Yesterday morning we set out bright and early for the “Glyptotek” - a vanity project built by Carl Jacobsen - the son of the founder of the Carlsberg breweries - to house his art collection. While wandering around the museum I found myself wondering if art is a really good tax break. It must be - judging by the corridors of sculptures and paintings.
After wandering around for a couple of hours we stopped for a cup of tea and a cookie in the central museum cafe, and conversation turned to the historic portrayal of the human body. Yes - we have the weirdest conversations sometimes. I expressed my curiosity that countless artists have portrayed every angle of the human body over the years - but very rarely particular corners - which is amazing to me, given those areas are pivotal to our continued existence. Thinking back, the only artist I’ve ever seen portray anything between a woman’s legs was Rodin - and then only in his museum in Paris. And why does classical sculpture always portray grown men with children’s reproductive body parts?
I wonder if the last few “taboos” will be dropped soon, and the hoodoo around our bodies normalised entirely for future generations. It’s madness that medieval censorship still controls what is seen as right or proper. It’s always seemed to me that the more you try to control anything, the more it will be sought out.
Anyway.
After the Glyptotek we wandered back to the old harbour and were recognised at the previous days cafe by the pretty blonde girl running tables. We stopped for Smorrebrod and Glogg, and people watched for an hour before wandering back towards the hotel - with plans to visit Tivoli Gardens as soon as darkness fell.
Tivoli was wonderful.
A theme park in the centre of Copenhagen - surrounded by the city on all sides, and lit with a million twinkling lights. We ventured no further than a carousel, and a children’s tour of the world of Hans Christian Andersen in our exploration - but visited countless shops, watched a marching band, had a wonderful traditional Danish roast dinner, and drank far too much Glogg.
While wandering from one thing to the next around Tivoli, we realised that the best memories of our visit had not been planned. We have just happened to be at various places as events have unfolded around us. It’s been kind of wonderful. I’m sure there’s a message there somewhere.
My very clever smartwatch told me this morning that I had my best sleep ever last night. It obviously doesn’t correlate blood alcohol levels with sleep patterns. It doesn’t require a genius to figure that one out.
This morning our bags are packed and we are counting the minutes until checkout from the hotel, and the reversal of the route that brought us here.
Copenhagen has been kind of wonderful. Expensive, yes, but lovely too.
Now to return to our normal. Fingers crossed the kids haven’t wrecked the house.