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Copenhagen city hall
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Copenhagen city hall.JPG)
Nyhavn restaurant strip.We arrived in Copenhagen yesterday from St Petersburg. It was most interesting to contrast the two countries, one former socialist state in an euphoric embrace of capitalism while the other a near socialist utopia but not wanting to be called one.
Most of the time in Russia we have been pleasantly surprised by the friendliness. On the final day however, in fact on the final hour or two at the airport it seems Russia was determined to reveal its true self to us. There were a number of incidents, the first took place at the airport entry security checkpoint similar to those in many countries. After we got pass the X-ray, metal detector and patting down, we discovered one more piece of suitcase outside. The guard said I could retrieve the suitcase to be put through the X-ray machine, but another insisted that I go through the whole process of personal checks all over again and even insisted that I remove my belt which I was not required to minutes earlier. There have been many instances of inconsistencies in Russia, sometimes stringent rigidity at other times slackness - such as metal detectors ringing alarms but no one manning them to worry about why alarms had gone off. Later in the transit lounge, we found that waiters will not give us the bill unless we request it from the specific person who served us.
Then we boarded the SAS flight to Copenhagen and it was like a breath of fresh air. The steward spoke excellent English, was relaxed and joked with us. At the airport we were not required to fill in any forms, the immigration officer stamped our passport with hardly a glance at us.
The taxi driver told us that medical care and education are free and unemployment benefits generous. And the baby bonus goes on till the baby is 18 years old! For that, the Danes pay a minimum of 40 percent income tax plus 25 percent GST ! So most people are left with at most 30 percent of salary to live on. Everything is horrendously expensive but everyone seems to be spending as though there is no tomorrow. After all, why save when there is pension guaranteed for everyone.
Copenhagen city centre is quiet but beautiful and was crowded as it was Kulturnatten or Culture night when many things are open till past midnight - if you have the money to spend that is ! Today we visited the Rosenborg Castle and the viewed the crown jewels. They are poor cousins of the Czars by comparison. Well, as Kay said, that is why they are still here while the Czars are gone ! The guard said the royalties don't wear crowns anymore. Just "you are King and you are Queen, and that's all”.
cheers,
Kin Mun
Most of the time in Russia we have been pleasantly surprised by the friendliness. On the final day however, in fact on the final hour or two at the airport it seems Russia was determined to reveal its true self to us. There were a number of incidents, the first took place at the airport entry security checkpoint similar to those in many countries. After we got pass the X-ray, metal detector and patting down, we discovered one more piece of suitcase outside. The guard said I could retrieve the suitcase to be put through the X-ray machine, but another insisted that I go through the whole process of personal checks all over again and even insisted that I remove my belt which I was not required to minutes earlier. There have been many instances of inconsistencies in Russia, sometimes stringent rigidity at other times slackness - such as metal detectors ringing alarms but no one manning them to worry about why alarms had gone off. Later in the transit lounge, we found that waiters will not give us the bill unless we request it from the specific person who served us.
Then we boarded the SAS flight to Copenhagen and it was like a breath of fresh air. The steward spoke excellent English, was relaxed and joked with us. At the airport we were not required to fill in any forms, the immigration officer stamped our passport with hardly a glance at us.
The taxi driver told us that medical care and education are free and unemployment benefits generous. And the baby bonus goes on till the baby is 18 years old! For that, the Danes pay a minimum of 40 percent income tax plus 25 percent GST ! So most people are left with at most 30 percent of salary to live on. Everything is horrendously expensive but everyone seems to be spending as though there is no tomorrow. After all, why save when there is pension guaranteed for everyone.
Copenhagen city centre is quiet but beautiful and was crowded as it was Kulturnatten or Culture night when many things are open till past midnight - if you have the money to spend that is ! Today we visited the Rosenborg Castle and the viewed the crown jewels. They are poor cousins of the Czars by comparison. Well, as Kay said, that is why they are still here while the Czars are gone ! The guard said the royalties don't wear crowns anymore. Just "you are King and you are Queen, and that's all”.
cheers,
Kin Mun
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