30 Days of Indie Travel | Learning Languages, Day 13

If you could wake up tomorrow knowing any one language (one you don’t already know), what would it be and why?

I am hopelessly ungifted with languages. No natural talent whatsoever. In high school I wasn't a fan of speaking outloud in class and grateful (at the time) a foreign language was not a requirement to graduate. So like most American children, I was not exposed to many languages other than just English. I barely learned French in college. Un poquito Spanish has made its way into my vocabulary, but not really irredeemably so; because I lived in Tucson, Arizona for many years and traveled extensively in Mexico/Baja, the sounds and words started drifting in by proximity.

To answer the question, I wish I could wake up knowing Spanish, as I already have a jump start on it and also, it's the second most-spoken language of the world. Although Mandarin actually is population wise, with Spanish second and English third.

I like the idea of starting small today, with learning to toast life (or to send random bubbles of love) in as many different languages as possible. The clinking of glasses that cements friendships and celebrates new ones. I'm in Denmark today, therefore Skål! (pronounced Skoal in Denmark and Skawl in Sweden) Love, Sharon

Biking

1. bike_woodboat, 2. bikes_viewofsea, 3. bikes_undercover, 4. bike_rickshawdad, 5. bike_pink, 6. bike_orange

Copenhagen and the surrounding neighborhoods are all about bicycles. I know there are other places in the world where people probably use their bicycle just as much as in Denmark, but I'm not sure they do it the way the Danes do. They do it with style: in a suit, elegant dress and/or high heels, no problem!, and no matter what the weather. Two years ago Copenhagen was voted the "Best city for cyclists" and the "World's most livable city."

Bikes are definitely the best, fastest and cheapest way to get around and to explore. I especially love exploring by bike in Charlottenlund, the small town north where I'm staying. Forget about cars. They are so ridiculously expensive in Denmark due to high taxes, and very few young people have them. Usually Copenhageners don't buy a car until they have a family and kids. My favorite ones are the cargo bikes (Christiana Bikes).

1. flowerbike_bldgs, 2. bikes_green, 3. bike_bikeracemom, 4. bikes_onboardboat

I also read that cities all around the world are now looking at ways to copy this phenomenon. It really is biking heaven for the cyclist in Copenhagen with over 220 miles of designated bike lanes. As a tourist in Copenhagen you really must rent a bike here. I get homesick for my mountain bike; oh my love of bikes! Love, Sharon

Louisiana | Museum of Modern Art

Louisiana is one of the most beautiful museums in Copenhagen and is designed in a traditional Danish minimalistic style. (Well, actually it's not located in Copenhagen, but a bit north of Copenhagen in Humlebæk.) Louisiana is a museum for modern art where you can see changing art exhibitions and of course the permanent collection. I was disappointed that at the time of my visit, the permanent collection/wing of the museum was temporarily closed and under some sort of transformation. I was really hoping to see some of Hilma AF Klint's abstracts. I guess I'll continue to obsess over her art from the beautiful book I found at The Bread Station in Charlottenlund!

The museum is located in the most fabulous, green surroundings with views across the sea all the way to Sweden. You can walk around the garden, which is full of outdoor sculpture, enjoy a lunch or a cup of coffee in the amazing museum café, and when you're done admiring the art you can shop in the museum shop.

The pics below are from the current exhibition of American painter, Philip Gustin (Painting, Smoking, Eating). The other featured artist, Emil Nolde, was of German/Danish heritage. His work was spread across several rooms–probably over 200 pieces–and displayed a comprehensive presentation from early pieces to the latest, newer dimensions of his work. My favorites were those called the Unpainted Pictures. These small-format, imaginative works were ''unpainted'' in the sense that they did not officially exist (little secrets he kept in seclusion) and were not supposed to exist, as he was banned from painting and selling as an artist by the Nazi regime in 1941 for 8 years thereafter. Love, Sharon