Copenhagen Spring

I have been to Copenhagen twice before in the summer. Both times I traveled with other people, once coming from Paris, another time from LA for my friend Martine’s wedding. This is my first solo trip to Copenhagen. My friends are busy during the day which gives me time to explore the city, a city that I never really had a feel for because I simply didn’t need to: my friends lead me and I more than happily followed.

On this trip I was determined to get a feel of Copenhagen…after I straighten out the fiasco of not having a credit card that was accepted…anywhere. And yes, I’m not too proud to admit that glimmers of pre-panic behavior were beginning to ripple through my body and mind.

So I set out to find my Citibank office to rectify the situation. With my trusty Streetwise map in hand I set off from Mette and Adam’s flat in Osterbro. I must state clearly that I have never, ever seen Copenhagen look so, so very beautiful. CPK at this very moment is on the precipice of spring. The city has never felt as warm nor looked so beautiful.

Forsythia lines the paths. Daffodils take on a transparent luminance. Bare tree limbs radiate a nascent green glow with buds.

I was almost overwhelmed by Copenhagen’s beauty…almost, but how could I enjoy my stay without access to my cash? Or credit?

I took the most direct route (or so I thought) down to Hans Christian Andersens Blvd. and found Citibank. And was promptly told that the office couldn’t help as it was for international banking and finance (I presumed on a much larger scale than my international banking). But the helpful woman at reception sent me to Danske Bank. There I was told they couldn’t help. But I should try the ATM one more time and if that didn’t work I would have to speak directly to Citibank. The same Citibank that I had spoken to BEFORE I departed to Copenhagen.

With bowed head and evoking St. Jude, the patron saint of impossible missions, I went to the ATM inserted my card. Waited. Waited. Entered my PIN. Waited. And then the screen that I had dreamed about appeared “Amount to withdraw”. Life was looking UP. With cash in hand I headed out.I walked along Norre Segade beside the lake with a lighter step. Then through Orstedparken attired in its springtime best. It didn’t even bother me that my card was not accepted by a merchant. I knew that Danske Bank would be my savior throughout Copenhagen.