Sigrid – Page 43

Christiania

Christiania is a kind of independent state, located in Copenhagen, a “free town” (Fristaden Christiania) as it is proclaimed.

In September 1971 a group of hippies took up residence in a neighborhood/empty military barracks. They destroyed the fences and created a self-managed and financially independent society based on the importance of community and its well-being.

Haunt of artists of all kinds, Christiania is unfortunately known for its open air sale of Cannabis in “Pusher Street” During its history Christiania has seen sellers of hard drugs settle there and several times had to “clean” Pusher Street of drugs traffic and gangs (bikers and Co.) that run them.

(This photo is not mine but I lost the source :-/ )

Be careful, there is also 3 more rules in the Pusher Street area, recentrly renammed The Green Light District : Have Fun – Don’t Run (it causes panic) – NO PHOTO. Because of this the Danish government, which owns the land, has repeatedly tried to end the community. It’s a complicated dance that has been played between the two parties all these years, but since 2011 Christiania and the government have reached an agreement that allows the inhabitants (and supporters) to buy a share. Christiania is a true state with its own flag (3 points that represent its i), an anthem, a currency (the Løn but crowns are also used by businesses), its own rules and also a complete city with its cinema, its bakery, bars and restaurants, events/concerts venues, shops (the famous Christiania Bikes among others), etc.. A doctor and a nurse also come once a week to provide free medical care, and as some residents have no bathroom there is a large building for this, two things that make life a little easier to homeless people too.

Christiania is divided into neighborhoods, all self managed. To make decisions people gather to discuss until they (absolutely all of them) agree.

© Miss Copenhagen

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More photos :

And when you leave:

Categories: Good addresses, Living in Denmark

Kantinen

At lunch I tested the college canteen. I do not really know how it goes elsewhere because at Paris IV Centre Malesherbes there is only a small cafeteria where you can buy sandwiches and one or two distributors, when they want to work. I know there are University restaurants offering full meals for a few dollars, but I never had the opportunity to test them.

Here, there is a wide choice of smørrebrød, salads, hot dishes, sandwiches, cakes. You help yourself and take what you want and then go to the cashier for salads and Co. you pay by weight.

(I don’t eat that much in real life, I just wanted to test everything…)

Categories: Good addresses

Kulturhavn

KULTURHAVN is Denmark’s largest harbour festival, featured each year during the first weekend of August.
There are different areas (six harbours this year), everything is free (including the shuttle boats and waterbuses) and open to everyone.
You can watch some shows and concerts, or participate in contests or activities (dance, sports…), a lot (around 100) organisations participate to make you discover their art, sport or whatever 😉

Categories: Living in Denmark

Residence Permit

Today I went to submit my application for my residence permit. The university organizes a day in September where you can get in done in a day, and the number of CPR (national identification number and also social security number), but since we need a CPR to open a bank account or take out a phone subscription, I didn’t want to wait that long.
Indeed, I won’t even talk about my off-plan phone bill because I called my mother once, sent some SMS, and… to my great misfortune, looked some translations online (ok, I also posted a status and a photo on Facebook).
And I need a Danish bank account to reach my scholarship, I cannot see myself losing 10% more of everything I pay or withdraw from my French account.

The residence permit takes around 15 days to get, sometimes 3 weeks. So I wanted to go there as soon as possible because you then need it to get the CPR (but I don’t know how much time it takes to get CPR, if you get it right away or not).

To submit an application for the residence permit you need to bring these documents:
– your passport or your national ID card (bring both if you have both) + a colour copie of each
– one passport photo
– papers related to your situation (work contract, letter of admission from your university, etc.)
– the application form OD1

If you are in Copenhagen you have to go to
Statsforvaltningen / The Regional State Administration
Borups Allé 177, 2400 København NV

It is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m to noon, Tuesdays from noon to 3 p.m and Thursdays from 1 p.m to 4 p.m.

Offices are right next to the Fuglebakken train station (line F). On your left when you get out.

I don’t know if I was lucky but in 5 minutes (line included) everything was done, I will receive my permit directly at home.

Categories: Living in Denmark

Change (euros for danish crowns)

Like I did last year I made some change before I left. It prevents you from the enormous fees you have to pay when you take money from an ATM or at the airport (around 10% I think).
Since I had no problems last year I used the website http://www.multi-change.com/ again. If you are in Paris you can go directly to an agency because they always have crowns available. The website is handy if you monitor the rates, then you can order when it seems most advantageous. I chose the delivery in agency, to save time, expense, and anxiety because of the Post (even if I never heard of problems about it, and you should also know that as of a certain amount you have to go get the envelope to the post office with a proof of identity). To fight against fraud you must now send an email with a scan of your ID and proof of residence (you won’t have to do it again the next times). When you get your order in an agency it is usually ready within 24 hours.

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