To be completely honest, I never thought I would be writing anything with this title. Ever. I have found myself so frustrated with the USA in comparison to other countries for many years, particularly in attitudes and environmental efforts (or rather, lack thereof). However, in coming to Europe, I have begun to appreciate many aspects of the United States that I never realized were unique before.
Like talking to strangers. I love it. I will ride the city bus simply because I want to hear the life story of the person sitting next to me. If I'm standing in line next to someone, I'll strike up a conversation. I guess I never realized how culturally unique that is until I asked a gentleman how his day was going while we were waiting for the bathroom. He said it was going well, then informed me that he is from Denmark. Of course this was no shock considering we are in Denmark, so I kind of took it as a message that they don't do that here, and that I was an obvious foreigner for starting a conversation. After we left, my Finnish friend told me how surprised she was to see someone start a conversation with a stranger. Is it truly that odd? Everyone I asked from Europe and Asia also said it would be unusual in their homes countries; they would sit on a bus for 5 hours without saying a word to the person next to them. I love that in the USA I can talk to strangers on a daily basis without anyone thinking it's weird.
The other major thing that I've grown to really appreciate about the USA is our ability to choose what culture and climate we want to live in. If I want to live somewhere that is warm all year round, I can pack up my bags and move to Florida or Arizona, and it's not that big of a deal. If I lived in Denmark (just an example, but this can apply to any European country) and wanted to move somewhere warmer, like Spain for example, it would be an intense process; I would have to learn a new language, become accustomed to an entirely new culture and way of living, and go through a whole big process to become a citizen. I truly appreciate the freedom I have in that aspect of living in the USA.
The USA is made fun of a lot, and when I first arrived at this camp, I was honestly a bit embarrassed about it. Now, after seeing the differences, all embarrassment is gone. I wouldn't want to call anywhere else in the world my home.
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
A 3-year-old Dane
I cried today. I shut myself in my room and just let the tears fall. Why? Because I have an amazing friend whom I have grown to love with all my heart the last couple weeks. And I have to say goodbye to him tomorrow. Possibly forever.
The internet has connected our world so much that it's easy to say goodbye to adults, because it's not really goodbye; I'll see them on Facebook tomorrow. With kids, it's truly goodbye. Sure, I can see photos and videos of them as they grow up, and maybe even talk to them again someday. But there's no relationship in that. There's no play, no sand castles, no rolling each other around the yard. It's all distant.
Now I've befriended many a child in my time here on planet Earth, but there's something different about this little boy. I mean of course there are differences between every child, but the obvious thing here is that he speaks about the same amount of English as I speak of Danish. Which is practically none. And he is quite the talker! He talks and talks, sometimes about the most random things! (We were on a walk today and he informed us randomly that he doesn't like onions.) So here I am playing with him and he keeps talking and talking and I have absolutely no idea what he is saying to me. But somehow, we make it work. We read body language until we both know exactly what we are doing. And it's amazing.
We have played hide the Lego person (AKA throw it in the garden and make Katie walk barefoot all over the wood chips and pine needles until it is found, then repeat the process), drums, catch, roll the person, and so much more.
And what's funny is that he keeps talking to me, in Danish, even though he knows that I only speak English. He taught me a word today (kept repeating it until he was satisfied with my pronunciation, then informed his mom that he was teaching me), yet he still talks to me in Danish and assumes I'll understand.
I've grown to absolutely love hearing that little voice saying "Nej, Katie!" (Pronounced NYE, Cat-ee) even though it means I'm doing something wrong. I've tried countless times to get said phrase on video, but it never seems to happen when I expect.
To really emphasize my point, I've begun making exaggerated sound effects to go with my actions. Whenever I lift something heavy, I accompany it with a pained "oof," etc. When Bertil decided to roll me around in the grass, he accompanied each push with an oof. Not a pained oof, just saying the word, as if that's what is to be said whenever any type of heavy work is done. Cracks me up!!
Anyway, I just find it completely amazing that I became such good friends with this little boy with an entirely different culture and language. God is amazing at connecting the most unlikely of friends.
...please pray for me if you get the chance, as I predict more tears in the future of tomorrow.
Thanks for reading!
The internet has connected our world so much that it's easy to say goodbye to adults, because it's not really goodbye; I'll see them on Facebook tomorrow. With kids, it's truly goodbye. Sure, I can see photos and videos of them as they grow up, and maybe even talk to them again someday. But there's no relationship in that. There's no play, no sand castles, no rolling each other around the yard. It's all distant.
