The first thing we did was check out the library for internet and then we called someone Laurie knew in Amsterdam. We didn't originally plan to go there, but now have decided "why not?" It is pretty close to where we are and we might have a free place to stay for a night. So that is our plan. We will be in Amsterdam for the week-end!
Odense is known for Hans Christian Andersen, the author of many fairy tales. I didn't know he was an author of many of the stories that I knew even though I had heard of him.
We went to check out the museum there. We also were aware that there was a show there. We walked over to the museum. The house was closed for renovations and the price didn't seem worth it for the museum. We just waited for the show to start which was free. It was outside and we sat and ate our lunch. It was all families with kids. Again we were wondering if this was just a kids show. It had people singing and acting and even though it was mostly in Swedish, it was thoroughly enjoyable. I wanted to go back to the later one to hear it in English. I guess I am a kid at heart.
The other place we were going to go is the Karl Neilsen museum. He is a composer that also came from here. Unfortunately, it was closed today.
Since we are now going to Amsterdam we have decided to stop back in Odense on our way there. That way we can leave some stuff here while we go for a few days to an island to bike ride.
Odense may not have much, but I really liked it. The hostel was not crowded and I had the TV room to myself.
July 30, 2003
I had eggs for breakfast which was a nice change from cereal. After breakfast Laurie and I packed up. We were taking our small packs for two days. My sleeping gear and some food; not much else.
We stored our bags at the hostel and we set off to go to the walking tour for 11:00. There were about 12 people, I think all Danish. I asked the guide if she would be giving the tour in English. She said she would. So she spoke in Danish and repeated in English. She did a good job. The tour was two hours, so we ate lunch afterwards. We then waited for the train at 2:50 to go to Svendbury. From there we had to catch a ferry to Aeroskoping. For directions to the ferry, I stopped and asked a man. He was very nice and we had a nice chat. It is nice to talk to some of the local people.
The ferry ride was beautiful. We got off the ferry and it reminded me of Martha's Vineyard, where everyone is trying to get on along with their bikes. The village is quaint with the cobblestone alleys and row houses with red roofs. It wasn't very crowded.
We walked about 3/4 of a mile to the hostel. It is nice, but not as nice as last night's. There are alot more people here. The setting is picturesque. We have a field of wheat that looks like it is ready to harvest and beyond that is the bay. There is a little patch of land in the water in the shape of a boomerang. There is land all the way across, but I don't know if it is part of this island.
Laurie went to a jazz concert. I took a walk around. There was a large windmill with the sun setting behind it. It was a nice picture. I walked up to the windmill, but by the time I got there the sun moved.
I think it will be an early night for me.
July 31, 2003
Laurie and I rented bikes at the hostel. It was 45 kroner a day, which is about $7. Not a bad deal. Sure they aren't top of the line with 10 or more speeds. They are just three speeds, two wheels, and a seat. It was good enough to tour the island. This island is very small, about 19 miles long and 5 miles at the widest part. I figured that even if Laurie and I didn't know where we were going, we couldn't get lost.
It was a pleasant day to ride. We rode along the coast and through villages. There were a lot of farms. Some homes have thatched roofs. They were amazing. This one house's roof looked like it was about 10" thick, looked very neat. I am sure it doesn't do well in fire. Must have some kind of protection.
The roads are narrow, but there wasn't alot of traffic. There were bike lanes on some of the roads. So many people ride bikes everywhere.
I did discover though that as quaint as it seems to ride a bike through the lanes on cobblestones, it isn't a lot of fun. I prefer the smooth tar.
Laurie and I stopped a couple of times. Once along the coast. We sat under a tree eating nectarines and reading. Another stop was at a little store and we had a popscicle. It was warm out and it quenched our thirst. The last stop was back in town as we sat on the green and had lunch. Layed under the tree thinking that this is not such a bad life.
We stopped at the grocery store and then rode back to the hostel. I took a little nap. After dinner, I took a bike ride. I was looking for Laurie. She went looking for free music. I couldn't find her so I rode around.
I went back to the hostel after awhile thinking Laurie might have come back. She hadn't, so I decided to walk back into town. My butt was too sore to ride. As soon as I started walking Laurie came riding up. She didn't find any music. I took my walk. There was a pretty sunset. I saw the row of about 30 small, real small buildings. They weren't any bigger than an AT shelter. I walked toward them. They were right on the water. Some were bigger than others; some had a deck. They were painted all different colors. I don't know what they are used for. Maybe they use it just to have lunch while at the water. Maybe people have them just to watch the sunset. I don't know.
I walked back. It was about 9:45. I am not tired because I napped today. I finished my book and I am lost without something to read. I guess I should go to bed. We have to catch the 8:55 ferry tomorrow to go back to Odense.
