(1) Denmark is a Nordic country, that is located southwest of Sweden and is south of Norway. (4) The clothes I packed for Denmark, were pants, long sleeved shirts, a couple sweaters, mitts, and a jacket. The weather in Denmark at this time was fairly cold and vaguely snowy. This affected my trip by making it a little difficult to travel, in Denmark, because of the mounds of snow that sometimes covered the roads, especially after snow storms that occasionally occurred. (8) Denmark's Liberation day, May 5th, is a national holiday of Denmark that is significant because on May 5th 1945, Denmark had been occupied by Germany since 1940, and on this day the liberation of Denmark was announced. On this day, I noticed lit candles placed at the windows of people's homes that I drove by. (6) A famous person in Denmark was a Danish politician, Thorvald Stauning, who lived from 1873 to 1942, who spent most of his life as a Danish politician and influenced Danish politics. He was the first social democratic Prime Minister of Denmark, and he helped transform the social democratic party from a class party to a popular party. He served as Prime Minister from 1924 to 1926, and served again as Prime Minister 1929 until his death. (3) Cultural taboos that I noticed and discovered in Denmark: • Don't call somebody by their first name until invited to, when greeting someone. • Don't give expensive gifts, when giving gifts. • As a visitor, don't arrive more than 15 minutes late. • In a conversation, don't mistake a Dane for being Swedish or Norwegian. • Don't start eating at the table until the host says "Skol". (15) A physical attraction that I visited in Denmark was the distinguished Egeskov Castle. Egeskov Castle is located in the southern part of the island of Funen, in Denmark. The castle was built by Frands Brockenhuus and was completed in 1554. It was built in the middle of a lake on a foundation of oak pilings. This beautiful house consist of two long houses connected by a massive wall. Even though the castle looks so peaceful and beautiful, it was actually built for defense purposes. Originally, the only access to the house was across the drawbridge. Ever since the park was open to the public, there have been a few changes made to the castle's grounds. One significant change was the opening of the Veteran Car museum in 1967.
Egeskov Castle in southern Denmark in modern times.
One grand room in Egeskov castle.
(5) As I learned much about the history of Denmark on my trip, one significant event in Denmark's history is the ratification of the Danish constitution of 1849. This event occurred on June 5, 1849 and has been celebrated by the Danes ever since, as a national holiday. The introduction of the Danish constitution of 1849 terminated the absolute monarchy in Denmark. The constitution was drafted by Ditlev Gothard Monrad, which he drafted based on the collection of constitutions at the time, and was signed by King Frederick the 7th. The Danish constitution of 1849 has been amended four times since it was signed.
The fathers of the Danish constitution assemble in Copenhagen in 1848.
(9) In Denmark, I noticed a lot of Danes, for lunch, eating these sandwiches called Smørrebrød. This food consists of a piece of buttered rye bread topped with pieces of meat, or fish, cheese, or spreads.
Smørrebrød in Denmark.
(12) On my trip in Denmark, I visited the capital of Copenhagen, and I visited the cities Aalborg, and Odense. Copenhagen is important, because the Danish constitution of 1849 was signed in this city. In Odense, the Odense Steel Shipyard has been Denmark's largest shipbuilding facility since 1996, and closed in 2012 as a result of international competition. In Aalborg, the first European Conference on Sustainable cities and towns took place, in 1994.
Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark.
(19) The Danes do many things in their spare time such as: • Danes go to visit the nearly sixty zoos, parks, and aquariums in Denmark including the Copenhagen zoo, Botanic garden of Copenhagen, and the Blue Planet. • Families can enjoy seventy amusement and theme parks. • Danes can go to any of the three large circuses in Aalborg. • Hiking • Bicycling • Fishing • Golfing • Water sports • Beautiful scenic drives. (13) Denmark is one of the world's most "secularized" countries in which Christianity plays only a minor role in public life. The Evangelical Lutheran church is Denmark's People's church, and is supported by the state. These churches are known as the Brenderup church. (14) The culture of Denmark is very rich with history and artistic heritage. It includes distinguished astronomical discoveries, and advances in technology. The famous Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales are danish, as is the Nobel laureate, Henrik Pontoppidan. Also, Denmark is famous for the symphonies of Carl Nielsen, and Danish films are internationally known. Carl Theodore Dreyer is one of the world's greatest film directors. Juleaften is a Danish word that means Christmas eve or Yule eve, which is an important aspect of Danish culture in which a traditional dinner is served, and the Danish Christmas tree is decorated with homemade ornaments and real candles. (17) The U.S. State Department's travel advisory for Denmark includes a valid passport, if you plan on staying in Denmark more than ninety days. The U.S. State Department recently re-issued a worldwide caution about the potential for terrorist attacks in Europe. It reminds tourists to be cautious, aware, and to avoid downtown Vesterbro and Norrebro late at night (areas in Copenhagen). They are also saying for tourists to stay away from areas where public demonstrations are taking place. The U.S. State Department suggests tourists to be careful of pickpockets and purse-snatchers, especially in train stations and crowded busses. The Danish equivalent of the American (911) emergency line is (112). You do not need any special vaccinations to go to Denmark, but if people have a medical emergency, they can dial (1813) for medical advice in Denmark.
Brenderup Church in Denmark.
(11) The traditional costumes of Denmark vary from region to region but are all made by hand and consist of fabrics that are either wool or flax. All the material is made with vegetable dyes. Women wear hats or “bonnets” that have a linen material under it that hold it on their head. These bonnets have lace and embroidery on them. They wear shirts and “petticoats” covered with white aprons that are also embroidered. Their white blouses have hooks and laces and sometimes a vest on top. Men wear clothes made of similar fabrics but they wear knee breeches (like shorts that go to the knees) with white woolen stockings that go over the knees. Both men and women wear clogs (wooden shoes) and sometimes the men leather boot toppers. The men wore several layers of shirts with tin buttons. The wealthier men had shirts with silver buttons.
Danish traditional costume.
(20) The most memorable place that I visited in Denmark was Egeskov castle, because it was built on a foundation in the middle of a lake, it is four hundred years old, and it is so majestic. (7) The normal way to say hello is "HEJ", which means hi. If someone calls you, but you can't hear them, in Danish you would say "hallo?". This is the way you get someone's attention. The traditional way to say bye in Danish is "Farvel!" (2) Denmark obtains it's power by 20% of in renewable energy (windmills) and they want this to be 100% by the year 2050. The Danish love to use their bicycles, and their cities are becoming crowded. Urbanization is leading to "environmental degradation and global warming." In 2010, Denmark had the fourth highest global footprint (greenhouse gas emissions). Meat is very expensive, because of the scarcity of grazing land, which is important to the country's economy. (10) One custom, is to be on time. Danes are punctual. Guest remove their shoes before entering a house. Table manners are important. The Danes eat with the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right hand. Guest do not begin eating until the host toasts with "Skol". Women are highly respected in Danish society, they receive equal pay, and can get really good jobs.