June 15th, 1958 in Copenhagen

June 15th, 1958 in Copenhagen
(Grammatically/spelling unedited from original)

Dear Folks:

It’s bright Sunday morning, in wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen: and I mean it. This is a most delightful place and in my book all it will get is rave notices. Hugh and Shirley have been treating me with typical generous, magnanimous Danish hopsitality - and I am floored. They both sepak the language most fluently (so much so, that in the restaurant yesterday the clerk told Hugh he couldn’t use a particular telephone as it was for tourists only).

This is a most inexpensive place to live. Wnet to Trivoli Gardens and for a grand toal of 14c I saw a “style show” “pantomine,” Ballet, “ Variety show,” and the Copehag symphoney playing classical music - not a bad bargain for a Scotchman. Prices are quite low, with a terrific meal in the restaurant for $1.00 (all you can eat). The Danish styled modern furniture is most magnificence, all in teak or rosewood (palisander) - a solid teak dinning table with chairs (8 places) will cost as much as $100. Most of the furniture here is ⅓ to ⅕ the cost of the same item at home. Royal Danish porcelein and Bing and Grondahl porceleins are so cheap that they use it in the amusement parks to throw balls at. Silver and pottery also are good bargains. Personally, I am going to try and get a hand knit ski sweater for about $15. These are the best buys for the day.

Tomorrow will go on a couple of tours, 1. of the Socia institutes (this is a completely socialized nation), 2. up to Zealand to see the country-side, castles, farms, etc.

The Danes have a keen sense of humor; are very friendly; highly cultured (with the highest literary rate in the world); and thoroughly appreciate America. You always shake hands when you meet, man or woan; and they are the thankingest (toka)  people in the world. At a “cafe” they never give you the bill till you are ready for it...one can sit all day without being given a bums rush...on the side-walk cafe’s I’ve seen them getting sun tans, resting tired feet, just dozing without anyone being so rude as to say “move on.” There is no pushing, shoving, trying to beat you to the best spot, you see they are “lovers, not fighters.”

Transportation is interesting. The trains run right on schedule. The place is over-run with bycicles and motor bikes. There are paths between the side-walks and streets for bikes called cycle-paths (don’t laugh - not psycho-paths). Getting out of a parked car you have to watch out that they don’t mow you down. The traffic laws are just slight suggestions of behaviour (“It would be nice if you would care to follow this); but above all, don’t be rude, like - making a “u” turn in front of a policeman - at least have the decency to wait till he turns his back. This is a hydro-matic country, everyone shifts for himself: The pedestrians are in constant jeapardy, and no one pays any attention to the lights. Driving at night no one uses any lights - its alright to smash into things but don’t offend anyone by shinning the lights into anyone’s eyes.

The laungauge is impossible - I cannot make heads or tails - there is absolutely no correlation between pronu-nciation and spelling. The more cultured one is the more words are swallowed or run together....actually it sound like “a spastic ith chronic hicups trying to squelch a belch.” Sort of a rumbling gargyle.

Just got back from church. Hugh says this is the best he has attended, and it must be for it was good. A layma gave the Call to Worship & Invocation. The minister in all his “moments” faces the altear. The minister wears a black robe, covered with white garment, and a gold cape. The clerical collar - if you can call it that looked more like a porceleing plate: a doilie or pleated white fan around his neck. Service was a 10:00 a.m followed by Holy Communion. He preached, obviously a wonderful sermon. We stood for the scripture readings, and Apostles Creed (sung). There was no O.T. reading at all. This was a State Church relatin - and the minister id on a govt. salary; it is a sickening set-up...stifled. All weddings are announced from the pulpit a week before they are to take place or they are illegal. A quartette was up in the back with the organ, and sang beautifully.

Well, I am about through with this page, and it is time to eat anyhow, so will close. Why don’t you file these letters away as they are about the only records I have of some things.

Love
Bruce