Melissa And Derek Arrive!

Late in the afternoon, we just happened to be hanging around the Copenhagen Airport, and much to our wonder and suprise, Melissa and Derek came through the doors from the gates!  I waved my Danish flag, and tried to take some pictures, but I don't think a single one turned out.

We hugged and laughed and hugged some more....and SK got teary-eyed.  What a delight.

Derek was on the other side taking pictures!

We boarded the train for the central train station and were there practically before we had fully settled into our seats.  From there, we walked home past all of the buildings and stores that are now so familiar to us, past the lake and the swans, and down Vodroffsvej to our apartment.  Melissa and Derek have seen pictures for the last 20 months, and Melissa was tickled to see it "live."

By then, everyone was ravenous, so we walked halfway around the lake to the planetarium - a landmark of sorts (Tycho Brahe Planetarium).  Yes....really.  We went to the planetarium to eat.  We have heard for a long time that the restaurant there is very good, and we walk past it all the time when we walk around the lake.  One entire side is windows that look out over the lake and beyond to the apartment building where we live.  We had a ring-side seat for the evening swim of all the ducks and geese and swans, and for all of the people out on the lake path.

It was lovely.....with fresh flowers and linen table cloths.  The man who seated us graciously welcomed us.  Melissa picked up on the fact that he wasn't speaking English or Danish.  She thought he was speaking Spanish and I kind of thought it was Italian.  When we asked where he was from, he said that one parent was from Spain and the other from Italy....bingo!

The meal was so good, Derek declared that if he didn't have another meal in Denmark, he was absolutely happy with what he had tonight.  We were all very pleased with what we ate.

With a little sunlight left, we walked around the lake and introduced Derek and Melissa to our  newest fuzzy little residents, the baby swans - 6 of them!  Then we continued on to a small park in the middle of town that appears to be putting its best foot forward for our guests.  It was decked out in blossoms and rich yellow-green foliage.  We strolled around and then headed out to one of the main thoroughfares - Gamle Kongevej - to make our way home.

 

No first day in Copenhagen is complete until you have seen the view from the roof!

Wonder of wonders! - at nearly 9 p.m. we walked by a little ice cream shop - and it was open!  Not only was it open, but it was open (the front door was opened wide, practically screaming at us to come and have ice cream.  Now it was Melissa's turn for the superlatives.....she was convinced that there could not possibly be better ice cream anywhere on our fair island.  She may be right, but we will let her have a taste test later on in the week.

Upon arriving back home, we pulled out a small Danish pastry to be sampled before bedtime.  We were all stuffed, but both of them LOVED it.  What's not to love about a Danish pastry?

We visited for awhile until Derek's eyes began to glaze over.....a day and a half without sleep is pretty tough. Melissa made it a little longer, but I know she hasn't had much sleep either....getting her children ready to be without her for over a week - must have been exhausting......throw in a little jet-lag and anyone would qualify for a very long long night's sleep.

And guess what was lurking in Melissa's suitcase?

It is almost turn-into-a-pumpkin time....I have five minutes before midnight....I can hear all the fireworks at Tivoli....and sleep is calling.