Rain Today

I don't have any classes on Wednesday, so I slept in today. Actually, I don't have class until noon on Mondays and Thursdays, so I can sleep in those days too. My schedule is very strenuous. :)

I took the subway into central Copenhagen today to get my CPR number. This is like a social security number, and you need it for the library and for health care. I had to go the the Copenhagen folkeregister (or something like that). Then you take a number, and wait until a person is available. She asked me which doctor I would like to use, male or female. Turns out there is a 60-year old male doctor 500 meters from Oresunds on Amagerbro Blvd. Thats who I'm signed up with now.

Taking a number is very common in many places. I stopped at the post office today, and it was the same thing. Take a number and wait until it is called. A post card stamp to the US cost 8.25 kroner ($1.38). That was more expensive than I was guessing.

Took a trip to Netto today as well. I guess that is the cheapest grocery store. Bought bread, meat, cheese, lettuce, chips. Sandwich materials. There wasn't much selection in this supermarket, so I might try going to a different one next time. I bought some butter-like stuff...not sure if there is real butter available. Butter is the kind of thing that doesn't have nice pictures or see-through packaging so you can see what you are getting. I managed to get through the checkout without speaking English. :) Not that I spoke any Danish either.

My new shoes are amazing. Might be the best shoes I've owned. I've done a lot of walking since being here, and my feet are never sore wearing these shoes. Well, I guess they did get a little sore yesterday, but that was after walking for 3 hours in the afternoon. The shoes are waterproof too, which is great. Walking around in the rain or in the slushy snow doesn't mean cold, wet feet. Copenhagen usually has a number of puddles at intersections or on sidewalks that you need to manuever, so the waterproof shoes is a very good thing.

Food is very expensive. I bought a muffin yesterday for 6 DKK ($1). Rolls and related things at the bakeries in town are usually about 7-10 DKK ($1-1.50). Eating at McDonalds is going to be about 50-60 DKK ($8-10). To eat any sort of meal at a fast food type place is usually at least 40 kroner. At an actual restuarant, probably much more.

The pizzeria and burger/fries place in our kollegium is quite cheap I guess. Austin got a pizza yesterday for 33 kroner (about $5.50). It was cheese-only, so maybe that is cheaper. Still, not too bad. I think you can get a burger/fries down there for 40-45 kroner. The ice cream is expensive though...I bought a Nestle ice cream bar that ended up being 14 kroner ($1.30).

The subway system runs similar to how MnDOT runs the light rail at home, on the honor system. They don't check your pass or ticket when you get on the train. You are expected to have paid the correct fare. Occasionally there will be an officer that walks down the train as it goes between stations and asks to see your ticket. It is a 600 kroner fine if you don't have the correct one ($100). I wasn't checked at all the first 6 days here, but have been checked twice in the last two days.

The subways run with no driver or any staff on board. All automated. There is a big window at the front of the train, so you can sit up there and watch as you zoom through the tunnels.

I think I'll be working in the IT department here for my work study, doing stuff in the computer labs. They assigned me to IT at a meeting on Monday, and I'm still waiting for them to send me an email about the training session.

It looks like there might be some difficulties with volunteering at the school. I talked with Julie on the phone last night, and the English classes are Monday, Tuesday, and Thurday afternoons. I have class Monday/Thursday afternoon, and I don't get done on Tuesday afternoons until 1:30pm. Apparently the other DIS volunteer has the same problem. Julie was a little disappointed that DIS didn't pay closer attention to when people had free spots in their schedule. I meet with her next Wednesday, so we'll see if we can work something out.