Good Morning from Sunny denmark!

Hi all! I figured a blog might be a good way for me to share some of our experiences in Denmark with others while creating somewhat of a journal to have when we get home. I hope you enjoy following along with us on our journey. As any good American would be inclined to do, I feel I must add a disclaimer of sorts saying that anything I say about anything should not be held against me as these are just my current thoughts at the current time and are subject to change without notice;o)

Well, we are here. All of the anticipation for months about whether or not we would be able to come have been answered with an incredible yes! The most remarkable thing for me is that we can live here just as well as at home. Despite the fact that we are in a whole other country, across the ocean, with new languages and culture, the show goes on. Maybe I am like one of those people who don't believe that we ever went to the moon. I find it hard to believe that in the course of one night spent on a plane, we are truly in a different land. Different but the same. Laura pointed out the line in Pulp Fiction where John Travolta basically says "We all have the same sh**, it's just called something different". It's like if you could imagine everything is the same, but at the same time everything is different.

The biggest difference has been the culture. You notice it in small ways at first. Stores closing early, putting deposits on shopping carts, buying grocery bags, small cars, small everything. But then you start seeing where these small things come from. They are the ideals of family time, environmentally conscious living, simplicity in life. As an American I am so used to the mega stores, restaurants everywhere, low prices, abundance, and MORE, MORE, MORE. I didn't really notice that about myself and don't really think it can be avoided. As Americans that is all most of us have ever known. Some would say we are so lucky because of the sheer abundance of everything that we enjoy. And even though that abundance can be purchased very cheaply in our country, it comes with a price. Our lives are so complicated as we strive for more. We CAN go to Wal-Mart every time we need something and never really have to plan ahead or do without. Our lives are so convenient that maybe it has been too easy to fill them with STUFF and not time. In saving time, I am guilty of wasting time. Here I have seen people spending whole days at parks with their families, riding bikes, flying kites, picnicking, getting off work at 4pm, going in at 9 am. There seems to be this emphasis on slowing down. The last time I did any of those things I was on vacation! There are fresh flowers everywhere. Beauty is regarded as very important. I am not in any way putting down our American way of life because in our quest for more, we have introduced so many wonderful things to the world. But I am in awe that there can be a simpler way of life readily available if we are willing to shift some of our priorities.

Obviously I can't write everything I am thinking about at one sitting, but I will share more as I can. I really want to write about the personal accountability I see here (I realize as an American I am a potential lawsuit watcher!) Also, I'd like to share about just how cool American STUFF is here (despite all the things I wrote earlier).

I am going to try to add a few pics from our trip if I can figure this out...
Love, Amanda