A Travel Blog: This Unexpected Detour

Before leaving to study abroad, I was expecting that I would be meeting wonderful Aussies in the University of New South Wales, Australia.  I had plans to meet up with my best friend from UCSB and we were going to journey around the land down under together. After researching and putting on, what I thought was, a great impression on the EAP interviewers to be accepted into the Immersion Program, I received heartbreaking news via email that I could not go to Australia. (more…)

Abroad On a Budget

Before my arrival, I heard through the grapevine that Copenhagen is one of the most expensive cities in the world. All the international students are baffled about the prices. At first, it took a lot of time for me to adjust from US dollars to Danish Kroners; my wallet is heavy from ores—1,2,5,10,20 Danish Kroner come in coin form—and (hating math) I find myself dividing everything by 5 to convert it to US dollars. In the beginning, I came with the mindset that everything will be pricey, but after a few weeks I’ve come to the conclusion that it really depends on what you are buying. Many things are actually only $1-2 dollars more expensive. I still have not found coupons yet (or ways to pay less than 320 DKK for a monthly 2-zoner Metropass without sneaking around the pass-checkers), but I just want to share a few tips of eating cheaper here, now that I have some knowledge about living cheap. (more…)

Freedom in Copenhagen?

It has been about two weeks since I’ve arrived to Copenhagen. Before I came abroad, I was constantly baffled by the geographical knowledge of my fellow schoolmates and friends. Copenhagen is the main big city of Denmark, a little island with canals, swamps, lakes, etc. all around its crevices. It’s beautiful; a returnee that I spoke to was annoyed of the weather when she was here, but the weather is not all that bad… yet.

Last week, when the sun was out to warm the Amager Beach Park (which is a short walk away from my house—just like the distance from Abrego to DP), I took the opportunity for a long stroll around the shores. Freedom Item 1: nudity. Boobies of all size, shapes and age were everywhere. I was excited to know that I can take it all off without a care, but it would have been awkward since my roommate was with me (I’ll save the awkward roommate story for a different post). Nakedness makes sense to me and it always has. We were born naked, and after a certain age we became shy with our bodies, as if we have something to hide. Moreover, we even get arrested and fined for it; I’d like to see a baby running around in his/her diaper being stopped by the police. The concept of clothing, the question “What should I wear today?”, the constant worrying of if this and that looks “good” on me, fashion and the “I’m going to pay $50 for this shirt because this brand/style is popular.” How disgusting to disguise yourself. Wouldn’t it be nice to not give a fuck? Europe, 1; CA, 0. (more…)