_d4aH0hmREYG30yNtZA8hQqYdjFTNX8yw8iBWMMDWzyTztcI4LvyIIU8fPE1ZlP2mFwsUAWNwvuUjunIHNtODHelJz_OCsuNEJUsG5Vu28qLqLPS34J13TvvlFhSDJLEpfHH/s1600/DSC_0367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAm9Qgdus_d4aH0hmREYG30yNtZA8hQqYdjFTNX8yw8iBWMMDWzyTztcI4LvyIIU8fPE1ZlP2mFwsUAWNwvuUjunIHNtODHelJz_OCsuNEJUsG5Vu28qLqLPS34J13TvvlFhSDJLEpfHH/s640/DSC_0367.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2FTNakHdTq2ns08cn58llf5K4xzxTQiMuCCXG-pBXZnnEgfT02h2N32CgjQlGhsgnH-B5c6rCn4QOhDMnvrZdxqKGe1Ksmqnoj1yY85kLc0RhjCCCoehv26_s3SLnPx-Y21jeW9pBN6n/s1600/DSC_0378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2FTNakHdTq2ns08cn58llf5K4xzxTQiMuCCXG-pBXZnnEgfT02h2N32CgjQlGhsgnH-B5c6rCn4QOhDMnvrZdxqKGe1Ksmqnoj1yY85kLc0RhjCCCoehv26_s3SLnPx-Y21jeW9pBN6n/s640/DSC_0378.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkW4443h0u3vSfd3XIcPlIo4zUOTXj_zjRRSW98kix9lNwu4uU8xyy4F7sywmObLLe-XXyaynjtGtym_GoutvypWLz3p2RCw6tfikAznli8O-2WlTgiJQ0M5_eGTqKZvp3syd4kFU01Ox/s1600/DSC_0379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkW4443h0u3vSfd3XIcPlIo4zUOTXj_zjRRSW98kix9lNwu4uU8xyy4F7sywmObLLe-XXyaynjtGtym_GoutvypWLz3p2RCw6tfikAznli8O-2WlTgiJQ0M5_eGTqKZvp3syd4kFU01Ox/s640/DSC_0379.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
From there we moved on to the <a href="http://www.visitnorway.com/en/Where-to-go/East/Oslo/What-to-do-in-Oslo/Attractions-in-Oslo/Vigelandsparken-sculpture-park/" target="_blank">Vigelandsparken Sculpture Garden</a>, ate a tradition Norwegian lunch (meatballs, gravy and potatoes) and headed back through the city towards the ship. On our way we passed the Parliament Building, City Hall, Royal Palace and Opera House. The Opera House was designed to look like an iceberg emerging from the water and it was stunning to see in person.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakSqqxnh59mQQnfFPe4Ulk82vzHXDcKTfm03n1HX1xzLIykp7hyphenhyphenpG94JAlCDEkkrdKD_8ngR2FEu9gvm6seitI0C_MDhuMmYH8GF2SbsJI6ELUiU4_-bpchDS5DohfdY19a7JnANJ2iqH/s1600/DSC_0409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakSqqxnh59mQQnfFPe4Ulk82vzHXDcKTfm03n1HX1xzLIykp7hyphenhyphenpG94JAlCDEkkrdKD_8ngR2FEu9gvm6seitI0C_MDhuMmYH8GF2SbsJI6ELUiU4_-bpchDS5DohfdY19a7JnANJ2iqH/s640/DSC_0409.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Mo9qYUOOAkx6ls-YjrkvxuDgyGQTuT2tTZa4lwz06Y-plI1fDzqplDBmZqkI0Xm_Zi1tIGhnsfpPjnfqNCB79wpcRVN-6m64g7otdOk8dcYPyP1wrwr6UzBWdaIWNz227JXEN7W1O68g/s1600/DSC_0434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Mo9qYUOOAkx6ls-YjrkvxuDgyGQTuT2tTZa4lwz06Y-plI1fDzqplDBmZqkI0Xm_Zi1tIGhnsfpPjnfqNCB79wpcRVN-6m64g7otdOk8dcYPyP1wrwr6UzBWdaIWNz227JXEN7W1O68g/s640/DSC_0434.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOWD3QfQVP4R2FOO9ewcEj3lkylxZzXcNXzrbY7E1o5ombPPH9pHHJ3S7inIOQTJiQELsrIn0XB20wlVcCbvO_RYVHA3Tlp-LGxogzFBoEbHFOjfJ0w4MmNJikmK8tW-BrbSxxiuOxFbK/s1600/DSC_0446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOWD3QfQVP4R2FOO9ewcEj3lkylxZzXcNXzrbY7E1o5ombPPH9pHHJ3S7inIOQTJiQELsrIn0XB20wlVcCbvO_RYVHA3Tlp-LGxogzFBoEbHFOjfJ0w4MmNJikmK8tW-BrbSxxiuOxFbK/s640/DSC_0446.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbW1duxA4OmSoDCLdCcJLkYK4YmXax9Br7NdtvZymm5hghLvcBhf_JK7Yflnx-ILoHelabniWP4A0AfuYOkJNNH6Ty2JIHc7u4O1tv5vsyU5O51p01dvPDoQBDxznNNuoEik7xylJZB6YT/s1600/DSC_0455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbW1duxA4OmSoDCLdCcJLkYK4YmXax9Br7NdtvZymm5hghLvcBhf_JK7Yflnx-ILoHelabniWP4A0AfuYOkJNNH6Ty2JIHc7u4O1tv5vsyU5O51p01dvPDoQBDxznNNuoEik7xylJZB6YT/s640/DSC_0455.