Hasta Luego Europa

Saying goodbye is never easy for me and it seems to get harder, the older I get. How does one say goodbye at the end of an adventure like this? And so instead of goodbye, I decided to use the Spanish term for ¨"until later" with the hopes that it won't be long before I am back in Europe again. Travel, as I have experienced becomes an addiction and before one adventure is over, I am hungry for the next! But for now, this is it, no future plans have developed and so leaving is a little harder I think!

But what a wonderful stay I had in Copenhagen, made so by the kind young man I met exactly 2 years ago on this same trip when it ended here. Travelling alone does have it's challenges, but as one absolutely beautiful lady told me the last night, so does spending 30 days with one's spouse! It was cute, and her much older husband looked on in disbelief as she went on and on about the challenges of being in such close quarters with anyone, no matter how much you love them. But the joys of both situations on a trip like this definitely outweigh the challenges.


I was in no hurry to get off the ship when it arrived and that in itself was a nice change. The busses began leaving for the airport at 5:30 AM I heard. I had a nice leisurely breakfast and disembarked about 8AM, knowing that Tue wouldn't be at the hotel to greet me until after 8. When I walked in he smiled and welcomed me and it was so comfortable. The lobby was lovely and I was immediately happy to see the hotel had elevators, my suitcases weigh a lot, and I know some hotels don't have lifts and what a long walk up that would have been! He checked me into my lovely room and I realized I was exhausted so I crawled into the comfy bed to rest and found it was wonderfully comfortable, just as was the bed in Rome! Tue had explained I had free pay tv, but there was no way to block the adult tv. So cute, I assured him I was an adult and could handle it! Later I told him that it was a good thing I had the 'adult' tv because most of the stations were in Danish but those I could understand. He laughed at that. Actually it was similar to Portugal in that some of the shows are in English and subtitled in Danish which makes it fun to try to learn some of the words as you watch.

The day was cold and rainy and so plans to visit the Tivoli Gardens were traded for a trip around the city in the hop on-off bus. I've seen a lot of it before, so I decided to rest again for the afternoon. I went into the store next to the hotel and they were unable to use my visa so I went back to the hotel and told Tue my dilemma, I didn't have any Danish kroner. He managed to give me some and put it on my room charge and was so sweet. He told me that was why he wanted me staying at his hotel so that he could take care of me and help me with any thing I needed! How sweet of him and how nice it felt to be taken care of! So I went back and purchased the dog magazine in Danish. I have bought something in every country in that language to share with the kids at my new school. Tue's girlfriend met us at the hotel and we had an incredible dinner and sat and chatted for almost 3 hrs. The food was excellent and he was happy to take me to dinner although I fought that the whole time! The creme brulee was the best I've ever tasted anywhere! Copenhagen is quite expensive so at least he got the half price discount for being a supervisor there. They are a delightful couple and so young to have accomplished so much!

While I was in the lobby I was listening to a group of people talking and told them I wasn't eavesdropping, but just loved hearing their accents! They asked if I knew where it was from and of course I did recognize their Irish accents. They started talking to me and one lady was amazed that I travelled alone and loved my stories. They were the historical society of Ireland and are here on a short trip. They had a reception at the embassy there. They meet and travel once a year to different places. We had a delightful conversation and they left for Tivoli Gardens. This morning the main lady I talked to, insisted I get her address and phone number so I could call her when I make it to Dublin. I told her I show up when people invite me so be sure about that. She said she loved my stories and the way I travel and would love to have me as a guest at her 14 bedroom home in the countryside of Ireland. And I had just been thinking I was returning home with no new friends to keep in touch with. And now I have Therese of Ireland. Tue laughed that I'd made a new friend in such a short time in the lobby of his hotel. One never knows what will happen on an adventure!

And after a great night's sleep and a deicious breakfast, who can top having a danish in Denmark, I said a fond farewell to my dear friend of 2 years and he helped me to the taxi with all of my things and here I am at the Copenhagen airport waiting for my flight home. It is a long journey ahead and I know that I will arrive home safely with many memories and over 1,000 new pictures to support them.

And so, once again, hasta luego Europa!