Spring does exist! Check out the buds on this tree right outside my building! I even dried my clothes on the line the other day (mostly because I ran out of money on my laundry card and am too lazy/cheap to put more on it haha).

And here's where the ice skating rink used to be...it's pictured in a post from January. This morning actually I went to the Albertslund square and was almost sweating wearing only my fleece! Whoo, bring on the warm weather!

Last Wednesday, April 16th was the Queen's birthday which is celebrated by her making numerous appearances on her balcony so half of Denmark (at least I'm convinced that's how many people are here) could cheer and wave their Danish flags around. I took a video of it, so now you can say you've seen the Danish Queen! She may be a tiny spec, but she is there!

Simone, Hilary, and I made it to the celebration just in time....hence why we're in the back of all the crowd. Simone's from Chippewa Falls, WI so we both know about Honeyweiss and were the ones to decide that the Honey Dew beer here tastes like it.

And, fittingly we talked about the Royal Family in my Danish class last week and this is how it works. It's actually quite amusing the line of rulers Denmark has had. Denmark has been a monarchy for more than 1000 years with Christian IV being the most well-known. He got Denmark into many wars, lost lots of money and land BUT built up Christianshavn (a part of Copenhagen) therefore he is the most remembered. Many years later another Christian, Christian VII, who is said to be a little insane, was best friends with a prostitute and a monkey. He made his doctor his adviser who ended up falling in love and having an affair with Chrisitian's wife. When he found out he had the doctor decapitated and displayed his body parts for all of Copenhagen to see. The wife, who was the English King's sister (they were married through an arrangement because Denmark and England were trying to develop good relations), was locked up and died at the ripe age of 21. Today, things run a bit differently.

Queen Margrethe and the Royal family are seen as PR figures for Denmark now-a-days and don't have any governmental power. They're well paid, but not filthy rich (earning roughly 600,000 dollars a year, which are taxed) at least that's what my teacher said but I think that's a pretty hefty salary to schmooze around. One might wonder why the monarchy still exists if the Queen doesn't hold any power and how it doesn't fit with the Danish mentality of everyone being equal...well, it's because it is a constant. Those Danes aren't big on change so something that has been in effect for over 1000 years is highly unlikely to change. The Queen's son, Frederick, is currently just waiting for his mom to step down and allow him to be King. It sounds luxurious, but honestly I think I would get bored quickly if I were to be part of the Royal family. Also, a little tidbit on the Royal Family--the King's names have alternated between Christian and Frederick since 1448, when the first Christian became King.

Here's the video of the Queen and all the Danish flags waving. Also, one more entertaining danish word for you: smuk means Very Beautiful. Enjoy! Next up is my trip to the UK this past weekend!