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglaeQsDjpXiLWUfbhjE8P3nTANcRkq6E35-aFlhjc00cwgp5eJz2HqH9MjV1mR7IHmMxAUe4JJQMI8-FlYdEl6ZHAAfxgt4jE6mpCgBeXFLWn2iDEUHS8uVxQdsP4tvPPyebeSaoThASHv/s1600/DSC_0476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglaeQsDjpXiLWUfbhjE8P3nTANcRkq6E35-aFlhjc00cwgp5eJz2HqH9MjV1mR7IHmMxAUe4JJQMI8-FlYdEl6ZHAAfxgt4jE6mpCgBeXFLWn2iDEUHS8uVxQdsP4tvPPyebeSaoThASHv/s640/DSC_0476.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKqAufMTYBaEGuSV1aPXO5J0lxz2T-7AUMWl2-V2WFWJ2kLONqXWdiwXZZh2Ku4tW88Q8Kg6ko4kTStx-COOyksV10O6rEKJvHdAwhiAwOAncdrx0dDMJ_bFxbmxrMg33SVxad4346khr/s1600/DSC_0478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKqAufMTYBaEGuSV1aPXO5J0lxz2T-7AUMWl2-V2WFWJ2kLONqXWdiwXZZh2Ku4tW88Q8Kg6ko4kTStx-COOyksV10O6rEKJvHdAwhiAwOAncdrx0dDMJ_bFxbmxrMg33SVxad4346khr/s640/DSC_0478.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As we hopped back on the boat Saturday afternoon to sail back through the night to Copenhagen, I could not stop smiling. I bought my ticket on such a whim and it had turned in to one of the most memorable trips of my life. I can safely say that I won't be booking any more cruises (I still feel like the world is rocking as I type this) but I will absolutely be returning to Oslo at some point. Norway, you have my heart...please keep it safe.</div>
Hillary Oneslagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15635530146628961414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5914364019353455730.post-40445363458630117332012-09-10T20:06:00.000+02:002012-09-10T20:11:17.602+02:00AVICII WHO?Maybe it's really ignorant of me, but I typically don't ever think about rap music and Europe in the same thought line. Europe and Denmark seem much too cultured to indulge in beat-dropping, booty-popping party anthems. When I think of European music, I tend to think of house, club and dance music before rap or hip-hop (Avicii is Swedish, after all). I definitely consider my taste in music to be eclectic; my favorite band is <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGuPnQkwYuU" target="_blank">The Goo Goo Dolls</a> but despite my clean cut appearance I have a serious and not-so-secret love for really bad rap music. Think <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sowTrssfrNE" target="_blank">Pitbull circa 2007</a>. I can rap all the words including the profane Spanish verses.<br />
<br />
When my housemates started playing this song, I was surprised to learn that it was a Danish rapper. Rap has always struck me as very American but I can't stop listening to this.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="280" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/L0VfNI7TR10" width="500"></iframe>
<br />
(fist-pumping here is more like palm-flapping)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
