Backpacking through Europe in 1994

Day 45 • October 21, 1994
Traveling to Rødekro, Denmark

I started the morning by saying goodbye to Camilla in Copenhagen. She had been such a gracious host during my time there, and it felt strange to be leaving after spending several days with someone who had made me feel so welcome. We said our goodbyes around 11:30, and I caught a train out of Copenhagen at 12:30.

I took a ferry across to western Denmark and then a train down to the small town of Rødekro. I arrived around 5:40 in the evening. It was already getting dark and cold when I stepped off the train. I tried calling Dorte from a pay phone, but there was no answer. For a few minutes, I started to worry — I didn’t have anywhere else to go.

I walked back to the train station to warm up and figure out my next move. As I stood there rubbing my hands together, Dorte suddenly ran up and gave me a big bear hug. She and her boyfriend Anker had been waiting for me. I was so relieved — and genuinely happy — to see her.

**Leaning Into the Adventure**
Sailing across any body of water made me nervous. Growing up in landlocked Nebraska, I wasn’t used to being surrounded by open sea, and standing on the edge of the ferry felt a little scary at first.
But I leaned into it. I stood there for a while, watching the water and the horizon, letting the nervousness be part of the experience instead of trying to push it away. It was one of those small moments where I realized this trip was going to keep pushing me outside my comfort zone — and that was okay.

My Photographs from today on the ferry to Rødekro, Denmark

Waterfront Homes

As we left the port, I noticed this long stretch of houses sitting right along the shoreline. They were lined up neatly, facing the water, almost like they were part of the landscape itself. It was a quiet, peaceful scene that caught my eye as we pulled away.

Facing the Sea

I took another photo of the houses along the waterfront, trying to get a different composition before we slipped out of the harbor.

I stood there watching them as we moved farther out, wondering what it would be like to wake up every morning looking at the water like that.

Royal Danish Navy

As we continued out of the harbor, I noticed several ships from the Royal Danish Navy docked along the breakwater. Their gray hulls stood out against the lighter sky as the ferry passed by.

Taking in the View

This man stood at the railing, quietly looking out over the water as the ferry moved along. He seemed to be enjoying the view, just like I was.

Stress-Free Sailing

These people stood at the railing, relaxed and smiling, as if traveling by ferry was the most normal thing in the world. They didn’t seem to have any of the nervousness I felt about being out on open water.

Heading Out

The buoy marked the edge of the harbor. Beyond it, the water turned darker and the swells grew stronger. We were heading out into deeper, open sea now.

Changing Perspective

I turned my camera sideways to shoot this vertically. I wanted to see how the flag and the distant buoy would look with more height in the frame.

DAY 45 / 10-21-94
Traveling to Rødekro, Denmark

I got up about 9:00 today, called the train station for times, and ate breakfast with Camilla. I left her at 11:30 and left Copenhagen at 12:30. I took a ferry across to western denmark and then a train down to the small town of Rødekro. It arrived at 5:40, and I locked up my backpack and walked about two blocks to a pay phone.

I called Dorte but there was no answer. Oh no – I was starting to worry.

It was getting dark, getting cold, and Dorte wasn’t home. So I walked back to the train station. I thought I’d just hang out there and warm up before going back to call again.

But as I was standing there rubbing my hands together, Dorte ran up and bear hugged me. She is just as much fun now as she ever was. I met her boyfriend, Anker. They were there waiting for me.

We walked back to their apartment, which kicks ass. I would love to have it. Hardwood floors, nice furniture, skylights, and a really big kitchen. It's really nice.

When we got back, Anker cooked diner, and the three of us drank øl (beer), sort svin (black swine) and sexchikane (sexual harassment) all night!

Dorte seemed genuinely happy I am here, and I'm happy to be here! New line new line after they went to bed I flipped through their TV. They have cable with two channels in English! And even better (or worse) they have stupid late night infomercials. Before falling asleep I saw Amazing Discoveries - Stained Glass, and the Mini Max!

On this episode of Amazing Discoveries, join host Mike Levey, his pal Ian Long, product creator and Queen of Crafts Carol Smith, and special guest Mr. Chin to learn how you can make wonderful stained glass creations in your own home with Gallery Glass. Originally aired in spring of 1991 on TNN in the overnight infomercial block. Learn how to turn your home into a designer showcase!

Click to watch this episode - the same one I watched - on YouTube.

Looking Back from 2026

Saying goodbye to Camilla that morning was sad. She had been such a kind and easy host in Copenhagen, and leaving made me feel that strange feeling exchange students often describe - having close, brief, intense friendships that we know would continue if we lived closer together.

But I was also excited — Dorte had invited me to come stay with her, her boyfriend Anker, and her family, and I was genuinely looking forward to seeing her again.

The ferry ride across to western Denmark was a little nerve-wracking for me. I had grown up in landlocked Nebraska, so being out on open water still felt unfamiliar. But I stood at the railing anyway, watching the buoy and the flag, trying to lean into the adventure instead of hiding from it.

When I finally arrived in Rødekro that evening, I had a brief moment of panic when Dorte didn’t answer the phone. It was getting dark and cold, and for a few minutes I didn’t know what I was going to do. But then she came running up and gave me one of her big bear hugs, and all that worry disappeared. She and Anker had been waiting for me the whole time.

Their apartment was beautiful — hardwood floors, skylights, a big kitchen — and Anker cooked us dinner while the three of us drank øl, sort svin, and sexchikane late into the night. Dorte seemed genuinely happy I was there, and I was happy to be there too.

After they went to bed, I flipped through their cable channels and landed on those ridiculous late-night infomercials that were popular in the 1990’s. Watching Amazing Discoveries in English felt strangely comforting.

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