The Franklins Visit from Iowa!

It's been awhile since our last blog. We actually have several in the works to share with all of you! Joseph is nearly ready to post several daily entries about his job experience here at Leif Hansen. He also has a fun office event to share about. Coming up soon!!

This past weekend we were happy to host some of our good friends from Iowa on a special trip to Copenhagen to visit us! Tim & Katherine Franklin made the long flights abroad and endured 3.5 days of sightseeing and game playing with the Thomases! I'm going to share about the weekend by days, in effort to not have an impossibly long blog.

Tim & Katherine arrived early Thursday afternoon. After going to our apartment and dropping off luggage, we took them out on a walk of the area around our apartment. In this photo we are walking along the canal. From left to right: Amber, Joseph, Katherine, and Tim.

Christiania: the city within a city. This is an area in Copenhagen with no acknowledged government rule. It was established in the early 1970s and for a time the people of Christiania enjoyed open drug trade. Generally, the area is controlled by the Copenhagen politi (police). As you exit the small city through the main gate you read above you "You are now entering the EU." Picture takers aren't smiled upon in the area...so our apologies for the somewhat obscure shot.



While we were out on our walk we spotted this bull. We couldn't resist!

The next day we took our friends to see the city of Copenhagen and many of it's most touristy noted sites. This is at the Queen's residence just after the changing of the Royal Guard. I decided to stand a little ways away from the guard! Do you see the big gun?!

Near the Queen's residence is this beautiful Church, made of marble! It's gorgeous! Umm...we're sitting in front of it! Perhaps you can see part of it! :)





There it is! The marble Church!




Just a short walk north from the Queen's residence is the coast along which are many statues, including the famous Mermaid, picture previously posted. As we were walking towards the Mermaid, Joseph spotted this submarine across the way!!




This mote surrounds the military base very near the coast and Mermaid statue. The building behind us is an old church, still in service!

Also in the area is the Museum of Danish Resistance, 1940-1945. This is the truck that was driven through the streets of Copenhagen during the Resistance of the Germany imposition. "Frit Danmark" translates, Free Denmark.

We really enjoyed the sunshine!! We even broke out the sunglasses!! After passing through an area of town we arrived at Rosenborg Palace, close to the center of Copenhagen. Here we are sitting in the Royal Gardens, taking a royal break!



This is a really cool tree in the Royal gardens!



See how big and impressive it is!?

Joseph and I have seen this car a few times as we've passed through this area. We don't think it ever moves anywhere, but it's an old California Highway Patrol car!

This area is beyond charming. It is Nytorv Canal. Walking along here with the eateries and shops to the left and these spectacular boats to the right....it's just enchanting.

Boy, have I ever felt short!! It was a rare experience for Joseph, but here we have a replica of the tallest man in recorded history! This is in front of the Guinness Book of World Records Museum and shop of Stroget in Copenhagen, the pedestrian shopping street.

Coming up... the next part of the visit!