Hello, folks! Greetings from Denmark! We landed safely in Copenhagen this morning around 8 AM (2 AM Eastern time) a bit travel weary, but excited nonetheless. After we were promptly greeted by our bus driver and taken to the Hotel Strand to drop off our luggage, we ventured into the city in four small groups: Sullivan’s Lightning Bolts, MacDougal’s Yellow Hearts, Nelson’s Eyes, and Rooney’s Ghosts. In groups, students used printed maps (real maps- not GPS!) to find various cultural landmarks. This was a fun, low pressure way for students to explore Copenhagen’s rich cultural history while learning to navigate a European city (there are fewer cars, but way more bikes and pedestrians). Such a good time!

After leisurely combing through sections of the city, we all met at the Rundetaarn, a beautiful tower built in the 17th century by Christian the IV as an astronomical observatory. Visitors to the tower have the opportunity to climb to the top, and the views are stunning. On a day of many highlights, this was certainly among the best.

We then grabbed a quick lunch and boarded a boat for a guided tour of the Nyhavn Canal, which runs through various parts of the city. Our tour guide provided informative commentary about significant landmarks like the Copenhagen Opera House and Edvard Eriksen’s “The Little Mermaid” statue at Langelinje Pier. It was almost dreamlike to float through the canals of Copenhagen feeling the warmth of the spring sun and the invigorating coolness of the brisk breeze coming off the water. We couldn’t have asked for a better day.

We’re all a bit tired but very happy. The streets are teeming with life here, and we’re spending a lot of time appreciating the richness of the atmosphere. Oh, and there have been lots of laughs, too.

More updates to come! Onward to dinner!