Vacation - Danish Style

On Sunday's we transfer buses at Mozart's Plads.  Mozart's Plads has become a haven for drunks and others and the park had become an eyesore and a place that you literally prayed the whole time you were there - that you would be okay.  In May they started renovating the park.  They put in a children's area with a musical path and things you needed to do.  Here is Clyde playing the xylophone and the funnel shaped thing is connected to another one with pipes under the ground.  You can talk through it with the other person.  There is a little house to in the upper left with a hammock attached to it. 

 This area has Mozart's Plads, Handel's way, Strauss street, Rubenstein way, etc.  It very picturesque and the residents are taking their area back.

 



This is Elisabeth Bloch and me visiting over some wonderful food she prepared for us.  The juice in the pitcher that is pink was rhubarb-lemonade.  I HATE rhubarb and have never found any way that I enjoy eating it.  Her rhubarb lemonade was amazing and refreshing.  We also had zucchini/carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and lemon zest in the frosting.  It was wonderful.  She made little cookies but she called them tarts.  They were a shortbread cookie with black currant mousse in the middle.  It wasn't overly sweet but it was very rich.  We had such an incredible experience today with her as our guide.

This is the back of her garden home.  In Germany - after WWI, they divvied up areas of the city for gardens.  Any citizen could have one.  You were to grow fresh fruits and vegetables on 80% of it though.  Most of Europe has grabbed hold of this tradition.  However now instead of shacks for garden tools on the land, they are putting houses with all the facilities you need for a day or a  month and they are no longer given away, you have to buy your plot or have it bequeathed to you.  Elisabeth found this home 2 years ago.  Basically they have become like a cabin in the mountain to people in Utah.  Elisabeth's is about 900 square feet with a large living room/kitchen combination, a bathroom with a shower and washer/dryer and a bedroom that comfortably fits a queen sized bed, a wardrobe and a dresser.  Elisabeth has spent that last 2 weeks here and will spend next week here also.  She has amazing flowers with a small garden plot in her very back.  If we were going to live here for longer than 18 months, I would seriously consider renting one at some point.  It was about 7 miles from the bridge the connects Sweden with Denmark.  She is actually on the flight path for planes taking off from the airport but they are high enough by the time they get to her that you really don't hear it. 

This blog is going to be ongoing for several days.  Stay tuned for more pictures and information about our day at Dragoor.

A break from work until Friday

Tomorrow, Elisabeth Bloch is taking us to Dragoor, a small Dutch fishing village on the tip of the island that Copenhagen sits on.  She also  has a garden plot she wants to show us.  I sure hope I can keep up with everyone.  There will be a lot of walking.  I want everyone to have a good time.  At Christmas, Elisabeth was our Nisse (secret elf).  She gave us some wonderful things traditional to Denmark.

I had the most startling memory today.  I was eating a sandwich with fresh bread, Gouda cheese and a fresh tomato.  As I bit into the sandwich, I saw my mother sitting in the front seat of the car and making sandwiches.  She would pass everyone their lunch and there was never a mess.  She was amazing at doing that.  Such a fun memory.  Nothing like a fresh sandwich - no matter what you put on it.

It rained today and brought the temperatures down to comfortable again.

We are going to make it!

There was a breeze today so that made it almost bearable in the office.  I don't know what we will do when Elisabeth gets back and wants her fan back.  That will be a sad day.  Frederick went home because he was so miserable.  He drinks a lot of iced coffee and coffee dehydrates you.  Not a good choice.  I would never say anything to him though.

