This is not a song but a well hidden automatic bridge pass on the bottom of a gel box. This summer we travelled to Sweden using the connecting  bridge between Copenhagen and Malmo. This pass would make the crossing of the bridge easier but just before the tolls… I realized that I lost it… The pass was nowhere, I look all around the car but nothing… We continued our trip without using it but this “temporary” loss created some opportunities.

We used another route coming back from Sweden and we visited Helsingborg at Sweden which was an absolutely fantastic place to close our Nordic summer trip. The plan was to grab something to eat from there and to leave. However, we stayed there for many hours and we enjoyed every single minute. A very lively summer city with a happening at the castle and a nice walk by the sea which concluded watching the Nordic late sunset from the ship towards Denmark.

It is not often to see this bridge up at Nyhavn… Many people were taking pictures and I just wanted to go home after an intense day starting at 6 o’clock in the morning. A lady on her bike was admiring the rare opening of the bridge and she felt the need to share with me that this is not at all common. I took some photos and the lady wanted to tell me more about the name of the boat passing. This boat was the cause of the opening of the bridge and for our few minutes delay. The name of the boat was: Baldur. She asked if I have seen the name of the boat and she explained to me that it was an ancient Nordic god.

Based on one Nordic myth Balbur or “the stranger” was left to be burnt on a boat. The popular video game: “God of war” is also using Baldur as a protagonist and make a mix of ancient Greek and Nordic myths. It is, for sure, very fascinating what an open bridge can learn us and trigger our imagination.

Loppemarked København or yard sale Copenhagen… it really run to the Scandinavian culture: this is organized for the sale of used goods of individuals. Typically items sold at yard sales include old clothing, books, toys, furnishings, board games and puzzles. Yard sales occur during sunny weekends or spring, known as “spring cleaning”. The owners have the opportunity to sell the goods that they do not use to earn some extra money and buyers to find bargains.

In one of these markets , my young son with passion of puzzles decided to buy one of these 1000 pieces puzzle. We placed the puzzle in our kitchen table and for more than one week all the family passed some time to put the pieces together. The unused puzzle of another family became our family activity our bargain. Especially for me, this activity proved to be my safe shelter in a difficult period of my life where I had high level of stress due to important decisions I had to make. It really helped me to create my bubble, interact with my family and overcome my stress.

One piece was never found but this was not a obstacle to finish our work and build a nice frame to have it as a memory of our Scandinavian adventures.

Doing business in Denmark and trying to get processes done while the danish collaborators can hear me that I am stressed and they say to me the magic word: “Take it easy”

Amazing.. in an another culture this could be, at least, offensive but here everything is taken easy.

In Greece, I only heard a similar expression during summer 2015, where we were in a deep economic crisis and having a feeling that we are all in a boat ready to sink. One magic word was said by my ex wise manager “Ψυχραιμία” while we were attending a summer reunion of HR community organization. This word gave me the same relief to take a deep breath and continue.

 

Walking around Copenhagen you can definitely come across of pictures like that. The shop is playing with the name of the neighbouhood and connects with each citizen.

It is amazing what I can do, when my 11 years old son says to me: “I believe in you…” Here comes a little video for inspiration!

Walking 04.00 in the morning on my way to catch the plane, I captured this photo between my home and the train station.

Not an ordinary pathway, passing through different nations and a strange cemetery which is in full contrast with the next door playground. And now starts the conspiracy, is the cemetery build there for a purpose? Are hidden tunnels built below this cemetery? Who knows and who cares?

The purpose of this blog is to share thoughts and ideas of my everyday life in order to help others.

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton