Somewhere Between Visiting and Living

Spring has sprung in Copenhagen! And it happened almost overnight. I came back from Budapest on Monday and suddenly it was sunny, as if the weather (in addition to the rest of the city) knew that once February was over, it was time for spring.

Me & my cutie friends at Buda Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Budapest, Hungary!

It’s been seven weeks since I arrived here, and only recently have I started to feel like I actually have a routine. I go to yoga almost every day now (definitely getting my money’s worth out of my unlimited membership). I bike to class. When I first started biking I always stayed on the right side of the lane because I was the slowest. Now I pass locals on the left — a small victory!

A sunny day in Copenhagen

I also hosted my first visitor this week! It’s Michigan’s spring break so my friend Regina came to Copenhagen to visit me for a few days.

Studio Arhoj on Nørregade has an analog photobooth!

I loved that she wasn’t trying to pack the trip with activities and just wanted to spend time together, especially after her jam-packed days in Spain before coming here. I still had class, so we explored in between.

Heard from Koji Copenhagen, a food startup upcycling food waste by producing koji (a mold) and fermented products like miso!

Of course I took her to the most touristy spot, Nyhavn (the colorful houses you see in every Instagram post on visiting Copenhagen). We went to Amalienborg to watch the changing of the guard, which happens every day at 12pm. The Royal Guard begins their march from Rosenborg Castle at 11:30am so we heard them passing by while we were at Nyhavn. King Frederik X is in residence, so we got the full musical ceremony.

Royal Danish Life Guard at Amalienborg Palace

We also went to the Marble Church, which I hadn’t been able to go inside the first two times I visited (I guess the third time’s a charm). It’s widely considered the most beautiful church in Copenhagen, known for its green dome and baroque interior.

The Marble Church!

Inside the green dome

Finally got to see the inside of the Marble Church

Regina’s visit made me reflect on how different my life feels here — and how comfortable I’ve become. I’ve started to pick up on all the subtle differences between the various neighborhoods in Copenhagen, from the architecture to the vibes in general.

Living in Copenhagen feels very different from being at Michigan. I’m still busy, but I’m not stressed. The pace of life is slower. Normally at seven weeks into the semester I start to feel burned out. It’s not always the workload — it’s the constant feeling in the back of my mind that I could always be doing more. Another assignment, another application, another thing to get ahead on. Here, that feeling just isn’t there. 

Another gorgeous sunny day in Copenhagen!

Your classic Danish breakfast, a BMO (bolle med ost)! Literally translates to bun with cheese. Sounds basic, but delish.

I’m trying to savor this feeling. I know how much I’m going to miss this. But as I’ve been learning in my philosophy class on “The Good Life,” instead of dwelling on the past or the future, I’m going to be present and just enjoy the moment.

FOOD REC: Ismageriet in Kødbyen (the meatpacking district)

I'm already planning my next visit because it’s so good. So creamy, so many flavors, and it’s in the heart of Copenhagen.

Citrontærte (lemon pie with meringue) & Gode nødder (peanuts & chocolate with a vanilla base); the two flavors the server recommended!