Envy comes easily looking down at the slick, shingled roof tops of Copenhagen, Denmark. They are so desirable in their delicately toned, film processed hues of slate, apricot, and mint. I imagine only good things are allowed to occur under those eaves. Coffee cups never break; morning toast is always warmly buttered; potted plants thrive next to minimalist furniture. All is calmness and decorum.
I yearn to have a pied-à-terre in Nørrebro to which I can saunter after late night drinks. Or an artist’s studio in Nyhavn from whose dormer I can wax lyrical about my muse: the canal. Surely I would be a better novelist if I had a regular café along Nordre Frihavnsgade to haunt? I’m certain I could achieve more if I were contemplating sunsets from my dock-side desk on Kongens Nytorv. After all, it worked wonders for Hans Christian Andersen.
Instead, I must be contented with glimpses into hygge accommodations from my lofty perch. I spy Panton chandeliers and Jacobsen egg chairs. My envy grows as I peer at sleek steel appliances and curvaceous wooden rails. I covet walls painted platinum and charming salon tableaux. Every penthouse vista Copenhagen divulges feeds my fever. Each chimney pot and tiled square fuels my inner comparison demon — the one that’s always eager to convince me life would be better if I were doing things differently.
Climbing the spiral steeple of the Church of our Savior, I have to remind myself, “you don’t know what it’s like to live under those roofs, you can’t tell what goes on behind those paned windows.” Nose pressed against the grill, surveying the candy-colored townhomes shouldering one another, I shout back at envy, “Stop trying to trap me inside your false, constrictive metaphors!”
Still, when I read the plaque about Copenhagen’s contribution to the Danish Golden Age, when a passing tour guide praises the city’s commitment to urban design, when I peruse an article claiming this is the happiest place on earth, envy rears up to whisper at me, “See what you’re missing? You should be part of this. When will it be your turn?” I sigh in defeat. Resentment is triumphant. It has managed to demoralize me amidst a Danish utopia. I stop exploring. I don’t want to see Copenhagen’s rooftops anymore.
In an older neighborhood, I slip into a garden nestled between mansions. I rest underneath a tree by a lake. No one else is there. The light sparkles off the water for my amusement. The poisonous murk clears. I see the situation clearly. I don’t need lodgings by the canal. I don’t require quarters in a canary terraced house, under a slate roof, or along the Strøget. I am part of Copenhagen, I realize. I have tasted its delights. I’ve watched it from above, delved into its interiors, climbed its heights. I’m immersed in hygge at this moment. The petty monster has no response. I smirk. “It’s my turn now,” I say.
TRAVEL NOTE:
Copenhagen is a bicyclist’s dream city. It caters to their safety, welfare, and comfort through the use of bikeways, traffic preference in city planning, and integration into the public transport service. To experience the Danish capital like a native, rent a bicycle or sign up for a bike tour.
Has a city or an object ever made you envious? What is your remedy for getting out of the comparison trap?
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Another well written and beautifully photographed post. I can relate to everything you’ve said.
Have a wonderful day!
I so appreciate your kind words.
Your awesome photos just made me think even more to visit Copenhagen one day. Thank you.
🙂 You are very welcome.
Oh, how beautiful. No wonder you feel that way. Your pictures and your words make me feel that envy. It appears as such a fairy-tale place. The colors, the architecture, the sunshine. A wonderful post!
I’m happy you enjoyed my post! Copenhagen does have such beautiful architecture doesn’t it? It’s hard not to want to own some of it.
Ahhh Copenhagen, a very special city to be sure and your photos do it justice. Friends from there complain of the endless gray days and high cost of living. Nowhere is perfect I guess. Everywhere has pros and cons. Beautifully written post. Love the description of the colors “hues of slate, apricot and mint.”
Peta
So, as I suspected Copenhagen isn’t as perfect a place to live as it seemed while I was there. 🙂 I’m really grateful for your sweet compliment.
It’s many years since I’ve visited Copenhagen, but I was equally captivated. The last city to grab my heart was a warmer one though, Seville. It was impossible not to lose ourselves in the narrow winding streets, which had evolved without any possible input from a town planner, as a climb to the top of any church tower to look down at the rooftops revealed. Such different cities, but both with the power to inspire envy of those who live there. Lovely post. Thank you.