It sounds strange, but I don't always consider my life in Denver and DC to be of a specific culture. To me, "culture" connotes something outside my sense of normalcy, something foreign or different. American culture doesn't really register in my mind as being anything other than normal. The more time I spend talking with Danes and getting to know a new city the more I'm encountering habits and norms that others deem as "American culture" even though I don't see them as being anything special.<br />
<br />
One of my teachers laughed when I explained what s'mores are. Skippy peanut butter is twice as expensive as the Danish brand which features the Statue of Liberty on the label. American flags are plastered on jean pockets and cellphone cases much the same way we use the British flag to be iconic and trendy. To the Danes, American culture is strange and foreign even though I've never considered it to be all that unique.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
There's plenty of talk about how different studying abroad is from being home in the states. It's true; I could write for hours about all that I've encountered so far. What I'm realizing though is that it's just as beneficial to look for similarities as it is to seek out differences. Finding a Danish rap song made me smile and reminded me of the ridiculous music I love from back home. American culture might actually be a thing, but it's a pretty small world and there's always common ground to be found...even if that ground is a dance floor.</div>
</div>
Hillary Oneslagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15635530146628961414noreply@blogger.com0Copenhagen, Denmark55.6760968 12.568337155.604469300000005 12.4104086 55.7477243 12.726265600000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5914364019353455730.post-83781093580140456612012-09-09T17:36:00.002+02:002012-09-09T17:36:58.971+02:00FROM JUTLAND WITH LOVEFor those who aren't familiar with Danish geography, let me clarify one key thing. Copenhagen is technically on an island in the eastern-most part of the country. As far as many Copenhageners are concerned, there are two parts of Denmark: Copenhagen and everything else that isn't. This other part, which is actually the majority of the country, is typically referred to as Jutland. As part of my <a href="http://www.disabroad.org/study-abroad/tours/program/sis-western-denmark/" target="_blank">sustainability core program</a>, my class spent the past three days traveling through the region.<br />
<br />
Our trip was focused on energy production and transmission in Denmark. Our first stop on Thursday morning was the <a href="http://www.energinet.dk/EN/Sider/default.aspx" target="_blank">Energinet</a> offices, a private company that controls the supply of wind energy to the (soon to be smart) grid. Denmark has set a goal of 50% renewable energy by 2020 and 100% by 2050; wind power is currently supplying 15-20% of the total energy used for district heating and electricity. Two of the employees gave a presentation and was I floored by one of the most simple things said: <b>electricity is perishable. </b>Because we haven't found an efficient way to store it, it has be transmitted and used as soon as it's produced. Maybe it's obvious, but this simple realization completely shifted how I view energy production and made for a much more interesting trip.<br />
<b><br /></b>
