Denmark and a few

choice words about couchsurfing.org . From what I can tell, if you are solo traveling as a woman the men you stay with will probably try to get it, but in my case at least, they always backed off when they realized I wasn't into it.

Now I realize I only stayed with two people when I was by myself, an Indian in Denmark and a Viennese dude in Austria, but it happened both times.  So I guess you need to ask yourself if twice makes a pattern, and for me it definitely does.  

Actually European men in general were very easy to friendzone.. I never had to explicitly say "BACK OFF" because they could always read the signs, which is important considering I was attending Salsa/Bachata congresses and music festivals by myself.  And even when they realized I had a boyfriend, they didn't recoil in horror, just carried on being my friend.  Love that.

Anyways!

Denmark pictures.  As my first destination was Copenhagen, I had no idea what to do, how I wanted to spend my time, so I just sort of wandered around the city.

 Above and below are pictures inside Christiansborg Palace.

 One thing I love about European cities are all the people performing in the street.

City center shot.

Thoughts on Copenhagen, Denmark:

Too expensive
Everyone CAN speak English, but they start out with Danish because it's rude to assume you're a foreigner.
To blend in, dress in many many black layers. (and be a tall blonde woman).
It's cold. Hence the layers.

I really didn't do much here.  I don't think I really understood how to experience a city.  Also it unnerved me how expensive everything was..

The Magician's Assistant

If you have to make a choice between doing something and not doing something, always ALWAYS do it.  I've never regretted seizing an experience, even if it cost me something.  It's good for you to be nervous, and overcome it.  You don't have to wait to do something until your friends will do it with you.

Live music is always worth the money.  Experiencing a wholly different country than the one you were brought up in is always worth the money.

This doesn't count when you're buying material objects, clothing, a new blender, Persian rugs.  If you're not sure if you want it or not, it means you don't.

This is how I saved enough money to travel Europe for two months (solo for one month), and to make sure I enjoyed my time there to the fullest.

It's our one year anniversary today.  Heading to India in a few months to see him.  Can't believe I managed to make it to a year with anyone actually, especially given we've  been apart more than we've been together.   It helps that he doesn't try to keep me on a leash.  Encouraged me to travel to Europe, encourages me to go out dancing because he knows that's what makes me happy.  I'm so lucky to have him.

Heard this song in Serbia.  Vance Joy - Riptide.  His debut album (available this September) is called "God Loves You When You're Dancing", which I personally think is a remarkably relevant title.

lifeboat

trying desperately to make my apartment look put-together.  Stumbling through all my boxes and various treasures that I packed up over two months ago..

----
You: the room I run to during
tornado warnings,

highest point during
flood season,

the bloodbank
I frequent after

stabbings.

I am a  river slow-winding its way to the
ocean

home.
your lips taste of

salt.