little things that mean the most

Since being back in Copenhagen from all my European travels, I've decided I really love this place. I mentioned that at the end of my last post, but it's worth repeating. Just why do I like it here so much?

Reason #1: Outdoor kindergartens... Where else could 'being in school' mean 'building forts, exploring the woods, and climbing trees?' I recently spent a day visiting an outdoor kindergarten and fell in love with the educational model. Young kids from the city are taken out into the country where they spend their 'school day' just playing outside - rain or shine. The Danes have it right: kids need to spend time outdoors (heck, people need to spend time outdoors) and there's so much to be learned via nature and play that can't be learned in a classroom.

Reason #2: National Research Day... 4/20 may mean something completely different to some, but here in Copenhagen it meant hosting an outdoor research symposium that was more or less like a giant science fair. On my way back from classes, I stumbled upon a large collection of tents in Frue Plads (a plaza nearby) which I later discovered was part of an annual festival to promote the sciences. When I got closer I noticed that there was everything from microscopes to a man dissecting an otter inside. So after I stopped to touch the otter guts (gloves of course) I tried my hand at designing my own windmill. I have a new respect for engineers because I stunk at it.

Reason #3: Organic Day... Similar to the above except with live animals instead of dead ones. Stumbled upon the festivities on my way home from church. It consisted of a lot of tents, a couple of cows, a big screen broadcast, and a whole ton of people. Free yogurt and milk galore and stickers saying 'jeg ♥ øko' (I love organic).  Judging by the number of people there (mainly families), it seemed like a big deal for the Danes. Big day for the cows in Denmark, too, because apparently it's the day they get let out into the fields - or something like that. But for Copenhagen in particular, which is a bit short on cows, it was an excuse to promote organic food, let kids milk fake cows, and have a whole lot of fun.

Ok so clearly those aren't the most important reasons I like Copenhagen... but they're all things that made me happy to be living here.