Great King Street / My first impressions about Denmark

As some of you already might know, or might have guessed, we have found a really nice apartment! It's in the middle of the city center on a five minutes walk from almost every interesting spot. Our apartment is in a street called "Store Kongensgade", which translates to "Great King Street".

We are almost settled down, we are just waiting for some furniture to arrive. But apart from that, we are happy with the home we created (just reminded me of the final words used in an American TV show, Extreme Home Makeover: "Welcome home family Wessel, welcome home...").

The street we're living in is also home to a lot of nice shops and restaurants. A bakery with a French chef serving macarons and other amazing pastries, a ecological bakery with the best bread in town, delicacy shops selling all kinds of cheeses, a bookstore annex cafe, and not to forget Paradis which sells the best ice cream in town ("is" means ice in Danish). Let's hope I can maintain my current weight. Although, the prices over here are so high, that that might not be a big problem...

My first impressions of Denmark
After two months of living here, I do have some first impressions about Denmark. And I must say, moving to Denmark is in a way more of a culture shock to me than moving to Taiwan was. Even though Denmark is only an one hour flight away from The Netherlands. Why?

I guess it is also because we don't have any family members living here. But it's not only that. In general you can say Danish people are not as open as Taiwanese or Dutch. Apart from that they have a high believe in equality and regulations. Which leads to some inflexibility as far as I can tell. Their social welfare system is also really good. Too good if you would ask me. People know they are being taken care of (if they lose their jobs, get sick or are going with retirement), so they won't put any extra effort in the jobs they are supposed to do. Of course this is a generalization, but I do feel the attitude is... different.

But don't start thinking I don't like it here! It is just part of living in another country with a different culture. The city itself is beautiful! A lot of beautiful buildings, gorgeous castles, museums, great restaurants, and nice parks. And that all within 5 minutes of our apartment! Copenhagen is also home to "Noma", the best restaurant in the world. Once I can afford it, it is definitely something I want to experience going to. And not to forget Danish design. Beautiful. With long, cold winters, most people spent their time at their homes. So it is not weird that most of their money is spent on the interior of their houses as well. In that perspective, we do feel at home here! ;-)

Climate change
How does this topic belong here? Frequent readers of my blog probably know, but I'll give you an update. In September, I headed back to the Netherlands for one week. Main reason was a project I'm doing with the National Taipei University. I was invited to write a chapter about how the Dutch agricultural sector is responding to climate change. In September the two professors I'm working with came over to the Netherlands to talk to some Dutch experts. I was happy to arrange the program and to be back in my home country again!

Meanwhile, I'm also trying to get a scholarship or funding for getting my PhD at the university here. I went to the University of Roskilde, where I had a wonderful chat with one of the professors there. She was enthusiastic about my idea to do a research on climate change and how countries are responding to that. But the system here is a bit different. To be able to start, I need to find half of the total funding myself. The other half will be paid by the University. She is also trying to help me out on that part, so let's hope for the best. Everybody, cross your fingers for me!


Our first home cooked meal in our new apartment.


Our couch, lamp and painting found their spot in our new living room.


My mother made as a beautiful stained glass window. It looks great!


Danish open sandwich (smørrebrød) on dark rye bread.


We went on a small daytrip to Helsingør, also home of the Kronborg castle. Kronborg Castle is one of northern Europe's most important Renaissance castles. Known all over the world from Shakespeare's Hamlet.


The name of the boat is fitting with the Kronborg castle in the background.


Sandbeaches! Not as much as in The Netherlands, but it is nice to sit in the sand and just enjoy a sunny day. If the weather would be a little bit more like Taiwan, that would be even better! I don't look forward to the winter with temperatures well below the freezing point.