The Icelandic Canadian - 01.09.2008, Side 27

Vol. 61 #4
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
165
Viking museum. It was easier to visualize
the past with authentic props. Just being
there among the relics made my imagina-
tion soar back a thousand years.
Our next stop was by the seashore, at
the home of Karl and Marilyn’s friends. We
enjoyed a swim and a great meal. Karl and
Marilyn Sorensen are also part of our dance
team. On the road again we stopped to pick
berries at Karl’s old place. I found thatch
roofs nearby. They have a special fascina-
tion for me. The way they are created and
how it is that they last forever.
Then there was ‘Egeskov’ castle. Built
about 1554. It has been owned and occu-
pied by the same family for hundreds of
years.
When we arrived at Karl’s sisters house
1 was able to test out a Danish medical
facility. Within less than one half hour I
had been to a doctor and had picked up my
medication as well. 1 think that’s amazing!
Since we were close to Germany we
decided to ‘step’ across If it wasn’t for the
concrete border plaque in the middle of the
road we would never have known which
country we were in.
After standing on top of a dyke near
the German border we drove to a little
town that seemed frozen in time. Of coarse
they had thatched roofs. There were the
most unique doors and also cobble stone
streets. It was so old. What century had
they built this place?
As we drove further north we came to
the town of Ribe, which has an ancient,
gigantic church. There were bodies buried
in the floor of the entryway. I felt strange
stepping on graves. There were paintings
on the walls, sculptures seemed to be
engraved into the walls, rooms for prayer
or special people. Even though it was built
in the year 1600 it still had its original
grandeur.
The next town, Jelling, had an even
older church with ‘rune writings’ on rocks
near the entrance of the church. There was
a small replica of a Viking ship hanging
from the ceiling. This made the place seem
even older. I had wished some one in our
group could read ‘rune’, but none of us
had attended that class in school.
Ah! ‘Lego land!’ I’ve been to Disney
world. This is better. Don’t take my word
for it. See it for yourself.
We were all tired and had nowhere to
stay. Fortunately, Marilyn spotted a tiny
sign on the side of the road. We stayed at a
‘villa’ that was nearly empty of people. Oh,
what a breakfast, at a reserved table no less.
How quaint it all was.
All fresh and new, we made our way
up to Skagen where another of Karl’s sis-
ters lived. She bought us all a beer and we
were entertained by a local country singer.
It was a wonderful evening.
We met the rest of our group and went
to see the spot where the two waters meet.
Kattegat and Skagerrak. It’s a sight to
behold, but there is also the feeling you get
just being there. There is nowhere on earth
like it.
While driving through Denmark I had
time to reflect on different aspects of this
trip. One thing was very clear to me.
Denmark smells great; more than great,
Pharmacists:
ERNEST STEFANSON
GARRY FEDORCHUK
CLAIRE GILLIS
642-5504
PSPHARMASAVE
We care
about your health
Centre and Fourth / Gimli, MB / ROC 1 BO