For lunch today, Lars, Daniel and Frederick joined us.  We had such a good time.  Frederick said that he took his 2 wives and 2 children to the circus.  Then he looked at me and said, "Is that how you say it?"  I said a simpler way would be to say that he took his children and their mother's to the circus.  Frederick leaned over to me and said, "Divorce is not a good thing."  Frederick went on to say that the circus is no longer like when he was a child.  Gone are the animal acts because they are cruel and he said if you want to see a tattooed lady, just walk down the street.  Lars started laughing and said the freaks are in public and none freaks are in hiding.  Lars suggested there be a circus with the un-tattooed lady and the person at their perfect weight.  Then he said he wasn't sure he could find anyone like that anymore.  We laughed and joked.  The time flew.  Then Daniel asked me if I knew LeBron had taken Michael Jordan's number.  We started talking about American Sports.  I have to read up on sports because he just wants to share that passion of his with someone.  I understand.

We did 9 books but they were all ledger which means instead of getting credited with 2 shots per page - we only got one.  That makes our numbers look lower but they in truth were really good.  We are currently doing the orphanages and then on to civil marriages.

Miserable Monday

I shouldn't complain about the weather but if I don't here, it will be with a Dane and I don't want to offend.  Currently it is 79 degrees with a feel like temperature of 90.  The humidity is at 90%.  It feels like San Antonio, Texas in May or early June - without air conditioning!  Lars asked if it was "...hot enough to me."  I corrected his phrasing and said, "...is it hot enough for you?"  He started laughing and said, "That makes no sense."  Bo said, "Is it supposed too?"  Love being with those guys.  I think we are offending Bo with our music.  We may have to turn it way down or stop listening.  I feel bad when I walk by and his office door is closed.  He needs the cross ventilation - or maybe he likes it hot.  Don't know.

I wish it would cool down so the Danes will put their clothes on.  Today I saw a dozen people sitting on their balconies in their underwear.  The one thing I can be grateful for is the women WERE wearing bras.

We got 9 books done today.  We would have done at least one more big book but we had to download new software for our camera and that took 1 hour and 20 minutes.  That seriously cut into our camera time.

It is Hot!

I know by US standards, the temperatures are not that bad outside.  However when you hit the upper 80's and there are no air conditioners, the temperatures in the buildings becomes sauna like.  I got sick at church today and realized that it is not a bug but the heat.  I have not been able to handle heat really well since we were in Italy the summer I was 17.  I got sunstroke and was in bed for 3 days because of it.  It also doesn't help that some of my prescriptions say to stay out of the sun and heat.  Not happening for a while.  The buses are sealed like tombs!  The only air that blows in them are when the doors open.  You start to hope it will stop at every bus stop.

On the way home on the bus, a man with 5 little boys in tow (one was definitely his son) sat down. He laughed and interacted so wonderfully with these boys.  He reminded me of our son-in-law, Carl Pfiester.  His mannerisms and laugh were just like Carl's.  Made me very homesick for my family.

I  had my first cherry tomato today.  At the rate things are going, my tomatoes are going to cost me 50 cents a piece.  The tomato was wonderful though.  Tart/Sweet and a wonderful texture.  I look forward to eating the other 6!

New Neighbor

We have a new neighbor across the hall.  His name is Annis.  He will be a vast improvement over our last neighbors I am sure.  They were always smoking in their apartment even though they were not supposed too.  It would seep into here and make us both sick. 

Not much to report today.  Did our shopping and had some downtime.  A nice day.

Friday is Temple Day

For the last 10 years, every other Friday, Clyde and I have attended the temple.  We were Ordinance Workers for a time and now we attend to draw closer to our Father in Heaven.  Today we went and watched without headsets - we only used headsets 2 times before doing it on our own.  We are getting very good at understanding more and more with each attendance.  It was a wonderful experience.  The brand new missionaries for Denmark, came in for the next session.  President Sederholm tries to get the new missionaries to the temple within a month after they get here.  They were very excited to attend today.  I do have question, how do you leave your temple recommend stateside but bring your clothes?  Today a woman and young man that are doing a study abroad session in Northern Germany had to wait for approval but had their clothes.  I shouldn't wonder too much - I left my recommend in Rhode Island when I went for Pam and Chris' wedding and that was whole purpose of the trip.

We are obviously fighting some kind of infection.  When we got home today, we had lunch and then both slept for more than 2 hours.  I do feel much better though.

