The Icelandic Canadian - 01.09.2008, Side 26

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THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
Vol. 61 #4
Dancing through Scandinavia
by Christine Richardson (Hjartarson)
What I wouldn’t give to live in the
most classy, stylish, freethinking country
in the world. The hub of civilization as I
know it today. Well, perhaps this is an
overstatement. It is, I think, just an emo-
tional feeling I get as I reminisce about my
recent voyage to Denmark.
On the ride into Copenhagen from the
airport I realized right off that this would
be an intriguing experience. On a huge wall
was a painting billboard like, of a nude
woman. Ironically, walking directly
beneath were two muslum women covered
from head to toe. This is their sign of piety
and obedience. It re-affirmed my pride and
relief at being born a Scandinavian with a
free mind to do as I pleased.
Oh, the shopping! The styles one finds
are spellbinding to say the least. People on
the streets all looked like fashion models.
Just off the main shopping street we
visited an ancient church (Vor Frue Kirke).
Life like, yet giant size statues lined the
interior. They were the presumed likeness
of the twelve disciples. One could only sit
in awe at the detail of design. My thoughts
were of the amazing artistry involved in
creating this place.
We traveled, by ferry, to the Island of
Bornholm. Two very helpful tour guides
met us and off we were on an adventure of
a lifetime, but first we had to eat. Even
though I hate herring I did taste it.
Scrumptious. I have decided Bornholm is
the only place to eat smoked herring.
Seeing the ‘Hammerhaus’ ruins, erect-
ed in the 12th century took me to thoughts
of the Vikings battling each other to
acquire this beautiful island. Alas, the
Danes are the present occupants.
What looked like red marker art was
strewn over rocks near an ancient
Stonehenge like cemetery, but this was
done be the Vikings long ago. The only
drawings I understood were the longboats.
What was the purpose? Did they realize it
would last a thousand years? How did they
get those huge pillars there? Of what
importance was this at the time?
Our next stop was at a store that sold
glass products. A glass blowing demonstra-
tion was in progress. It looked hot and time
consuming yet beautiful to behold.
We were taken, by small ferry, to the
island of Christianso. It was a military out-
post as far back as 1684. The trip there was
pretty rough. We, who had strong stom-
achs, were fine. There were convenient
‘bags’ if you didn’t. One could easily walk
the whole island in a couple of hours or so.
It has been made into a peaceful place for
summer homes.
Back on Bornholm we managed to go
to a ‘round church.’ A 12th century circu-
lar church where, at one time, women
entered from a different door. Going up
the narrow stone stairs was, to say the least,
terrifying and then you must come down
again.
We spent the night at the home of one
of our guides. He, it turned out, is a book-
binder. I was so absolutely mesmerized by
his work that I purchased craft kits from
him before we headed back to
Copenhagen.
Our dear Kirsten Svensen, the ‘Danish
Dancing Queen’ invited us to dance with
her dance group. They were very graceful
and had polite customs. When a dance
ended, the man would pat the ladies hand.
Isn’t that adorable? Kirsten is a cousin of
Emma Godfredsen and Jane Meech, our
dance instructor, and at 80+ can dance cir-
cles around all of us.
Some of us took a canal tour around
Copenhagen with Kirsten as our guide. I so
enjoyed the unique structures and details
on spires. Who did these art pieces and
how did they get them on top of buildings?
We started a road trip by stopping at a