Indeed, Hej fra Humlebæk!
I am back two years later almost to the day to visit Anton, Carla, Anne Marie, and Hans Christian. My first visit for Anton’s graduation from gymnasium was wonderful, and now, returning again to their beautiful little village on the coast is as tremendous as the first time, but having a bit of familiarity makes it even nicer. I often told my students after education, the best way to spend (invest) your money is on travel. It is also an education, but has long term benefits of a different kind, paying you back for that investment, long after the trip is completed. It is a cultural education, having the potential to teach you as much about yourself as about others. While I have only “technically” had two exchange students, Anton from here in Denmark and Georg from Estonia, I claim Ana from Russia as a third because she spent significant time at the Acre, and she continues to be a profound blessing in my life. In fact, six years ago today, I was in Moscow having dinner with her and her friend Dasha. What a wonderful dinner on the 86th floor of a building in Moscow City.
My first full day back in Denmark has been both relaxing and enjoyable. Anton and I took a walk down to the train station, where I arrived yesterday, and we had a wonderful pastry and a cup of something (he had iced coffee and I an iced chai). We spent the time reminiscing about his year in Bloomsburg and then talking about what he is studying. He is pursuing a degree in Architectural Engineering, and it is both not surprising, but interesting how his commitment to sustainability corresponds to that of his sister, Carla’s, who is completing her Masters in Electrical Engineering. They are both so incredibly intelligent and lovely people. I have teased they are twins, though a different age and opposite gender. Their resemblance as siblings is undeniable on multiple levels. And as importantly, their mutual love and care for the other might be unmatched and beyond what some could imagine. While I learned some of this long before I met Carla in person, in the three times I have now been in her physical presence, the reality of my belief has been substantiated beyond any doubt. And in the two years since I last saw them all in person (almost to the day), Anton has grown and matured profoundly, and his love and care for her and his family has also matured in a beautiful manner. What I know even more is how blessed I was to have him live with me for his exchange year.
My exposure to anything Danish started when my Lutheran Youth Encounter (LYE) team visited the campus of Dana College during the fall of 1978. Having some experience with Scandinavians because of my family’s Norwegian heritage (and particularly from my Great-aunt Martha (Hannestad), I had some understanding of each country’s strong national pride. I can still remember her saying some of her prayers in Norwegian. She had immigrated to Iowa from the Bergen area of the Norwegian Peninsula. Of course, as mentioned in earlier postings, Mr. Larry Flom (my high school history teacher) whose intense love of his Norwegian heritage, which was proudly on display in his classes, influenced that perception too. Likewise, my grandmother (and even as an adopted person- my grandmother and my adopted father were cousins) was also a Hannestad. The name of my Grandmother’s bakery was Scandinavian Bakery. So the memory of krumkake, fattigman, lefse, and yes, lutefisk are not merely conceptual. Arriving in Blair, however, that Viking mindset would become widened and culinary traditions of æbleskiver, frikadeller, herring, medisterpølser, or even the smörgåsbord (though technically Swedish) became part of my go-to daily existence. In fact, the most amazing smörgåsbord I ever experienced was in the main train station in København during my first trip to Europe. Perhaps my favorite Danish sweet might be Kringle. Of course, Sights and Sounds of Christmas, the yearly gift from the campus to the Blair community, taught me about the heart-shaped Christmas decorations, Santa Lucia, and even composers like Buxtehude. One of my favorite Lutheran hymns is “Kirken den er et gammelt hus.”
From that first visit to Denmark as a 25 year old until now, at almost 70, the person I am is quite different, though, as recently written, the foundation of the me of today probably occurred during that journey. I remember walking through the streets, the cathedrals, the museums, and yes, a night in a bar in Østerport, where I was introduced to Akvavit and Carlsberg beer. I also remember the statues of the Apostles located in the National Cathedral of Denmark. I can still see in my mind the particularly striking one of St. Bartholomew. In fact, I might try to visit it 45 years later to refresh my memory. As a soon to be septuagenarian, my perception of Denmark and appreciation for the culture has exponentially increased and grown. Some of that significant growth is because Anton spent his year with me. His intuitive and critical thought process was apparent even in the early hours of his jet-lagged 16 year old self those last days of August 2019. His ability to respond to the narrow/minded, sheltered, classmates who quizzed him on whether he was a Democrat or Republican a number of times as they walked around the Bloomsburg Fair still makes me smile. He responded calmly, “I’m Danish.” In fact, I think he was (and is) wiser than some adults I am currently engaged with in a political discussion. The larger picture view of Danish society is evident on a daily basis, from their social awareness to their involvement with more global issues. I think it summed up again by both the 16 and the 21 year old Anton. When asked why his English was so strong or why he would learn it, even as a 16 year old he thoughtfully responded, “There are only 5 million Danish people in the world.” Now as a 21 year old, and one even more globally experienced and aware, he studies architectural engineering and is committed to understanding sustainable architecture. He is a thoughtfully and honestly sincere global citizen. However, additionally, and perhaps more importantly, I think he epitomizes what I see in Denmark in general.
As I walk the streets of Humlebæk, I cannot help but be impressed with how well people care for their properties. Hedges surround the houses, lining the streets, and even in the areas that are more apartment-prone, care for the land is apparent. Things are clean and people of all ages are biking. The care of all things and all people is so apparent and admired. It’s now a couple days later, and now 5:00 a.m.. Last evening, I had the opportunity to celebrate Skt. Hans Day, for a second time. It is the Danish celebration of Midsommer, the day that is considered to be the night before John the Baptist was martyred, and also to gather with family and friends. It was a lovely time. Just like my previous experience of two years ago, people were quite gracious with my less-than-minimal ability to speak or understand Danish. I had the most meaningful conversation with two about the politics of the world right now. There was really quite a bit of grace for all going on and a beautiful willingness to share and listen. It was inspiring and gave me a sense of hope that the world can still move forward. As I noted toward the beginning of the post, travel is a cultural education, a time to learn about others as well as an opportunity for self-reflection. I leave you all with the hymn I noted above. I still remember singing it in Danish while at Dana.
Thank you as always for reading.
Michael
thewritingprofessor55 