Backpacking through Europe in 1994

Day 65 • November 10, 1994
My Final Day in Denmark

DAY 65 / 11-10-94
My Final Day in Århus, Denmark

My final day in Denmark was very low key. A friend of Gitte’s came over and the three of us watched a Danish movie “The Night Guard.”

I went for a walk with Steve, and along the way stopped by an ATM, but it refused my card. I tried a second with the same result. After the third said no, I came to the sickening conclusion that I have maxed the card.

I used the Visa, which was also maxed, but it worked, probably because Mom & Dad have been paying it off.

But it’s a scary thought that I only have $80 left - $40 in traveler’s checks and the approximately $40 in Danish Krones I got out with the Visa.

But I know I can do it. I’ll probably be just a little hungry, that’s all.

I stopped by a grocery store on the way home to get some food for tomorrow (I have about 29 hours on the train).

Maybe I’ll be real hungry in the next few weeks. It cost 60KR ($12) for a loaf of bread, small jar of peanut butter, piece of salami and a 1.5-liter bottle of pop. The charged me 4KR for the bottle deposit, and it’s made out of plastic! That is how much they are into recycling around here.

While they are still fresh in my mind, here are a few prices of other things (none of which I bought): cigarettes - $5; film developing, 3-day service - $10; Levi 501 jeans - $100; CD - $35; Cheeseburger - $7.

I couldn’t understand how they survive here, because all the people I’ve stayed with here smoke, have pictures, wear Levi’s, listen to CD’s, and eat cheeseburgers. I found out that included in the price was a 25% tax, which in turn provides, among other things, free health care, free education and up to a $600 a month allowance for students from the government.

When I got home I rescheduled my trip, taking at least a week off of it, so I should be back in France around the 5th or 6th of December instead of the 15th.

After dinner and dishes I walked Gitte to the train station. She was going home for the weekend. When I got back I packed up and watched “Stir Crazy” which Gitte had on tape. I’ll make a note here to myself that when I get home I want to rent this and “Silver Streak” to watch with Dad. [These were two of my Dad’s favorite movies].