It was a crazy time leading up to departure. Trying to finalize things at home and leaving a very rainy Winchester was smooth, but exhausting. We arrived at the airport hours in advance and went to grab some lunch/dinner at a Mexican restaurant. The boys (Jan [pronounced yahn], Nick, Chaiyos [we just call him A], and Travis) got to a table first and sent us girls to the back corner. We had our revenge though because we were served, ate, paid and were leaving just as they were getting their food. We all had windows or aisle seats and fairly comfy. That is until they served breakfast. Breakfast at 6am Denmark time…or midnight at home. We either ate dinner at 1:30am and breakfast at 6am or dinner at 7:30pm and breakfast at 12am—I’m not sure which. Well,,,I didn’t eat breakfast. I just expressed my annoyance and flopped my head to other side and went back to sleep. As we prepared for landing I could see some things out the window thanks to A. There were ships in the channels and there were massive windmills juxtaposed by industrial stacks spewing something in the air. Denmark is well known for their environmental policies, so I am sure it was closer to steam than straight sulfur, but it was just an interesting image of the balance in today’s day and age. We were shuffled through security again and just on the other side of security were these little glass booths with people crowded into them. Then, I read the sign, SMOKING BOOTH. I mean it was a scene out of the 60’s when people tried to set records for the number of people in the booth. You know the images that I am talking about. I had to take a photo. Then we passed through the shopping section of the airport (which included a Ferrari that A had to take time to admire). The food was even more overpriced than US airports. But...I have to say there was a lot of fish. Fish Bars, Fish restaurants, fish bistros…you get the picture. Then we began walking. The airport is huge and I am pretty sure our connecting flight to Aarhus could not be any further away from where we landed. I would say it was a longer walk than Chicago from United to American. I used the toilets and surprised by how small they were and how uncomfortable. It was like sitting on toilet without the seat down…we will have to remember to be careful.

Now we are at our hotel. After a brief mix-up in the financing department (our card was declined and bank said we were out of money…yikes! We knew that wasn't the case…Jan was great, got a hold of the university who got on the horn and are all good now.) We are checked in and comfy…kind of. Our rooms are a lot like the inside cabins on a cruise ship. It took us a good 15 minutes to figure out the lights. They have a slot you need to put your key in to turn on the power in the room. The beds are about 2/3 the side of a twin bed and a bit shorter. The shower…lets just say that if you drop the soap you have to open up the curtain, move around the toilet and open the bathroom door to bend over and pick it up. You could describe it as small, but I would describe it as minuscule. I have to say that so far everything has been pretty smooth. In fact, we were walking around the town and heard “Jan” shouted from the distance. Would you believe it was a former Shenandoah University trombone student that studied under Jan who is here in Denmark now. No, this was not a planned meeting. In fact Jan hadn’t contacted him. It is a small world. So we all walked around in a sleep deprived ravenous haze looking for a restaurant that wouldn’t break the bank. We finally found the Turkish style buffet that was really good for 59 Kroner (or about $12). By Danish standards this is very cheap, but unless you have water with your meal…watch out. 22 Kroner for a 4 oz cup of coffee. 37 Kroner for a 12 oz beer. We managed to find a 7-11 for coffee after lunch/dinner/breakfast (considering it was about 9am eastern). However, the massive contraption they had for coffee was not only unfamiliar, but also all of the buttons were in Danish. The kind clerk taught me how to use the machine and I have a feeling I will be back there a time or two before we leave. Of all places---a 7-11. But with dollar as low as it is, you have to watch it. And I feel better about paying 19 Kroner [K] for 16 oz of coffee than 22 K for 4 oz. Not much more for now. I will write more tomorrow when we all have a bit of sleep and a chance to explore the town and culture some more.