Venice of Scandinavia

“My life is a lovely story, happy and full of incident.”
Hans Christian Andersen

Well, I'm exhausted! But definitely in a very good way. We return home from our 40 hour cruise to Copenhagen this morning, which was absolutely brilliant!


Our ship left Saturday evening at 5 pm from the Oslo harbor. The Pearl of Scandinavia was an excellent size, big enough to be exciting, but not so big that directional challenged Nebraskans get lost. And now for an amazing segue: This is a menu at one of the restaurants on the ship:

That's right, Nebraska cows found their way to Scandinavia! Smart cows ; )


On the boat I danced and slept and ate much chocolate. We arrived in Copenhagen Sunday morning. My Rasmus had beseeched his good friend Vilfred -- who knows a great deal about history and such things -- to guide us around the historical places within walking distance. He proved an exceptional tour guide, weaving us past the Royal Danish Theater, the "New" harbor (which was actually constructed before the U.S. was the U.S.-- ca 1670), the library(!) and national archives, green houses, and Tivoli (an amusement park).

I know what your thinking: did Jenny get ice cream? Yes, in fact, I did. And it was de.licio.us! On the voyage back to Oslo, I spent many, many hours in the hot top on deck. It was chilly in the morning as we neared Oslo, but the view was gorgeous -- the sun shimmering off the indigo water and the fresh green pines forests covering the fjord.


In short, the trip was a success : ) and now I need to sleep!

Jeg savner deg!

So, while I'm sure anyone who actually read my blog previously has since 'jumped ship' for lack of activity, I thought I should probably attempt to, you know, actually keep up with this thing. I have about 50 pages to read for class, packing to do for a minicruise to Copenhagen tomorrow, and a room that resembles the back patio after one of those crazy Nebraska thunderstorms -- what better time to catch up on my blog, right? ; )

The gist of the last four weeks or so: busy, fun, a-mazing weather (though, it is admittedly dreary today, drat!), buying a plant, eating chocolate, visiting fortresses, oh, and going to class occasionally.

Last night was the autumnal equinox, and Oslo certainly celebrates it in style. Around 8 o'clock in the evening, masses of people headed down to the river. Candles lit either side of the walkway long the water. Spotlights of green, blue, purple, yellow cast a magical glow along the route and on the waterfalls. Bands played and choirs sang along the way. And to top it all off, there was a very light mist falling -- very mystical!

It was a gorgeous night to get out and enjoy both nature and the city, and celebrate one last time before night begins to overtake day.

Tomorrow, a group of us are traveling to Copenhagen on a mini-cruise. It's my first time on a real ship, and I'm extremely excited. Don't worry, Momma, I won't lean over the railing. It should be very fun, and we get to go to an amusement park, too! Woo!

I miss you all, and keep you in my heart!


~your rambling jennywren

"and in your heart I find one silver raindrop"

Look what I saw last night :) It's supposed to be a peacock, but it reminds me of a dandelion. I just wanted to blow on it and send its seeds soaring off to far off lands...preferably not to Mama's well-manicured lawn :p