Chapter 4 - Northern Europe - life lessons

This morning we shared a typical Danish snack, which were open-faced sandwiches on thin slices of dark pumpernickel bread with toppings like scrambled egg, ham, and chopped up tomatoes. We also had fresh strawberries and pastries. I guess I can’t call them ‘Danish Pastries’ – it would be too much like the ‘Swiss Cheese’ and ‘French Fries’ thing. Jens also filled small glasses with something dark that smelled disgusting. Everyone had one and we were told to swallow it whole. It’s called bitters and apparently every Dane worth his salt starts the day with a shot. It left us gasping! So pungent and strong. Surely they don’t do this every day! Niki said it tasted like tar and I said I thought it resembled turpentine more and she said I was being too persnikety and I was always too persnickety and maybe I should become a teacher after all because I’m a know-it-all who likes telling everyone when they are wrong. I ignored the sting and took it as a compliment. Maybe we have been travelling together a little too long.

The Danes were very direct. After breakfast, we walked along the train carriage corridors while Ana peppered us with questions about ourselves before ‘counselling’ me. “You know you should really look people in the eye. I know you are shy, but looking at the ground is so antisocial. People will think you are rude. And get better glasses. They aren’t the right shape for your face. You know, your eyes are really lovely. Have you thought of contact lenses? That way people could see your eyes and you would not hide away behind those thick glasses. And don’t be afraid of being small. Your height is your height. Walk proud and for goodness sake keep your arms away from your waist. It looks like you are trying to keep your stomach from falling out of your body.” She never says anything like this to Niki - probably because Niki is already perfect.

We talked about what parts of our bodies we like best. Even Jens. I didn’t know guys felt as sensitive about some things as girls did. It's a revelation. Niki likes her boobs and hips. Someone complimented me on my ears once and of course I was still thinking about Ana’s comments about my eyes. I wish I had inherited my Mom’s hands. She has lovely hands, and doesn’t seem to know it. Even when she is complimented on them she tosses it off dismissively. I feel sorry for those hands, so beautiful and so unappreciated. If I had hands like that I would cherish them. Maybe I should tell her sometime that I think they are beautiful. I wonder what she would say. I get kind of embarrassed just thinking about it. Ana loves her shoulders and Jens favours his long athletic legs. He bicycles everywhre he tells us which is why his legs are brown and muscular. I was too shy to really look, but Niki bent down and felt his calf muscle. Right there in the middle of the second class compartments! She whistled her appreciation and I blushed while the others laughed. I think I should really try to follow Ana's counsel and maybe I'd feel less like an outsider.