This wed, I am heading to Belgium! Is it even possible to be this excited?? Imagine seeing your best friend after only having facebook as a means of communication for th past 9 months! I am on the verge of bursting with excitment, and even better I get to go and check out Belgium too!
Mannekin Piss Here I Come!
I guess I haven't been the best with Explaining about what life is like for me in Denmark, so i've decided to put up some pickys of things like food etc.. Hopefully its a little taste into what its really like here!
This danish dinner is probably the most typical. Itscalled Frikadelle (frag-a-della) and is pretty much meatballs. You have it most commonly with mashed tatties, beans or some brocolli and brown sauce (gravy).
For every dinner time, we eat as a family by setting things out on the table and its normally a smorgers board of food, so you just take what you want and then start eating! There aren't many dinner table rules, e.g you dont wait for everyone to sit down you just start and you dont have to ask permission to leave the table you just do. Also I'm not sure if you guys know this or not but there is no translation for please. The danes simply just dont use it. This took a little bit of getting used to especially when my 7 year old sister is wanting food she would simply say I'm hungry I want... or get me... And its not considered rude its just the way its done. Pretty crazy to get used to, but in my first host family, they told me I had really good etiqute and they were going to try and be more polite. It made me pretty proud that they wanted to learn more things etc, But they were already lovely!
People here are very upfront and dont often hold back from telling you things. If theres a problem or if somethings wrong or something bad / good is happening they will openly tell you about it. There isn't much secrecy which is nice!
Danes are also very very open to sex. Its a commnly disccused topic and its 'normal' for people to have boyfriends over to stay as young as 15. Its very accepted into society and normal. Also the drinking age is young. Boys and girls generally start at the age of 14 and go to parties with alcohol their parents have supplied for them. BEER is the biggest thing here. I remember a few weekends ago I went to a bar at around 3pm (not to drink just to meet some friends) and there were people already drunk and planning on doing body tequilla shots. CRAZY! And that is considered normal. They really know how to party the danes, being one of the countries with the highest alcohol consumption, they go all night! I remember my sister once went out at around 6pm and ws back at 10am the next morning. In saying this though, they (denmark) really do know how to look after their people. They have one of the highest tax rates, but therefore dont pay for school, university, hospital/doctors fees, If you become unemployed the government will give you money until you get a new job and as of 18 years the government will pay you a small salary for living at home. They really are well looked after and i'd say 99% of people have homes and schooling and jobs etc. So its an interesting country I do think. Its almost like putting black and white together and we'll they've I guess made grey and are happy with it. It really does work well for people here and everyone is well looked after. Their shit really is together and I think alot of contries can look at this and have a think and compare with some of their priorities. In saying all this though, you cant get a license until your 18, and alot of children have big responsibilites thrust apon them at a young age. Its all a matter of opinion, but statistically Denmark has it pretty sorted. ¨
Hope that one day you get to come and visit and let me in on your interpretations of it!
Hers some more danish things:
Hope this is a little interesting!
I'll take HEAPS of piccys of Belgium to fill you in on my crazy adventure there
Much love and peace to you all
H xx
