A Quest for the Uncliche

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Quick Conversations: Copenhagen

Incident – 1: Nørreport Station

I reached Copenhagen at about 9:30 PM (blame the delayed flight)

Thanks to Google Maps and Copenhagen Metro Map, I was able to catch the Metro from Lufthavn (Airport) to Nørreport. From Nørreport I had to take the Bus (350S) to Åfløjen, where I had my booking in a B&B.

TIP: Always get a Metro Network Map if you are visiting an unknown city having Metro system. Often underrated, but it’s a big help enabling smooth navigation

At about 10:20 PM I reached the Nørreport Metro station, waiting for the bus to arrive in the Bus Terminal nearby.

And by the way, I have a habit of confirming from the Bus Captain whether the bus is going towards the destination I intend to go.

So the first 350S bus comes.

Me: Good Evening Sir. Is this bus going to Åfløjen?

Captain: Good Evening [Giving me a puzzled look] I am sorry Sir, but this doesn’t go to Åfløjen.

Me: [Shocked] OK, thank you very much.

I re-checked Google Maps. The Bus number remained the same. Then why did I get an unexpected and unfavourable response?

Second Bus (350S) arrives after 10 minutes. It’s still night time, but the Sun is in the twilight zone, thanks to the proximity to the Arctic Zone.

Me: Good Evening Sir. Is this bus going to Åfløjen?

Captain: Good Evening Sir. Can you repeat the destination name?

Me: It’s Åfløjen.

Captain: I am sorry but this bus doesn’t go to that place.

The bus departed. Now there was something terribly amiss. I frantically checked and rechecked Google Maps. The results were not changing a bit. And the night (twilight) was getting older.

I was alternating between cursing Google and myself. I thought, come on Google, is this the time to be funny?

The beauty of the Renaissance themed classical streets, deserted at twilight, seemed to create a perfect mise-en-scene for the advent of “Evil”. Adding sauce to tomato, I remembered watching “The Nun” and “The Mummy” movies a few days back.

Oh! What a perfect time to remember these two of all the movies I have ever seen..!!

Wait. Do I hear footsteps? But I see no one. What’s that eerie shadow I see?

The sound of even a footstep or two was enough to spook me. The mysterious shadow made my head go berserk with images of the approaching “Evil”. The wail of the winds, to which I am otherwise indifferent, seemed to be bone chilling. I clutched my trusted Swiss Knife in my pocket – ready for the epic showdown against the faceless “Evil”.

Thankfully, the sound of motors seemed to put a halt to the march of the “Evil”. I glanced in it’s direction, the digital nameplate showed 350S. I had to make this count.

Me: Good Evening Sir. I really need to go to Åfløjen. Is this bus going to Åfløjen?

Captain: Good Evening. Åfløjen? [Gives me a look of concern] There is no such place named Åfløjen.

Me: [Bewildered] but how come? It’s a colony in Copenhagen. Google Maps tells me that there is such a place about 10km from here. Is this bus 350S?

Captain: It definitely is 350S. [Thinks for a moment] Show me your phone.

Me: Sure. [Hand the phone over to him showing Åfløjen mentioned in Google Maps screen]

Captain: [Takes the Phone]. Thank You. [Views the screen and starts laughing after a few seconds]

Me: [Visibly puzzled] What happened Sir?

Captain: [Gives me the phone]. Come in. This is the right bus.

Me: [Relieved, though still puzzled] Thank you. But you told me that Åfløjen didn’t exist?

Captain: It is Aau-flou-yen. Not Ae-flo-jen as you were pronouncing.

Me: [I have only myself to mentally kick in this scenario]. Thank you so much for your help, Sir.

Captain: You are most welcome. You will reach your destination in 30-35 minutes. I shall announce in English when your stop arrives. Take your seat.

Me: That’s so nice of you. Thank you once again.

[Arrived in Åfløjen after 30 minutes]

Never in my life will I forget the correct pronunciation of our beloved Åfløjen (Aau-flou-yen).

I would still not prefer roaming at night on deserted roads.

(Next incident in Page 3)

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5

49 comments

  1. What a great post! I think the locals in any country really appreciate you trying to speak their language. I had lots of laughs when I lived in Thailand because I couldnt pronounce the words. I have heard only good things about Copenhagen. I want to go there some day. The Hygge way of life is lovely

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much Madam for your lovely comment.. 😊😊 I do hope that you visit Copenhagen soon and experience the Hygge life yourself.. 😊😊
      Totally agree with you. The local people appreciate if you try to speak their language. Your experience in Thailand exemplifies this, so does my experience in Denmark, Russia and other non-English speaking countries 😊😊 (laughs are a byproduct it seems though.. 😉 )

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Marvelous..!! Denmark is truly a sight to behold, especially if one goes to the roads less taken.. So far my “off-beat” destination in Denmark has been Roskilde only.. Hope to add some places in Zealand in that list as well, including Helsingor.. 🙂 🙂
      So how was the Boss Lady’s experience? Ever got “lost in pronunciation”?.. 😉

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  3. Your wonderful stories are a great way to highlight some of the characteristics of Copenhagen. It’s good to know that locals (including bus drivers) are so friendly and helpful. Sometimes I find here bus drivers can be a bit impatient with people asking questions. Your story about the luxury train is very funny and it’s great to read that the city has such high standards of public transportation. Great post!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much Madam for your visit and your comments.. 😊😊 It means a lot..!!

