May marked the end of my fourth semester (well almost, just had one more exam left in June!), and also the end of my university adventure in Copenhagen. But May has also been a month with exciting travel experiences in both Greece and Denmark.
Nine days around Greece
May started the best way possible – on a trip to the Greek mainland and Peloponnese! I went there for nine days on a field trip with many other archaeology students and five teachers.
Last time I was in Greece was actually on another field trip back in high school in 2013, so I was more than excited to finally be back. I absolutely love Greece, as it’s such a diverse country with so much to see and do, breathtaking scenery, incredible food and great people!
We had nine exhausting but super fun days travelling all around the mainland and Peloponnese to amazing places like Delphi, Meteora, Thessaloniki, Sesklo, Dimini, Ancient Corinth, Mycenae and Marathon. Our last few days were spent in Athens, one of my favourite European capitals!
By the end of the trip, I was so extremely tired, but I had no time to sleep – because now the exam rush began!
Life in Copenhagen
The fourth semester has been the toughest one yet, so I was glad to be seeing an end to it in May. I had three exams, which were all basically on top of each other, so if you feel like I’ve been away for a while on the blog (which I have!), this is the reason!
But everything went great (I hope!) and I handed in two written exams at the end of May, and then started reading for my oral exam, which was on June 6th. My first written exam was a paper on documentation and analysis of the submerged Mesolithic settlement of Ronæs Skov, and the other one was a paper on the relations between the South Scandinavian and Egyptian elite in the early Bronze Age based on the spread of ideas through Europe. Both papers were exciting to write despite the time pressure, as I got to choose the subjects myself. I haven’t got the results yet, so I will post those in the June recap!
In the middle of doing my exams, I also found time to work at my three different jobs! But as I’m moving to Greenland in September and have a travel-busy summer ahead of me, I’ve decided to quit two of my jobs already. I had my last shift at the National Museum at the end of May, and in two days time, I’ll also have the last shift at my customer service job at Bonnier Publications. I’m going to miss both jobs dearly, as I’ve met some amazing people and have gained so many competences!
On another note, I actually started my summer job at the Land of Legends in May, which is the only job that I’ll have throughout the summer (when I’m not on the road). I absolutely love that place so much and I’m excited for a summer full of Stone Age fun!
My aunt comes to visit
At the end of the month, I spent a day with my aunt Inge, who was visiting a friend and also found time to explore Copenhagen with me!
It was great being a guide for a day, and I made sure to take her to some of my favourite places. We walked along Strøget, the main shopping street in Copenhagen with lots of cozy squares, spent some time wandering around Nyhavn, the most picturesque neighbourhood in the city, and ate our dinner in Freetown Christiania, a self-proclaimed autonomous anarchist district in the middle of the city. We also found time to go to my university to hear my friend give his final presentation before getting his master’s degree – I’m so proud of him for doing so well!
It was lovely to have a visitor from home and to spend some quality time with my beloved aunt.
Three trips to Eastern Jutland
As if May hadn’t been busy enough, I also decided to visit my family in Eastern Jutland not just once, but THREE times this month! Naturally, I spent most of that time locked up in a room staring at my computer screen (because exams…), but it was lovely to see them nonetheless.
I came home the weekend after Greece, as I wanted to watch the Eurovision Song Contest final with my mum and grandmother. I absolutely love the Eurovision, as it’s literally the only thing that can peacefully bring Europe (and Aussie!) together (at least, most of the time..). Unfortunately, Denmark didn’t win (totally thought we would!), and the winning song was rubbish in my opinion (sorry, Israel!).
The next weekend, I was back again – this time to go bridgewalking – see below! But I also spent an afternoon in Tivoli Friheden, an amusement park in Aarhus, with my parents and brothers – that was a lot of fun! It was also my cat’s birthday, which is actually the most important reason for coming home – she was nine on May 21st (happy birthday my love!).
Ohhh, and I also went shopping in Aarhus with my younger brother and “accidentally” bought a new tent! I can’t wait to test it out on the Faroe Islands in August 😉
Two weeks later, I was home again, but this time for almost a week, as I needed some peace and quiet to study for my upcoming oral exam. But most importantly, I came home for my Nan’s birthday celebration on Endelave on June 2th, which I’ll write more about next month!
Bridgewalking Lillebælt
When talking bridgewalking, most people picture a view of the Sydney Opera House seen from the Sydney Harbour Bridge, famous for its bridgewalking experience. But little Denmark can also offer incredible experiences from the top of a bridge, more precisely the Old Little Belt Bridge that connects Jutland with the island of Funen over the Little Belt strait.
As a Christmas gift, I had given my dad and two brother’s the bridgewalking experience over the Little Belt, and on a sunny day in May, the time had finally come for our adventure!
The experience was just as amazing as I had imagined!
Destinations visited in May 2018
- Delphi, Meteora, Kalampaka, Vergina, Pella, Thessaloniki, Chalkidona, Dion, Sesklo, Dimini, Orchomenos, Ancient Corinth, Mycenae, Lerna, Tiryns, Athens, Marathonas, Thorikos, Sounion, Greece.
- Copenhagen, Hov and Middelfart, Denmark.
Highlights
- Revisiting beautiful Delphi.
- Finally seeing Meteora (total bucket list destination!).
- Feeling overwhelmed with the beauty and history of Ancient Corinth.
- Visiting the archaeological site of Mycenae!
- Going back to Athens after five years.
- Bridgewalking over the Little Belt strait.
- Exploring Copenhagen with my aunt.
Challenges
- All the exams – although I feel that they went quite well (hopefully!).
- Not enough sleep – May has been a stressful month!
- Not being able to be as active on this blog as I would’ve liked.
Most popular post
- Tórshavn from Above: Climbing Mt. Húsareyn, Mt. Fjallð and Mt. Lítlafjall – A post about a climb to three mountain tops in the Faroese capitals.
Most popular and actually also the only post this month! That must be a record, haha. Unfortunately, the exams have taken all my take – but that means that June will be an active month on this blog – I’ve got so much catching up to do!
Most popular Instagram picture
Hehe, a picture of me all happy in Greece!
Coming up in June 2018
My last exam was on June 6th, which went well! That also means that I’m free and have just the summer holiday ahead of me!
In a few days, my younger brother is coming to Copenhagen, and on Monday, we’re off on the trip of our dreams to Peru with two long stopovers in Montreal and Toronto in Canada! The rest of June will be spent in Peru, and also the first part of July!
I can’t wait for this next big adventure, and I’m thrilled to be experiencing it with my younger brother!
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3 COMMENTS
Ann
6 years agoDear Mel, you are living your life to the full and it does inspire me si much. It’s so good to follow how you feel your life and that’s important ??!
Melissa Cherry
6 years agoThanks for the kind words Ann, I’m glad I can inspire you :-* just like you do me!