The Danes -- Hygge, Beer, and Pronunciation.

I know what you're thinking - another post, so soon?  He must be bored over there!  That's not too far from the truth, to be honest. 

To clarify, I'm trying to do homework.  And anyone who knows me knows that it's one of my least favorite things to do, and that I'll resort to quite literally anything to avoid it.  So... blog post!  Mother wanted me to post a few pictures of my room, but since I'm not currently down there, I'll do the next best thing -- the Portuguese kitchen!

What!? Portuguese kitchen?!  I thought he was in Denmark, not Portugal!  Well, you were wrong.  Turns out I hopped on the wrong connection from Stockholm, and only noticed earlier today.  In my defense, I've been drinking constantly.  Anyways, here's the kitchen:

Above is the food bit -- granolas, corn flakes, raisins, bread, and a fridge w/ cheese and milk and some other random business.

Below, we've got the other side, the sitting side.  Hannah's facing towards the camera, and Danielle and Cameron are looking the other way.  Probably too shy.  (Oh hey, guys!)

(Oh yeah, and somebody should explain to Grandma at this point that I was joking.  I am in Denmark, and I haven't been drinking constantly.  So... yay bad attempts at humor?)

On to the title of the blog!  First up... Hygge!

Hygge is a concept that doesn't really exist in English, which I think reflects rather poorly on our cultures.  It's a sort of warm, happy, cozy feeling that can be thought of as a Tuesday night in winter, sitting by the fire, talking with family or friends, and a beer in hand.  It's a generally happyfuzzy feeling, and they've got a special word for it.  Awesome people, these Danes.

Next, beer.  They've got a brand, Carlsberg, that seems to be the national brand.  It's super old, and is (or was, I'm not really certain) brewed in Copenhagen.  They also donate a certain percentage of sales to the arts and some other causes, so you can think of your beer drinking as philanthropic!  It's a clever concept.  It's not limited to Carlsberg, either -- every sort of beer is basically adored here, as long as it's not Miller Lite.  Or really any other American beer, they're a bit derisive, actually.  Anyways, alcohol is a major part of the culture here, and that's been a bit weird.  You'll see people with beers on the trains, in the streets, basically anywhere you go.  And it's ok!  Not frowned on at all, and not a single one has it in a brown paper bag.

And pronunciation.  I haven't got much else to say on this point, other than a video I just saw.  Damn, but it's accurate.  Also, thanks to Schief for showing me, regardless of how hurtful he intended to be towards my (new and temporary) people.