Hi everyone.

It’s been about a month since updating you all about what I’ve been up to. Since my travel break adventures, I’ve been dealing with lots of school work and fun here in Copenhagen!

My parents were able to visit me here the week leading up to Thanksgiving, and it was so refreshing to be able to hug them and talk in person. It felt so strange showing them around the city because to me it was just home, but I loved how enthusiastic they were and I was so proud of my beautiful Copenhagen 🙂 I was able to eat at some amazing restaurants and do some cool things I had never done before like eat at the top of the Christansborg Palace Tower and explore the pop-up Christmas markets which were adorable. My favorite thing we did was stumble upon Copenhagen’s oldest bar and enjoyed Jul Tuborg (Christmas beer) and hot glasses of Gløgg (mulled wine). Mom swears it was the best-mulled wine she’s ever had and we simply sat there, safe from the cold, talking about what I’ve learned from living here and much more. We also visited Tivoli, the world’s second oldest amusement park. It was adorable, but the rides were no joke. My dad and I mustered the courage to ride one that sent us swinging high into the air. It felt as though if something were to have broken, we would have been flung all the way to Sweden. Dad still talks about how scary it was. It was also nice that they were able to bring my friends and I some comforts from home. By comforts, I really mean lots and lots of snacks since we’re home-hungry.

They came while I still had school so I was busy studying for finals and rounding off some work before we three left to go to London on a Tuesday night. I was soooooo happy to be going back! It had only been 2 weeks since I was last there, but I couldn’t wait to go back. Going with parents and going with friends are two completely different experiences. My parents and I toured the Tower of London, went on the London Eye, ate the most amazing Indian food at Dishoom, went shopping at Harrods and Selfridges, completed the touristy check offs like Buckingham Palace, explored the V&A museum, had a Thanksgiving meal, and my personal favorite, toured the Harry Potter Studios! The Harry Potter nerd I have always been was over the moon. I really am not sure if I could get tired of London; there was still much more I wanted to do!

It brought me so much joy to experience London with my Mom who has always wanted to visit and is the biggest Anglophile I know; she was like a kid in a candy shop at the Tower of London. I wouldn’t be surprised if she could have given a tour of it herself.

It was sad to see my parents leave and get back to the reality of school. But just a week after I was on my way to Berlin with some girlfriends for a fun 19th birthday weekend!

Berlin was super cool! The vibe was very distinct — I had no idea how large the city actually was, but my friends and I were able to successfully navigate the transportation system with little difficulty. My favorite things we experienced we walking along the East Side Gallery, walking through the giant Christmas markets, and eating delicious cheese-spatzle at a cozy restaurant. The most exciting though was flying home at 7:30 Monday morning to make it back to Copenhagen for a 10:00 AM class. No worries as I made it back with plenty of time to spare. Though we only get a weekend,  it still feels like a good amount of time to see the city and take the time to relax.

In less than a week, I will be back in the USA to spend Christmas with my family which I have a whole newfound appreciation for. I’m making a promise with myself to enjoy  and be present in every moment with them since being away taught me to cherish the small things.

Until then, I’m studying for finals as I have finished all of my classes! First college semester flew by, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the time spent here. I have learned so much academically and just simply about the world around me. I hope to make a post as a wrap up of my thoughts about these past few months at a later time. Until then.

Vi ses (see you),

Chrisann