Tuesday, April 28, 2009

see, not always ranting


far too often, i'm complaining about some aspect of denmark and the danes that i simply cannot understand or appreciate, but not today. today, i'm madly in love. with all of it. that pretty little red and white flag. the copper roofs, the efficient public transportation. even that ridiculously tiny statue of a mermaid (granted, not a misrepresentation, as the word "little" is in her title). i am just loving it.

it's probably spring. it's probably because i'm flying today and flying always makes me happy. it's probably because the trains were totally on time and i was 20 minutes early for my morning meeting. maybe it's because i'm sitting in the gold lounge and they have some really yummy bread and sandwich fixings and english newspapers and a l'avenir chenin blanc from the western cape. maybe it's because i'm gonna get a venti latte at starbucks before i board my plane.

perhaps it's because since i got on the metro to the airport about an hour ago i've heard the following languages: russian, danish, english, portuguese, dutch, swedish, german, japanese and norwegian and i love hearing lots of languages. maybe it's check-in via SMS and then direct bag drop at the gold counter, followed by fast track security which means i'm in the lounge within 2 minutes of arriving at the airport (odin bless you, SAS). maybe it's that the computers for public use in the lounge are, you guessed it, iMacs (odin bless you again, SAS).

maybe it's light, bright, tastefully decorated government offices filled with top end designer furniture (so that's what they're doing with all that tax money). maybe it's unexpectedly realizing that the guy you've got an appointment with is the top guy and he made time for you. cool!

but really, it's because of the extremely pleasant hour and a half i spent discussing the environment with that top guy. i was completely reminded of all of the personality traits i really love about danes. they're so pragmatic and straight-forward. they're honest (as in candid) and logical and have lots of common sense (something i see lacking in my own country of birth whenever i visit--just think of airport security before your hackles raise, my american dahlings). danes are so funny in an ironic, dry way that i adore. and lastly, they don't hesitate to swear for emphasis. they're really, really good at swearing at the right moments to make a point or put you at ease.  and did i mention smart and well-thought out? well-argued?

so today, no ranting about the danes and denmark. just love. mad, spring love.

23 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow! This doesn't sound like you AT ALL! So positive, are you feeling OK? :) But I see how you have to appreciate common sense, specially when it comes to airports, the Madrid airport was a complete nightmare yesterday, I was murderous by the time I got to the plane!

julochka said...

there are probably meds for it and it too will pass, don't worry, i'll be back to my cynical self soon! :-)

Extranjera said...

So you're loving it as you're leaving it?
Points on the swearing, Sgu!

Suecae Sounds said...

We are slowly winning you over.

Soon you will be singing songs in honor of all Scandinavian countries. ;)

Muahahaha!

julochka said...

i am pretty enthralled with norway too (they literally have poetry on the STREETS), so all that's left is for sweden to do some convincing. ;-) i'll give you that you guys dress the best. :-)

tigra said...

Очень интересная тема,даю 9\10.
________________________________
http://mynewforex.blogspot.com/

Polly said...

first of all, I love this photo, the red against the blue looks beautiful!

secondly - great way to travel! gosh, I've only heard of such luxuries at the airports...

Sandra said...

I might like to fly if I got to do it like that.
Something else you should appreciate Denmark for, but probably take for granted. You can get sick and not need to worry about a mountain of medical bills. I'm still paying for my surgery from last fall. So smile, be happy. : )

Kikit said...

I haven't read your old posts yet but I can say you had one of the greatest days in your life. Hope that mad, spring love is contagious. :)

Hope to come back soon. :)

Dutchbaby said...

Don'tcha just love it when all the stars line up in your direction?

Wonderful, wonderful photo!

Just Jules said...

hmmmm, is there a guest posting today? Where is Julie? ;)

I am glad that Spring has wrapped itself in your head and things aligned in a way to make for a great day -

how much of that l'avenir chenin blanc did you drink?

will said...

Ya gotta watch the coffee in-take.

Tess Kincaid said...

WT brought me back a tiny little statue of the mermaid!

heidikins said...

Awww, I want a Denmark! :o)

xox

Summer is a Verb said...

oooo...now dying to visit Denmark. But, wait! Do they summer in Denmark? Do they tan?? Or would I be a fish out of water??? Maybe it's an off season destination for moi...

Collar's Up!
Allie in G'town

Meri said...

Have you tried Starbucks chai? I've switched to them from lattes. Your excitement about flying and a variety of languages revs me up even more about the trip I've just committed to -- Egypt in October.

Char said...

gotta love a good love letter, don't cha now? it makes me happy

Elizabeth said...

Can't say I fully agree but I'm happy it all works out for you today.

MB said...

Wow good for you. I always wanted to go to Denmark. I'm from the Philippines and i think you have a beautiful country. Not to mention lovely weather (not too humid). We only have 2 seasons here, summer and rain, that's about it. Anyway, what you wrote made me smile :)

kitten56 said...

By gosh I think she has bloomed where she was planted

Great blog, btw.

julochka said...

ok, eda, don't make me turn on the comment moderation....

Stefy Speak said...

Thanks for the tip on this post -yes for those blessed to visit Denmark, or in my case to have lived there-it is quaint without being trite, foreign but friendly and no shopping malls! Just walking the cobblestone streets to all the neat shops.
Denmark - I miss you. My husband has never been to Europe and we are planning to visit friends in Germany and then head up to Denamrk so I can re connect with old friends!

eda said...
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