the first/last time....

A brief reflection on cultural re-entry:

 

the last time I'll miss the last bus home and have to walk 
beautiful night though its freezing/can't feel my toes. where is everyone else? (3am) 

the first time I rode a bike 
terror: skinny tires, clip shoes, handlebar brakes only--eep!  

the first time I took a shower
shower/bathtub: what do I do with all this space? 

the first time I did my laundry
hung my wet clothes on every chair and door handle. 

the first time I drove a car
terror: I could definitely die this way.

the first time I went to the store
proud*: brought my own bag for goods 

Studenterhuset: the Volunteer-Run Cafe

This week I had my first shift at the volunteer run coffee shop, Studenterhuset ('Student House' in translation). Located in the center of the city, the space was taken over by Kobenhavn University students that wanted a space of their own for socializing.  They've turned it into a two story space with room for events, quiet study, parties and music shows run entirely by volunteers (you have to be a student) and a few paid responsibles. 

They bait volunteers with the promise of 4 free drink tickets per 5-hour shift, free coffee, tea, and entry into all events otherwise, along with the chance to practice tending bar--And for international students like myself, the opportunity to spend time with Danes in a natural, non-creepy way.  

The space is incredibly welcoming and seems to draw patrons beyond the academic crowd, all while apparently making a steady enough profit to expand their activites.  With all issues inherent to food places and volunteerism aside, the venue seems a great success and a no-brainer idea. While they've struggled in the past (see article beneath the cut), this seems like an incredible alternative to the cool-ified cafeteria that is the typical student union (or is that just UTDallas?). 

Just something to think about: A self-sustaining, living space. 

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Renewable Sweden: Malmo, Lund, & Kristianstad

Arhusharbor

Harbor in the city of Arhus, home to Absolut Vodka

While sustainable development has evolved to include the many dimensions of human growth and interaction, it's roots rest deeply in the environmental movement--specifically renewable energy. So my core class of my program took our first study trip to Sweden! --Home to cities such as Malmo, emerging international solar city, and Kristianstad, home to a bus fleet powered entirely by biogas. 

We took a private bus over the bridge that links Copenhagen to the Skane Swedish region, which was originally Danish until the mid-1600s, and is so close that remnants of Danish influence are still prominent.  

We hit the ground running, visiting an environmentally-focused afterschool daycare, biogas plant, green roof institute, the original organic restaurant, the western harbor, Lund catherdral, went hiking in the countryside, and took a water safari-- in 3 days!  It was quite a bit to take in, and I find myself only beginning to sort through much of what I experienced.  

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