Yesterday was a brilliant day even though it was a bit wet. When we woke up, we could hear the raindrops falling outside our window. With a sigh and a quiver, we prepared ourselves to step outside our hostel. We drew our umbrellas and went for a tour in the cosy and peaceful streets of Quebec. It was a really lovely way of seeing the city, since everything had a story to tell. We came to Quebec’s observatory, were we could see the city from the sky. Since we were the only people to come up with the idea of visiting the observatory, we could take our time to really appreciate the breathtaking view. Afterwards, we thought it would be wise to take a timeout and wait for the rain to decrease. So we located the nearest Starbucks and ordered a warm cup of coffee, and in some cases, a warm cup of cocoa. When the last drop of caffeine had been swallowed and the last brownie had been consumed, we were ready to explore the rest of Quebec. We walked past a shop that only sold Christmas ornaments and one that only dealt with maple syrup – and I wonder how they are able to make ends meet or break even in this economy, but either way, it was a real kick to see shops like those that would ever have existed in Denmark

 Later on, it was time for a real treat which many of us had anticipated: An ice hockey match. Since none of us really follow hockey, and especially not Canadian hockey, we were told by our teachers to root for the local team called “Remparts”. The game was filled with excitement, fights, and noise which we all were fascinated and intrigued by. And if THAT was not sufficient to hold our attention, we discovered that one of the hockey players on “our” team was Danish. In one of the halftimes Tove and I tried a local delicacy that is called “Putine” which is French fries with cheese and gravy, and it tasted surprisingly well. However, I must admit that neither of us was able to finish the meal.

As a way to complete the day, our teachers had invited us all to join them for a nightcap at a nearby bar. After the teachers called it a night, we were left to enjoy the nightlife of Quebec on a Friday night – and I do not believe that I have ever had a night out on the town were all of us were as popular as the one last night.  

                                         

    Quebec has been very educational, and I do believe that my French has improved, so here are a few keywords that I thought I ought to share with you.

-          But(m) = Goal

-          Bruit(m) = Noise

-          Victoire(f) = Victory

-          Hockey sur galce = ice hockey

-          Observatoire(f) = observatory

-          Chute(f) de feuilles= leaf fall

    

When I woke up this morning, I would not have thought that today was going to be as wonderful as it has. Even though we woke up at 6 a.m. and had to catch a bus to La Guardia airport, all of us were ecstatic and cracking jokes the whole trip to Quebec.

  It was a bittersweet moment when I had to say goodbye to the grand and gorgeous city, because even though I absolutely adore New York, I was also excited to come and visit Canada. New York has really opened my eyes and showed me that not everyone is like the majority of the Danish population. There are people living in poverty all around the streets of New York. Most of the times you are too busy to notice them, however, if you catch a peak of them your conscience takes over. So you donate what few dollars you have left. And even though your contribution might not feed their families, you feel like you have made the world a little bit better - but I digress.

  Our flight to Quebec went well, besides the major problem of Rasmus not getting his luggage at baggage claim. Fortunately, he was promised that his suitcase will show up at our hostel as if by magic in the morning.  When we landed, we took a taxi to our hostel. I must say that the ride from the airport was one of the most beautiful sights I have seen in a long time. The leaves on the trees were all turning the colour of autumn. Red, yellow, and a thousand other colours that are too unique to describe made Quebec look like a wildfire that has been painted by a million painters.

  Quebec is like a totally different world. Were New York was loud and noisy, Quebec is astonishing and breathtaking. In the time spent in New York, I rarely talked to anyone other than people in stores and in restaurants, but in Quebec I have already talked to a whole group of people. In Canada, they are friendly and welcoming. I can feel it in my bones that I am going to return to Quebec some day. It is one of the most beautiful cities that I have ever been to. This day has truthfully been an amazing day.                                                

This was the last real day before our departure. And today was a day of education and art. The first stop of the day was MOMA – Museum Of Modern Art – where the works of many great painters and sculptures are doing their share to beautify Manhattan. Van Gogh’s “Starry night” was just one of the many pieces that hung on the museum walls, and if it was not for a remodelling that was going on, we could have stayed there till nightfall. Sadly though, parts of the museum were under reconstruction which meant that Monet, Matisse, and many other wonderful artists were nowhere to be found.

  After the visit to the museum, we were to meet again at 2 o’clock for a lecture on Latinos and Hispanics in New York at City University of New York. This meant that we could roam the city and shop as we walked down Fifth Avenue. However, the time restraint was simply too difficult for some to comprehend. When we were about to enter the university, we were still one person short. A panic spread amongst the teachers and students, and world war 3 was nearly about to break out. Luckily, the person showed up unharmed and a little embarrassed just as the lecture started.

   The evening was spent in the company of the whole class and the teachers at the restaurant “Rubytuesdays” where we held a “goodbye-and-thanks-for-a-fabulous-trip” party. And it has truly been a great trip and an even greater experience to stay in New York (even if it was just for a little while). With that said, I am also excited to fly to Canada and Quebec tomorrow. In my opinion this journey is getting better and better, and if Quebec is anything like I have heard of, we are in for a treat. But before we arrive in the nation of hockey and maple syrup, we must be ready to leave the hostel at 7.20 a.m. - I do not dare to think about the nightmare of seven girls and one guy trying to get ready in front of a mirror in one tiny bathroom. That truly is terrifying image that will hunt my dreams tonight.

