Hvorfor Danmark / Why Denmark?

Bicycle valet parking at the "Frisør" or hair salon on Nørrebrogade

I am often asked by many Danes, "Why do you choose to live Denmark?". This is not an easy question to answer or rather to put into words, especially as the dark, dreary and cold winter weather approaches. I have to admit that I much prefer Canada's snow to the Danish rain and am, in fact, known for sending text messages such as, "Jeg kommer ikke til skole i dag fordi det regnvejr." (I am not going to school today because it is raining).

Despite this, I still choose Denmark. Why? Perhaps it is the word "hyggeligt", often used to describe a cozy evening with friends or even for a one time interesting and fun street interview with some painters taking an afternoon beer break.

One of my responses to this question relates to the size of Copenhagen. Although it is a small city with a population not much more than one million, it has a big city mentality. But more importantly, it is human scale which lends itself to a bicycling culture and infrastructure that is hard to beat.

Today, I participated as a photographer in a walk/talk tour of 2 areas of Copenhagen that is currently under analysis, commissioned by the municipality. Perhaps my answer is best described in a short story of this experience.

At 9am during temperatures hovering at 5 degree celsius, 6 people, age ranging from mid thirties to early fifties met at Christiansbro. They were two anthropologists (who conducted the tour), the chief of city planning, a consultant city planner, an architect from the municipality and a Canadian photographer. One by one, they arrived at the meeting point, each one punctual, each one, by bicycle. After an hour of walking discussion through the area, they were due to head to their second location, Havnested. After a quick discussion, the bicycles were unlocked, and together, 6 professionals cycled two by two, bracing the wind and sailing through the streets of Copenhagen to their next walk/talk meeting. A taxi had been ordered but not soon enough, canceled. Wonderful!

Now, ask me again...Hvorfor Danmark?