My parents adventure in Europe

I would think that most of my family already knows that my mother and father were with me in Denmark and that we made a trip to Rome. I figured if my parents are really going to make an effort to come all the way to Denmark there was no reason why we could not make a two hour flight to Rome.

On Sept 5th, my parents landed in Copenhagen, I think the main thing that my parents will remember was that I was late. I missed the early train I wanted to take and when I got to the airport my parents were standing in the airport with their luggage. I felt bad that I was late but all was well. Since we all had luggage we took the taxi to the apartment I rented while we were in Copenhagen.

The apartment I rented in North Copenhagen (Østebro) turned out to be the best idea ever. The apartment had three nice size beds, a nice kitchen, a washer and dryer in the basement and of course a bathroom and shower. I would think that the only complaint my parents and I had was that shower was REALLY small. The location of this apartment was great, it was a nice quiet area, with a grocery store only 1 block away and a great Chinese/Thai restaurant across the street.

Basically the first day my parents were in Copenhagen was very much a relax (I can't believe I am in Europe) type of day with one stipulation they had to stay awake until 8pm. I made my parents stay awake because they would suffer from jet lag the entire trip if I did not force them to stay awake this first day. But at 8pm both mom and dad were out like a light.


On Sept 6th, I only had two things scheduled for my mom and dad; a canal tour of Copenhagen and a visit to Tivoli. During the canal tour, besides being a little cold my parents really enjoyed seeing Copenhagen. Later that day I took my parents to Tivoli, we had a nice dinner and stayed in Tivoli after sunset to see the Nimb all lite up. Of course took plenty of pictures of my parents with the scenery in the background.

Nimb in Tivoli

Nyhavn, Copenhagen

Roskilde Cathedral

On Sept 7th, I took my parents through the Danish countryside to where I work. I timed it so that we would arrive at where I work just as lunch began so that my parents could be served a traditional Danish meal. That day at work the lunch ladies made frikkadellea a great traditional Danish dish. I introduced my parents to my supervisor and my co-workers. I showed my parents around the research center, my office, my lab bench and even my plants in my greenhouse. On this particular day was the farewell party for one of my colleagues (Br). So my parents got to also enjoy so great cake, afternoon snacks and wine. On our way back to Copenhagen we made a short stop at the Roskilde Cathedral. My plan was to show my parents the inside of this huge cathedral but there was actually a mass going on inside. I thought it was a bit odd to have mass on a Friday but oh well. I still got a couple pictures of my parents with the cathedral in the background.

Then on Sept 8 to 13 the three of us were in Rome and that adventure deserves it own blog post. (Coming Soon)

On Sept 13 when we arrived back in Copenhagen after our adventure in Rome we were all exhausted. The three of us went across the street to a great restaurant called Wokshop. It was good food and with a full stomach we all passed out. The next day (Sept 14th) the three if us just relaxed. Of course I went to Netto to get some food but it felt good to relax.

King Tutankhamun

On Sept 15, I took my parents to the King Tutankhamun exhibit in Malmo, Sweden. It was a good exhibit and my parents both seemed to enjoy it.

Sept 16th was another relaxing day mixed with a bit of packing and organizing. We did make a short trip to Rosenborg Castle and walked around the King's grounds. Just like me, my parents were amazed the castle, I mean you just don't see those in the US. Later that night my mom found a NFL game on the television and was getting a kick out of the Danish announcers.

On Sept 17th, after 12 days with my parents it was time to say goodbye. At the airport we said our goodbyes and gave each other hugs.

Overall my parents had a great Europe trip and I am really glad that they could make the trip over the ocean.

A night under the stars

On August 17th, Cx, Js and I went salsa dancing at Roskilde harbor. The day before all of us were in the DHL 5 k relay (Cx ran where Js and I walked) and we had some left over food from the event. So we decided to eat the left over food with a few bottles of wine picnic style at the harbor before the dancing started. Cx lives in Roskilde so we walked to her place packed up some extra food, utensils, wine glasses and two bottles of wine.