After leaving the Energinet offices, we drove on to Thisted and went on a guided hike of the bird cliffs and WWII bunkers along the Western coast.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWuGOBqOGZhY6WqfLdLvkAdmytvueJYQj9rBvwTgSh8Zj3Hf833MhkktvYCesrUxKiiN7NZRp-mBgm-Pb0Q0myOdWQUl8kkp0Wl2WRKj5Raiw1v5kr_I3dNZQIf3BC_lZ1FNe1p_XMHEMq/s1600/DSC_0751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWuGOBqOGZhY6WqfLdLvkAdmytvueJYQj9rBvwTgSh8Zj3Hf833MhkktvYCesrUxKiiN7NZRp-mBgm-Pb0Q0myOdWQUl8kkp0Wl2WRKj5Raiw1v5kr_I3dNZQIf3BC_lZ1FNe1p_XMHEMq/s640/DSC_0751.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkt3E8hQzqGctiyZtVVwF9khBIzx-1yMpdw1hl30-iUp9Z2sqdkp6Q7GCgdAxuJTqPhLA_GBPjPvvdcgNFlIXqKYw84RTrzi9V3HkIE-CklnDBh4ObIV8h_IUdecVNpQeIWWb7V6b6Zlz/s1600/DSC_0768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkt3E8hQzqGctiyZtVVwF9khBIzx-1yMpdw1hl30-iUp9Z2sqdkp6Q7GCgdAxuJTqPhLA_GBPjPvvdcgNFlIXqKYw84RTrzi9V3HkIE-CklnDBh4ObIV8h_IUdecVNpQeIWWb7V6b6Zlz/s640/DSC_0768.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlOqn9IJVh1WQsu6ZxuuqzqCrmYmeseuWSSg3uFxF9gSgUpSW0dGeAIuOUt2WCRW3bg9h1cbIbdHGwPlRMcEgy5nLRnQnT8LCGSuIXirlnUZMBdyRwQXP-WgE8Nb73F-4SPcX3PxvFcoFp/s1600/DSC_0779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlOqn9IJVh1WQsu6ZxuuqzqCrmYmeseuWSSg3uFxF9gSgUpSW0dGeAIuOUt2WCRW3bg9h1cbIbdHGwPlRMcEgy5nLRnQnT8LCGSuIXirlnUZMBdyRwQXP-WgE8Nb73F-4SPcX3PxvFcoFp/s640/DSC_0779.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
The next morning we drove a few minutes from our cozy inn to the <a href="http://www.folkecenter.net/gb/" target="_blank">Nordic Folkecenter</a> where they test new energy technologies and educate people about the potential of renewable solutions.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqKzKIsXLQ8z3P3E8fDX8YUnD4Fnhx8DRdLUuk4nIbwLZULIhI_wPxmlrz5aIsHNYU86J2bsIVFREfTFASso93NakmQPNgya-n6rFAS-w1ntE9Fcrfb6jYziTg9ATbGnjWywgu5kRL36z/s1600/DSC_0819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqKzKIsXLQ8z3P3E8fDX8YUnD4Fnhx8DRdLUuk4nIbwLZULIhI_wPxmlrz5aIsHNYU86J2bsIVFREfTFASso93NakmQPNgya-n6rFAS-w1ntE9Fcrfb6jYziTg9ATbGnjWywgu5kRL36z/s640/DSC_0819.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglFHJqGkmw0BnUCMNGgGcYYejXD20-rmiwA_6FGCug_EkO7lP1n-SdnmsF9nI2DX42gserIIPwg_eW9yzMxqPTkmfA2lieTU7AEfVpxbsRTecZhgZbA9E7yO-f4g8_ksMofCup64WtZ9Q/s1600/DSC_0865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglFHJqGkmw0BnUCMNGgGcYYejXD20-rmiwA_6FGCug_EkO7lP1n-SdnmsF9nI2DX42gserIIPwg_eW9yzMxqPTkmfA2lieTU7AEfVpxbsRTecZhgZbA9E7yO-f4g8_ksMofCup64WtZ9Q/s640/DSC_0865.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSZ2xIqgmkjCCy9iQB4OnhU2Cr1NhHNMP7ipufvb02_mYq9TVYsbMB6B26ckvL2INih4HJWBo_yehfiY8HCbHqi1YvIx2k7jZ0iVejsTJdTfL6lrLOkRqHV_ZNwq7JrjgDjZUohZw6BiV/s1600/DSC_0898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSZ2xIqgmkjCCy9iQB4OnhU2Cr1NhHNMP7ipufvb02_mYq9TVYsbMB6B26ckvL2INih4HJWBo_yehfiY8HCbHqi1YvIx2k7jZ0iVejsTJdTfL6lrLOkRqHV_ZNwq7JrjgDjZUohZw6BiV/s640/DSC_0898.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1iCYx8TMBGffrYmDiuCZ2rM5r0t298DKfk8_ONTtkIJOiZK-peG6bn17DdSRoRhA3-KZ48eyZzSrS2VSQuERFAsPQhQtL2SuiS0YAjpLsRE25wen5C-kZyvBYtOhdRqgwOAWKQF_Zhmb8/s1600/DSC_0909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1iCYx8TMBGffrYmDiuCZ2rM5r0t298DKfk8_ONTtkIJOiZK-peG6bn17DdSRoRhA3-KZ48eyZzSrS2VSQuERFAsPQhQtL2SuiS0YAjpLsRE25wen5C-kZyvBYtOhdRqgwOAWKQF_Zhmb8/s640/DSC_0909.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-POnF9zM86XyWOjsj65qSq4Eabi7RcAAAeA1DeH3czWnhFo6xA1UWwmlWbrIOJ7NASeWRrsZIINJ8_2TAFhcWbdEsOhXsq71gsoEZQiaG4n0msHLUArS-wpEbeBpkH8FeErXWFCGb44Vx/s1600/DSC_0945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-POnF9zM86XyWOjsj65qSq4Eabi7RcAAAeA1DeH3czWnhFo6xA1UWwmlWbrIOJ7NASeWRrsZIINJ8_2TAFhcWbdEsOhXsq71gsoEZQiaG4n0msHLUArS-wpEbeBpkH8FeErXWFCGb44Vx/s640/DSC_0945.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
