The Copenhagen Puzzle

     The battle... in the past I always look back at these moments in hindsight through a romantic lense. I played up how the struggles were what made the victory of succeeding in a foreign country so sweet. This time around, in the name of interesting writing and authenticity, I want to be more honest about it and blog about the process as it’s happening. With that said being on the edge of a society is both intriguing and scary. The intrigue comes from going out socializing seeing the people and the culture. When you’re out and you’re identified by the locals as being more than a tourist people become fascinated by you.  A friend once called this effect - holding the traveler card. Already, so many times, I’ve been asked – “why would you come to Denmark?... we’re so small.” My answer is the freedom, the creativity I see in people, and the intrigue of the newness of everything. Locals like this answer it endures you to them. For me that “newness” is a kind of drug, it’s enthralling and exciting. Again on this trip there were times when I felt like I didn’t need much sleep or to eat as much as I would usually. My body was literally being fed on experience. Now where the fear factor comes into play is the question – can I actually make it? Everyone I have met here says getting a job without speaking Danish is extremely difficult.

    The natural comparison point is my arrival in Amsterdam seven years ago. Then, same as here, there was a learning curve that needed to be met.  Similar to Denmark Dutch people speak English, but they expect to speak Dutch in all service related exchanges in their own country. I struggled mightily at first in Amsterdam working a number of dishwashing jobs in the office buildings of ABN Ambro. Eventually it all worked out though when I got a sweet job as a creative copy writer for an Advertising company called: Media Republic. That opportunity came around through a combination of sheer luck and meeting Dutch people around the city who pointed me in the right directions.

      In Copenhagen I’ve met a lot of people and my social life even in a week is diverse and fun. Already, I have the opportunity to write for the local English weekly News paper; potentially a job this summer to work at the Roskilde festival, and the chance to help a bunch of young people re-establish a famous music venue and club called the Stengade. However, the real issues still remain -even if hidden under the guise of good times and fun – finding a permanent place to stay and finding a real job.  When I think about this fear sets in; the kind of fear that paralyses you and makes you want to sit and watch TV and waste time idly. The fear I’ve felt before when I’ve literally eclipsed all my recourses. That point hasn’t come yet, and won’t for a little while, however in the name of maturity – with my birthday a mere 8 days away – I want to avoid that if I can.  I’ll need to put some muscle to my hustle. As it has been in the past with other cities Copenhagen is like a puzzle with things to be learned. All I can do is start to see the picture as a whole as I continue to lay pieces down. Key though is I have to act even though everything hasn't yet been revealed...