At the harbor we found a picnic table and laid out our spread and opened out first bottle of wine. As we started eating some of Cx sailing friends came and joined us in out little picnic.  I knew a few Cx friends and I was introduced to many more throughout the night.

At 7pm the lesson started and many in our picnic group went to join in. I over extended my knee during the 5 k walk the day before and I thought it was best not to aggravate it. So I sat out the lesson and just watched. I have been going to a few salsa dancing events during the summer and I learning a little each time.

Some of you might wonder "What is the fun of sitting there watching every one else dance while you sit there with your bum knee?" I think sitting outside enjoying the good weather while it lasts and being with good company is much better than sitting alone in my apartment. I really did not mind sitting at the  picnic table watching every one else dance. Plus there were so many people in our picnic group that most of the time someone was sitting there next to me.

At 8pm the live band started playing and everyone went onto the dance floor and started dancing. I really enjoyed the entire atmosphere: the sky was clear with a few clouds, the weather was perfect and the sun was setting over the water. As the sun started to fade they turned on the strings of white lights around the dance floor and they lit the candles on each picnic table. The atmosphere was so relaxing and fun; I really was enjoying myself even if I was just watching. Plus it was not that bright with the lights and candles I could still look up and see the stars.

There were a few times when the music was just so good I just had to get and dance a bit. I know my mom (who's a nurse) would rather I stay off my knew but I just could not help myself.  And when the live band was not playing the DJ was playing music so the music kept coming.

Throughout the night people in our group had to make trip to their nearby apartment or house to get more wine. With what seemed like an endless flow of music and wine we were all having an awesome time.

At around 10:30 pm the live played their last song of the night and the DJ played a few more songs. Around 11 pm the DJ stopped playing but there was still plenty of people dancing and they wanted more. The DJ played one more song and then he started to pack his equipment.

Our picnic party which started out as 3 people (Cx, Js, and I) grew to 8, were still working on wine bottle #6 so it was decided that we were going to meet Otto. Otto is a wooden sailing boat, which Cx and her sailing friends take out onto the water during sailing season. Otto is a replica of a type of a Viking sailing boat and it was quite large. There was enough room for me and many others in the group to lie on the deck of the boat and watching the sky looking for shooting stars. (Yes, I did see one!) It was just a great relaxing time talking and laughing the others.

But every great night has to end and around midnight people started to head home and Cx, Js and I walked back to Cx's apartment to crash for the night.

Throughout this whole night I tried to take a few pictures but with so little light none of my pictures turned out. This night was one of those nights you just have to remember.

UPDATE: My pictures did not turn out but Js pictures did!

Roskilde Viking Muesum

In another building on the museum grounds is where five viking ships are on display. It was really interesting to see that much history in one place. I hope you enjoy all the pictures and all the information I got while there. 
 

Five Viking Ships

Towards the close of the Viking Age -- presumably at some time between 1000 A.D. and 1050 A.D. - the fairways of Roskilde Fjord were blocked by a series of barriers to protect the important trading town of Roskilde from attack by enemy fleets. The five Viking ships in the museum come from one of these blockages in the Peberrende channel at Skuldelev, 20 km North of Roskilde. Here, there ships were sunk across the channel and boulders heaped up on top of them. A little later the barrier was strengthened by the sinking of a further two ships at the spot.
It was at a time when Norwegian Vikings were ravaging Denmark but we have been unable to link any definite historical event with the blockage.

The blockage manifested itself as a ridge of stones. It had always been known to fisherman in the fjord and local tradition claimed that it contained a ship sunk at the command of Queen Margrethe I. It was not until underwater excavations were carried out by the Danish National Museum between 1957 and 1959 that it was established that the blocked dated from the Viking period and contained not just one but serval ships.

The Excavation

In 1962 a cofferdam of sheet piling was built around the blockage so that it could be drained. In a period of less than four month all five ships were excavated and brought to the land in thousands of fragments.

