15-Feb-2025
My first destination is Odense in Denmark. For this first part, I am taking the ICE to Hamburg, and then the EC to Odense.
I have to get up early for that trip. Getting up at around 4:00, I leave at 5:00, the streets are still empty.
This early, the S-Bahn only runs once every 40 minutes, which means that adding an "one train earlier than necessary" buffer requires me to leave 40 minutes earlier than strictly necessary.
So I arrive at the central station about an hour early. And It's still under construction, after how many years now? I know countries that can make something like this work in less than a year!
The train arrives at the platform after 20 minutes or so, but they still leave us to wait in the cold for another 15 minutes (it's about 0°C). So I watch them stock up the board bistro.
After that, I can finally board the train. It's still pretty empty at this point, and only a few seats are reserved, so I wonder how many people are even gonna board along the way.
Aaand, never mind. A bunch of drunk soccer fans just boarded the train at Ingolstadt, and it's not even 7:00 yet. There goes my plan to get some shuteye now...
Outside, it's still dark, so there's not much to see at this point, apart from the moon, and the occasional lamp zooming by.
Eventually, day breaks, and it gets light enough outside to see the partially snow-covered landscape zoom by.
Also, the beer-bottle-drinking soccer fans get sidegraded to canned-booze-drinking geese. I don't remember all the things they've been going on about (and frankly, I'm glad I don't), but one story that stuck was how one of them, obviously being a mother, stuck her 40°C-feverish child in a hot bathtub and refused to let it get out even when it complained that it was getting dizzy, yelling at it for being a weakling. She was laughing as she told the story of how she almost accidentally killed her own child.
Unfortunately, those should stick around until the train arrives in Hamburg. That's the final stop for this train, but only a stopover for me this time around.
I have about a hour-long layover there, an it's about lunchtime, so I use the chance to get a bit to eat at the food court. I decide on some tasty Garn Li at the Asia Hung.
Afterwards, my journey continues with the Eurocity headed for Copenhagen.
Heading north, the train takes me past Neumünster, Rendsburg and Schleswig. Part of that route is actually the same that Robert and I took on our way from Rügen to Sylt (see Book IV ~ Chapter 7 ~ Coastal Connections).
I cross over the border to Denmark at Padborg, and then continue past Kolding. After that, I leave the European mainland by means of Den Gamle Lillebæltsbro ("The Old Little Belt Bridge"), crossing over the strait known as Lillebælt ("Little Belt"), and onto the Island of Fyn. Overall, the landscape still looks a lot like northern Germany, only with a little bit more water.
Shortly thereafter, I arrive in Odense.
From the station, it's roughly 1km to my Airbnb, or 1.5 if you're called Kira and thus naturally take the scenic route.
The advantage of my approach is that I get to see a bit of the city along the way. Also, I don't have to walk along the busy main road.
Eventually, I reach my stay place: An Airbnb in the middle of the rustic old city.
I originally only booked a room, like I usually do for just myself, but by a twist of fate, I got a free upgrade to a full, private apartment. A very, very colorful apartment. I'm not complaining! I'm not complaining in the least!
After settling in, I go out to have some dinner. My host recommends checking out the Gagade Zone for that.
I quickly find a place that appeals to me. As in "I don't care what they serve in there, I'm going in!" And yes, those are real flames in the braziers on the outside.
Turns out its an all-you-can-eat grill buffet restaurant, which is bad news for both my three-days-running pescetarian streak and my wallet. However, I still end up coming out not only full but happy, because the food there is so good! Among other things, I tried kangaroo meat, and the mushrooms were amazing too! Also, apparently a "medium" Fanta resolves to half a liter here.
After dinner, I take the scenic route back.
That takes me further done the Gagade Zone, which directly results in me encountering the Sparrow Piercing shop, a helicopter, and whatever in Lerra those things are.
I also take note that unlike Germany, Denmark does have 7-11. Good to know.
The last thing I do on this stray is visit the nearby Føtex supermarket recommended to me by my host, and get myself some breakfast for tomorrow at the bakery. At this hour, the selection is not great, but it'll do. I also note that stores are also open on Sundays here, which is another of those good-to-know things.
And that's it for today. Tomorrow, my exploration of Odense will begin in earnest. Until then, stay tuned, and be of great cheer! =^,^=
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