Backpacking through Europe in 1994
Day 62 • November 7, 1994
Århus, Denmark
DAY 62 / 11-07-94
Århus, Denmark
My plan was to meet Gitte at 1:00 (actually she was coming to Annette’s house/room). So I didn’t do anything before then. But she called a little after 1:00 saying she ‘d be about a half-hour late.
I’m glad she was, because during that time I got another call. It was Mom, Dad & Tammy!
It was only 6:30 in the morning there, but they had talked to Tracy about 10:00 last night and this was the soonest they could call.
Mom actually cried because she missed my birthday by three days (since she didn’t know where I was). This conversation was much better than the last one.
Now I’m definitely sure I want to be home as close to Christmas as I can, while I was talking Gitte arrived. God, she looked good.
After Mom finally said her LAST goodbye, Gitte & I went for a walk around town. We ended up at the Musikhouse, a big cultural center where she works. We drank Cappuccino and talked and talked and talked.
She showed me her apartment and then a friend of hers came by and we went to a café for about an hour.
Next, Gitte took me to meet her brother who was also an exchange student to Kearney in 1986/87. (That is why Gitte went there. The Burn’s invited her because they hosted her brother.)
It was so cool to meet him, because although we never knew each other, he was friends with Jason A and Coach Mathieson. We looked at his pictures from Kearney and had a few beers.
Then Gitte treated me to a very special meal: Pizza Hut. This was the first one built in Denmark, and it tasted surprisingly like home. We had the special which was the buffet for 49KR = about $10.
After dinner I decided to get my things from Annette and stay here. Annette seemed a little sad that I was leaving so soon but I promised we would get together before I left.
Then Gitte & I went back to her brother’s place to watch a movie and drink some beers. We watched the movie “Chinatown” with Jack Nicholson. Then we sat around and told stories and jokes until 3:00 am. It was a fantastic night.
A flyer from the Pizza Hut we ate at in Århus, Denmark.
Meanwhile, back in Nebraska, my Mom was writing me a letter. She mailed it to my friend Annelle in Finland, where I was headed to eventually, so I wouldn’t read it until I got there.
Monday Morning, November 7
Hey T!! Hi Guy!!!
Absolutely wonderful talking to you again this morning after two weeks! I’m so happy you were able to reach Tracy yesterday afternoon and leave a phone number for me this morning. I wanted to call you right then but it was 9:30 pm here – so 4:30 am there, so didn’t!!
Decided I’d get up early this morning and call and just hope you’d be there. Glad I caught you before you too off with Gitte. So happy you’ll get to see her now!! – Still sorry about Friday and this weekend and not knowing where you were. I should have just guessed Pernille & tried you there. Ha!!
But am sure you did something with her and her family. So happy knowing everyone is being so kind to you and generous – opening up their homes and time, etc. I’m sure it IS GREAT seeing all of them again & talking about Rotary Exchange Days in Australia.
You’re MOST fortunate Todd to find so many of them still around their hometowns 5 years later!! In fact – you are most fortunate all the way around boy!
And I do hope you know and realize this. To be able to “drop everything” and go off to Europe & have little to no worries for up to 3 months – and have parents at home who are paying your monthly bills – ha!!! That’s pretty lucky, huh?!!
How’s your weather been for you?? Do you have the right things with you?? Or what would you take or do differently?
We’ve had great fall weather = unbelievable actually. I love it. I hope it’s a nice winter.
Dad went to Columbus [Nebraska] with the UNK Chancellor and their group. He’ll be back tomorrow afternoon. I go to Omaha tomorrow to a headache doctor for my 12-week follow up. Still having them – Boo :-(
Speaking of Boo – did you do anything on Halloween last week??!! Wonder if Olivier did?
I’m looking forward to this weekend at home and catching up on things like Laundry and housework after working last week and then being gone Thursday afternoon to Sunday night and back to work again 8 am Monday (at the college part-time).
I’m sending just this short note to you at Annele’s because I’m afraid it wouldn’t get there in time. You’ll get more mail at Katrine’s now that we know!
Please be careful & take good care of yourself bud! Keep having fun.
We miss you & Love You. OXO
Mom & Dad