Friday evening we arrived in Århus and checked in to our hostel. We spent Saturday morning at <a href="http://www.aros.dk/" target="_blank">ARoS</a>, an internationally renowned art museum that was easily my favorite stop on the trip (I am an Art History major after all). After a tour of the <a href="http://www.aros.dk/besoeg-aros/udstillinger/2012/tony-matelli-a-human-echo/" target="_blank">Tony Matelli</a> exhibition and ample time spent walking the <a href="http://www.aros.dk/samlingen/your-rainbow-panorama/" target="_blank">Rainbow Panorama</a>, we headed to a nearby ecovillage to see sustainable living in practice before the long bus ride back to Copenhagen.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-xhwtm7FXfKoIToZsOLHtCACRdgnZPWCanVuz_GxbPYP1xMNRSiAKNOM7443t6J_nO96YmlrxkVa1DiBpRblKqbg_xD5Xq8aAF4TCau04mho-D9vfSLGXANUCZ_H2HfqxYtqhAMXuk38/s1600/DSC_0958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-xhwtm7FXfKoIToZsOLHtCACRdgnZPWCanVuz_GxbPYP1xMNRSiAKNOM7443t6J_nO96YmlrxkVa1DiBpRblKqbg_xD5Xq8aAF4TCau04mho-D9vfSLGXANUCZ_H2HfqxYtqhAMXuk38/s640/DSC_0958.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdSb5XfX7sKK6btsPqs5Q75RxaJJtsyqZOmvUr83mwPqGMgEx4sAhSaKdlCNAAlHyVAiLLHEbK7Y2Ko_9xAhWaAZGglYeAIIfih2OIIf6zcIxZ5FJp7qbLPTIlpH-22AXuADsdIJvyE1d/s1600/DSC_0986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdSb5XfX7sKK6btsPqs5Q75RxaJJtsyqZOmvUr83mwPqGMgEx4sAhSaKdlCNAAlHyVAiLLHEbK7Y2Ko_9xAhWaAZGglYeAIIfih2OIIf6zcIxZ5FJp7qbLPTIlpH-22AXuADsdIJvyE1d/s640/DSC_0986.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2GFMOjRlEpM2t7b2NRaiabBRZh6Dlk7c7eNYW3kafsIGK8aMh3dJQb8cH0liVB0R48YsRyH5DZ-L6Zf10XunoS8uwWL7GtE09A1WJkkUcr3LkbPujWpMsPoWIFj8ShX3hRy_-1cWqL5e/s1600/DSC_0974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2GFMOjRlEpM2t7b2NRaiabBRZh6Dlk7c7eNYW3kafsIGK8aMh3dJQb8cH0liVB0R48YsRyH5DZ-L6Zf10XunoS8uwWL7GtE09A1WJkkUcr3LkbPujWpMsPoWIFj8ShX3hRy_-1cWqL5e/s640/DSC_0974.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3t4V9KrhqLAtlWN3FDcCL90kxYZFNBkkdkcFJpwUydZx01KGcgzMXXY45u1Hn_MmjR3vNGevRuWau5urqAViKktuk6tgwDhMNaSltV0X6sKqt58ivfBKcVODRVkNLePC5MVxbKX6Hr28/s1600/DSC_0970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3t4V9KrhqLAtlWN3FDcCL90kxYZFNBkkdkcFJpwUydZx01KGcgzMXXY45u1Hn_MmjR3vNGevRuWau5urqAViKktuk6tgwDhMNaSltV0X6sKqt58ivfBKcVODRVkNLePC5MVxbKX6Hr28/s640/DSC_0970.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-edU3Ap3ypgCHTUX5BS7DtyKpiYCSlNPh3feySVs5DwE6x_qQ1Jqcw8T_1DucyLxlepfyvzkMLKDG5fcpBXhlyFKmt1ECPOQPNvccMU7eu8aCFBySO5laG4-Gf3uciCflI3gkRncQKU-T/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-edU3Ap3ypgCHTUX5BS7DtyKpiYCSlNPh3feySVs5DwE6x_qQ1Jqcw8T_1DucyLxlepfyvzkMLKDG5fcpBXhlyFKmt1ECPOQPNvccMU7eu8aCFBySO5laG4-Gf3uciCflI3gkRncQKU-T/s640/DSC_0011.