Frikadeller

Note: This happened over Thanksgiving break so a tad bit out of order.. oops! 

I have to admit, I was a bit nervous to meet my Danish family I was not aware existed. I knew I had met some of them when I was all of four-years old, but I was not under the impression that I had so many relatives over there. I went over there with no expectations and no plans except wanting to see Tivoli. Good thing, because they sure did have the schedule for me! That’s probably where I get my passion for planning. The first night I was to stay with Bente and her family, where she had prepared me a Danish feast since it was American Thanksgiving. Traditional cuisine from Copenhagen that consisted of frigadella, wine, potato salad, wine, shrimp cocktail, more wine, and chocolate! I was so full- which apparently you can’t say in that context because in Danish it refers to your level of sobriety. Yeah, I probably wouldn’t be telling my family I have met for the first time that I was really drunk, even if I was a little tipsy at the time. I slept in the next morning (did I mention in the most comfortable bed I have laid my head in-probably the best night sleep I have to have while abroad) and we then headed up the coast to the Louisiana Museum.  Modern art looks like a completely different species after living in Florence with art from the Renaissance. After an afternoon nap in the bed of my dreams, Nickolas was to pick me up for dinner at his family’s home. Nickolas is one of my cousins. Just turned 21 so we are very close in age. After another traditional Danish meal and mingling with foreign family, Nickolas and I headed out to his apartment downtown. He was going to show me how the Danish do it.  We ended up taking a tour of the city so he and his friend could show me where the real nightlife took place. Below freezing later, I had surrendered to the cold and went back to Nickolas’ apartment. Brunch was at 11 and then his dad, Kim, was to pick me up so we could go to Tivoli. Brunch is really big in Copenhagen. I really am Danish since breakfast food is my absolute favorite- not to forget those delish pastries that melt in your mouth. It was at that moment that I decided it was going to be a day of sweets. Kim and I had stopped in Tivoli for some Danish pastries (apple balls?) where Lis and Maria met up with us. Lis is Kim’s sister, who is also Bente’s sister. I was able to get my own time with all 3 of the families! Maria and Christopher were great. After more candy and hot chocolate, we finished our afternoon with cappuccino and yet more Danish cakes! I was in heaven. But my stomach was not too keen on all the sugar. I hate when my eyes and stomach don’t agree. But I continued since I knew Bente’s husband, Pier, was preparing plates of steak for us to devour when we returned. Little did I know that Bente had picked up possibly the richest cake I have ever tasted for dessert. Oh well, gotta live it up while in Denmark!