The find was significant not just because it consisted of five ships but because these represented five different types of ship which together provide a good indication of the impressive range of activity of the Viking-age shipbuilders.

The ocean going trader

                                                                     

Wreak 1 is a sturdy, ocean going trading vessel possibly of the knave type.

The ship was built of stout pine planks at Sognefjord in Western Norway and was later repeatedly repaired with oak near Oslo Fjord and in Eastern Denmark.  The ship had desks fore, aft, and an open hold amidships.

The ship and its cargo may have been owned by a magnate, who used it to sail on trading expeditions with his clan or coorperatiely by a group of merchants who sailed it in order to trade at markets. The crew would have consisted of 6-8 men. The ocean - going vessel could have sailed all over the North Sea and the Baltic as well as in the North Atlantic.  With a favorable wind, it probably maintained an average speed of 5-7 knots.

 The great longship

Wreck 2 is an ocean going warship possibly of the skied type and can carry a crew of 65 to 70 warriors. The long narrow shape of the ship allowed a great speed and the manning of 60 oars made it possible to keep the ship moving even without wind.

The ship was built of oak. Tree-ring analysis of the timber has shown that the ship was built in the vicinity of Dublin about 1042. Vikings settled in Ireland in AD 800 and established several fortified bases along the Irish coast. these bases developed into towns with Dublin as the most important. Here the Vikings lived as merchants mercenaries and shipbuilders.

The Coastal trader

Wreck 3 is a small elegant trading and transport vessel, possibly of the 'byrding' type. The ship was built of Danish oak. It has decks of loose planks fore and aft and an open hold amidships with room for about 4 tons of cargo. The ship had a crew of  5-8 men.

 The ship may have been used by a farmer and his associates traveling to a market or meeting at an assembly.

It was well adapted for sailing in Danish coastal waters and in the Baltic. Wind was the most important means of powering the ship but the oars could be used when manuring or when traveling short distances in calm weather. An average speed of 4-5 knots could be held in favorable winds.

The small longship

Wreak 5 is a smaller warship, possibly of the snake type.

The ship was built of Danish oak, ash, and pine, partly by reusing timber from other ships. With 13 pairs of oats and about 30 warriors, it belonged to the 13-sessers, the smallest longship in a war fleet.  Along the sheetstake there are fragments of the shield-rack, on which shield were placed and on the 6th strake on the port side aft, carved decoration can be seen.

The ship was ideal for sailing in Danish coastal waters and through the short, choppy waves of the Baltic. An average speed on longer voyages would have been 6-7 knots in the favorable wind, with a top speed of about twice as much.

The fishing vessel

Wreck 6 is a combined rowing and sailing vessel probably built for fishing and whaling or seal hunting. The ship was built of pine planks near Sognefjord in Norway. Later, an extra plank was added to increase the height of the side in order to transport more efficiently carafes of fish, other trading goods or people. During the alteration, the original rowlocks were removed and the number of oars reduced. the conversion presumably meant that the ship was used more for transport and less as a fishing vessel and that is sailed with a smaller crew.  The bottom of the hull had been repaired with oak planks from South Scandinavia before the ship was scuttled. 

Roskilde Viking Museum and sailing

This adventure took place on Saturday, May 14th 2011.

While at Roskilde Cg, Cx and I made our way to the Viking museum near the inlet. When we got there we found out that the museum offers a sailing trip. We all thought it would be a great thing to do. However the lady at the front desk said that there were only two seats left but she would ask the captions when they arrive if it was ok to add another passenger.
I volunteered to be the one to sit out cause there was a jewelery workshop that I could do instead. We told the lady at the front desk that we will be at the cafe getting some lunch. Just as we were about to finish lunch the lady from the front desk come by and said that I was able to join in on the sailing trip. Yeah!!!

The sailing trip was not until 3:30 so we still had time to check out the jewelery workshop. We noticed that the jewelry workshop was more geared towards children but that did not stop Cx and I.  Both of use made some cool necklaces with a Thor's hammer charm. I think the guy who was working at the jewelery workshop got a kick out of two 20 something women making Thor hammer necklaces.

