UK Adventure

15 May, Saturday: Up at 3:10 AM, before the alarm. I ordered the taxi for 4:30, but he arrived at 4:20 and I was already outside. A beautiful day is in store, I believe, but I won’t be around to see it.

The BA plane is very small, like the ones that fly into Quincy, so I’m used to them. The flight takes a little less than two hours. As we fly into Denmark I notice three things—there are islands all over the place, there are windmills (power generators) in the water, and the wind is very blustery. All three things cause excitement. After landing we had to take a bus to the terminal, and I went through passport control very quickly. They stamped my passport which made me happy, but I forgot to check if it shows, or if it’s very faint like the French stamp. I quickly grabbed my suitcase to see Rob and Beata grinning at me. They both engulfed me in a giant hug; actually Beata was in the middle and we kind of crushed her. Then I noticed Stasha and Alexander (Bea’s mom and step-dad). We did lots of kissing and hugging and they presented me with a huge beautiful bouquet of flowers.

We drove to their home and Stasha began preparing a sumptious breakfast—eggs with Muenster cheese, polish sausage and ham, a salad made from chopped onions, tomato, pepper, garlic, herbs from the garden and olive oil (like a fresh salsa). And fresh bread toasted on top of this very old toaster. Also, banana marmalad that Stasha made, riccota cheese, cottage cheese, other cheeses,radishes, pork pate, red caviar, beet and horseradish dish, coffee, water and Turkish tea. Omigod. Luckily this was both breakfast and lunch, because I ate until I could barely push myself away from the table. The bread, dipped in the sauce from the salad, was heavenly.

We went for a tour of the city. Stasha stayed home as she’d just had chemo yesterday. But Alexander drove. They have a truck-like van, so three of us can sit up front and someone has to sit in the back with no windows and no access to the front. Since it’s carpeted back there, it’s nice because it offers an opportunity to sleep without offending anyone. So we all took turns (except Alexander, who always drove).

We saw so many wondrous sights. The Marble Church and Amalienborg Palace were first, then to the harbor where two tall ships were in. We got to tour the George Stage for free. It’s a tall ship, and it’s masts were so high. Apprentice seamen climbed up while we were there and I got some pictures. Also Rob took a picture of Beata and me at the wheel, but he couldn’t see my face because I was too short, so I bent down and my face shows through the spokes.

Some of the streets were a mass of people, still in town from the royal wedding yesterday. The day started out nasty—weather wise—but ended up so beautiful. Our tour also included the former “red light district” which has been gentrified. Everywhere were hearts, banners, and pictures of the happy couple, Prince Frederich and Princess Mary. Yesterday they rode through the streets in their carriage after the ceremony.

We took many pictures. Bigger than life statues were everywhere. Got so many good ones. (Mostly what I got were lots of hugs and kisses from Rob and Beata. That makes up for few hugs in the UK.)

Copenhagen is lovely and so old. The Marble Church is a giant circle with a glorious dome…all of marble of course. On the outside it’s surrounded by statues of the apostles, saints, bishops, and Kierkegaard. Bea and I have a picture with his statue. Inside the church there’s a memorial to the men who died building it. Amalienborg Palace is the residence of the royal family. It surrounds a square (actually a circle) with a gorgeous fountain. Several good photo ops there. Beatka kept repeating that she couldn’t stand being a queen with cars driving by all the time. She said that everyone likes the Crown Prince and his new bride but no one likes his younger brother who married a golddigger. “He is ugly like butt.” Bea speaks four languages beautifully, and every so often gives us a wonderful turn of phrase that I document and remember. (I’ll never forget her joke in Japan about “mother-in-law from the hell.”

I must write about Beatka’s mother and step-father. Mom is Stanislawa, called Stasha. Bea didn’t grow up living with her, she lived with her Grandmother. So her relationship with her mother is still growing and evolving. She and Beata look alike—that means she’s very pretty. Stasha is a very gracious and solicitous hostess. She makes a beautiful home and cooks such delicious meals. She is in the midst of chemo and is one of the people I’m working for in the Avon Breast Cancer Walk. I gave her one of the T-shirts and she liked it, even though it’s way too big for her. Alexander is half-Greek and half-Egyptian—a handsome man. They’ve been married eight years.

Twenty-five years ago Alexander started building this house and is always adding to it. Stasha said all winter they work inside and all summer outside. He is an architect but does absolutely all the work inside, no need for contractors. The woodwork is fantastic.

The gardens and courtyards are superb and fun. Little surprises await you everywhere—a gnome here, a Greek artifact there. He and Stasha live in a small section of the house and leave the larger portion for company. She is more comfortable in the small kitchen and lounge rather than the fancy new one. They are very nice people.

Stasha speaks Polish, some English, and very little Danish. He speaks Turkish, Greek, German, some Danish and some English. So it’s an interesting conversation they have. When Beata is here she speaks Polish to Stasha, Danish to Alexander, and English to Rob and me. Too bad no Russian is here, that would give her an opportunity to interpret more. I thought she spoke four languages but Rob says she speaks four or five more, but she doesn’t say she is fluent, so doesn’t talk about them. She is so smart. Constantly going back and forth and keeping all of us in the conversation. She does it effortlessly.

Dinner was steak, new potatoes, broccoli with cheese and nuts, sautéed mushrooms and onions. Mmmm-mmmm good.

Before dinner I downloaded all of Rob and Bea’s pictures to my computer, along with my own, so we had quite a slide show. I also showed them my pics from the UK. After dinner we watched Eurovision 2004, the international song contest. It was held in Turkey this year; every year it goes to the winner’s homeland. So many of the acts were just plain bad and we laughed a lot. Perhaps because we were drinking? I had beer, straight Polish vodka, and red wine—and basically all at the same time. Beata’s mom will not take no for an answer. Luckily I knew when to stop.

Stasha and Alexander are coming to the US for Christmas this year so we’ll be able to return their hospitality.

I forgot to mention all the gifts I received. From Stasha and Alexander I got a beautiful decorative plate and stand from Copenhagen. Also a lovely necklace, earrings and ring. Rob and Beata gave me a beautiful plate from Krakow Poland (where they visited relatives), an amber egg and stand, a green amber frog pin, and a handmade chess set. I just couldn’t believe all the wonderful gifts I received. I’m one lucky bug. I gave some gifts but they were so insignificant by comparison. Luckily no one cared about that.

I went to bed around 11:40 PM. Very late considering I only slept 3 hours last night.

posted by Jerilyn Dufresne, author @ 17:55