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__w_244NoGPURF4jRp3Fu_qny__kfgXptYVdOrTXuSsl9VgoavkqTtDhnoLXE_j6-00B8MIE82vko8p3wcDu5vXf1T9VPs6buqIBK8WGJm2yqlJdVSiOuor0wDcKab00xIAdKYgUP4xUU/s1600/DSC_0076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__w_244NoGPURF4jRp3Fu_qny__kfgXptYVdOrTXuSsl9VgoavkqTtDhnoLXE_j6-00B8MIE82vko8p3wcDu5vXf1T9VPs6buqIBK8WGJm2yqlJdVSiOuor0wDcKab00xIAdKYgUP4xUU/s640/DSC_0076.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYAxdri5oW_mic9s3ei2afYn6_xbUlNYtGOOE5zyWkvZRlG7lSBSd0OB1ju5X_iKH1ZtN1p3QLttKqwKkYdx-liDS8VmZQjQHvsR2LDCuPxlmKu7mgS4eLlOxSwKIiostS8NNl3AZvc-Ee/s1600/DSC_0173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYAxdri5oW_mic9s3ei2afYn6_xbUlNYtGOOE5zyWkvZRlG7lSBSd0OB1ju5X_iKH1ZtN1p3QLttKqwKkYdx-liDS8VmZQjQHvsR2LDCuPxlmKu7mgS4eLlOxSwKIiostS8NNl3AZvc-Ee/s640/DSC_0173.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0t4E8w97qyLsZjK3D_1OsmkO6J8IKesOGAiWjRRGqtjJrirV0AWfNYA8oj1HXAAVpnWmjSDnmWRsHZhwCevVbQbm9DGJdYioXsNnj4IZ2qoXcnuVlRQPkU56DBeP1TDu61hJrb85Z0MYv/s1600/DSC_0188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0t4E8w97qyLsZjK3D_1OsmkO6J8IKesOGAiWjRRGqtjJrirV0AWfNYA8oj1HXAAVpnWmjSDnmWRsHZhwCevVbQbm9DGJdYioXsNnj4IZ2qoXcnuVlRQPkU56DBeP1TDu61hJrb85Z0MYv/s640/DSC_0188.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As excited as I am to explore the rest of Europe in the coming months, I had a fantastic time getting to know the country I've been calling my home for the past three weeks. It's easy to forget that there's a whole other side to Denmark besides Copenhagen. Because I'll be without my passport for two weeks in order to get my Russian visa, I'm declaring September the month of Danish exploration. So far, so good!</div>
Hillary Oneslagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15635530146628961414noreply@blogger.com1Unknown location.55.6760968 12.568337155.604469300000005 12.4104086 55.7477243 12.726265600000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5914364019353455730.post-22470174785022343662012-09-05T22:30:00.001+02:002012-09-07T21:57:21.430+02:00WHAT DO YOU DO WITH A DEAD CHEMIST?Barium.<br />
<br />
Lame joke aside, I've never considered myself very math or science oriented. I definitely peaked in 8th grade; I won the middle school "Math Award" for my achievements in Algebra 1 and successfully dissected a medical-school-size fetal pig for my science final. From then on it was a downward spiral. I never felt any sparks in Chemistry and Calculus and I had a straight hate relationship. It wasn't until I ended up in AP Environmental Science my senior year of high school that I found a niche in the science world that I enjoyed.<br />
<br />
I found population demographics fascinating, urban planning exciting and sustainable solutions intriguing. It made perfect sense to pick up an Environmental Studies minor while at Georgetown...until I realized that a slew of "real" science classes were involved. I suffered through Biology 104 my freshman year with all the pre-med students and let me tell you: it's <strike>basically</strike> impossible to understand a lecture on genetic evolution when you don't know what an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allele" target="_blank">allele</a> is. Lucky for me, DIS offers a core program in <a href="http://www.disabroad.org/study-abroad/programs/sustainability/" target="_blank">sustainability</a> and I'm thrilled at how the classes are structured.