This weekend we went to Vejle, where Lisbeth grew up, and where her parents still live. It was my second visit. (The first time I brilliantly forgot the memory card for my camera, so there were no pictures.) The occasion this time was Lisbeth’s 31st birthday.
Vejle (pronounced vie-la) is in Jutland — the largest portion of Denmark, and the only portion physically attached to the rest of Europe. It is quite different than Zealand, the island where Copenhagen is located, in that it has a lot of farm country and rolling hills. In contrast, Zealand is pretty much completely flat.
The house was originally a mill. The mill was powered by a stream that ran through the building. The house is therefore built in a valley, literally on top of a stream. There’s still a stream, but it doesn’t actually run through the house anymore.
The upper floor of the house is split into two living spaces, one where Frits and Karen raised their three children (of which Lisbeth is the youngest), and one where Lisbeth grandparents lived, and where her grandmother still lives.
The first time I met Lisbeth’s father Frits, I tried out my weak Danish skills and told him “May I say, it’s a pretty house”. He responded (in English), “You can say that, but in fact it’s just a regular house.” Well, I still think it’s pretty.
Although Frits worked as an administrator, and Karen worked in childcare, the property is very much a farm. Currently there is cattle in the barns, and Frits works part-time, caring for other farms as well as his own.
I was surprised to learn that the cattle are kept indoors all winter. Frits told me that it’s not that the cows can’t handle the cold, but because they tear up the fields if they’re left outside.
The two pictures above are evidence of the old mill in the lower level of the house. The first is the passage where the stream used to be routed in order to power the mill. The second is a bracket that held the mill shaft. (The actually milling was done in the upper portion of the building.) The third picture is of the Danish flag, which is flown for, among other things, birthdays.
.
Lisbeth’s mother Karen is a great cook, and fed us as if we were on the verge of starvation. Perhaps for this reason, Lisbeth’s nieces were quite determined to play football (soccer) after lunch.
When I was twelve or so, I was really into playing soccer. I figured I’d still have all the skill and speed that I used to. I was wrong. But it was a lot of fun.
After the match we went for a walk. Lisbeth’s mother Karen, her grandmother Bodil, and her two younger nieces don’t speak English, so it is sometimes pretty challenging. They’re all very sweet though, and make me feel very welcome. Hopefully I’d be able to speak more in Danish soon, and be able to say more than, “That tastes good,” and “No thanks.”
Earlier that day, Lisbeth’s oldest niece Marie had a handball match. Handball is a game that we really don’t have in the US. It’s basically football (soccer), but you use your hands and not your feet. (Why on earth do we call American football “foot” ball? The ball is thrown and carried by hand 99% of the time.) Her team won, but she hurt her hand during the game.
Finally, we were in a grocery store in town, and I noticed a Barbie in the meat case. I took some pictures of her just because I thought it was so strange to have a doll in a meat case, but Lisbeth pointed out that her dress is made of meat. That makes SO much more sense…right?
Recent Comments