Copenhagen: Not On The Mainland

Well, it turns out that the island Copenhagen is on is actually one of the most eastern islands that Denmark still has control of. The past few days were spent on a Short Study Tour of Western Denmark, which was both educational and fun (and on the mainland - Jutland). As part of the public health program, we visited a general practitioner, a regional administrator of the health care system, as well as an NGO that does work with sexual education. It was all very informative.

Perhaps more worthy of note was the town of Odense, located on the island between Copenhagen and Jutland, and the town where Hans Christian Anderson was born.

Parts of the town have been preserved since his era, and it was all very quaint and picturesque, and while I enjoyed walking around and visiting a museum with a photography exhibit on soccer in Africa, the best part was (of course) the baked goods. 

We consumed a pear tarte-like cake, which was (of course) delicious. What distinguished this tarte-like cake from other tartes and/or cakes I have had was the hint of almond. This has been a theme in other pastries I have experienced, which I wholeheartedly approve of.

We also visited Koldinghus, which is a castle that was built in 1268, burned down in 1808, and rebuilt in 1890. 

 The coolest thing about this castle is that instead of attempting to replicate what was once there, the new part of the castle compliments what remained after the fire. It was beautiful in a way that I never would have imagined possible.

The primary example of this was in the old chapel. Most of the original structure was still standing, but the lighting was clearly a new addition.

The castle is also a museum, and there was an excellent exhibit on the Beatles when we visited.

Koldinghus, as a very old castle, is located in a very old town of Kolding. As viewed from the window of the castle, on a typical day in Denmark.

And so, I found out that Copenhagen is, in fact, not a part of Western Denmark. And upon returning, I experienced the strange feeling that I was coming home to a city.