I am in Copenhagen for a work conference. Travelling is one of those things that is most disruptive to my routines. And yet there is something about some types of travel that I love. Something that sometimes compensates for all the trouble. I suppose there is a sense of experiencing another world, another life, another way of being, an-other whom I would never ordinarily meet...

One of the things I have found very striking—and perhaps need to find out why it is so—is people in Copenhagen speak English almost as if it’s a first language. For a traveller that makes many things pretty simple.

Some moments...

I asked the coordinator person at the airport train station which station might be close to such and such hotel. He says, "I stay at home, not at a hotel, I will need to check on the phone." He was quite matter of fact and not rude. I found his answer quite dry and funny actually (though unlike a British person who might have been deliberately doing dry humour, his face suggested he was just stating facts... hehe)

I pressed a button to a level on the lift to get a change of train. I had my suitcase with me and was on my way to my hotel. As I started moving out of the lift, one lady called after me that this wasn't the street level. I told her I had to get another train. I thought that was nice of her to go out of her way to stop me from getting off at the wrong floor?!

I was getting myself some lunch at the conference centre. The young person at the counter asked me if I wanted the Danish cake. I was eyeing it quite a bit because it was unusual­—brown, round shaped, rolled in sesame type sprinkles. She said it had rum. I decided not to go for it. I went for the large cookie instead. She wrapped it in a small paper cover. The cover looked thin. I asked if I could get another cover (just in case I needed to put it in my bag). She said you'll have to pay for it. Then suddenly said she was joking... took me by surprise!

Another one in a bakery (yes, I have been walking into any and every bakery I can lay my eyes on ;)). I saw very very huge bees circling some of the Danish pastries in this shop. I couldn't help point out to the person at the counter. She said honeybees are common over here. Then she said I shouldn't worry as she was giving me the croissant from a covered area behind the counter. I was still a little confused by the bee image ;)

The cardamom croissant I got had a subtle bitter aftertaste. I also had a mandarin flavoured ice cream which turned out to be bitter. I chose the flavour because I expected tangy sour stuff. I wasn't told it would be bitter. Who expects any ice cream flavour to be bitter?! :( Kind of made me think of how different cultures have their own unique flavour profile...