Then it was time to go SAILING!!

The caption was giving us instructions about how to row the boat.

We are all in the boat, and we are getting ready get the oars out of the boat and into the water.

Those oars were solid wood and really heavy but once we got then the oars into the water they were much easier to handle.

We had some great wind that day and a full sail. It was just amazing on how fast we were going once we got the sail up.

You can see in this picture that there was a storm coming. Actually soon after I took this picture we heard a roll of thunder.

Picture of the sail and the Roskilde harbor.

It was just amazing this was my first sailing adventure and even better yet it was in an old Norwegian sailing boat.  It was just amazing.  I am so glad that I was able to do this!!!

After sailing the three of us when into the other building on the museum site where all the old viking ships were on exhibit. 

Roskilde Cathedral

Ever since the early Middle Ages, Roskilde Cathedral has been on of Denmark's most outstanding churches, being cathedral for the diocese of Zealand and from 1923 for the diocese of Roskilde.


At least two churches have preceded the present catedral on the very same site. The first one was a wooden church erected by Harald Blaatand (Bluetooth). During the 11th century it was replaced by one or perhaps two consecutive churches made of travertine. Around 1080, however the church was a three-aisled basilica built by bishop Svend Normand.


In the 1170's bishop Absalon began the erection of the brick church as romanesque church with long and wide transepts. Still, the construction was changed by Peder Suneson (bishop 1191-1214) who was inspired by Gothic cathedral construction in France. The actual church was finished a. 1280, but since then each century has added its own extensions in various styles.


Also the interior oh the cathedral has been considerably changed in the course of time. Before the Reformation in 1536 the cathedral was Catholic. Almost half of the interior formed a closed choir including stalls for all the canons and farthest to the east, the High Altar, Spread in the cathedral and the chapels there were furthermore a considerable number of side alters. After the Reformation the side alters were removed, new furniture was installed for the new Protestant service, and later the choir was opened to the west.


Since the Reformation all Danish Kings and almost all queens have been buried in Roskilde Cathedral; many of them in special Royal Sepulchral Chapels. The Cathedral, however, also holds a few medieval Royal tombs. On the most dignified place, in the middle of the situated the magnificent sarcophagus of Queen Margrete I. 

When Cx, Cg and I walked into the main square where the farmer's market was you could already the top of the church.  Once we got closer we realized how big this place was, it took us a while to walk around the entire building.

While walking around the church it seemed as if portions of it were added in different eras, some sections were very detailed and just amazing. 

 

While walking around we could not find the door which was open to enter inside the church. There were many beautiful doors but we did not see any people come in or out of any of these doors. 

When we finally reached the front of the church it was truly amazing to see the size of front door, and the art work on the door.  I also was amazed by the size of the church it was truly a large beautiful building. 

Cx, Cg and I got frustrated about not finding a way inside (we honestly thought it was closed) decided to go off to the Viking museum.  The Viking museum will get its blog post because it was so much fun.  

After spending hours at the Viking museum we walked past the Roskilde Cathedral again; Cx found a small door on the South side of the church. She said "I am just going to try this door." As she walked closer to the door it suddenly opened and the look of shock on Cx face was priceless. "I was expecting it to be locked" she said.  Cg and I could not stop laughing.

We looked inside and there was a small front desk and the entrance to the church. We ask the lady at the front desk if the church was still open for viewing and she mentioned that only the main portion is open for viewing at no cost. If we wanted to see the burial sites of the all the Kings and Queens it would cost 50 kr and we would have to wait a half an hour. We were already exhausted and did not feel like waiting that long so we just looked inside the main portion. HOWEVER I do plan on going back to see the full tour of the church, I want to see where the majority of the Danish Kings and Queens are buried.

Inside this place was magnificent and huge!

The alter was amazing... it was beautiful and very detailed.

I was able to get a quick glimpse of some burial sites. I am really looking forward to going back to see all the history at this church. I promise there will be tons of pictures.

