As I am sitting in the lobby of my hostel in London, I cannot help but miss the beauty and adventures of Copenhagen. (Don’t get me wrong.. I am very excited for my upcoming travels, too.)

Copenhagen has a certain, well, “hygge” to it. “Hygge” is a Danish word, with no direct english translation. It was explained to me as being a feeling, a feeling in which you experience comfort, warmth, and a family-like sensation while in the company of others. And Copenhagen felt just like that.

It will be hard to summarize exactly everything that went on during the time I spent in Copenhagen. I was moving non-stop. Let’s see how well I do!

I arrived at my hostel after taking the train into the city from the airport. It was relatively quick and convenient – right into the city center. (Oh and cheap too!) I walked with my luggage (those 30lbs were starting to feel heavy) through town with the limited map I had printed out online. In reality, it was more like walking blind – I had assumed all the streets would be reasonably labeled, and of course found none… even when I did, the Danish words were horribly confusing. At one point I was attempting to just match letters on my map to what was on a building wall. I was about to hail a taxi and admit defeat, but was pleasantly surprised when I looked up – I was right in front of my hostel.

As soon as I had finished checking in, their system crashed and my key was unable to open my shared room (4 bed mixed dorm). So I tossed my luggage into storage and walked through the city! First thing I noticed, as anyone would naturally, was the amount of bikes. Bikes everywhere! You are more likely to get hit by a biker when crossing the street than a car. (They also do not lock them to anything and only use a small rear wheel lock to ensure no one could ride away with your bike). Luckily when I returned I was able to check in. Due to my long flights and sleeping 4 hours at most, I retired to bed.

The following morning, I awoke feeling refreshed- my little twin bunk bed in my dorm was worlds better than sleeping on an overly packed airplane from Dallas. I skipped the breakfast offered at my hostel (plus it was 65 dkk, which is roughly 13 USD) and decided to find a local cozy spot in town. I didn’t have to go far. Around the corner from my hostel is the oldest street in Copenhagen – the Mastraede. Along this street was a quaint little coffee shop that reminded me of being home in my own living room. It was farm house inspired and had a green table which was chipping paint – similar to my own coffee table. Each table was adorned with fresh flowers and newly lit candles that flickered in the soft morning light. Although I was alone, it was very hygge.

The once empty coffee shop was soon bustling with activity, as was Mastraede. I soaked it all in, enjoyed ever last bite of my flakey croissant and each remaining sip of my coffee. By 11, I was back at the hostel and awaiting the start of the free walking tour. (If you are traveling, alone or with anyone for that matter- I would highly recommend the walking tours! They are especially great when you have nothing else planned and want to learn the history of the city you are in.) It may come as a surprise to some, but I have to say it – pharmacy is a small world. And as such, I met a fellow pharmacy student who was setting out to partake in the same APhA Student Exchange program! We were both traveling prior to setting out to our final destinations and just happened to be in the same city and staying at the same hostel. But I digress.. enough pharmacy talk for the moment!

The tour was fabulous – we saw all the major sites – Town Hall on Raadhuspladsen, Strøget (a large pedestrian street filled with shopping and restaurants), Amalienborg Palace where we witnessed the changing of the guards, Nyhavn (my favorite and probably most photographed place of Copenhagen), canals, cathedrals, museums, and heard tales of vikings, fires and politics of the city. Our tour guide, Ben, (captured in some pictures below) was wildly enthusiastic and entertaining. It was the best way to spend the morning/early afternoon. Post walking tour a handful of us went to enjoy some Danish ice cream and a glimpse at the infamous “Little Mermaid.”

Town Hall

The controversial fountain (notice the water emerging from the woman’s breast, and the child urinating… oh and our tour guide, Ben)

Me in front of Christianborg Palace.

The Nyhavn area – so beautiful!

Changing of the guards at Amalienborg Palace

The Little Mermaid

The evening involved a trip to Christiania. Christiania is an interesting place. They do not believe that they are a part of Copenhagen, nor Denmark. They ask that you do not take photographs in their “green district” due to their selling marijuana and apparently all of Copenhagen just turns a blind eye. It reminded me of a mix of Boulder (if all hell broke loose and it turned into a crazy commune of the hippie-est of all hippies) and a lot dirtier.

Entrance to Christiania.

Own a share of Christiania!

Rest did not come until 3 am after my first full day in Copenhagen. It was such a fantastic day and I met such lovely people. Hostel travel when alone is like moving into the dorms for the first time as a freshman – you are nervous but everything is exciting, everyone is interesting, you all make plans to hang out constantly, take group trips to the grocery store and have new experiences with each other. It is actually an interesting way to travel, one in which I am grateful for. I would highly recommend everyone to take a step out of their comfort zone and try it out!

Until part two, as the Danes would say – “Skål!”