Backpacking through Europe in 1994
Day 50 • October 26, 1994
Rødekro, Denmark - Day 6
This was my final day in Rødekro.
I woke up late and spent a quiet morning around the apartment before Dorte got home from work. We went for a walk by a small pond and fed the ducks, then came back and had dinner. In the evening, Dorte’s parents came over and we made a quick trip across the border into Germany — just long enough to do a little shopping and for me to be able to say I had set foot in another country. We were only there for about half an hour, but it still felt like a small victory.
With Dorte’s Parents
On my final day in Rødekro, I went to visit Dorte’s parents. This photo was taken right outside their home, and you can see how genuinely happy I was in that moment. They had welcomed me into their home and treated me like family for the past several days. It meant a lot to have this photo as a keepsake — a quiet, warm ending to my time in this small Danish town.
My Photographs from today in Rodekro
DAY 50 / 10-26-94
Rødekro, Denmark - Day 6
My last day in Rødekro was a rather uneventful one. I woke up at 11, watched Geraldo Rivera, did the dishes, and just messed around until Dorte got home.
We went for a walk by a small pond and fed some ducks, then came back and ate dinner. Around 7 her parents came over, and we went to Germany.
The only place we went was a store and we only stayed for a half hour, but now I can say I went to Germany! Dorte’s parents bought me the candy to make Sexual Harassment.
We came home and ate Danish Pancakes, which were absolutely delicious. I called Joe & Pernille on the phone, and then watched TV until I fell asleep.
A map of the Danish train and ferry system.
Looking Back
My time in Rødekro was exactly what I needed, even if I didn’t fully realize it at the time.
After the difficult phone call with my dad, I was carrying a lot of shame and uncertainty. But Dorte and Anker welcomed me into their home without hesitation. Over several days, I settled into a quiet rhythm — walking around town, visiting the dairy where Anker worked, swimming, feeding ducks by the pond, and spending time watching American TV. It was simple, but it gave me space to breathe.
Dorte’s parents were especially kind. They treated me like family, even taking me on a quick run across the border into Germany on my last day. And that final photo on the couch — Dorte pulling me in close while Anker sat beside her — captures how safe and accepted I felt during my stay.
Looking back, these days in Rødekro were a turning point. They reminded me that I was still worthy of kindness, even when I felt like a failure. It wasn’t an adventurous chapter, but it was a healing one. And I’m grateful I had it.