Thursday, October 14, 2010

11:50 PM

Copenhagen, Denmark

Airport Hostel; Lounge

No Northern Lights.

I was kind of disappointed, but what can you do? At least that is one of the European sights which will not go away in my lifetime.

I’m glad, nevertheless, that I went to Narvik. I got to experience the Arctic, and my host took me for a hike in the snowy mountains.

After that I was pretty much done with the cold, done with the north, done with Scandinavia. I was supposed to go to Finland, but I said screw it and kept going to Copenhagen. Around sixty hours in transit in one week has left me a lot of time for reflection and I feel the wheels turning. The ultimate goal of this journey is now being worked towards.

One thing I realized is that I’ve been completely disillusioned with Norway. It was incredibly beautiful, a very relaxed place, with tons of really nice people, but something was missing. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but Norway was missing some essential quality that I had apparently been expecting. I don’t know exactly, but its people do not seem nearly as satisfied with their country as I think they should be—or, rather, as I thought. After some lengthy conversation I discovered many of the flaws of the Norwegian socialist system. Green grass and all, right?

Anyway, I’m in Copenhagen, stuck here for a few days since there’s no empty trains leaving due to holiday traveler (what holiday? I don’t have a clue). So I guess I get to visit the Halloween theme park tomorrow after all!

That’s all for now. It’s really loud in here—too many people talking. I can’t think inside my head. I’m trying to drown it out with Medieval Choral music, but it’s not enough. So I’ll say goodnight for now.