Morning, beautiful, originally uploaded by Caroline.

Although my hotel on Osborne Street in London gets bad reviews on travel sites, I didn’t have a problem with it at all. Yes it’s a little run down and I’m sure some people may not find the area attractive. But I like Brick Lane with its vintage clothing shops, cool record store (Rough Trade), Bangla Deshi restaurants, ‘beigel’ bakeries and photo opportunities. Plus some excellent coffee at Coffee@.

Some photos taken in the Tower Hamlets area.

I gulped down two interesting types of akvavit during dinner for a little buzz and I have to say I prefer plain old Aalborg.

Some observations today:

1. I’ve been here a few times before, so for me Denmark = childhood memories = good.
2. Nothing today has scratched that shiny veneer yet
3. Everybody is super friendly and helpful and polite. Sort of Germany-lite, in a good way.
4. It is as I remembered a lot ‘warmer’ than Stockholm. In colour and attitude.
5. Talking warm, it’s 7 degrees Celcius, but there’s a nasty wind.
6. Photo opportunities on every street corner.
7. I forgot to bring my battery charger.
8. Am an idiot.
9. Walked into a camera shop to see if I could pick up a cheap charger, but they’re v. exp.
10. Walked out with a new Manfrotto monopod instead. Wanna go play with it!!! (Problem, have to be selective. See 7.)

11. I can’t get my head around the Kroner – Euro conversion. Have given up and stick out my credit card for everything. There goes my december bonus.
12. Originally planned to fly back on Saturday morning. Had not even landed yet when I realised that was stupid, so the first thing I did when I arrived was change my flight to Sunday afternoon. Ka-ching. Then had to find other hotel because this one fully booked on Sat/Sun. Ka-ching. No regrets.
13. It’s the last weekend before Christmas and apparently ALL of Scandinavia descends on Copenhagen for the Krizzer rush.
14. Getting very emotional about tomorrow. A few tearful moments over dinner. Also just walking down the street thinking about said childhood memories. Not sure why, wasn’t like this two months ago with uncle J.
15. Due to circumstances be… scratch that, due to whatever the fuck and what IS this family on, someone important is not showing up tomorrow.
16. Did you know the Danes, like the Irish, carry their family member’s coffin to its grave?
17. Guess who just got called up for carry duty because (see 15.)
18. But I’m the shortest! Cue much giggling between cousins.
19. It’s always surprising how much I DO understand of the language. But an hour long church service? Hmm.
20. Copenhagen’s much cleaner than Amsterdam, she said. And booked a hotel in the local red light district. HELLO dildos.
21. Aaaah, pølser, mmm. Sennip og ketchup, mmm.