Now I've befriended many a child in my time here on planet Earth, but there's something different about this little boy. I mean of course there are differences between every child, but the obvious thing here is that he speaks about the same amount of English as I speak of Danish. Which is practically none. And he is quite the talker! He talks and talks, sometimes about the most random things! (We were on a walk today and he informed us randomly that he doesn't like onions.) So here I am playing with him and he keeps talking and talking and I have absolutely no idea what he is saying to me. But somehow, we make it work. We read body language until we both know exactly what we are doing. And it's amazing.
We have played hide the Lego person (AKA throw it in the garden and make Katie walk barefoot all over the wood chips and pine needles until it is found, then repeat the process), drums, catch, roll the person, and so much more.
And what's funny is that he keeps talking to me, in Danish, even though he knows that I only speak English. He taught me a word today (kept repeating it until he was satisfied with my pronunciation, then informed his mom that he was teaching me), yet he still talks to me in Danish and assumes I'll understand.
I've grown to absolutely love hearing that little voice saying "Nej, Katie!" (Pronounced NYE, Cat-ee) even though it means I'm doing something wrong. I've tried countless times to get said phrase on video, but it never seems to happen when I expect.
To really emphasize my point, I've begun making exaggerated sound effects to go with my actions. Whenever I lift something heavy, I accompany it with a pained "oof," etc. When Bertil decided to roll me around in the grass, he accompanied each push with an oof. Not a pained oof, just saying the word, as if that's what is to be said whenever any type of heavy work is done. Cracks me up!!
Anyway, I just find it completely amazing that I became such good friends with this little boy with an entirely different culture and language. God is amazing at connecting the most unlikely of friends.
...please pray for me if you get the chance, as I predict more tears in the future of tomorrow.
Thanks for reading!
Saturday, July 11, 2015
Dansk? English?
I made a list. I know 55 Danish words. Now envision a dictionary, envision a single page of a dictionary. 55 words is nothing, right?
Although 55 words is definitely better than nothing...
I guess I wasn't quite expecting there to be so much of a language barrier. 86% of the population of Denmark speaks English, so I figured I'd be fine. Granted, I haven't exactly run across many people who DON'T speak English, but EVERYTHING is in Danish! All the signs, all the newspapers, all the surrounding voices.
I feel like a small child at times. I can't just read the street sign; I have to ask someone what it says. The adults discuss what we are doing next, and I have absolutely no idea what they are saying, so I blindly follow until someone decides to clue me in on the plan.
I personally think this is awesome. Yes, there have been times when I've felt a little lost, a little lonely. But it is an incredible experience! How many times have I wished I was a kid again!? Well here I am!
Also, I finally found a practical use for all those times I pretend to be listening but am actually lost somewhere deep inside my head. At those times, I give a generic response based on the tone of what is being said. Here when I don't have the option to listen, the only thing I CAN do is exactly that. It's a skill that comes in rather handy indeed.
I figured since everyone here could speak English, they would. What I have discovered though is that although they can speak it, it's somewhat difficult, or rather it doesn't come as naturally or easily as Danish. I can definitely speak Pig Latin, but ask me to communicate using only that for a day and I think I would lose my mind. I think it's very similar for Danes with English.
'Miay oinggay otay rytay otay peaksay nlyoay igpay atinlay orfay neoay entencesay. Yep, already going crazy with this.
I took a minor survey of a few people to ask how they felt about speaking English to me. Some people were happy about it - they had been wanting someone to practice their English with. Others informed me that their head hurt from translating all their words to English in it.
I just find all of this, this experience and these discoveries, to be extremely interesting. I hope you do too!
Farvel/moin/hej hej!! (Yes, I know 3 ways to say goodbye. That has to count for something!)
Although 55 words is definitely better than nothing...
I guess I wasn't quite expecting there to be so much of a language barrier. 86% of the population of Denmark speaks English, so I figured I'd be fine. Granted, I haven't exactly run across many people who DON'T speak English, but EVERYTHING is in Danish! All the signs, all the newspapers, all the surrounding voices.
I feel like a small child at times. I can't just read the street sign; I have to ask someone what it says. The adults discuss what we are doing next, and I have absolutely no idea what they are saying, so I blindly follow until someone decides to clue me in on the plan.
I personally think this is awesome. Yes, there have been times when I've felt a little lost, a little lonely. But it is an incredible experience! How many times have I wished I was a kid again!? Well here I am!