Happy Birthday Anneke!

Today, our granddaughter, Anneke Susan Bahlmann is 10 years old.  She is the fifth of our grandchildren to get into the double digit birthdays.  This is making me feel very old.  We love you Anneke and look forward to spending your 11th birthday together.  (I stole the picture from your mother's blog!)

I learned a valuable lesson today.  Don't do FamilySearch when you only have a few minutes.  I found some more ancestor's on my Grandma Sarah's side - the Overlade's.  They were in the wagon trains to go west after Nauvoo.  They are from Aalborg - in fact a suburb of Aalborg called Overlade!  Jeppe was helping me at work find some information on them.  He was having a great time.  However by doing that before work this morning, it threw my whole morning off.  I am excited to learn more - but not anything that wasn't already on FamilySearch.  I just personally did not know that much about this family.  They were one of the first families to settle in Ephraim but I don't think there are any Overlade's there now.

It was a good day but I am so glad it is temple day tomorrow.  We have a lot to be thankful for in this family!

I'm Tired

We haven't had any rain for over 10 days.  That means the bright sun is shining in our bedroom window from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m.  On gloomy days at least you can sleep until 6 without a problem.  However I will take too much sunshine over the gloom of winter any day.

We start on civil marriage records sometime next week.  It should be a fun change.

This morning Clyde and I were listening to a Disney greatest hits album we had downloaded, while we worked.  It was the songs from movies like Pinocchio or Song of the South to the newer ones like Lion King and Brother Bear.  We thought we were playing it quietly but Jeppe finally came in this afternoon and asked what we were listening too.  He loved the memories the music was bringing back.  Glad to help.

Hectic Day

I am getting tired of the glitches.  If we didn't have to shut down the computer after every book - we would get a lot done!  We end up with 5 hours camera time and 1+ hours downtime.  So frustrating.

Jeppe made juice today.  I need to learn to stay away from his juice It will grow hair on MY chest!  He called the juice today, "Manly juice.  A little more intense than usual."  I drank it down in one gulp (he gave me some in a shot glass) and then I went looking for something - anything to cut the burn.  I decided 1 Tablespoon of that juice would make pot of chili too hot!  It certainly made me 'sweat' and that did help cool me down.

We are going to President and Sister Sederholm's tonight for dinner.  We have a new senior couple from Rexburg, Idaho - going to Odense.  They are Blackham's of the Moroni Blackham family.  It will be a fun evening.

Overwhelming Monday

Today was hot, humid and one of those days the equipment gave us fits.  We did 6 fairly large books but could have done better had we had no glitches.  Another day down though.  I can't believe we are approaching the halfway mark.

Jeppe was back today.  Last week he and his son went to a role play camp.  The children at the camp learned how to act and use their imaginations.  Each day was a theme like Harry Potter or Kung Fu Panda.  They would dress up and act out parts from the books or movies.  The parents that attended got to participate too but only a limited basis.  For the most part the parents were the ones that kept the kitchen going and the campgrounds cleaned.  Jeppe said it was one of the best experiences of his life.  Every evening everyone at the camp would divide up and play soccer (he said ball but I realized later that he didn't mean baseball but soccer).  I would love to have my grandchildren have an experience like that.  In fact I wish I had had that opportunity at some point.  Jeppe said that he and his 7 year old son are closer than ever.

A Spiritual Sunday

I had a bit of an epiphany in Sacrament Meeting today.  The chances of me surviving all of my health problems are pretty slim.  I have the priesthood blessings to thank for being here today and doing as well as I am.  That thought was one of the most spiritual personal thoughts I have ever experienced.  I am grateful for the priesthood holders in my life that have been there when I need it.

Church was amazing.  I learned that Isabella and Luke are in the top 5 names for babies right now.  What has that got to do with church?  No matter how we try - our names are associated with us.  Paul changed his name from Saul because of the notoriety of the name Saul to every disciple of Christ.  When they hear the name Rebecca Brugger Bailey - what does someone think?  I hope it is a positive thought at least.

