I am very behind in my posts, not only of happenings here in Denmark, but of the adventures I had while in the US this summer. I do intend to catch up but for now will start with September 5th, a day that was to be spent with my friend, Micki in the city taking pictures of "city life". Our goal was getting out and exploring while capturing interesting things, digitally.
As I neared the train station on my way to meet Micki in Nørreport, I noticed that the city buses were flying their flags.. Here in Denmark, whenever there is a royal birthday, anniversary of a historical battle or the date of liberation, they attach 2 Danish flags to the front of the city buses. I didn't know what was being celebrated but quickly learned that it was Flag Day.
When Micki and I met up, we noticed large groups of people and families were gathering in the streets. We learned that there would be a parade to commemorate the servicemen and women of Denmark who have been and still are deployed on missions. While Flag Day has been in place for many years, celebrating the deployed and returning military has only been happening since 2009.
Civilians lined the streets while others weaved through the crowds distributing paper Danish flags for waving. The parade would begin on the famous street of Strøget (Copenhagen's pedestrian shopping zone - and it's Europe's longest shopping street). and end at Christiansborg Palace Square. We took our place with our flags and joined in the celebration. There were more than 600 military returning to Denmark. They had been in Afghanistan helping the British and US troops.
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| The beginning of the parade |
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| Led by the military band |
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| I learned that these are Denmark's summer Army uniforms |
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| While their caps are green, they are not Green Berets |
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| Confetti was flying |
The parade ended with gun fire salutes over the city hall. The service men and women went their own ways, some with family, some to get lunch and others headed for the nearest pub. We decided to go to the pub as well. There was a beer that Micki wanted me to try, so we both enjoyed a Hoegaarden . It is a lovely Belgian beer, very delicious, now one of my favorites! We talked to the soldiers and welcomed them home. They were so friendly and when they found out we were American, they couldn't wait to tell us of the US comrades they served with and the friendships they made. They were such nice guys.
After our beer, we ventured on to the Copenhagen Botanical Gardens in the heart of the city. It is particularly known for its extensive complex of historical greenhouses, 27 of them, dating from 1874. The most notable is the Palm House. It is 16 metres tall at the center and has a narrow, cast-iron spiral stair case leading to a walkway at the top. Plants include a palm from 1824 and a fine collection of tropical plants, some of which are more than 100 years old.
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| HUMID!! Whew...hot! |
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| So lush, green and... |
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| A really cool staircase leads to the cat walk above |
We took our time and ventured through each green house admiring the different and beautiful plants. In one house there were orchids and begonias, another housed the cactus and one of my favorites were the pond and water plants. In this house, we found butterflies and tiny frogs chirping and singing.
Right outside the greenhouses are rock gardens with plants from mountainous areas in Central and Southern Europe and Conifer Hill which is planted with coniferous trees. There are trails that circle a large pond where waterlilies abound and where you will see statues of Greek Gods. It was truly a lovely and peaceful place, a gem in the heart of the city!
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| My buddy, Micki |
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| Love the rock gardens and water features |
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| Artemis |
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| The Discus Thrower |
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| Vine covered walkways...smell so good! |
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| The Sandal Tier |
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Athena and Myron
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Micki and I weren't sure but we swear that Athena is giving Myron a "thumbs up" while she is admiring his "manhood"...can't help but wonder about this statue!! LOL Anywho...
This is a beautiful & peaceful place in the middle of a busy city and we give it 2 thumbs up!!