Also, I finally found a practical use for all those times I pretend to be listening but am actually lost somewhere deep inside my head. At those times, I give a generic response based on the tone of what is being said. Here when I don't have the option to listen, the only thing I CAN do is exactly that. It's a skill that comes in rather handy indeed.
I figured since everyone here could speak English, they would. What I have discovered though is that although they can speak it, it's somewhat difficult, or rather it doesn't come as naturally or easily as Danish. I can definitely speak Pig Latin, but ask me to communicate using only that for a day and I think I would lose my mind. I think it's very similar for Danes with English.
'Miay oinggay otay rytay otay peaksay nlyoay igpay atinlay orfay neoay entencesay. Yep, already going crazy with this.
I took a minor survey of a few people to ask how they felt about speaking English to me. Some people were happy about it - they had been wanting someone to practice their English with. Others informed me that their head hurt from translating all their words to English in it.
I just find all of this, this experience and these discoveries, to be extremely interesting. I hope you do too!
Farvel/moin/hej hej!! (Yes, I know 3 ways to say goodbye. That has to count for something!)
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Cultural Differences
Life and culture in general are very similar between Denmark and the States. BUT, there are some very notable differences:
- Rings - I wear a ring on my right ring finger, simply because that's the only finger it fits on. Here in Denmark, a ring on the left ring finger means engaged, and on the right it means married. So I guess everyone who looks at me thinks I'm married...
- Cars - The majority of the cars on the road are station wagons. I find this kind of ironic, since I've often heard people get made fun of for having a station wagon in the States. I was told they are popular because cars are more expensive here but people still need lots of space, so the station wagon is a happy medium between space and decent pricing.
- Architecture - The architecture in general is amazing and very advanced here, but the roofs are the most different. Often, I could fool myself into thinking I'm in the USA still...but then I look at the roofs and realize I'm very much in Denmark.
- Meals - I've noticed the most drastic cultural differences at the dinner table. Meals are very slow, and when they are done everyone sits there for a very long time, even if not much can be found to talk about. I've been told that the average dinner at a restaurant is about 4 hours long! There are also differences in table manners. Everyone eats with their knife in one hand and fork in the other (there is no cutting eveything ahead of time and then setting the knife down). Napkins remain on the table except at a restaurant.
- Water - It costs money in restaurants. Only about 5 kroner, which is less than $1 USD, but still. And refills are not free.
- Time - Speaking of meals being slow, everything is actually rather slow! Not in a bad way, the Danes just like to take their time and avoid rushing, yet they are still prompt. One day we were going to be leaving the house at 11, so they said breakfast would be at 9. And they all get dressed and everything ahead of time. What!?? I would have called for breakfast at 10:45 ...and gotten out of my pajamas after.
- Toilet Paper - I mentioned in my last blog that the toilets are cool... did I mention that the toilet paper is cool too? Each square is 150% bigger than a square in the USA (yes, I did the math), and the roll is flushable!
- Bicycles - They're EVERYWHERE! Everyone watches out for them on the roads, there are bike lanes on almost every road, and there are so many bike trails I legitimately got lost on them!
- Random Trees - I keep being surprised by the random trees in the middle of the road. The cars have to go around them. They are either in the middle of the road for decoration, or on the sides bringing the road down to one lane and forcing the cars to slow down and be cautious of pedestrians and bicyclists.
- Traffic Circles - There are far more traffic circles here than intersections that look like this +. This was the most obvious difference that I could see flying in. Some of the traffic circles have 6 or more roads attached to them! And there is always something interesting in the middle of the circle.
- Stoplights - On the rare occasions when there is not a traffic circle, there is a stoplight. I have not seen a single stop sign. The stoplights flash yellow and red before turning green!
- Greetings - When walking down the street, people who pass each other do not acknowledge each other at all! Apparently, if a person says hi to someone they don't know on the street, they will seem creepy or weird. I'm going to seem super creepy and weird, because I can't seem to break myself of the habit!
- Hanging Out - I basically ask everyone I meet where they have traveled to and how they liked it. I was asking about the UK, and someone said they thought relationships weren't as personal there because no one ever invited friends to their house, they always go to a restaurant or something to meet friends. I said it is largely the same in the USA, because inviting people over involves cleaning the house, and it is far easier to just go out than it is to clean the house! They all laughed, but I don't think they had ever thought of that! Every house I've encountered here is spotless, so that's not an issue for them.
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
7 in 1
Here, I'll take a photo of the keyboard to show you!
