Copenhagen: National Museum of Denmark: Tivoli Gardens

We started the day at Espresso Cafe.  Crumpet and a cup of Americano, truly the breakfast of champions. 

After breakfast we took a guided walking tour with Richard Karpen.  He dresses to look like Hans Christian Andersen, the Danish author best know for his fairy tales.  He does a little role playing as the author and he certainly knows a great deal about the man, but more often than not he is out of character pointing out interesting sites in the city and putting his spin on the character of the Danes.  It is clear that he is a man who loves the country of Denmark, the city of Copenhagen and the people that live there, making him the perfect person to show off the city. 

 

Later in the day we went to the National Museum (Nationalmuseet).  The museum focuses on tracing civilization in what is now Denmark, from its ancient prehistory beginnings right through modern times.  The artifact and exhibits are organized in a sensible manner chronologically leading us through the cultures that have lived here.  I always have an internal fight with myself about whether I should be in a museum reading about a place or being outside experiencing it.  In this instance, this museum was clearly worth the time spent.  They had an expanded area addressing the viking age that was worthy of being a stand alone museum.  

musical instrument

Eating local in Copenhagen includes many foods, but one that is on just about everyone's list is a sausage sandwich (hot dog) from one of the street vendors.  I would not want to miss this.  There are lots of different ways to order the dog and every cart has his own array of offerings.  However, no matter what else he may be offering every vendor offers the "Danish Classic" and they are made the exact same way.  It's an extra long dog dyed bright red.  It is topped with mustard, ketchup, rémoulade, fried onions, fresh onions and pickled cucumber slices.  This was one good dog!

In the evening Sandy and I strolled into Tivoli Gardens.  Opened in 1843, Tivoli Gardens is a combination amusement park, flower garden, city park, food court (fancy restaurants and fast food) and theatre complex.  It occupies about 20 acres right in the middle of Copenhagen, and conveniently, one half block from our AirBnB.  Sandy and I spent several hours in the park just watching the Danes be Danes.  

hanging purple orchids

Sandy and I sitting on a double canvas lounge chair on one of the lawns in the garden.  

We ate popcorn and watched the parade of Danes go by.  

Other things we saw around Copenhagen

Many more bicycles than automobiles

It is a (constitutional) Monarchy

This auto, more drone than car, was on display ... experimental.

Canals

One last picture.  This is Sandy waiting at one of our train stations.  I know of no other woman who could pack for three months of travel in a small (non-expandable) overhead suitcase plus a carry-on bag.  Still she looks dignified and classy just as if she were dressing at home.