Notes from month 1

I have a few more detailed post ideas in my head but I'm feeling a bit lazy so here I present a potpourri for now.

Bikes: I have one now! It works pretty well, although with more or less one gear I'm a little slow on the hills. I know everyone says Denmark is flat, but actually the area around Aalborg is actually a bit hilly. Some type of mineral deposit I believe. The ride to campus is about 20 or 25 minutes, 6 kilometers. It is uphill on the way, but a nice cruise down. I hope I keep my motivation up as the colder weather grabs hold...

As far as the planning side goes: I want to take more pictures one day when I have more time so I can get into the nitty gritty of the bicycle infrastructure here. For now I will just say that I can ride the whole way to campus, which is out in the countryside a bit, on dedicated cycle track. It generally runs on both sides of the street when in town, though I've noticed further afield in the countryside it is more trail like, with two way track on one side of the road, separated by a few feet of greenery. (Nerd note: I wish I knew more about how the Right of Way allocation works here!! It's so great that there is enough space on the side of the road to allow for the separated path). Another favorite feature is a little device I ride by on the way to campus that told me today I was the 400-something-th bike to pass by, and noted my speed (I'll keep that to myself). Wow!

Back to the weather: It was actually sunny here this past weekend! And it wasn't windy, which makes a huge difference. I enjoyed the sun on saturday with a bbq in the park with a bunch of other international students. You can buy little tin portable grill devices for about $6, so its pretty nice for assembling a large group. Sunday I left Aalborg for the first time since arriving to check out the beach - pictures to come! (Nerd note: There was a trail all along the beach that went in front of what looked to be very nice homes. Wondering property ownership at the coast works here - any easements necessary!?)

But we were told it is the last of summer, and it seems to be true.

Buses: The bus system here is quite interesting! (Nerd note: I love transit!!) Buses seem to run frequently and for the most part on time. The bus I take to campus has about 10-15 headways all day and is quite crowded all day as well. One thing that the folks over at the Seattle Transit Blog would love is the steep penalty for cash fare - $18 DKK (or about $3.25) for cash payment, compared to $2 with a 10-ride ticket. I think its less with a monthly pass. You have an hour transfer. Boarding through the front, pay as you enter, exit through the rear two doors. I hope to do a more detailed post on this topic, with pictures, as well.

Classes: Still happening. Some good, some bad. Don't really feel like elaborating much on that for the moment.

Home: We had a very very quiet french roommate, living here with the four girls. He was on some sort of weird schedule where he was here April - October, instead of normal semester times, so in any case he's gone and we've got an Albanian guy who most recently lived in Spain and Italy as his replacement. He seems to be much more social, and is cooking us dinner tonight! I don't have many photos uploaded but there is one of my room. I don't remember if I've said this already, but my room is huge and ready for visitors!! It's nice and cozy and light. I have two more windows, looking out to the intersection, not pictured here.


It's kind of hard to believe a month has gone by. Feels like a long time in some ways, and a short time in others.

Thanks for all the comments and readings!