Sep
7
2009
Blog Camp 2.0…it’s all about the little things
It’s all about the little things…that’s the conclusion Jelica (which, by the way, is pronounced Yel-IT-sa) and I came to whilst discussing how to differentiate one European city from another when, in certain ways, so many seem similar. Same shops, same brands, same coffee chains, same rather grotty main train station situated in the seedy part of town, same ‘famous’ main shopping street which is always heaving despite being really nothing special when compared with the lovely surrounding streets.
Copenhagen felt a lot like Brussels in places, then Vienna and then, out of nowhere, a huge piazza presented itself and we were in Italy! But it was the little things that set Copenhagen apart from its European cousins, and those are details that I will burn in to my mind and spin my memory web around.
Even the manhole covers in Copenhagen, a city drunk on design, can’t be purely functional. Why be plain when you can be fancy? This one is inspired by one of Denmark’s most notable sons, Hans Christian Andersen, and his tale of the Steadfast Tin Soldier (who falls in to the sewer..so apt). It’s not a very good photo, but you can just make out the famous silhouette of HCA in the middle, the soldier, fish, mermaids etc. Thankfully Danish good taste prevailed and we spared the sight of turds floating by…
Bertie was very excited when I told him I was going to visit Copenhagen. Both he and Diggy adore the movie of Hans Christian Andersen and, especially, the song ‘Wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen’. Bertie quickly instructed me on how to greet HCA should I happen upon him:
“You must say, ‘Hello I’m Bertie’s Mummy! Bertie watches you on the DVD all the time!’ and he will say, ‘Hello Bertie’s Mummy! Now you are in the TV with me.’” Argh…help! I’m trapped in the telly with Danny Kaye and his singing thumb. Send help. And a mallet for the singing thumb…
Back at Julochka’s fabulous home it was the little things that were catching my attention too. Her house is completely divine, and you can’t turn a corner without something beautiful, engaging and often witty to look at. The place is STUFFED full of pretties, as per the numerous shots on my previous Blog Camp 2.0 posts. Even the ceiling is fascinating Chez Julochka….!
That sign above the door? Want to take a closer look…I thought so…
Giggle…speaking of which, check out the one outside by the front door…
Speaking of hippies…turns out that Flower Power is alive and well on the streets of Copenhagen…
Madame…if you’re going to Julochka’s be sure to wear some flowers in your [grass] hair…and use the side entrance. And absolutely NO spitting. I thank you.
love it…love it…love it…
“crem de la crem ala edgar”…. brings back great memories…
so glad you guys enjoyed.. it looks like blog camp is getting better all the time
I love the hallway photo with the wide angle. Actually had a little cry on the train after I said goodbye to Jelica and Julie.
I was trying to suppress thoughts of Copenhagen Blog Camp this weekend. That sounds so churlish, doesn’t it?
But now I want to see and hear everything!
You clever lady. What a lovely post. I love signs like these and it doesn’t surprise me one bit that Julochka’s house is full of such seemingly random stuff, but which I’m sure has all been carefully selected and placed just so. Show us more, more, more!
I have the same Creme de la Creme photo, except yours is better
Those manholes just killed me! I would really love to live in a country in which even manholes are arty.
i think when we put our house up for sale, you’ll have to send me some of those pix and we’ll have to make the real estate agency pay you for them. did you photoshop out all of the cobwebs? thank you for that!!!
the map ceiling is divine?
How did you manage to find your way out of the telly?
oh no…I meant: the map ceiling is divine!!! (No question about it.) Oops!!!!
Too cool! it was so nice to talk to you all on Sat morning. Blog Camp Rocks!
yes, isn’t Copenhagen lovely? and the photo from the hallway is so good – I love the map ceiling!
wow I am in!!!! and next week our line should be faster again! anyway I loved to join to Andersen-Land. thank you!
I love it, love it, love it!! Plus, you’ve reminded me to get that HCA movie you told us about before.