Speaking of their Royal family, let me tell you about...
...their hygge
I think part of the reason that the Royal family is so secure in going out in public is this idea of hygge. Hygge, in the literal translation to English means cozy, but to the Danish it means so much more. Hygge is a kind of community, a understanding that people in Denmark will take care of their families in communities. My tour guide argued that hygge was the reason that the Danish voted for the party that would raise taxes instead of the party that would lower them. They take pride in the fact that they pay for their community and that they take care of others.
This could also be why Denmark has been voted the happiest country for the past 8 years (another fact noted by my informed tour guide).
Hygge is symbolized all over Denmark by candles that sit in windows, on restaurant tables, and outside cafes on the cold winter streets. The candles are "cozy."
Speaking of their hygge, let me tell you about...
...their shoe-less feet
Part of hygge means that the Danish are very into hospitality, but let me tell you, when you go into a Danish person's house you will probably be asked to take off your shoes.
It is tradition.
Plus it keeps the floors clean.
Speaking of their shoe-less feet, let me tell you about...
...their public transportation system
Their transportation system is also clean, and extensive, and technologically advanced, and used by many Danish people instead of cars.
Speaking of their public transportation system, let me tell you about...
...their bicycles
And if they aren't using public transportation or cars, they are biking. Which is easy to do in Denmark because they have their own road, and traffic lights. Usually set between the road and the pedestrian walkways lie the bicycle paths, which are very sophisticated. They even have double lanes in some areas for the people on their bikes turning left.
You haven't been to Denmark if you haven't gotten on a bike. Note to self: we are back to driving on the right side of the road. Get used to it.
Speaking of their bicycles, let me tell you about...
...their museums
The one and only time I was on a bike in Denmark I was headed to a museum. While most museums in Copenhagen have a fee, if you are on a budget, I would recommend stopping by the National Musuem (http://www.natmus.dk/sw20374.asp) to see perfectly preserved viking corpses and runestones or The Danish National Gallery (http://www.copenhagenet.dk/CPH-Map/CPH-Gallery.asp) to see centuries of Danish Art (and the history that goes along with it).
Speaking of their museums, let me tell you about...
...their pastries
I'm sorry, but my mind always seems to go to the food. After a bike ride to the museum, and a couple of hours studying the paintings, a snack is much appreciated. And you know what they say: When in Denmark!
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