my first book

For Christmas I put together a little book of photos from Denmark to give to my Italo-Danese host parents, Maibritt and Luciano. Denmark is so special to me now that I've experienced it with them and when I began to put together the book, I knew words would play second fiddle to the photographs. It's simple, short, in Italian and one of my favorite presents I've ever gifted. It's so gratifying seeing your own work in print. I highly recommend it.




To Maibritt and Luciano. Thank you very much. I miss you every day.



In Denmark, the true country of the beautiful life.



I'm lucky. For many years my feet have been searching for something but I did not know what. Maybe a place of tranquility. A place where my heart rests secure. A home.

Today I still do not know what it is. But I found it in Denmark.










But in the end, the most important thing was not the country. It was my family, so kind and compassionate, teaching me about life and the world.



With love, Ciccia (pronounced chee-cha, what Maibritt would call me)/ Light Blue ("Celeste" means light blue in Italian, what Luciano would call me)/ Celeste



PS - Thanks to my big brother for hand-modeling.
PPS - I'm off to my first day at my new job!!

sunset in kisserup

Sunset was my favorite time in Denmark.




Maibritt and Luciano lived in a tiny little town called Kisserup. Their house was a quick bike ride away from "the beach" and we'd make the trip out as soon as we finished dinner.



Always in time for the sunset.

And it always warmed my heart.

copenhagen (part 2)

Nyhavn. (pronounced new-hown)

I'm still surprised that a harbor as colorful as this exists. It was, of course, filled with tourists but it was pretty evident why. Everyone was so eager to remember these colorful 17th century buildings, the tall boats in the harbor and the epicenter of Copenhagen's charm. My favorite tourists were the adorable little boys on the dock (above) and an old Italian couple at the ice cream parlor.

I wanted to stay longer, to sit in a cafe and read alongside the harbor, but they sky turned a moody gray and before I knew it, it was pouring.

copenhagen (part 1)

After being in so much beautiful countryside, the city was a weird but welcome change. Copenhagen was the first place where "wow, I'm in Scandinavia!" really hit me.

I couldn't get over the colorful buildings-- they stood out especially bright against the overcast sky. This was a new side of Europe I hadn't really experienced before. Copenhagen's buildings reminded me of Amsterdam but everything else felt so cool and modern (and everyone dressed that way!)

This was my only day in Denmark where I explored by myself and it was a really wonderful way to see the city. Thanks to Luciano, Søstrene Grene is my new favorite store. Thanks to the antique market, I found the prettiest ceramic tiles to bring home. And thanks to Copenhagen, well.. just, thank you, Copenhagen.

the danish countryside

These big blue skies made me feel so small (in the best kind of way).



Horses, sheep, ponies and birds were sprinkled about the big green fields. Luciano even joked that Windows took their desktop photo in Denmark.


My host parents are the sweetest. They would pull over on the side of the road so I could get out and take photos.


Or, we'd take lots of stops on our bike rides home. (Sometimes to take photos, sometimes to say "hi" to the horses).

As beautiful as a dream.

holbæk

Holbæk was the biggest "city" near Maibritt and Luciano's home in Denmark. At first glance, it might seem like the sleepy little town doesn't have a lot to offer. But then you find out that spending time at the library is as common as going out for coffee. Or you find a tiny little second-hand shop (and an almost translucent tea cup to bring home for your mom's collection). And then you find mugs with "common" Danish names and giggle to yourself because you haven't met a single "Kasper" in your life.

They're really simple things, but they add a lot of charm to this simple town.