the locals are ecstatic - a summer's day in early spring
we're booked on a 3 hour free guided tour of copenhagen
magnus thor is our guide - he tells us he is our easter jesus
kind of looking the part with the dishevelled beard and hair
he's a very proud son of denmark and past resident of usa/australia
he sets a cracking pace and at every stop informs and entertains
within a few minutes it is very apparant that this is worthwhile
the meanings of architecture, statues and buildings explained
and also an insight into the (mostly) left-wing politics of denmark
a very generous welfare state and a high tax rate to cope
but according to magnus that is all ok with the workers
for it is a given that when in need the state will support
we walk all over the inner city - lots to see and hear
standing outstide the houses of parliament is revealing
for one the lack of security - these people are not paranoid
secondly the modesty of the building suggests service over self
lunch stop consists of a highly recommended local hot dog - yum
then onto visit frederick and mary - or at least their digs
again - we can walk right up to their house/palace - no security
magnus reminds us the danish people very much love their royalty
a final sad story from him about the kings handling of the nazis
and of the people in general refusing to surrender their jews
moist eyes all round as our 3 hours walking tour concluded
a walk (jump) back through the royal gounds and to church
easter sunday so some quiet refection in the marble dome
staggeringly impressive architecture and construction
next - woo-hoo - onto a couple of city-provided bikes
fully set up with handlebar-mounted gps tablet system
sign-up and set forth to selected point-of-interest
a couple of those but mostly enjoying the ride
bike lanes all over the city and cars no issue
more bikes than cars and drivers showing respect
we dock the bikes and walk to today's final destination
christianshavn - the 'free' city - read hippy commune
40 years ago a group squatted in some derelict buildings
today there are 800 people over a large lakeside area
an autonomous group supported/tolerated by the government
walk through the gates and transformation is immediate
feeling very much like a time-warp to a past era
there's a familiar pungent odour in the air
houses/shacks in ramshackle condition
groups of people wandering aimlessly
bars, cafes, a poolhouse, a stage
tonight a reggae dj and singer at work
all quite seductive for an easy hour or 2
and then back to the real world of copenhagen
a final walk/stagger at dusk back to the hotel
many kilometres covered today - totally satisfying