Thank you for all your love and support.

Roskilde

Roskilde is one of the oldest cities in Denmark.
More than 1000 years ago the Vikings established a trading post that developed into a major town. In the medieval period, Roskilde was one of the most important cities of northern Europe, the seat of the Danish crown and an episcopal residence.

Today, the city is rich in historical and cultural sights and attractions. In the beautiful red-brick Roskilde Cathedral the kings and queens of Denmark are buried.

The islands and islets of Roskilde Fjord can be viewed from a viking ship or a small cruiser docked at Roskilde Harbour the atmosphere of which hums with activity. The former gasworks at the same location now houses one of the many art galleries of the town and a glassblower.

The city centre offers a pedestrian precinct as well as a market square with plenty of commercial life. Culture flourishes all year round and the city has a rich musical life ranging from summer concerts at the cathedral organ dating back to 1554 to the Roskilde Festival.

The lovely scenery around Roskilde offers numerous historical sights as well as a landscape perfect for biking and trekking.

On Saturday, May 14th, Cx, Cg, and I went on a day trip to Roskilde which is only a 30 minute train ride from where I live.  Once leaving the station at Roskilde we saw these three huge vases,  near the center of town is not far from the station. Not far from these vases was a small church behind a old brink wall and gate. I looked around for information about this small church but I could not find anything, but at least I got some good pictures. 

 

The brick wall and gate of the church.

The church behind the gate.

The three of us continued walking towards the center of town we passed many shops and restaurants and the farmer's market. We did not have time to go through the large farmer's market, but did Cx purchased some fresh cherries.  There were also many different crafts for sale and many flea markets, there was one wood craftsman that was selling these beautiful hand carved bowls. 

 Walking through Roskilde you could get the sense that is such a beautiful clean, and relaxing town. The houses were in typical European style, small but cute with flower gardens.  Just by looking at the buildings you cold get a sense of the history and heritage in the town.

While walking around town we found an interesting fountain inside a brick wall along side the street. Over the top of fountain it said the word maglekide, which means "The Large Spring." The one thing that we really noticed was the creepy red eyes.

This spring yields 15,000 liters of water an hour, about one sixth of what is used to. The spring supplied 5 mills in the beginning of industrial life in Roskilde. In 1842 a hydro was built in connection with the spring, and was pulled down again in 1972. The Neptune head at the outflow and the weather vane on the well house date from 1842.  The well house itself dates from 1927.

 

The Roskilde area has a lot of history, there were these green signs everywhere stating the history of the area. The was this one sign in the middle of small open area with a nice gravel path.  Next to the sign was what looked like the ruins of a small building. I read the sign and thought the information on it was interesting:

The church of St. John the Baptist was probably built in the 12th century as a parish church for the clergy of the cathedral.  It was pulled down after the Reformation. The surround field is protected area, below which lie the remains of a medieval town with streets and houses. Finds from the excavation of the church can be seen at Roskilde Museum.

I did not have time this trip to go to the Roskilde Museum this trip, which means I have another excuse to go to Roskilde. 

Roskilde is also well know for the Dome Church or The Roskilde Cathedral, we also went see this national landmark.  This church was huge and there is so much history surrounding this church since so many Danish Kings and Queens are buried there.  I took lots of pictures and there is so much to tell about this church that it deserves its own blog post.

After walking through this beautiful park with many trails, steams and small lakes we made our way to the inlet or fjord.  We noticed a strange 'thing' near the road. Once we got closer we discovered that was a small replica of the town Roskilde on display. However, it did look like the birds had fun destroying parts of it. I really liked the detail you could see in this replica.  We continued on our way to the Roskilde Viking Museum.

After spending four hours at the Roskilde Viking Museum (which will get its own blog post) we walked back through town in a thunderstorm and since main street was not as packed I took a few pictures of the area.  Just so that you could get a feel for the town but remember when we first arrived in town in the late morning the streets were packed with people.