Things have been hectic around here with hoards of guests (it’s that time of year), and a couple of jaunts – meaning my poor little blog seems a little neglected. Apologies, but in amongst all that time off doing other things, I have at least managed to revisit a country we called home for two years…
Considering it was the first time I have been back to Copenhagen in over a year, I can’t begin to describe how strange it felt stepping off the plane in a country that obviously isn’t my own, but that I still have a strong connection with, considering it was actually “home” for a short while.
I guess the surrealism really started when I got on that first train at Copenhagen airport (luckily the correct one this time, there was definitely no time for a quick trip to Sweden!), and shortly after transferred to the very line I had used almost on a daily basis – the one that linked our house, the then Four Year Old’s Nursery, and of course the centre of Copenhagen itself – authenticated de ja vu!
Your brain tends to like doing other funny things on that first revisit too, like making you periodically think you haven’t even left, as you turn that familiar corner. This time however, the suitcase I was carrying was full of “smuggled” goods for the friends I was staying with (and who will shortly leave DK themselves), not for my own “life-abroad enhancing purposes” for when we missed that taste of home – you know, valuable things like real tea and M&S hot cross buns that would be squirreled away the moment I got in, and later rationed out in times of need…
And just a little tip for those of you thinking of a trip to Copenhagen, forget any extortionate sightseeing bus, just get on the 1A! I was so busy spotting all the sights and reminiscing on the way back to my friend’s house one day, that I quickly got over my temporary annoyance at the realisation that thanks to now having a little Deutsch to speak of, I can suddenly read quite a bit of Danish – something that would have been useful when we lived there, be it bus adverts or not!
Anyway, apart from catching up with friends (which was great by the way, thank you to those for putting me up/putting up with me, and for the others for taking the time to come and say hello!), it was great to put some closure on our lives there if that makes sense. We are now fully fledged “Bavarians”, our “Scandinavian” selves have been put to bed (tucked up before the winter sets in hopefully)… And do you know what? It no longer felt strange getting off the plane back at the Munich end. The “hand-over” is complete…
See, surrealism, all over the place! Even the buses have Salvador Dali taches!
Helen says
Wi all your adventures i guess its hard not to feel at ease and at home so quickly. Nice though that you miss some little things to remind you of your original home, maybe i can post out some tea bags to you
bavaria says
Takes a bit of practice, but I think we are getting there. Thank you so much for the offer of tea bags, you are lovely! I might take you up on that one day (will pay obv.!), but we are fine for now as we have a load of smugglers coming out! xx
Pia says
It seems right, somehow, that a surrealistic, deja-vu-ish trip would feature a moustached bus :) I love that your hand-over is complete – it must be a good feeling.
bavaria says
It was nice to go back and feel like we had closed the chapter so to speak, thanks Pia! Those buses did make me laugh! :D
Erica Price says
You know as I watched The Killing I found myself understanding more of the Danish – a combination of getting my ear in and knowing some German I think.
bavaria says
Thank you! I made myself feel a whole lot better by thinking that even though I can read a lot more now, the pronounciation is another ball game entirely! :D
Manana Mama says
I hear you on closure with adopted homelands – not an easy thing, that.
bavaria says
Takes a while doesn’t it? Thank you… :)
Midlife Singlemum says
I like the closure thing – that it’s really that simple.
bavaria says
It’s strange, I didn’t expect it to be like that, but it really was as simple as that, this time around anyway! :) x
Trish says
I feel, even when I’ve only visited a place for a few days, that I keep some measure of affinity with it. So a little part of me will always be Copenhagen.
bavaria says
I think you have a strong affinity with it, because your Dad loved it so much! Thank you :) x
The View From the Table says
It’s a good feeling to ‘hand-over’ as you put it. Do you do that thing where you think you recognise people but then realise they are from somewhere else and couldn’t possibly be there – I do it all the time. By the way, I was thinking that the buses were supporting Movember!
bavaria says
Thank you! I do that ALL the time… Especially with the Mum’s from school funnily enough! :D I think Movember is catching on in Scandinavia too. Loved the fact the buses had moustaches! :)
MsCaroline says
I know the feeling well – interesting how a place that is strange can quickly become ‘home’ – and will always be a little bit of ‘home’ to you. I had that moment of realization when we got off the plane in Seoul last summer after 6 weeks in the US – Seoul had become Familiar. Glad you had such a nice visit and that you are feeling at home in Munich now!
bavaria says
Funny how long it takes you to adjust to a new place doesn’t it? Thank you :)
Mary says
Haha. Love the bus tache! I’m glad you had a good trip, and I know what you mean about how strangely discombobulating it is re-visiting somewhere that used to be home. It can be quite emotional. So glad you felt happy going home to Munich too!
bavaria says
Discombobulation… I love that word! Thank you. It was bizarre going back, but it was nice at the same time! :)