Hygge, Alarms, and more Nighttime Adventures

I know I've probably been updating a little too frequently, but it seems that everytime I walk away from my computer, something else ridiculous happens. Welcome to my life, people.

Monday afternoon I came back from class intending to go for a run. I noticed there weren't any cars in the driveway, but the fam finally gave me a key so I let myself in. As soon as I stepped in the door I realized I had set the alarm off. The beeping got progressively louder and louder as I panicked and called my host parents. No answer. The neighbors were staring, and I was mentally preparing myself to get arrested when Thomas called me back and told me the code. He then had to call the home security company and tell them not to send the cops. Good one, Caitlin!

Then, Monday evening my Survival Danish class met at a cafe called "Zugar Baby" for a free meal (sweeeeettt) and to experience was the Danes call "hygge." That literally translates to "cozy," I think, but my interpretation was that it just meant eating and drinking for an extended period of time. Our teacher had us all take a shot of something called Gammel Dansk.... the only way I can describe it is you know how a Yankee Candle store smells? It tasted like that. I don't know, but needless to say it was a good time. (Speaking of "I don't know," my uncle suggested DTE as an abbrev. for "devil the egg." Clearly better than IDK... going to have to start using that one!)

So Tuesday rolls around and Becky, Sara, and I (and hopefully Courtney too!) decided to sign up for a 1 credit class that will take us on a sick tour of Rome during the 2nd week of our travel break. Traveling with DIS definitely seems to be the way to go... muchhhh cheaper. I'm really excited, but our professor is nuts and his last name is Bro, which, coming from Gburg I find hilarious.

While we were waiting around for this class to start, some crazy lady who legitimately looked like Calypso from Pirates of the Carribbean came up to us and begged for something in some strange language. We shook our heads, and then I'M PRETTY SURE she put a curse on us. I'm waiting to see if I turn into a skeleton in the moonlight. This lady was freakin creeeeepy.

At that point, I decided to get on the bus and go for a short run before the Rome class. Afterwards, Iben asked me if I could only take one shower a day (Okay, legitimate request... they are super environmentally conscious around here) but then she was like, "...and can you try to keep them to 2-3 minutes?" SERIOUSLY? I took a shower in 6 min the other day and I thought that was good. I'm clearly never going to be able to shave so good thing it's cool enough to wear pants here. I've taken to turning the water off while shampooing and all that, and am proud to say that my current PR is 1:53 (time water was running).

Okay this is getting long, so I'll finish with last night. We had a big Gburg gathering at a place called the Moose Bar. (We don't have class on Wednesdays, btw) It was really tiny and cramped, but then there was this random giant room in the back where we all hung out with some Danish guys. Things got a little wild, some guy dropped his beer on Julia's head, I'd rather not go into details but if you want to know ... just ask! :) You all know I'm always more than willing to share stories. The good news is, I got on the right bus this time.

Anyway, I have 2 more days of classes, and then it's off to Ribe for the weekend! (Ribe is supposedly the oldest town in Denmark? It's on the Western coast.) I'm pretty pumped but I don't know anyone else on the trip, so hopefully I will make some friends.

I'm sure you'll be hearing from me again soon!