5 Strange Facts About Denmark Part I

Hej guys!

Today I decided to write you about 5 things that still amaze me here in Denmark.. And trust me.. there is much more to it!

I hope I am not a weirdo, so please, let me know, these things surprise you as well! If you have any others, please add them in the comment section, I'll be sure to include them in a part II ;)

1. Danes and a red light. OMG!! How long can you stand and wait for this green light? I was in CPH last weekend, and you know.. Big city,more people, bigger mess. Well, I thought so. But NO ladies and gentlemen. Even though the road was close from one site, plenty of people stood there and waited for a green light to come across, even though there was no car or bicycle going..
I know it's a good and safe thing, but sometimes.. you need to break the rules, or.. ?

2. Put some clothes on! Remember the story about Denmark and the vikings? Well.. Here is one example of that.. Eventhough it may be so cold outside, that I am wearing winter jacket, some of the Danes put jeans and tshirt and are ready to go. Brrrr! Ahm, almost forgot - why some of them are going on the streets with a bare feets? Please tell me something about that...

3. Do you know "Please"? In a danish dictionary, there is no such a word as 'please'..

4. Babies in front of the houses. Imagine you have e.g. 2 months old baby. You are coming back from a long and a cold walk outside - the baby in a stroller. What do you do? Well I guess come home and warm yourself and your baby up. But NO! In Denmark, they leave their babies outside for a sleep. Remember I was telling you about the vikings? Well.. :)
Ps. I think its great, but looking at the fact that in Poland parents would not go out with their small babies for a long walk when its cold.. then it may be strange for me.

5. Are you this girl I met yesterday? Most of the Danes look alike..or are trying to do so.. E.g. Girls -
Blond, long hair
Black outfit - usually something baggy on top and skinny jeans
Sneakers - in most cases from New Balance
Really, really 'mini' make-up (foundation, pink cheeks, LOTS of mascara)

Disclaimer: I am not trying to offend the Danes : the facts may be strange - doesn't mean they're bad. This is how I see it, from immigrant eyes. ;)

Guys! That's it! I am very curious your opinion. What do you think of these? Did you also notice some of these facts?

Until wednsday then, cheers! Aleksandra

Sport for free - good for everyone!

Dear UCN'ers,

Today a very short blog post with some pictures and inspiration for you. (hopefully:) )

Since spring is here, you can see much more people on the streets moving themselves - as I was mentioning before, Danes love it! (Here are my previous posts about sport in Denmark) With that being said, I decided to also move my two weak muscles from the chair and do something with myself! So over 3 weeks ago now, I started my trainings.

my evening run with our UCN in Lindholm in the back:)

Even though the fitness in Denmark is not expensive at all (100 -150kr/ month and you can train how much you want to at the gym) I decided to do it without any payments and enjoy the nature at the same time. I train every day at least 45 min/day - running, cykling, cardio (with our polish trainer Ewa Chodakowska - youtube link here) voleyball, yoga in the parks, walking, and sometimes gym - that you can find in some parks in Aalborg - totally for free! I love it about Denmark! You never know what can surprise you next!

UCN tshirt for running!

And what can I say - I love it - totally! And I just can't get my eyes from the results. I was always a slim girl, but never so fit! I can see my muscles and I totally love my body! Now sport is a huge part of my life and a day without a training is a wasted day for me.

Free gym at the park with UCN in the background

So if you feel like training - do it! There is nothing better and cheaper than that for a better, not-stressful mood! I even use my old UCN tshirts for that ;)

Free gym at the park

morning run

morning run

The park gyms that I know:

1. Skudehavnsvej / Ryesgade

2. Østre Anlæg Park

Do you know more parks that have these fitness opportunities in Aalborg? 

What other ways of sport for free can you suggest? :)

Write in the comments below, or in FB site!! :)

Aleks

 

Hvordan er vejret i dag?

Welcome back!

Today I have prepared for you something unexpected and silly but actually highly requested.

When I was in Poland to promote UCN, many people asked me question "why they should come to Denmark? Isn't too cold there?"

Before I came to Denmark I also imagined people as vikings still in here, who are living in warmer ice age. Anyway, I have to say - I love the danish weather. You can experience 4 different seasons in one day!

Some say that danish weather is so unpredictable as women - you never know what is coming next.

What really surprised me when I came to Aalborg in September 2009 was - beautiful sun and looooong days. After I moved in to UC house, around October, I remember days were getting shorter, very windy and rainy. It was shocking for me that the sunrise came at 8 or 9 in the morning and when I was going out from school - around 15:30 it was already dark. Bearing in mind that I am living in Scandinavian country - it was beautiful for me to observe the changing days.

Winter

I also remember when teachers were saying that there was no really winter snow from 30 years. It is all the time raining and lots of mud on the streets. Well, what is that picture saying then?

November 2009

I remember when I woke up in UC House and I took this picture behind my room window. I also remember the days I was going to school that time. I even told my mother to send me in a package my snowboarding jacket! It was freezing so much.. As you can tell, it was unexpected for Danes as well:)

From that time we can see this every year right now. The climate is really changing.

But committing myself to vikings again - maybe they really are the ones. Even in that kind of weather you can see many of them walking on the street without jackets, sometimes in shorts.

Autumn

When I am writing about that - I just remembered when UCN took us for integration day together with danish students. It was our first year here. They separated us into small groups and we needed to follow some steps and make small exercises in order to finish the day with sandwiches and hot tea. I think it was end of September, beginning of October. It was getting really cold when you had to spend all day outside and   the most important - it was raining. The last exercise with the most rain on it, was to jump into water and swim to pick up some balls. Okay guys - even though I wanted to help very much and get some points for my group to win - I just could not take my clothes off, in such a weather and swim in that cold water! Guess what? All the international student did not do that! Just the Danes! I really admire them for that. Don't believe me? I think I should have some pictures from that time.. :)

Getting some points for the team:)

Spring

Me in Aalborg Park :)

When coming to spring time - I must say - the weather is really beautiful, although you can still feel some freezing wind. I remember the time of picnics in the park, boys playing football or basketball, girls volleyball. Danish  people love sport very much, so it is quite normal to see more and more people jogging after winter and going outside to play some sports or music. It is really nice to go to the river side and meet all the people walking with a dog or kids dancing on the streets.

Summer

I guess summer is the most beautiful time for all of us. I stayed in Denmark for the first time in the summer previous year. It wasn't too hot and it wasn't too cold. I even sunbathed in the parks ;) It was really good! Music is bombing the city, all the birds are singing and people are more happy. What else do you need? Wait! I know - days are so long that the sunrise is around 5-6 in the morning and the sunset around 23:00!

In summer time, there is a lot going on in Aalborg. You always need to check websites with different events (for example this ONE) to find something for yourself. When it is really warm outside I like to go out for a long walks and enjoy the weather of course. I am always buying ice creams and just go around the city to make some nice pictures. Going out with friends for a picnic, sunbathe and playing volleyball is my thing  as well. I also like to sit on the bench with a good coffee and just stare at the people. (It is not weird, right?)  I am leaving you with some pictures.

Twin sisters at the same bike, in the same clothes. Lovely

Guys! Let me know if came or stayed in Denmark during the summer and what did you like the most here?

 I would be really glad to hear your thoughts :)

PS. I created a facebook page, that you can like and be informed when is the next post ready!
YOU CAN LIKE IT HERE!