In Denmark, opportunities abound as soon as the weather is nice. As we were cooped up over the winter and planning for when it was safe to venture outside again, it occurred to us that the balance between land and sea lifestyles might be the best in the world. .
Owen O'Sullivan is an audio producer, comedian, and co-host of the podcast Coping in Copenhagen.Photo: Owen O'Sullivan
I smell something fishy and nothing makes me happier.
Spring will officially arrive on Wednesday, March 20th.
You will start to see people who stop while walking, bask in the sunlight they happen to encounter, and become rejuvenated in real time, just like Superman.
No need to wear a watch anymore. Every street has its own sundial in the form of a group of three or four people who move along a shaft of sunlight between buildings, tending to the cans in the kiosk until the shaft runs out completely. Then it's time to go home.
But I'm not talking about despair over vitamin D. Weather permitting, I want them to be excited about the ocean of opportunity that opens up in front of them.
And I mean an ocean of opportunity, no, an ocean of opportunity.
Because as we were cooped up for the past six months and planning what we wanted to do when it was safe to go outside again, we realized that we have the best balance of land and sea lifestyles in the world. Because I thought it might be.
Here's why:
beach
Yes, I know, I know – they may not look that pretty, but foolishly there is enough for all of us.
It's not far from Denmark's beaches, so if you want to go, there's a good chance you'll find a space to pitch a small camp.
Compare this to my home country of Ireland, which is famous for its beautiful coastline. Indeed, there is plenty of space when you want to take a stroll on the sandy beach in the wind.
But on a sunny day in June, you're fighting an entire town of residents to find a spot, and you're driving along a mile of parked cars (and this is no exaggeration) to find a space. It will be.
If you're a local, going to a secret beach is your only chance. There is always a secret beach. However, this will necessarily involve descending some cliffs, so you will need to bring rappelling equipment.
Cliffs are not a problem in Denmark. It's not like the whole beach is occupied by hordes of city people.
Because in Denmark, cities offer beaches in the form of wonderful canals. Sure they may be busy, but that's the price you pay for being able to decide on a whim to go for a swim on your way home.
sports
swimming! You can swim anywhere. If you're really brave or have access to a sauna, you can always use one.
How about surfing? On the west coast of Jutland there is a place called Cold Hawaii. What a fun and charming place!
Don't you live around there? How about windsurfing?
Once upon a time, a bright spark thought, “It's raining and windy, so let's do something with it.'' And lo and behold, sports were born. You don't actually have to do any of these. It's great just that they exist.
And yes, you can windsurf in many countries. But there's a friendliness and unpretentiousness here that I really appreciate. We are not fighting the formidable forces of the North Atlantic. You are simply participating in the pleasure given to you.
My point is, next time you go to Mont, stop and watch the windsurfers.
island hopping
We do a lot of island hopping here in Denmark. Getting to Bornholm by bridge, ferry or, if you prefer the luxury option, by plane, is part of life in the archipelago. There are 1,419 opportunities for adventure.
We may live in the Kingdom of Denmark, but every island is its own little country. Oro Island, north of Holbaek, is an island you can almost walk to when the tide is out and it feels like you're a thousand miles from land.
The magic of a ferry trip, no matter how short, can do a lot for your soul.
seafood
You might think that Ireland is all about seafood, and to some extent it is, but the port city craves the best seafood.
If you didn't grow it on fresh game, the closest you'll get is to get cremated haddock from your local digger.
Denmark changed my world in this respect. Great seafood is not only close at hand, but seamlessly integrated into everyday life.
This may not mean much to many people, but it meant a lot to me. My taste buds were given a second chance late in life, and I'm forever grateful for that.
I know there are many things you can do and even better in many places, but Copenhagen has a lifestyle that coexists with the ocean like no other.
You may rarely stop to pay attention to the ocean. Days may pass without seeing it.
But whether we like it or not, we are all islanders here, so it plays into all of our lives.