Thrilled to find out you also felt this way about Copenhagen. I have not been to Seville yet, but your memories of it make me eager to find out if I’ll feel the same way there. I appreciate your kind and thoughtful comment.
Copenhagen is just so beautiful. It’s even better because it seems to be a small city with it’s own character rather than a huge international metropolis like a lot of capitals. So much colour in the buildings too, love your pics.
Thank you! I so enjoyed taking photographs of Copenhagen precisely for the reason you mention. The city was very explorable and without the ubiquitous skyscrapers or box-chain brands one sees everywhere. It has a community feel to it and even the modern buildings are erected with great attention to design and neighborhood aesthetic.
Love these deep thoughts and your progression through the post. Travel can so easily paint a picture of beauty and perfection, especially when we’re only passing through a destination. But life is life, with all its issues, no matter where we are in the world. Wonderful photos and post!
You so perfectly summed it up: “life is life, with all its issues, no matter where we are in the world.” Always grateful for your kind support.
Once again your travel writing is sheer poetry. It captivates me everytime. The vivid descriptions, the range of emotions, and the stunning images are beckoning me to move to a place that had never even been on my list. A magnificent virtual experience.
What a compliment! I am so flattered. If you ever do make your way to the canals of Copenhagen, I would love to know what you think of its close-knit sailing community.
How I love this inner battle of yours, described in the most eloquent ways! I must tell you of this beautiful Danish woman I spent a week hiking with. She looked like she stepped out of the magazine covers of a hiking magazine. Perfectly groomed, colour matched, and glowing. And while I was stomping along, she looked like she was strolling along, perhaps one of Copenhagen’s canals, despite the fact that she was 20 years my senior, and I was not at all unfit. And, like you when looking down on the city’s rooftops, envy came easily . . . .
I’m so pleased that you thought my post eloquent and I relished your story! I too felt this about the way the Danes in Copenhagen dressed. Such confidence and grooming and personal elan! They had a knack for making everything look so effortless.
Windows, doors, rooftops, and buildings always capture my attention. They’re like a passage into another world or moment in time. On this side: we can let go of reality — even if its only for a moment. As travellers we can make our own stories and live in a world of illusion. I guess that’s what makes travel so alluring! I loved this post! I can totally relate to it on every level.
Your kind words really mean so much to me. It is encouraging to know others can relate to these crazy ideas of mine.
I always thought I was the one with the crazy ideas! 🙂 WordPress has been a revelation.
I can’t read enough about Copenhagen, a place I’ve always hankered after, and never visited… really resonated with your imaginings about the interiors… my favorite style of interior decoration, I have folders of white Scandinavian rooms I dream and drool over……
You would love visiting Swedish houses! They have a passion for white and blue and lots of mid-century modern furniture.
I know I would!… My file on Scandinavian houses is stuffed with pictures of those gorgeous interiors !!!
And I love the light, and the way they manage light, and also the way they light candles on winter days… I do the same myself now…
Exploring the city by bike sounds like a good way to indulge in its sights up close. Your canal shots with the colorful houses are my favorite – the scene looks like one I memorized from Curacao’s capital. The rest of town reminds me of Amsterdam and the rooftops of some cities in Belgium. Biking in Holland is popular as well. These Northern European countries did some things right! I have read before that the citizens of Denmark are among the happiest in the world. If only it would be warmer all year round… Beautiful account of your visit, as always!
Thank you Liesbet. Copenhagen makes it so easy to explore by bicycle, they even have multiple guided bicycle tours! I think it is because of the rough winters they have that the Danes relish the concept of ‘hygge,’ reveling in the coziness of the moment.
Thanks for the tour. This is the happiest place on Earth? You’ve piqued my interest to visit one day.
🙂 According to the World Happiness Report published by the Earth Institute at New York’s Columbia University, yes.
Beautiful! I’m now filled with envy and yearning!
😊
Haha, this is making me want to go out and buy one of those Jacobsen egg chairs. I’m sure I would love Copenhagen; it looks idyllic. Although I live in a pretty nice place (except for the endless winter rain that I believe Copenhagen also deals with) I’ve certainly had moments of envy while traveling. Bamberg, Germany comes to mind immediately—I pictured myself living a fairytale existence..
Ah, good. It makes me feel better I’m not the only one to have place envy. I have never been to Bamberg, but I took a look at some photos and I can see why. Those houses on the river and the town hall/bridge are straight out of a fairy-tale.