Dybbøl Mølle (Dybbøl Mill)

While I was at the Sondbjerg estate I had the opportunity twice to go to a historical site in Denmark, called Dybbøl Mølle (Dybbøl mill).  This mill is close to the Germany border and has been destroyed many times during wars with Germany.

Denmark is very proud of the Dybbøl mill because it is symbol of resistance and endurance.

" Dybbøl Mill emerges as the Danish-national symbol in the border country.
The mill was the center of fierce fighting in both 1848-49 and 1864. 

During both the Schleswig wars of the mill was destroyed but re-built.
Dybbøl Mill and in extremely hot Dybbøl was the epitome of Danish resistance and endurance. 

The mill and granary are decorated with exhibits that tell the story of Dybbøl a national symbol and remembrance site for two nations - Denmark and Germany."

Exhibits on the mill's history and significance somethings national symbol of Danish and German in 150 years.

Dybbøl Mill History

The windmill, built in 1744.  In 1800 Lightning struck his mill burned down. The mile was rebuilt immediately thereafter. In both Schleswig wars of 1848-50 and 1864 the mill was destroyed and rebuilt. After 1864 and the Danish defeat by the Prussians, the mill was a symbol of Danish endurance in the lost land. In 1935 the mill burned down after a short circuit, but rebuilt in its present form.
Until 1990 the mill was powered by a number of tenants. In 1995, decorated Museum at Sønderborg Castle exhibitions in granary and mill.

Dybbøl mølle

Dybbøl mølle

This is a plaque was on the side of the mill. A colleague of mine who is Danish tried to translate it but it was difficult. She said the that words on the plaque were from old Danish. But she said that basically states this mill was raised from the ruble and this land stands for the brave Danish men you gave their lives.

The view towards town. 

More of the town Sondbjerb.

Danish king Christian IX, who was king during the Second War of Schleswig in 1864.

Near by there is a flag pole with these three stones around it. Each stone had a message on it.  I tried to translate the messages.

Danish soldiers' associations raised this memorial honors those who fought for our motherland.

Raised by the reunion of King Christian X in 1920.  Christian X was Christian IX grandson. 

Older Danish, the translation is kind of messy: but than are deer in the woods singing aloud waves the red flag than there is a god at the top which holds the UK Case.

Also that this site were a bunch of these cannons. Some of you might recognize these cannons I was standing near them in the family calender.

 On the other side of the road you could still see the old battle line barracks.

This site is also really close to the ocean. It really is a beautiful site, of course both times I visited this location it was cold and very windy. 

Thank you for all your love and support.

Sometimes it is hard......

Sometimes is it hard to be so far away from home.  

In early November 2010 not long after I moved here, my boyfriend (C) and I were told the sad news that C's cousin Nathan was diagnosed with angiosarcoma which is a rare and aggressive form of sarcoma that is incurable. 

On March 10, 2011 Nathan lost his battle with cancer. I really wish I could be there for my boyfriend during this time. Looking at my schedule and the cost of plane tickets there is no way I can be there for the funeral.  

It is so hard to talking to (C) over skype when I would rather be there with him. But he understands I am not 'superwomen' that I can not be there right now and he appreciates talking to me.  But still my heart breaks for (C) and Nathan's young wife.

I did what I could; I ordered flowers and sent a card with a donation to Nathan's wife and I sent (C) a card also. 

Because I am living on the other side of the world, I really can not do much.  I would like to ask my friends and family to please say a few extra prayers for Nathan and his wife.  If any one wants to send a sympathy message to Nathan's family please do so through the funeral home website link below: 

Nathan's Service Details & Obituary

Thank you for all your love and support. 

Gas prices

Lately the price of gas has been in the US news, with the price of a gallon reaching $4 and in some places $5 per gallon.  I know this price is affecting many of my family members. I wanted to let people know how much gas is here.

Currently a liter of gas at the station near my apartment is 11.54 Danish kroner per liter.

So we need to do a few conversions to make this gas price relative to US dollar/gallon prices.

1 gallon = 3.7854 liters
1 US dollar ~ 5.5 kroner  (the exchange rate changes every day but this value is the average)

One gallon of gas in Europe costs:

1 gallon = $7.94

Sandbjerg Estate

During the four months I have been in Denmark so far I have traveled to Sandbjerg Estate twice. The first time was during beginning of December and the second time was the beginning of February both times I was able to enjoy great food, great views and great accommodations.  So lets start with my first trip to Sandbjerg in December, the best way to get to this estate is by car which takes three hours from where I live.  For the December trip to Sandbjerg, other PhD students and myself met at the train station at 5:30 am.  While waiting for other students and the company car I just had to take this picture of the station with the moon in the background.

