Building Europe Linking Lives (part 2)

Maria goes to Denmark I have enjoyed my stay with my friends in

England and am now going to the next destination, which is Denmark.

In order to get to Denmark, I’ve decided

to go by ferry instead of plane. I have done so much flying recently, and it would be nice to reach Denmark’s

seaside. I’ll go to Harwich to get on the ferry, which sails to Esbjerg on the west coast of Denmark.

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I get on the ferry at 17:30 and look forward to arriving in Esbjerg tomorrow at about 13:00. The travelling time from Harwich to Esbjerg is about 18 hours. That is a long time compared to the plane, but it gives me time to rest, and think about all the great things I have experienced in my journey so far.

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When we get closer to Esbjerg

next day, I am told to look for the sculpture “Man Meets Sea” which should be “sitting” on the

beach watching for all the port traffic. I see it when we get there. And just like I’ve been

told – It’s a quite amazing sculpture.

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After a long night of sleep at my friend’s house in Alslev it is time to see a local building. We go to Esbjerg which is ten minutes away from Alslev – and here I am going to see ”Svømmestadion Denmark” which is a large swimming pool. It was built in 1996. It is a large brick building with many windows. There are a lot of parking spots outside – in order for the guests to park

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The ”Svømmestadion” holds

an Olympic pool, which hosted the Olympic Youth Swimming Championships

back in 1999. Also a lot of other swim competitions are held here, so there is plenty

of activity in the 50-meter pool.

There is also a large area with waterslides, whirl pools and pools with built-in streams.

This is where I will spend most of my day together with my friends. I don’t want to compete at the Olympic pool!

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We are going to swim

and have fun – and afterwards eat an ice cream.

First we are going to try the waterslides lane.

That is very funny. I laugh very much. Afterwards we try the whirl stream. It is very wild, and I almost cannot get out of it again.

Now I will try to dive from the five-meter diving board - I go up the stairs.

There are many stairs. When I get to the top - there is a long way down.

But I do not dare, so I will try the three-metre diving board instead. I am afraid, but I jump anyway.

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After a long day of fun in “Svømmestadion”, we go back

to Alslev where we have a traditional Danish meal.

Frikadeller (meatballs) with

potatoes and brown gravy.

I go to bed, and look forward to tomorrow when I’ll go to

Copenhagen the capital city of Denmark.

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We go by train, and it is a 3 hour ride.

We go through many small places in Denmark and in order to get under the “StorebĂŚltâ€? we go in an underwater tunnel.

When we arrive in Copenhagen we find a hot-dog stand and buy a traditional Danish hot-dog to eat. It is very yummy.

But different than any hot-dog I have ever tasted before.

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Afterwards we find Oesterbro and the national Stadium Parken. Parken was

opened on the 25th of May in 1911 – and since then many national football games have been played here.

In 1990 the old Stadium was torn down, and a new one was built. It was opened again in 1992, so the rebuilding took a lot of time. There are 38.000 seats and many of the football games between Denmark against

other national teams are played at Parken. Also Parken is the home ground of F.C Copenhagen.

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There are many concerts held at Parken

as well, and many international artists have played here.

After the football game I go to the airport. It is time to go home. I have reached the end of my interesting journey – and it has been a journey with plenty of amazing impressions and experiences. Tomorrow I will leave Denmark and return to my own home.

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I think back over my incredible journey, so many wonderful sights I have seen and so many friends I have made during my journey. I will never forget the fun and the friendship of my very special journey. I feel very privileged to have had a glimpse of the culture and history of our continent. My journey has finished but the stories will continue…

“Building Europe, Linking Lives!”

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