It is a long walk from central Copenhagen to the Little Mermaid. And she is just as small and insignificant as we were told. Still, she was surrounded by admirers from all around the world. We assume the last because all the conversations we couldn’t understand seemed to be using different accents and words. All the folks thought their trip would be incomplete without a photo, never mind that the sun was in the wrong place so everyone, including the mermaid was backlit so all the photos would show is little dark spots intead of smiling faces.
The day was consumed with wandering. Today was an annual carnival with groups dressed up, a parade and the beginnings of a loud, party when we passes by on our way to gather our stored bags for our trip to Amsterdam
We did notice an incredible an incredible number of bicycles in Copenhagen, as well as the towns in Sweden we passed on our way to Denmark. We talked to a young man in Copenhagen about it. He said that there are more bicycles in Denmark than people. Only China and the Netherlands have as many bicycles. Of course it helps that Denmark and the Netherlands are flat. In winter folks still ride their bikes. The weather is never bad, only the clothing. The bike lanes are kept ice and snow free, so even if your car can’t get through, your bike can.
Okay, now it is time to admit that our grand adventures don’t always work out as planned. After a long day of walking around Copenhagen, we picked up our stored luggage and took off (on foot, dragging our bags, so very European) for the train station. So far, so good, until we discovered our itinerary showed a 6:20 departure time and the ticket a 5:20 departure. Unfortunately, the ticket was correct. Our reservations were for a night train, direct to Amsterdam, with a cabin. Visions of wine, watching the scenery. Plan “b”: first option was the next train, leaving at 6:30, with 5 changes of train. Plan C, with help from our wonderful son-in-law, Devin, we figured out a plan to fly to Amsterdam. Thank you for cell phones and family. Note, I would have surfed the net for flights, but fat fingers surfing on a cell phone don’t give quick, accurate answers. Devin was quick to let us know there was a KLM flight in an hour. You have never seen two tired old folks move so fast. Cab ride to the airport, purchase tickets (yes, sir, we want to fly back to Copenhagen next Saturday- round trip is so much cheaper), check baggage, go back and pay for the extra bag, that isn’t an extra bag on our ticket to the states, clear security, pass the shopping detour to find our gate, panic and run faster when they make the last call for the flight, panic even more when the folks at the gate start waving at you to run faster, panic again when the door to the ramp is closed, collapse from the stress when finally aboard. Not a recommended way to travel.
However, we made it to Amsterdam, so we will have an opportunity to see a few sights and hopefully make our train to Brussels.
So, a little advice, always make sure you get a good night’s sleep before a travel day and that you have a ways to go before you hit the limit on your credit card.
A bit of traveler humor, when we finished booking and paying for the the flight to Amsterdam, the ticket agent asked if we wanted to cancel our flight back to Copenhagen.
Tonight, I am missing the bucolic days on board ship where I was waited on hand and foot. The shore concierge staff made sure all arrangement were in order and I was where I needed to be at the appointed time. The real world is challenging.
