Applying and receiving an Erasmus scholarship in Denmark at 19 years old I actually received wings. 10 years feels like a lifetime and is beautiful to look back where it all started. Those months have been some of my favorite.

End of August 2009 (while in Constanța)

Back in 2009, I never imagined that Copenhagen would be the 3rd capital I visit, after Bucharest and Athens, but life rarely happens as we imagine.

To start, two of my first travel photography attempts years ago in Denmark, the country where I had my Erasmus scholarship. In Odense and since then, I discovered and admired the Scandinavian culture, dreamed of Danish designs, and understood the concept of “hygge” (tranquility and comfort offered by small moments or things).

As I read thoughts from my old journal, I noticed I was writing often that Denmark is clean, green and quiet. Impossible not to notice and admire the Danish aesthetic. When I began studying in Odense, hometown of Hans Christian Andersen, I was having always the impression I am living in a dream, being very thankful and present, back when mindfulness was not a popular concept.

While in Copenhagen (September 2019)

From a little fishing village to an elegant Royal capital. My overall perception is that if Copenhagen were a person, it would be a confident cool woman, dressed as a Santorialist street style model. Basically my friend that I visited, Elina.

The plan for a Saturday

• Danish bakery. For Cinnamon rolls, or cardamon ones. Maybe even at “Juno the bakery”, opened by a former Noma pastry chef. Stop also on the way for smørrebrød (Danish open sandwiches)

• Walk from Østerport to see the classics: Little Mermaid and Kastellet, Royal Amalienborg Palace, the Old city, Marble church and the beautiful Opera House. Copenhagen is such a walkable city

• Maybe see Noma from the outside :). Former location and the new one. Location below

• Ferry trip to Refshaleøen island, an old industrial area, a different face of Scandinavia, more rough and rustic. Elina took me for lunch at “La Banchina”, a place with great food. We we had fish with pumpkin purée at a table outside, looking at people jumping in the water in that cold, in a sunny September day. Fyi, the new Noma location is in this area. Done 🙂

• Coffee break at 108. Souvenirs shopping and picture moment in the old harbor, Nyhavn, with colored townhouses.

• Stroll on Stroget for high/end fashion and Danish design shops. And a rooftop view from Ilum.

• To call it a day, dinner at Llama restaurant. Latin America inspired food, with Scandinavian design, that won an Interior Design award. I am still thinking at that “fish tacos” and “lime halibut ceviche”. Fish was a theme this trip. Address: Lille Kongensgade 141074 København

Back in Berlin

I thought it will be a very emotional weekend. In the end it was not as I imagined. Still, Kastrup Airport is the airport I arrived after my first flight in 2009. And that Friday night, 10 years later, in the airport and in the center of Copenhagen I was looking around me and feeling very lucky.

We are all the people we met. All the meaningful conversations we had. And all the places we’ve been. And I am so glad that after all these years traveling, I still get to feel the same happy emotion when I arrive in a new place or revisiting an old good friend.

Maybe I was just under the influence of Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard.

Life must be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.