We have arrived in Copenhagen on the morning of the 12th of August. It is gorgeous. Immediately I feel short. Why? Everyone is tall. Half are blonde. I am sure they are the great-great-grandchildren of Vikings, but the friendly kind. I am relieved.
I hear many languages being spoken around us as the other half of the people are tourists from all over the world. I understand very little as I am a typical American – pitiful with second languages. I cling to the words of my 5th grade Spanish teacher telling my mother, “She has a Spanish speech impediment. Don’t push it!” Obviously, not my fault.
First problem, we have too much luggage. Eight, count ‘em EIGHT bags full. It is ridiculous. I think my husband has a dismantled mountain bike in his 4th bag. With tools. And more gear. Every time I ask, he replies vaguely, “Nothing to see here,” and distracts me with, “Let me carry that bag too.” I happily hand my 4th bag over and have nicknamed him, “my favorite sherpa.”
We leave the airport and are off to the 25hours Hotel Copenhagen Indre By. A long name for a very, hipster spot. Love it. We have entered my Scandinavian boho dream. Our senses are dazzled by brilliant tiles, vibrate tapestries, inviting seats at the bar with Apersol Spritz and plush furnishings. The lobby has not only a bar but a record room, a relaxing fireplace room with an adjoining meeting room and then another reception area.
Our rooms are not ready, so we hand over our 8 bags full. The staff can’t hide their dismay and we apologize for the ridiculous amount of luggage. We give halting explanations of “we are traveling for a long time…” We hang our heads and quickly shuffle out the doors to hit our first cobble stoned adventure. Lunch.
Oh, yummy, yummy, yummy! We find lovely seats at an outdoor cafe. The sun is beaming her approval and the first Apersol Spritz is in hand. We look around to notice bikes. Bike parking. Zooming lanes of bikers of all ages. Kenny is pleased. Like a cheshire cat. “See, I need that stuff,” he grins happily.
After lunch we wander through the Botanical Gardens and decide this is the best plot we’ve ever had. Rejoice!
Gratefully the clock ticks time for check-in. Back to the hotel. Hand over credit cards. Gather our ridiculous luggage and shlep off to the lift. 2nd floor. This can’t be tough.
We get lost in a maze of meandering hallways. Oh, is that another set of hidden stairs too? 2 different sets. We are panting and sweaty by time we locate our rooms. We climb the final 6 steps to our own boho sleeping quarters. We are thrilled. So playful. Naughty in the best sense. Tiles delight again. And best of all, a king size cloud for a bed.
Our luggage explodes in the corners. Showers for all and we fall into the cloud to sleep until morning. Day one is in the books!
Project Empty Nest 