Celebrate Sweden’s Obsession with Cinnamon Buns

On October 3, 2018October 3, 2018 By oregongirlaroundtheworldIn Copenhagen, Food, Scandinavia, Sweden2 Comments

Sweden has a Special Day for Their Favorite Sweet

October 4th is National Cinnamon Bun Day | Kanelbullens dag

It might seem silly to celebrate a cinnamon roll. But the Swedes take their sticky sweets very seriously. This is due in part to the cultural entrenchment of fika in Sweden. Fika is that oh-so Swedish ritual of taking a daily pause with colleagues and friends that often includes coffee and a sweet. Most popularly enjoyed when taking fika with friends? Coffee of course. And a sticky sweet knotted and spiced cinnamon roll. Known as kanelbullar in Swedish.

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Walking the Path of a Life Lived Abroad

On September 21, 2018September 21, 2018 By oregongirlaroundtheworldIn American Expat, Copenhagen14 Comments

When you Step Away From a Life You Had Planned

There is a path that you are supposed to follow. For a well-led life. A path that takes you from the boisterous enthusiasm of your sometimes pimply faced youth through high school and on. To the expectation and rah-rah of those determined and dedicated university years. A path that is supposed to launch you into the world, on newly emergent adult type wings still wet and unfurling, fluttering and trying to fly. On your own.

The path may take you through first jobs and first apartments and first loves and second loves and third dates and devastating breakups and then when the time is right, the path proposes marriage. Then maybe a first home. A small white saltbox outside Cincinnati, Ohio. You didn’t know when you started on this path where the house might be, but you knew there would be a house. Or two. Or more. In another place.

This same path potentially brings a dog. Then a family. The 2.5 kids. The path is stable and secure and laid out for you. For the most part. If you walk it. If you want it. Follow the path. Work hard, raise your kids, buy a house, save for retirement, send them to college and launch them on their own paths. Work some more. Retire. Happy. Fulfilled. Knowing you followed the path. It is what you were supposed to do. It’s what you are supposed to do. Continue reading “Walking the Path of a Life Lived Abroad” →

Where to Find the Best Views of Copenhagen

On August 20, 2018August 20, 2018 By oregongirlaroundtheworldIn Copenhagen33 Comments

12 Places to See the Danish Capital From Above

Climb one of Copenhagen’s Iconic Towers for Panoramic Vistas OF THE CITY

Stroll the cobblestone streets of Copenhagen’s old city and you will very soon see several of the historic spires and towers that dominate the Danish skyline. Come to Copenhagen she said. And see it from above. This compact and colorful city is walkable, or better yet – bikeable. Partly because it is so flat, flat, flat, flat. Great for getting around, but not as beneficial for finding breathtaking vistas where you can survey the city as a whole.

To get a bird’s eye view from above – you have to go up. Into one of those iconic towers. In the historic center of the city, building restrictions limit new construction heights, keeping the tallest structures you’ll see the same as they were centuries ago. Lucky for you, a wonderfully charming vista of old-school architecture comingles perfectly with modern Danish design. And it’s all there for you to see. Climb up one of these towers. Step above the streets. Here are the twelve best places to catch the city views from above.

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Do a Road Trip to the Dead Sea When in Israel

On July 29, 2018August 2, 2018 By oregongirlaroundtheworldIn Israel, Middle East37 Comments

Sink to New Lows While You Float on the World’s Saltiest Sea

DRIVE THROUGH THE NEGEV DESERT TO EIN BOKEK, ISRAEL

The absolute highlight of our recent family trip to Israel has to be the surreal feeling of floating atop the Dead Sea. Slippery, sort of slimy, slightly oily and extremely salty – getting in the water here is an amazing experience. You should definitely put it on your wandering wish list. Beautiful pale green water gently laps against yellow-orange beaches crusted with crystallized white salt formations. You have to see it to believe it. Take a road trip through the beautiful Negev Desert to get there.