Flight to Denmark and First Day in Aarhus

I have arrived safe and sound in Aarhus, Denmark. The journey was amazingly smooth with only one flight being delayed (Copenhagen to Aarhus) by only 20 minutes.

For those of you who didn't know my flight itinerary, I flew from GSP (Greenville) to Washington/Dullus; from Dullus to Copenhagen; and from Copenhagen to Aarhus. I thank God that I was able to bring everything I intended to with me and didn't lose any luggage. My two check-ins were a few pounds overweight so I had to stuff my backpack (carry-on) with more weight. I would guess my backpack weighed at least 50 pounds (or felt like it!) by the time I added the extra weight.

My 50 pound carry-on

My 7 hour flight from Dullus to Copenhagen was the best of all three flights. Even though I flew with Continental Airlines, they must partner with Scandinavian Airlines because that's who's plane I flew on to get to Copenhagen. The airplane was the nicest plane I have ever been on. It had plenty of room and an individual touch screen monitor that allowed you to select from a variety of options (Movies, Music, Games, and Plane info). One of the coolest of these options was that you could watch the cameras that were attached to the front and bottom of the plane. It was so cool to watch them during take-off (and also look out the window to see the side view). I also watched two movies (Definitely Maybe and Northanger Abbey). I tried to sleep a few hours throughout the flight but kept waking up because I couldn't stay comfortable for very long. But I shouldn't complain because there wasn't anyone sitting next to me and I also had the window seat! The food was great on the flight too (they served lots of fresh bread/rolls) and were continually asking us if we wanted anything to drink. I would definitely recommend flying with Scandinavian Airlines from Dullus to Copenhagen. So, for those of you who are thinking of coming to visit me, try getting that flight!

My Sweet Touch Screen Monitor

I have been very impressed all day with how kind the Danish people are. When I was stowing away my 50+ pound backpack on my favorite flight, I couldn't lift it as high as I needed to. But immediately a Danish guy sitting in the next row from me offered to put it in the stow away cabin for me. And then he helped me get it down once we landed in Copenhagen too!

The second impressive act of kindness by a Dane was when I was on my last flight, Copenhagen to Aarhus. I was given the advice to ask someone on the plane if they were going to be taking the bus that shuttles people from the airport to Aarhus City. Then I could just follow them once we landed and got our bags. I asked the man next to me, Finn, if he was going to be taking the bus to Aarhus from the airport. He said he wasn't because he was going to take a taxi to Aarhus. He then asked me where it was that I needed to go from the airport. I told him that I needed to meet a friend at the main bus station in Aarhus. He said that the place where he was going was right next to the bus station and then offered to give me a ride. I replied by saying that I wanted to go the most affordable way and that I knew the bus was cheaper. As I was turning down his offer, he quickly interjected that his company was paying for the taxi so not to worry about the cost because it would be free for both of us. I then mentioned to him that I didn't think it would be possible to fit all of my luggage in a European taxi. He said not to worry about it and that it would fit. When we landed in Aarhus (the flight was only 25 minutes from Copenhagen,) I collected my bags while Finn summoned the taxi. Amazingly, there was a Volvo taxi that had a very large trunk that ended up storing my three big bags perfectly.

View from Copenhagen-Aarhus flight

The drive from the airport to Aarhus took about 45 minutes. Finn had the taxi driver drop me off first and they helped me unload my bags. I thanked him very much for his kindness and then headed to find my friend (the third impressively kind Dane).

Some of you may not know this story. Earlier this April, I was researching Denmark for a class project. Part of the project asked about the culture. I had heard about this website called myhappyplanet.com that connected people all around the world who wanted to learn about the other's culture, history, and language. I found several people on the website from Denmark. I met a girl called Johanne (pronounced yo-ann) on the website. We sent messages back and forth asking about each other's culture. Through our conversations, we found out that both of us were going to be studying at Aarhus School of Business this Fall semester. She got in contact with me over Facebook a week ago and asked when I was arriving. I told her that I was Arriving Friday morning. I also mentioned to her that I didn't know how to get from the airport to the school where I needed to pick up my apartment key. Johanne was the one who suggested I ask someone on the flight if they were going on the bus from the airport to Aarhus. She said that she would meet me at the main bus station and would help me get to the school office where I needed to pick up my room key.

I found her a few minutes after arriving in Aarhus and she was such a Godsend all day! I think today would have been extremely hard had it not been for Johanne and all her help. I would have had to spend a ton of time and energy finding the right bus to take me to the International Office. Instead, Johanne knew which bus to put me on and told the bus driver to let me off at the bus stop right in front of the International Office. She also lent me 20 danish krona (about $4) to ride the bus since I hadn't yet had time to exchange my money. Johanne rode her bike to the bus stop where I had been dropped off and she helped me pull my luggage into the International Office where I picked up my apartment key and housing information. There were Danish "tutors" (that's what they call them) who were waiting for all incoming exchange students to arrive at the International Office. They drove me to my apartment and gave me a quick tour of the facilities. Johanne rode her bike to my apartment since there wasn't enough room for her in the car (the reason for this was because we also had to drop off another exchange student to his apartment). I live about 2 miles away from the school and 3 miles from the city center.

I love where I live! I have my own room and bathroom and then I have a kitchen and living room down the hall that I share with everyone on my floor. I haven't met any of my neighbors yet, but I'll be sure to let you know when I do. There's also a laundry room, tanning bed, gym, and bar for the apartment complex. The International Office gave me a plastic card to swipe every time I clean laundry. They said that "laundry is on us, so wash away!" The tanning bed and gym aren't free though. And the bar is supposedly very popular on weekends.

This is my building (or "Blok" as it's called in Danish)

My room is on the second floor, 4th window to the right.

After the tutors left, Johanne and I walked down town to get supper (or so we thought). We passed by an electronics store and I asked if we could go in and buy an ethernet cable so that I could have Internet to email my family. I tried paying with my mastercard but the shop didn't accept it so Johanne also paid for that. As soon as we got back outside it started pouring rain. We both go completely soaked and ended up going to her apartment to dry off. She had to go to work in an hour so I chilled at her place for about 30 minutes before walking home (by then it was only drizzling outside).

It was about 6PM by the time I got back home (it took almost an hour to walk from her apartment in the city to mine). Hopefully, I'll find a bike soon so that I can have a faster means of transportation.

I unpacked when I got home and put the sheets on my bed. Unfortunately, the mattress is a weird size (maybe simply a european size) and only my top sheet and comforter fit. Thankfully, the International Office is taking us exchange students to IKEA next week so we can buy anything we need for our rooms. I probably will buy sheets there. After unpacking most of my things, I took a long shower and then ate some crackers and granola bars. And now I'm posting this blog.

My plan for tomorrow is to get some groceries and have real food to fix for meals. I love going to grocery stores in different countries and spending hours looking at their different products and packaging. I also plan on exploring more of Aarhus and just getting over jet lag. Hopefully, I won't have jet lag too bad because I plan on going to bed after I send this email and getting a full night's rest.

To Christ be the Glory,

~JMC~