Sunday School class was amazing but every week I realize more and more that we need to get the English speaking adults out of the Young Adult class.  We are constantly stepping on toes (and tongues) of the young people.  They know that they don't have to answer because one of us old fogeys will.  Not conducive to learning on their part.

This afternoon we went to dinner at the Clawson's.  He managed the production of the films done for the temple in 1990.  It was a fascinating discussion and very spiritual.  It has been a good day.

Totally Bummed

For as long as I have owned a Kindle, I have gotten free downloads of current releases.  Kindle just launched a new program that is basically costing 9.99 a month for the free downloads!  All of the books I got free in the past are now only free if you buy the new program - which does NOT make them free.  Plus I am not sure I can even get it here in Denmark.  I am just really put out!

We went down to the Turkish Bazaar today to get some nuts and other things.  It is really a bulk store but with a Middle Eastern twist.  On the way back to the train, I was limping really bad because of some leg cramps I had last night and my arthritis.  A young woman came and asked if she could pray for me.  I told her okay.  I told her if someone with my nametag came to her - to please listen.  She said she would.  her heart was in the right place.

I am inserting a musical link especially for Carianne (I hope).   I have loved this song since I first heard it in 1992.  It has helped me get through some rough times - actually this play and music is my go to when I am down. 

Happy Birthday, Clyde

My husband is getting old.  Where has the time gone? 

Wednesday evening, after we had Skyped with Heather and Heidi, our internet went down.  We did get our atrocious cable/internet bill reduced, thanks to Mikkel at work.  We have such amazing co-workers.  They really watch out for us. 

Today was a bit like the last day of school for kids.  Everyone was horsing around and visiting - not doing any work but just ticking off the time until they could go home for their 3 week vacation.  Most all of them are going to spend time in their garden homes.  We have vacation homes or cabins in the states but here you have a garden plot with small house on it.  It has a bathroom, kitchen and some have a sitting room/bedroom combination.  Others just put a 'caravan' on the property for the summer. 

Jeppe will be back on Monday.  He has been to a role play camp with his son all week.  What a fun way to bond with your son or daughter.

A Little Look at Copenhagen

Every day - morning and afternoon, we pass these elephants.  I have loved them from the first time I saw them.  The other day we were going to the City Hall and had to get off at this stop.  I was fun to have time to take some pictures.

They have been here since 1918.  Pretty amazing that the building is in such wonderful repair.  On the top left is frieze that is very vibrant.

Here is some Danish modern architecture.  The building in the center is made completely of glass.  The light blue in the middle is the sky on the other side of the building.  The building on the right gives 'corner office' a whole new meaning.

We had a great day to day.  We did 9 books and for the first time in a week I felt good all day long.  Hopefully the 'bug' as fled.

Another Sick Day

This is a piano found in the baronage.  We just thought it was unusual.

These are flowers in a tree that are wonderfully fragrant.  They smell a lot like honeysuckle but even more so.  These trees were all over the grounds.

Clyde at the trunk of one of these wonderful trees.  This was taken just as we were getting ready to leave.

Our mission president and his wife, President and Sister Sederholm.

This is for fun.  One of our missionary senior couples collect 'fart' signs.  In Danish fart means speed or travel time.  We see fart signs all the time on the roadways.  Good for a smile.

I promise these are the last of the Senior Conference Pictures I will post.  I had to stay home today.  After being up all night, I knew where was not way I could rely on public transportation and be sick.  It is not a good combination.  Hopefully tomorrow will be a well day finally.

Sweet Sabbath

On our final day of our Senior's Conference, we visited a Baron's house that has been in the same family since1242.  They turned it over to Denmark in 1880 because it was just too costly to keep up.

This is one of the boxes with pews in the little chapel in the Baronage.  If you look closely you will see a skull at the bottom of the decorative painting.

One of the beautiful dresses that were original to the family that lived there.  It has been treated so it will not deteriorate.  It was quite the dress.