After crazy traffic and crossing two large bridges which connect the Denmark islands we arrived to at Sandbjerb and we went to our assigned rooms.  I was really surprised when I entered my room because of how nice it was set up.

The view out my room window was also great.

The location of this estate is very close to the bay and in December it was pretty cold but I still took some pictures of the location. Unfortunately I did not have time to really walk around the estate to see all the buildings.

When I arrived at Sandbjerg in February I had a bit more time to walk the estate grounds so I was able to take more pictures. But also I was able to take a nice long walk with other PhD students who were also there in February.

History of the Sandbjerg Estate
 
Sandbjerg Estate was founded by Duke Hans the younger shortly after he took over Sønderborg Castle in 1571. Reventlow family acquired the estate in 1673 and owned it until 1930. The palace was built in 1788 of George Conrad Reventlow. In the years 1864 to 1920 resulted in a spot right checkered career as high school economics school and stud farm.

During the second Schleswig War in 1864 used the Prussian army palace somebody headquarters. Sandbjerg Manor was sold in 1929 for barrister Dahl, whose wife was the sister of author Karen Blixen. In 1954 gave Mrs. Ellen Dahl Sandbjerg Estate to Aarhus University. Today Sandbjerg Estate 135 hectares and is run as a course property. Agricultural land is leased by a local farmer.

 When I was there in February a group of us found a nice walking trail.

Alssund path between Sønderborg and Sottrupskov is about 10 km and runs along Alssund. The trip is a beautiful and varied walk through town open country village environment and forests.  We did not walk the entire 10km but the walk was quite nice. 

 
I hope you like all the pictures.  My next post will be about a Danish historical site near the Sandbjerg estate.  


Thank you for all the love and support. And thanks for all the cards and pictures from friends and family.

Flødeboller

One of my Danish colleagues from work has been teaching me a Danish tongue twister.

"Fem flade flødeboller på et fladt flødebolle fad"

Which means in English:

"Five flat cream puffs on a flat dish cream puff"

Well I have been practicing this Danish phrase for over a week and have it down pretty well. I can not say it too fast but at least my pronunciation is pretty good. 

But this whole time I have been wondering how do these flat cream puffs look and taste like. So when I saw in the Lidl grocery ad that flødeboller were on sale I just had to buy some. These flat cream puffs are pretty good. It taste like a marshmallow cream covered with a bit of chocolate. The bottom taste like a wafer. Over all they are not that bad.



Here are some pictures for you.

 

 

The Church of our Lady

I first want to apologize to all my friends and family for not posting for over a month and a half. Over Christmas (C) my boyfriend was visiting me for two weeks.  Then I returned home to the States for ten days to handle some personal matters.  Once I returned from the States I was throw back into the mix of things including taking at course on bioinformatic computer programing.  But now that things have calmed down and I have got up with my work I am posting.

So while (E) was staying with me in Denmark (in the month of November) we spent the weekend in Copenhagen. After spending over three hours at the National museum we decided to go a church close by since it was starting to get dark. We went to Copenhagen's Cathedral - The Church of Our Lady. This post will mostly be pictures since I took so many. =)

The tower is 60 m high and houses the four church bells that weigh over 4 tons and is the largest bell in Denmark. The smallest bell in the tower is the oldest bell in the country, dating from 1490.

The building length is 83 m (272 feet) and the width is 33 m (108 feet). The nave is 60 m (197 feet) long and over 25 m (82 feet) from floor to ceiling. With all galleries open, the church can seat more than 1100 people.

The famous Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen was assigned to decorate the interior of the Cathedral by creating the sculptures of Christ and the twelve Apostles together with the font.

A closer view near the alter, they were preparing for 5 o'clock mass so the lights near the pews were turned on.

A full view of the church with all the lights on.

The statue of Christ above the altar captures the attention and creates a peaceful atmosphere for the entire church with its gentle welcoming gesture. In front of the altar is the beautiful baptismal font made of Italian marble and shaped like a guardian angel that holds the font. The font and the rest of the marble works in the church was Bertel Thorvaldsen's personal gift to the church. 

 The twelve apostles are placed in the nave and each statue represents a symbol that is associated with each apostle.

The great Cathedral organ with 87 stops and 5 manuals and pedal, was inaugurated on Easter Sunday 9 April 1995, with a choir organ added in 2002. The entire organ unit is build by the world’s oldest organ-builders Marcussen & Son, who are based in south Denmark.

 Near the entrance of the church where is this beautiful spot to light candles.

 So I paid the 4 kroner (about 75 cents) to light a candle in honor of my friends and family in the States. 

The candle I light is in the middle of the heart in the sand.



This place was truly magnificent, the detail in the statues, in the wall art, on the alter. To truly take in the beauty of The Church of Our Lady you have to come a see it yourself.

Thank you all for your love and support. I will try to do better about posting on my blog. =)