A Quest for the Uncliche

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Quick Conversations: Copenhagen

Incident – 2: Husum Station

After a decent sleep in the B&B, I went on to venture out of Copenhagen the next day.

Now I needed to reach Copenhagen Central Station (more commonly referred to as København H or Københavns Hovedbanegård)

Hence, I started a brisk walk from the B&B and reached Husum Station within a short time. I needed to board the Suburban Trains or the S-train of Copenhagen (It may be considered functionally similar to Moscow Circle Trains, Mumbai Suburban Trains or German S-Bahn Trains). The S-Trains are operated by the Danish Company DSB.

TIP: Maps or Digital Displays in Railway Stations are crucial. Always make sure to thoroughly check them before beginning your journey

As is my habit, I duly checked the maps, saw the displays and started waiting for the train bound for København H. to arrive.

[First train arrives]

Me: Wait a minute. Why does this train look so plush and luxurious to me? And strangely, all coaches are that luxurious. Clearly this is not the train as per the ticket I purchased. Let it go.

[Train Departs. Wait for 10 minutes. The second one arrives]

Me: [Puzzled] It’s still the same. How come they are operating luxury trains for suburban commutes? And two successive ones? Something is amiss.

[Second Train departs]

I check my maps, displays and the tracks. Nothing seems out of place. I am standing at the right platform, waiting for (supposedly) the right train.

I was now scanning the map on the station with razor sharp focus. I was determined to find out the errors, even as minuscule as a punctuation or a typo.

Suddenly a kind and friendly lady approached me, sensing that I was stuck up somewhere (so nice of her, and not so nice of me for being an introvert)

Lady: Good Morning. How are you doing?

Me: Good Morning. I am doing good, thank you. How are you?

Lady: I am good too, thank you. You seem to be new to this place. Anything wrong with the map?

Me: I am new, yes. Actually I am a tourist. I want to go to København H. but there seems to be some problem finding the right train.

Lady: I see. Don’t worry though. You are on the right platform.

Me: [Partially relieved] Thank you Madam for confirming. But can you tell me whether the next train [pointing at the display] will go to København H.?

Lady: [Checks the display] Of course it will.

Me: [Confused, showing her my ticket] Can you tell me whether this ticket is valid for the next train? I think there is some confusion with the class.

Lady [Checks the ticket] It’s perfectly fine. There is no issue. Feel free to board the train.

Me: [Still confused, but largely relieved] Thank you so much Madam for patiently explaining me the details. Have a safe trip.

Lady: You are most welcome. Have a safe trip..!!

[Boarded the next train and reached København H. within the stipulated time]

Again, one more mental kick was awarded to me by myself. Copenhagen S-Trains look and actually are uber-luxurious and may confuse the traveler, unlike Mumbai Sub-urban trains or its counterparts in Belgium or the Netherlands.

The seats are plush, upholstered, wide and spacious, way more than many of its European counterparts.

CAUTION: Many railway / metro / sub-urban systems levy a hefty fine for boarding the wrong class or wrong coach. It is always the best practice to match the details on your ticket with the train and coach you are boarding. I didn’t want to burn a hole in my pocket due to fines.

A "headless" train, Øresundstag, in Copenhagen Airport Lufthavn Railway Station Copyright: Abirbhav Mukherjee
A “headless” train, Øresundstag, in Copenhagen Airport Lufthavn Railway Station.

(Next Incident in Page 4)

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

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    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.. ☺️☺️

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  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..

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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

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      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.. 😊😊

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    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

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    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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