Judy. Copenhagen is a magnificent city, with a well-deserved reputation, and we love being here, but we also love visiting smaller towns, especially with a Servas stay, so we contacted a family in the southern area of Zeeland for a two-day visit.
We arrived by train in Næstved, a lovely town near the coast, and were met at the train by Pernille and her daughter Michaela (14), who took us directly to their beautiful home, where Tristan, 11, immediately grabbed us both for big hugs. Jim, Pernille's husband, travels in his work, and is presently in Romania.
 |
| Tristan, Pernille, & Michaela |
Sitting in the bright sunroom, we began learning about Pernille's job with a very popular children's theatre in that part of the country. Ten small schools prepare the kids for a major production--always the same script, but with each school performing on subsequent nights, using the same costumes and set. It's a brilliant idea, and dozens, if not hundreds, of children get to participate. They finished THE ADAMS FAMILY in June, then immediately set up summer camps. Unbelievable.
After dinner, the five of us walked to the bay and saw remnants as well as present-day equipment of the fishermen in the area. It was a gorgeous evening.
 |
| Sunset at the bay near their house |
 |
| Fisherman's nets drying |
 |
| Ted and Tristan battle with lightsabers |
After taking Tristan to "Free School", an alternative school they attend, Pernille, Michaela, and we headed for a tour of this city, founded in the 12th century.
 |
| City museum in 17th century building |
 |
| Modern fountain depicting a local witch |
 |
| A sweet hidden garden |
Many old buildings have been repurposed, and the library, in a brand-new building, is one of the most innovative I've ever seen, with easily accessible books for little ones, English books for adolescents to practice reading, and video games for teens who might not have access otherwise. We also met "Nessie", the town dragon mascot, painted by the schoolchildren.
 |
| Nessie, the town mascot |
 |
| Places for teens to play video games in the library |
 |
| Book display for young children |
We climbed the highest point in town for a view, and saw the statue of the Troll who accidentally dropped the sand that made this out-of-place hill. Pernille introduced us to Danish hot dogs and took us for a walk in the woods by a river just steps from downtown.
 |
| Michaela explains the troll legend |
 |
| The furious troll of the story |
 |
| Danish hot dogs for four, please |
 |
| Yum |
When we picked up Tristan from school, we drove to to the coast for wild winds and surf in the town of Karrebæksminde, where the kids plunged right into the waves and sand, followed by some of the best ice cream ever!
 |
| Michaela and Tristan at the Grasshopper bridge at the shore |
Over a pasta dinner, we learned about the summer theatre camp, and after dinner, Michaela and Tristan put on a show of some of the dances they learned. These kids were not shy.
 |
| You can tell their sense of humor |
 |
| Maybe I won't visit the Ministry |
Despite Tristan's request that we move there and become his other grandparents, we had to catch the train back to Copenhagen while the kids went to school. Pernille headed to work, with a short detour to show us the storage for all the props and costumes for the theatre company.
It was a delightful peek into small-town Denmark.
No comments:
Post a Comment