Christiania and Copenhagen

Christiania is known as “Free town” in Copenhagen. The people living there like to think they are separate from not only Copenhagen, but Denmark and the EU, as you can read “You are now entering the EU” on the sign when you leave!

It was founded on an abandoned military barracks in the Christianshavn borough and developed into a mostly self-governed community. You are not allowed to take photos in the town, especially on Pusher Street, which is the main street and has signs painted everywhere saying NO PHOTOS. I’d show what I mean if I could have taken a picture! They mean it too, I saw one guy holding a camera by his side and trying to subtly take photos. Within 2min two of the locals were demanding he show them his camera and delete photos. Not violently, but very serious. I kept my camera in my backpack!

They had a few markets selling things, a play ground, a pub or two, and there is apparently a vegetarian restaurant there also. The locals looked a little rough but I think you are fine as long as you play by the rules. Quite a lot of them owned very large dogs too. The kind that could eat me for a snack haha.

I then walked past the Opera House and back accross the river and up to the Little Mermaid Statue, inspired by an Ice Play based on the story by the famous Hans Christian Andersen (a Dane).

I met up with the Finnish Girl and her mate for lunch at another great Vegetarian Buffet called RizRaz. We initially tried to go to Govindas but found in its place an ECO shop, where the guy told us the restaurant was burned down and they couldn’t afford to start up again

After that we visited Tivoli, probably the most expensive amusement park. It was $20 just for entrance, then $4 a ticket with the decent rides needing 3 or 4 tickets! Even the roller coaster was only 30seconds long. There wasn’t a single free activity inside! So we kinda just walked around for a bit and made fun of the train drivers Oh there is a free light show but that wasn’t till 11pm.

For some reason it had a large Chinese theme to it. Probably hasn’t changed in years and had to do something at the time of build.

We hung out in a park for a while with some drinks and I tried something called Salmiaki, which is famous in Finland. Its a little like a licorice Warhead, a spicy candy. We had a last drink at a cafe also with a guy from my hostel before parting. She had plans of cycling back to Finland over a week – Hope she made it!

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