      Well, I found the bus Captains to be patient with me so far in my travels (The ones in Copenhagen showing perhaps the apex of friendly and helpful behaviour).. 😊😊 Do visit Copenhagen and see for yourself (including the luxury train for public transportation).. 😊😊

      Thank you so much once again Madam.. 😊😊

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    1. Well, I found it a bit easy to remember since I was one who was involved directly in such incidents.. ☺️☺️ Plus, I tend to remember special acts of random kindness like these.. ☺️☺️
      Good to know you liked it, Madam.. ☺️☺️ Thank you for taking out the time to read it.. ☺️☺️

      Liked by 1 person

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        1. Haha.. Sometimes that happens with me too, especially when I visit historical places. I make it a habit to take notes – audio or written. It helps me remember the mechanical details.
          But special incidents like these don’t require any notes.. ☺️☺️

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply

  6. I enjoyed reading your stories’ and I have the same experience of the Danish people as being very friendly, outgoing, and helpful. If I read a text in Danish I understand it, being Swedish myself, but when they start talking I do not understand them very much. Some accents are slightly easier, but it is still easier for me to speak English with them.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much Madam for reading this and sharing your own experiences speaking to Danish people.. 😊😊
      I spoke in English with them. However, the names of the places I visited are originally Danish, and hence the pronunciation, which are usually unknown to English speakers.. 😊😊
      But that’s the fun of traveling, isn’t it?
      Thank you so much Madam for sharing your views.. 😊😊

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    1. Very much true Madam.. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons why I prefer using public transport.. 😊😊
      Thank you so much Madam for your appreciation.. 😊😊
      You too stay safe and have a great weekend..!!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Thank you so much Madam for taking the time to read it and share your comment.. 😊😊 I am so glad you liked it.. 😊😊
      Good to know that you visited Copenhagen to meet your friend some time back. Hope the experience was good.. 😊
      You can call me Abir if you want to.. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  10. Such a wonderful and heart warming post. This little experiences and anecdotes make travel so worthwhile and restores faith in kindness . Such a wonderful travel story . Aau-flou-yen, I would love to go there. Such are the wonders of travelling..

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Haha.. If you like to aimlessly roam about on the roads, click pictures and get lost in beautiful nothingness sans the biggies (which I do), then Aau-flou-yen is the place for you. On paper, it’s just another neighbourhood of Copenhagen.. 😊😊

      Thank you so much Madam for your lovely and encouraging comment.. 😊😊 You are absolutely right, such little acts and anecdotes help restore our faith in the people.. 😊😊

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    1. Thank you so much Madam for nominating me for the award..!! It means a lot to me to be nominated by you.. 😊🤗

      I have checked it and answered all your questions.. Hope you like reading them.. 😊😊

      I am humbled to know that you remembered my blog.. 😊

      I would however have to decline this as it would be unfair on my part to pick and choose some of my followers as my nominations. I consider all of them to be great.. 😊😊

      Nominating everyone for the award would defeat the purpose of the award and nominating a few would violate my principle.

      Hope you understand..!! Thank you once again.. 😊

      I feel the interactions, thoughts, suggestions or comments to be more rewarding to me.. 😊😊

      I am always eager to hear more of your thoughts and love having a discussion with you.. Hope you would continue that.. 😊🤗

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Thanks for answering the questions, it was very exciting to read.
        I understand your ambivalent attitude towards this award very well. Everyone is free to handle it as they see fit.
        All the best! ☀️🙂🌈

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

        1. Thank you so much Madam for understanding.. 😊😊
          As I said earlier, our interactions are more engaging and hugely rewarding to me.. So it would mean a lot to me if you continue to read and freely comment (or criticize) my posts.. It would be a great honour for me.. 😊😊

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply

    1. Isn’t it strange to find people who are “lost in pronunciation”? I am finding it strange, though I was the one who seemed to be lost.. 😉
      “Lost in translation” wasn’t applicable to me as the people in Denmark mostly spoke English (but with Danish pronunciation for Danish names, which is quite logical).. 😊😊

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Penso che il tuo commento sia stato troncato, non so perché, ma qualunque cosa tu abbia detto è molto vera.
      L’invisibile bellezza e la forza di un luogo risiedono nelle sue persone.. 😊😊

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  14. What wonderful and memorable experiences you have. That restores our faith in travelling. Most important part of any location is the attitude of people; how they treat you. Glad to know the people of Copenhagen are friendly and helpful. I was smiling while reading the incident which spooked you. Enjoyed reading.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. You are absolutely right, Madam..!!
      Indeed, the local people and their behaviour contributes significantly towards the travel experience and makes the place enticing or appalling for the visitors or residents.
      More or less, I found the people to be helpful and friendly in almost all the tourist spots I have visited so far, and the exemplary ones among them being in Russia, Denmark and Sweden.. 😊😊
      Glad that you enjoyed reading this article and found it a bit funny.. 😊
      Thank you so much Madam for being the great and inspiring reader as always..!! 😊

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Thank you so much Madam for your lovely comment.. 😊😊🤗🤗
      Glad you found it to be good.. 🤗🤗
      And yes, Happy Republic Day to your beautiful Italy.. ❤ 🇮🇹

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