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Ok37njfyvtLEKulAKFirkVQnix7inCrBN1EWdzoNDStsKBcu43LarSpSBh33tPgOQJfuUZdIpWLcEB0sbqL2jKZw8objzL16fCswWbX6q1lTOYdM2y_f5rcewA11p1Iegm3X491jo3QK/s1600/9051ce3af69a11e1a4431231381407ca_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Ok37njfyvtLEKulAKFirkVQnix7inCrBN1EWdzoNDStsKBcu43LarSpSBh33tPgOQJfuUZdIpWLcEB0sbqL2jKZw8objzL16fCswWbX6q1lTOYdM2y_f5rcewA11p1Iegm3X491jo3QK/s320/9051ce3af69a11e1a4431231381407ca_7.jpg" width="225" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjzYVW0-FNKDZYY2jbqvq48g73LSgfEACgAYQHuH4Uce-0VY_DAPwe82XbbM4neNTIjJkJ_D79D4nF1B7HFdCbuaG7nqfj_U-IR4I60-fJogS31dvLJeRnTNAFjPg1FzGlZtDlaiibbKP6/s1600/1e80905cf69a11e1a2fe22000a1e8a58_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjzYVW0-FNKDZYY2jbqvq48g73LSgfEACgAYQHuH4Uce-0VY_DAPwe82XbbM4neNTIjJkJ_D79D4nF1B7HFdCbuaG7nqfj_U-IR4I60-fJogS31dvLJeRnTNAFjPg1FzGlZtDlaiibbKP6/s320/1e80905cf69a11e1a2fe22000a1e8a58_7.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Instead of focusing on the chemical composition of air pollution or the process of carbon sequestration, my core class is about <b>Sustainable Development</b>; how can we as humans create better systems--politically, socially, and economically--that don't destroy the world. There's also an emphasis on businesses and their role which for me is an awesome way to tie in another of my areas of interest. The human component is something I'm very keen on and being in a country where being green is an accepted norm and not a partisan issue is refreshing.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This isn't to say that I'm being brainwashed by a group of ecocentric hippies to forgo all modern day conveniences in favor of mud-brick houses and raw food diets. As I work my way through the readings, it's interesting to see the issues from the perspective of a country that is at the cutting edge of green technology instead of one that is being lampooned as the source of the problem. Our textbooks have also mentioned the need for environmental justice, gender equality and higher standards of living as part of sustainable initiatives in developing countries. Even though Denmark is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, I love that our coursework also acknowledges the need for sustainable patterns in less fortunate countries.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After spending two days with my class touring waste fire power pants and admiring offshore wind farms in Copenhagen, we're leaving early tomorrow morning for <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sosx7o3GU88" target="_blank">Thisted</a> and Århus in Jutland (Western Denmark) to learn more about community initiatives to implement sustainable strategies. So far no one has made me memorize any equations or calculate any conversions. This just might be a "science" I can handle.</div>
Hillary Oneslagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15635530146628961414noreply@blogger.com0Copenhagen, Denmark55.6760968 12.568337155.604469300000005 12.4104086 55.7477243 12.726265600000001