Clyde took this picture because it reminded him of my mother.  I smile every time I look at it because he is right.  It is very much something my mom would have loved.

I promise to burden you only a few more days with these pictures.  Have a good Sunday.

A day of chores

This is the view from the Chapel in Randers, Denmark.  It is very Danish.

The Chapel for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints in Randers, Denmark.  It was dedicated in 1952.

The sign over the Church door - naming the Church (in Danish of course).  It was a beautiful building inside and out.

We did some running around today.  We got our periode kort (travel pass) so we can ride the bus and train for the next month.  We did our grocery shopping and wash.  We are ready for the Sabbath.

Old Aarhus

On Saturday morning we went into Gammel Aarhus to look around. I saw these old buildings built in the late 1400's and early 15'00s.  I knew my great-grandmother Caroline Sorenson Buchanan had lived here as a girl.  It was fun to stand here and know she had been there too.

Nothing was square on this building.  It is such an amazing sight.

This is a cathedral that was started in 1497 and finished the end of the 1500's. 

I am still fighting a stomach bug.  I will be so glad when I feel better again.

100 Million Miracles...

This was a produce stand outside of the Gammel Kro.  It was on the honor system.  Fresh peas and strawberries were on sale.  I meant to go and get some peas but of course got side tracked.

Most of our group having dinner.

The high chairs at the Gammel Kro.  Clyde wants to see if he can replicate them.  We will see.

The place settings at the Gammel Kro reminded me of the sugar and creamer set Marianne bought my mother in Germany.  Brought back all kinds of memories.

Yesterday at work I was hit with a stomach ailment.  It was important that we went to the temple with the fulltime missionaries that were celebrating their 1 year anniversary in Copenhagen.  We really needed to be a part of the that.  I prayed that I would struggle through the night and today if the symptoms were lessened to the point I could function.  I was blessed.  I didn't have another attack until we got home.  I did stay home today.

 

 

The dress in the office with these hot days is so funny.  Mikkel came in dressed in short shorts and a tank top and was going barefoot around the office.  Everyone else is wearing these weird capri's.  I have to say that men in 'capri's' is an odd sight.  Some are very tight fitting and others are more baggy.  No one is wearing shoes in the office right now.  I wear slipper socks that are very light.  Helps keep me cooler.  I have to say the most repulsive thing I have seen is a guy in 3/4 length pants - slung down low and going commando!  I thought I was going to throw up! Why would anyone think that was attractive!  Oh well - welcome to Denmark.

 



More Pictures from the Senior Conference

I loved this.  I have never seen an real 'Dutch Door'.  When my father built Marianne and I a dollhouse it had a Dutch door on the kitchen.  All of my life I have wanted a Dutch door on a doorway in my home.  I probably never will but this was so fun to see.

This is the side of the restaurant where the door is.  It is a beautiful little building and very busy.  Yes, that is a Thatched Roof on top.

This is "The Old Crow" restaurant where we had the best Wienerschnitzel I have had in 42 years.  It was served with fresh peas that had just barely been warmed - so it was like eating fresh peas.  Thatched roofs were very common where we were.

The 'Gammel Kro' is one of the oldest restaurants that has been in continual use as a restaurant and way house since it was built!  It has been in the same family for 200 years.

We did only 6 books today.  We had to re-shoot a book that somehow slipped out of focus for 1/2 the book.  We are not sure how it happened.  Our perfect score has ended.  Kind of sad but hopefully no more retakes.

We're all together again, we're here, we're here...

This is the ferry dock.  We traveled by ferry from Zealand island (spelled Sjealand in Danish) to Jutland. 

The ferry at the dock.  You got on the ferry and had to make a U-turn in order to get off again.  It isn't open ended like most ferries I have seen.

Pulling away from the dock

There were nine of us in the van going to Jutland.  Coming home there were 8.  We were sitting on the third seat in the back.  Elder Thorne, driving the car, would start singing, "We're all together again, we're here, we're here..."  every time things got a bit quiet.  I have had that song stuck in my head for 4 days!

