Copenhagen shortly (Republished pictures from 2014)

I try to get away abroad three times a year, in spring, summer, and fall. It was usually for at least a week, but last year I was significantly limited in the vacation time I could take, as is often the case with employees. This year, for my summer trip, I chose to visit the Danish capital, Copenhagen. When visiting a city for the first time, I usually have a vague idea of where things are and how long I will need – and typically end up with much more time than I need. It is only on subsequent visits to the city, when I already have a realistic idea of where, what, and how, and the town is no longer just a few colourful spots on the map for me, that I need a lot of time. This was my first time in Copenhagen.

The most universal point in Copenhagen for me was the café The Coffee Collective at Torvehallerne market, where I went almost every day, either for coffee or for lunch bought at the market.

Of course, there is no point in listing all the sights I visited, as photos say much more than a dry list. However, some are worth mentioning, such as the Royal Danish Naval Academy, which has many beautiful exhibits (from wooden ships to modern tin cans, and there is even a submarine pulled ashore). Or the castle stables, where they have a friendly group of monumental Czech Kladrubers.

Despite what has already been written about Christiania, it deserves a separate paragraph, for which I hope no one will burn me at the stake… Christiania used to be a military base that was annexed by a large group of hippies in the 1970s, who began transforming the abandoned complex for their own use. Today, several hundred of them live here and, surprisingly, in addition to paying taxes to the state, they also pay taxes (although they don’t call them that) to the local Christiania budget – one would not expect them to pay any taxes, but the opposite is true. The same applies to laws. They consider marijuana a legal drug, but otherwise they obey all Danish laws and have several others, the violation of which can result in lifelong expulsion from the colony. It is an interesting place where everyone seems to know everyone else and where you can eat quite reasonably. Taking photos is a bit of a problem, though. For example, no local seller wants to be photographed while selling marijuana—there are places where they are susceptible to cameras. And it is in those places that I saw the most beautiful examples of street art in Copenhagen.

The highlight of the whole trip was a visit to Kadeau, a peaceful Nordic restaurant. Admittedly, it’s not just a little bit (but a lot) expensive for the Czech budget, but if you don’t just see it as a meal, but as inspiration for your own kitchen or a cooking class, then it’s definitely money well spent. Several appetisers accompanied by a bottle of champagne, a four-course dinner, wine paired with each course… and the presentation. First, you feast your eyes, then discover that it not only looks fantastic but tastes just as fantastic. Food allergies or other restrictions? No problem, just mention them in the reservation form on the website.

When I go to Copenhagen next time, which will be in February for Knudepunkt, I will definitely try something else from the new Scandinavian cuisine.

Despite having arranged accommodation in advance with one of the Danish LARPers, it turned out this would be a problem – my back decided it needed a proper bed, not just a sleeping bag. In the end, however, everything worked out, and in addition to the situation calming down, I also made some new contacts in Copenhagen.