  One thing I would like to share before I nod off: This week has been like a modern fairytale – and it is a never ending story.      

Today was our much beloved Malou’s birthday, and even though she was not celebrated by Danish standards (with cake, coffee, and piles of gifts) - we did our best to make her feel speciale.  

  Today’s program took us on a trip to Harlem. At 10.00 a.m. a tour bus that resembled a black hummer limousine picked us up and a born and bred New Yorker showed us around the city by bus. As we drove through the skyscrapers and the inner city, the tour guide told us stories from his life and about the history of the city. We drove right next to the edge of central park, and when the traffic allowed it, gave us a peak into the green universe that seemed so remote from the rest of Manhattan. Our first stop was at a church, Cathedral of St. John the Divine, that made some of us, though not yours truly, a bit God-fearing. From there on, the bus took us straight to Harlem and showed us the historical places of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King. When we were finished driving around in the black neighbourhoods that made us feel white - on the border to transparent - , we ended up in the lower east side, where a Danish journalist greeted us and was ready to show us around in the neighbourhoods of the immigrants from the old days. In addition to that, she told us about community gardens, housing problems, and the problem of getting in to a decent school that troubles the New Yorkers of today.

  One of her most important travel tips lead us to a street which was packed to the maximum with stores that could make every teenage girl drop to her knees: Bloomingdale’s, Victoria’s secret, Topshop, Forever 21, and a million other stores. Our primary goal was Victoria’s secret which you could easily spend two hours in. The pink colours and lovely laces made us an easy target for the cheap offers since our inner princess was utterly fascinated by the fabled and mysterious label that is known from the American movies. Compared to yesterday’s extravaganza, today’s spending was through the roof. It is lucky that we seldom come to New York. Otherwise we would most likely all be a group of homeless shopaholics.                     

   Today started out really well. The sun was sort of shining, our jetlag had almost disappeared, and the city was humming with activity. After a nourishing and nutritious breakfast, consisting of a tiny yogurt, a cream cheese bagel, and some ill tasting coffee, we were ready to set sail for Liberty and Ellis Island. But little did we know that a terrible flood would hit Manhattan. As the day progressed, we made it to Liberty Island where the majestic statue of liberty used to greet the immigrants. The whole class were in good spirits until the rain started to fall. And it was not just a simple drizzle – it was raining cats and dogs. Chaos and mayhem broke out as the monsoon began to gain traction. It was as though the weather was about to re-enact the flooding scene from “the day after tomorrow”. Umbrellas were unfolding all over the place, transforming the island into a walking colour palette of pink, blue, and yellow umbrellas. Luckily, we had to sail to Ellis Island, where the immigrants first came to get a health inspection before being let in to America. It was extraordinary and surreal to see some of the immigrants' logbooks and read about how many immigrants used to come to Ellis Island every single day. To end the day, we all visited the 9/11 memorial, which was a moving experience even though rain was coming down so heavy that our socks were so soaked that our feet needed to be wrung.

   When we finally were released into the concrete jungle of Manhattan, shopping became an all consuming power and our credit cards became an extended limb. A quest for makeup, dresses, shoes, and shirts had begun. And the mandatory visit to Zara and H&M went off without a hitch. The spending of the day has certainly not made us rich – but at the very least - well dressed.  

Like a kid in a candy store

   It is about twenty-four hours ago since I last slept for more than three hours, and I could kill for a decent mattress and a proper blanket right now. But the past day has brought me closer to my classmates and to our destination. In fact, at this exact moment all of my roommates are typing away on their computers while trying to put today’s experiences into words.

   But it is simply impossible, the mesmerising atmosphere of Times Square, which our hostel is ever so luckily located near, is enchanting. It is like being a child in a candy store filled with millions of other children of all ethnicities and ages. I believe that Times Square is the heart of New York City since it reflects the entire mood and feel of the rest of Manhattan, and is not afraid to show it. Flashing billboards, flyers, and folks walking all over the place, trying not to get stomped down by the masses who does not know  whether to walk, watch the traffic, or the advertisements that promise you a better life in one easy change of a mobile. New York sure is different from the provincial life of Silkeborg, but I cannot wait to explore this different and intriguing city. But it has to be tomorrow, since not even a cup of coffee can cure my need for sleep.

start spreading the news

  I am sitting outside the gate and staring out on our airplane. It is 11.01 a.m., and we are leaving in half an hour. The day has been a hectic one with waking up at 3 a.m. after sleeping merely 2½ hour and then getting on a bus, a train, and now a plane.  But the day has also brought much joy and excitement, it is simply impossible not to be amazed by the enthusiasm. It is almost as if New York has a magnetic pull on us that makes our hearts and minds want to travel this instance. Even though sleep might overpower us in the nearest future (when the plane is off the ground and in the air) our dreams will revolve around USA. Well, at least my dreams will.