Dannebrog and Old Glory

Friday morning we loaded up the mission van and headed to Rebild Denmark to meet with the other 2 senior missionary couples and President Sederholm (there were7 couples all together.  We spent the 4th and 5th of July together.  Above is the Danish Flag and the Stars and Stripes.  These are some of the flags that were flown there.  There were also state flags from New Mexico, Minnesota, Utah and other states where large groups of Danes had immigrated.

This is the entrance to a large and natural amphitheater.  I started to climb down there and probably would not have even if I had good knees.  Gravel and steep inclines have never been my friends.

 

This statue was done by Dennis Smith, an LDS sculptor.  He has many bronze worked sculptures in Denmark.  This is a picture of his grandmother and her family traveling to the US.  His Grandmother's name was Christina.

This was the side of the sculpture that I related too.  It his great-great grandmother traveling with the family.  Please forgive my clown costume.  It is the coolest (temperature wise) of any of my outfits.  I usually wear these cropped pants with sandals but knew I would be walking a lot.  I am carrying my purse and camp chair.  I was the only person that had the foresight of knowing that getting up and down off of the ground would be impossible for me too many times.  It was worth every penny of the 50 crowns we spent!

One of my all time favorite entertainers is Victor Borge.  This is a Dennis Smith rendition in honor of Victor.  I highly recommend you look up his 'Phonetic Alphabet' on YouTube.  You will be in stitches.

President William Howard Taft dedicated this land in Rebild Denmark as US soil.  It has been held in that honor ever since.  It was interesting that as we were sitting there listening to the speeches, a fly over suddenly began that was quite incredible of WWII planes and some from Viet Nam.  A stirring but sad reminder.  The other thing I noticed is everyone spoke on behalf of the country.  Our ambassador to Denmark spoke on behalf of President Obama.

Happy Birthday Dutch - a day early

Happy Birthday Dutch.  I am so glad you are our grandson.  You are an amazing young man.  We love you and miss you very much.  We will be home for your next birthday.

This is a picture of picture.  It hangs in our lunch room.  It is a picture of our office mates on our side of the building.  On the far left (with the cigarette in his mouth) is Lars.  The front row left to right is Frederick, Mads (with cheeks puffed out) and Mikkel.  The back row left to right is Bo, a guy we don't know (he worked 1 week then left and Steffan replaced him. This all happened within our first 2 weeks)  Daniel, Pernille and Jeppe.  They all went to a wind tunnel together and skydived in it.  They are planning to do it again this fall.

We leave tomorrow morning at 6 for Aarhus/Aalborg for the Senior Missionary Conference.  I will write again on Sunday.

Aches and Pains

For some reason Clyde and I have been attacked with a virus that is making us ache all over - bones and muscles.  Clyde's back in particular is really bothering him.  Mine is knees and shoulders.  I was running a fever last night but I am better with that today.  We have the big Senior Missionary Conference on Friday and Saturday in Aalborg.  We need to be well enough to attend.

Since we moved here I have wanted to blog some cartoon characters names in Danish.  Peter Plys is Curious George.  SvampeBob is Sponge Bob Square Pants and Tweetie Bird is Pips.  There are others that are closer to the name but these have just struck me funny since we arrived. 

A New Glitch

Today when we turned on the camera and started to focus, we were thrown out repeatedly.  It took about an hour to get to our first books.  Still don't know what that was all about.  We did 7 books and they were brutal.  I am afraid Clyde is getting sick because he ordinarily storms through the books.  Today was just kind of off for him.  I am going to suggest he stay home tomorrow and rest.

We were a bit concerned about July because this is the time when everyone goes on leave for extended vacations.  I asked Elisabeth today what we were to expect.  She said that Soren and Jergen (pronounced Yurgen) - were taking turns so we would have someone to retrieve books for us.  It is nice to know we can keep working.

We are dong well and still enjoying our mission very much.