I titled this blog "7 in 1" because I have 7+ blog entries I have wanted to write but have not found the time for. So, rather than do 7 different entries, I made the executive decision to write them all in one. I hope you enjoy!
A God's Eye View
I really enjoy flying because when I look out the window, I get a glimpse of what God sees. I see all the fields and the houses and the cities. I see the clouds and the cloud horizon line. I see the sun rise and set, and the moon out there. Quick sidenote: we were over the Atlantic ocean in the middle of the night, the most deserted and dark place to be, and I looked outside and saw the moon directly out my window. It followed us until the sun rose. I thought that was amazing.
...something white and fuzzy just walked by outside...what in the world?? Anyway, sorry. Distractions.
Back to what I was saying, I look out the airplane window and I feel like I can see life. I can see everything from a totally different perspective. Even flying into Detroit gives me a new perspective on my own life and how it compares to the lives of others elsewhere.
Brandon Heath must have felt the same way when he wrote the song "Give Me Your Eyes," (at least I assume he wrote it...) because it begins by talking about looking out the airplane window and then the rest of the song is about seeing through God's eyes. If you don't know this amazing song, I recommend looking it up! One of my favorites...and one of the 4 I can play on guitar!
Love at First Flyover
This is kind of awkward, because this title actually refers to the Netherlands. When we were nearing Amsterdam, the pilot informed us that the runway was busy and we had to do some circles, so I got to see a lot! The first thing I saw was a giant wind farm with 43 windmills. I thought it was super cool...and then I saw the ship right next to it. Apparently, some people were so against the windfarm messing up their good views that they decided on a compromise to put the windmills in the ocean. What even!
The fields were all in super interesting shapes, and the cows had an abundance of space to roam in! There was a train and oh so many bicyclists! I have never seen bicyclists biking on a bike path on the side of the highway next to an airport in the USA.
I can't even explain all that I saw, but I found everything unique and in a way that was incredible. Definitely on my list to return to.
I unfortunately didn't have time to explore any further, as my first flight was 30 minutes delayed, so upon exiting my plane I had 25 minutes to get through customs and to the opposite side of the airport in time to board my next flight. And despite all the broken escalators up which I had to carry my freakishly heavy carry-on suitcase, I MADE IT!!
The USA Outside USA Borders
I continue to be impressed by how much things inside the USA are known outside the USA. In Mexico, there were so many things around that I had thought were distinct to the USA, I can't even remember all of them. Here, the amazement continued. A Dutch guy, about my age, sat next to me on the flight from Holland to Denmark. At one point, he quoted Eddie Murphy and proceeded to explain the entire plot of the movie to me. He next brought up Conan O'Brien and said he watches it everyday. What!?? I had no idea anyone outside the USA watched those things.
By the way, this guy was fluent in English and heading to Denmark to visit his girlfriend. I asked two questions: How did you learn English, and how did you meet your girlfriend if she lives in a totally different country?? The answer to both was video games. Kind of cool how video games are connecting our world.
When I arrived in Denmark, I was informed that the majority of the movies they watch are from the USA with Danish subtitles. I never thought about movies in other languages! I never realized how narcissistic I was until I began to travel and see that everything I thought was distinctly American is indeed not.
Not Spanish
I never thought coming to Denmark would improve my Spanish, but I guess life is full of surprises. The grandson of my host family, Bertil, is three. He knows zero English. I know approximately 5 words of Danish. For some reason, I have it in my head that anyone who doesn't speak English must speak Spanish, so I kept talking to him in Spanish accidentally.
Even the Toilets are Cool
They really are. They've got this button on the wall where you can choose how big the thing you just deposited in it was, and it will use the appropriate amount of water for the job. The water shoots from the sides in a big spiral so quickly!! I'm totally going to take a video one day. It's THAT cool.
The showers are cool as well, so cool in fact that I had no idea how to use it. It was getting dark and I couldn't read what the labels said, so I decided to turn on the light ...I couldn't figure out how to work the lights either.
Most Epic Playground...Since Ever
IT WAS AMAZING!!!! There were these giant tubes all over that I only got stuck in a little... and there were awesomely creative swings, a mini rock wall, and thsee little pathways that would be perfect for the ultimate round of fox and goose!! ...I may have gotten lost in the pathways...
I have to admit, this spell check thing is really making me question some of my spellings!
I somehow managed to accidentally delete this post before, only saving part of it. So it has been changed, involuntarily. Very sorry...
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