It's Not Just Cans of Butter Cookies

Day 3--5 Copenhagen, Denmark

No doubt that by now many readers of PinF are wondering what the hell is going on since my last stomach turning adventure. Is PinUK getting on OK?, has his stomach recovered? Will there be any more photos posted? All in good time. PinF has morphed yet again, this time he's enetered the tiny democratic monarchy of Denmark population 3 million. I'm here visiting a lifelong friend with whom I've stayed in touch with over the many travels, trials, and tribulations of my own life, though I would have to say her's is an interesting story. So what better way to get the story then directly from it's source?

So it was I spent one audacious night in Brighton being feted and spoiled by my many friends in the UK. 15 hours later I was back in Gatwick airport for a flight to Copenhagen, land of Hans Christenson Anderson. And what a land it is. Richly blessed with picture postcard scenes, typical families on bikes (everywhere), and surrounded by water. The Danes are a hearty bunch. The people are very logical, practical, and for the most part somewhat private and very much less animated than Americans. Still they are a very warm, educated people, PinD has yet to find a Dane who doesn't know at least a little English. The beer is infamous (though I'm on restriction) and of course they are just about the bluest eyed, blonde haired population you could find.

PinD is actually in a small suburb 12KM outside of Copenhagen call Lingby. One of the oddest things one must get used to when traveling from the western hemisphere is the time at which the sun sets up here (9:45), so it's light until about 10:30 PM. My friend is an interesting woman doing the frontline work that many people talk about, read about and view daily in their lives. She works for UNICEF Denmark, which is located in the UNICEF International headquarters and warehouse along the wharf in Copenhagen. It seems the Danish governement is the host country to UNICEF, much like the US is to the United Nations. This is a fascinating place staffed by people from literally all over the world. The warehouse is the length of 3 football fields and over 60 feet high. It contains the necessary items for almost any natural or manmade catastrophe. Currently it is stuffed to the gills with HIV anti-viral drugs, childrens education kits (schools in a box), medications, anti malarial kits, sheleter, MASH units etc.

I was lucky enough to be cleared to view the operation and so I donned the hard hat and saw with my own eyes cardboard box coolage of the worlds ills. Enlightening, inspiring and heartbreaking all at the same time. For in a perfect world there would obviously be no warehouse. Yet if we think back to just World War Two, there was no unified, organized, and collective response to disaster as it affected children, as such millions died. The lives saved by this operation is a staggering endorsement of it's need. It was truly an experience to see the peoples of the world all working under one roof packaging and shipping these much needed supplies to places like Darfur and Congo, as it puts a real face on the news.

This isn't to say PinD has been all civic.....he's been a bit social as well. Did I mention the kids? PinD has been inundated with them. Sisan is a single mother to two adopted children from Adis Ababba, Ethiopia. Incredibly cute, animated, and smart PinD has been somnewhat of a novelty to them. Tim isn't exactly a common name in Denmark, so the the younger child 2 year old Nella has pronounced it her way calling me Titty instead, So I've had to get used to a child calling "...Titty, Titty..." when we're out at restaurants and such.......they are a truly miracles of compassion as both (unrelated) were abandoned ot the streets at age one and left before being brought to an orphanage and then adopted by Sisan.

Of course there have been the museums, palaces, shops and cafes too. There really is no better way appreciating or enjoying a coffee than the way the Europeans do. The cafes, usually on a plaza or side street( usually off limits to cars) are one of my favorite ways to enjoy the city, people, and of course, coffee. Starbucks-- starshmucks---this is coffee the way it was intended to be served and enjoyed. I must end this post for now, as I must assemble my luggage and prepare for one final run into Copenhagen for a lunch on the plaza and then off to the airport for a flight back to me mates in the UK.....PinD returns as PinUK when he next returns......hope you're all well......