Family Affair

Living with a host family is a weird experience. Kerplunk - now you are in someone else's world. And I'm operating in a bit of a vacuum - what happens in Copenhagen stays in Copenhagen - but for them, this is their reality and everything that happens over the four months we're living together will actually have a consequence. Somedays I feel really out of place here. I don't know what to do with myself and worry that I am intruding on something or messing everything up.

Today was not one of those days.

This afternoon, we went to Amager Strandpark, a boardwalk near Copenhagen. Jonathan and Tobias took their scooters and Jacob his rollerblades. Lots of people were strolling along the promenade, flying kites or watching the windmills churn double time because of the brisk gusts. One crazy soul was even going for a swim! We got ice cream and enjoyed each other's company and the pleasant (if windy) outdoors. A very nice afternoon.



Later, I came into the house to get some water (remember, my room is a detached annex) and saw the four of them on the couch, watching TV by candlelight. Jacob had just made cinnamon buns, and he gave me two on a plastic Pikachu plate. Trine loosely translated the serial for me during lulls in the action, and Tobias annoyed everyone by quacking his duck whistle whenever something exciting happened. I really felt at home, then. So this is Danish hygge... I like it.