Journey's End

"All those who wander are not lost," Elrond tells us.  Matter of fact, I believe those who wander are far more likely to find themselves and their dreams than the people to remain in their own little shires.

Denmark is certainly the Land of Dreams and Fairy Tales--it IS the home of H.C. Andersen. 

Our trip was indeed a special, magical adventure.  From the moment we landed in Copenhagen to our visit to Aarhus to our Saturday departure, we were enchanted by the sights, people, and customs.  Just walking from Central Station to our hotel evoked a world of museums, catherdrales, and famous statues. 


Here are just a VERY FEW observations about Danes:

And did I mention bikes? Bikes, bikes, bikes.  Bikes everywhere.  I think at least half, if not more, ride a bike to work or school.  We discovered while in Aarhus that most bikes cost over $1000.  Don't even ask about the price of car!

The Danes are great at saving space.  No corner, nook, or craney is wasted.   The shower at our hotel WAS the bathroom.  One just pulls the wrap around shower curtain together, turns on the sink facet, twists a lever, and like magic, the bathroom becomes a shower. 

The Danes are all beautiful.   I think I returned with a complex.  Who wouldn't be jealous of tall, slender blonds with perfect smiles?   However, not all Danes are blond; many are brunettes--beautiful brunettes.

The Danes are independent people who teach their children to be independent and self sufficient.  The youth have tons of freedom; however, they realize they have tons of responsibility which keeps them in line.  I didn't see one teacher doing hall duty--the kids were responsible for themselves. 

The Danes have one of the highest tax rates in the world.  I don't think I need to elaborate on this one.

I wish that all the teachers and students at Cuthbertson could experience what we did in Denmark.  I truly believe that traveling, that wandering gives us a different world view.  We don't take our own lives for granted, we don't think that our ideologies and "truths" are the only philosophies, and we are able to let go of so many prejudices. 

I so enjoyed meeting the staff and students of Aarhus Katherdraleskole.  I SO want this program to work.  I don't want to be member of a global school just for the sake of being named a global school.  I want my colleagues and students to experience a life beyond the North Carolina border, to meet new people, to interact with new ideas.

Though our first journey is at an end, our new journey as a sister school is just beginning.  And though it "can be dangerous business walking out" one's front door, where would Bilbo Baggins be if not for the journey?  A hobbit without adventure, without new friends, without a paradise of the Blue Havens.