Efterårsferie (Fall Break)

  I started off my fall break by taking a train from Odense to Copenhagen to meet with my cousin Sadia and her husband. Recently Sadia and Keith have been living abroad and are currently living in London so I haven't seen them very often recently! Since London is closer to Denmark than Texas is, they figured they would come see me while they were nearby. We met at the train station and then headed to Tivoli Gardens, which is a 169 years old amusement park. We spent the day riding rides and catching up on everything that's happened. For dinner, Sadia and I decided to take the bus from our hotel to Nyhavn. We ate at a really nice Italian restaurant and then walked along the harbor. The next morning, Sadia had a bike tour around Copenhagen planned for the three of us. Since it was raining and we had no rain clothes, we decided we would do a Segway tour instead. We rode around downtown Copenhagen looking pretty lame, but it was a ton of fun! We spent the rest of the rainy day in museums until we met Nathalie (our old exchange student) for dinner. We ate right by the metro station and then all took the metro to the train station. After spending an amazing weekend with Sadia and Keith, they headed back to London and I headed to Dragør to stay with Nathalie. It's funny how no matter how long ago it was that Nathalie lived with us, we always feel as if it was just yesterday! We spent the night catching up and watching movies while eating american candy. (Just like old times) Nathalie's mom mad an amazing brunch the next morning with bacon and pancakes! Nat, Andreas (Nat's brother), and I then took the metro into Copenhagen for lunch and shopping. Copenhagen is such a nice city and it was fun just hanging out with each other. Nat's family took me out to a nice restaurant for dinner in the city before we headed back to their house. Nat and I made cookies and then spent the rest of the night watching scary movies with Andreas. It was such an amazing time getting to see them once again.

  I took the train back to Odense the next day where I was picked up by my host grandparents. The next morning my host family and I headed out to the west coast of Denmark to a town called Søndervig. On the way there, we stopped at the famous Lego Land in Billund. The few times I had gone to Denmark before, I always asked my dad if we could go to Lego Land and his response was always, "If we're going to Denmark we're going to see castles and history." Well thanks to my host family, I finally got to go to Lego Land. It was very fascinating seeing what could be made out of only legos. In the center of the park, there was a whole mini world with many famous landmarks built out of Legos. We spent the whole day at Lego Land and then drove to the condos they rented for the rest of the break. I find it very funny how a car ride to get to the very west coast of Denmark from Odense is considered a "long" drive, yet it is only a two hour drive! In Texas, you wouldn't be in Austin from Sugar Land! When we first arrived in the city that we were going to be staying at, I noticed that just last summer I was in the exact same city having ice cream with my dads old host family! We spent the rest of our days going to the indoor swimming pool and walking around the cities along the coast. It was a very nice vacation! 

  As for today, I'm back in school! Since they don't have thanksgiving break here, our next holiday is Christmas break!!! Hope everyone back home is doing great! Miss y'all! Here are some pictures from the week. :)

Tivoli Gardens

Tivoli with cousin Sadia and her husband Keith

Copenhagen with Nat

Nat's brother Andreas

NASA built out of legos

Replica of Nyhavn built out of Legos

Castle built out of Legos

The Capital Building built out of Legos

West Coast of Denmark

On top of the bunker

Bunkers on the beach

Sand sculpture display 

Week 9/10 Update

  On Friday we had our second school party! School parties again are soooo different than school parties back home. First of all the teachers are serving alcohol to the students. Second of all drinking is completely acceptable and holds a big part of the party's environment. Because drinking is acceptable it seems that not too many people take advantage over it and go crazy like I believe many americans would do if given the chance. Everyone was dancing and talking and just having a great time! Because no one gets to the party until later, my class decided to have a pre party before. We all went to one of the guys class before the party and then took the bus to the school. The party didn't end until 2 AM so I was home around 2:30.

Some of the kids from my class waiting at the bus stop

Mia and Emil from my class

Mia, Julius, and I waiting for the bus

  I'm proud to say that I bought my first real winter jacket!! Living in Texas means your winter jacket it is basically just a thick sweater, but over here it basically means wearing a huge comforter around! Because I'm not used to being cold, it was really important for me to find a super warm winter jacket! Lately the weather has been pretty warm compared to usually, but it is about to get very cold within the next month. 

I just had to take a picture:) 

  On Sunday my family took me to Egeskov Castle which was 25 minutes away. It's over 450 years old and is famous for being the best preserved moat castle. The castle is surrounded by water and is actually built on top of oak pilings. Because of this, the lake surrounding the castle must always have the perfect enough of water in order for the castle to not collapse. Along with the castle, the park also has car and airplane museums, a treetop bridge path, and beautiful gardens. Here a lots of pictures. 

Photos from the outside of castle

Photos of gardens

Photos inside of castle

A child's dollhouse that her father spent 15 years building

The car museum

I found a Texas plate!

The treetop bridge path

This Friday we get out for our fall vacation! I will write again after the break to update everyone on what I did:) Miss y'all