Meeting Denmark

Our event hosted by relocare

The Danish government has done research showing that it has been losing money because it invests in new hires only to have the people leave before the government's investment is returned.  Their solution has been to increase activities for expats and hold seminars to teach people about Danes and how to adapt.

Our family was invited to a two-day seminar in Køge.  Here is my first hint for the government.  Hold the meeting in an easier-to-pronounce place so that when Danes ask where I am going I don't have to mumble or stutter, have them say the correct pronunciation, repeat it, and have them laugh.  I suggest Vig or Lund.  How hard could those be to pronounce?


The first leg of our trip was also a challenge.  We arrived at the station in the blowing snow and sub-freezing temperatures to find that our train had been cancelled.  I was concerned because in Denmark a meeting is said to start at a specific time, that is what they mean.  On the other hand, if you call and tell them your train is cancelled, they understand.


The kids were excited to take a taxi to the hotel (because we were late) and to learn that the nanny was young, energetic, and had brought her netbook.  One highlight for the adults was meeting the other expats from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Russia, Iran, Italy, and China.  Another highlight was having someone else cook for us!  We had a chance to have ris á l'amande, a rice pudding taken from the French.  Although it wasn't done at the hotel, it is traditional to hide a whole almond in one serving and the person who finds it receives a gift.

Typical hotel room in Køge

What seems normal to people here (and the Germans at the meeting) is that the hotel rooms had two single beds pushed together.  I don't need to get into my personal life, but it seems odd to me.

Walking to the beach (look carefully to see the flag)

No skinny dipping today

Even though the weather was not great for swimming (windy and -5C), we did take a walk to the beach.

Not only are there flags everywhere, there seem to be orphan bicycles everywhere, too.

If the course had been taught the first week we arrived it would have been more useful, but I was happy for the chance to see somewhere new, meet new people, and to be by the water.