Skt. Hans Aften, etc.

Last night was Skt. Hans Aften, when the Danes celebrate the longest day of the year by lighting bonfires on the beach. It was really windy and cold, so rather than biking all the way out to the beach, some friends and I just decided to go watch the fires at the lakes, which are right in the city. The one we went to involved a floating raft with a lot of wood and a painted witch on it -- see the pictures. After that one burned out, we went to Islands Brygge, where they were going to light a much bigger fire -- but I guess because it was so windy, they decided it wouldn't be safe and didn't light it. Too bad. So we just sat by the harbour for a bit until we got to cold, and then gave up. Not the most exciting of evenings, but when the weather is nice everyone goes out to the beach and barbecues and then lights their own bonfires afterward. Too bad the weather didn't really work out this time.

The race last week was fun -- I think it's amazing how many people participate in these. This one was just for women, and held on three consecutive days. Over the whole time, 21,000 women ran, which is really a lot for a not-that-big city like Copenhagen. They have versions in Århus and Odense, as well. It's fun; you get a running jersey and a goodie-bag, and before the race they have an aerobics instructor leading warm-ups to loud music. It's quite impressive to see a group of 7000 people all doing coordinated aerobics together in a big field...