“The air is so fresh here!” exclaim our flatmates. We’ve just exited the train station, accompanied by three of our flatmates who generously offered to show us Dyrehaven, a famous deer park.
A short train ride from Frederiksberg gets us here, to the beautiful forested park just north of Copenhagen. I imagine in the spring and summer months, lush greenery occupies every inch of the environment, but on our visit, the landscape is filled with hues of cool blues from the sky, and gleaming white from the thin blankets of snow covering the ground. The snow is striking to the eye and reminds me of Carleton’s vast arboretum in the winter, perpetually characterized by thick white carpets of precipitation.
The weather is refreshing, though chilly. Upon arriving at the park, we stop at a small coffee stand where we indulge in hot cocoa, chai tea, and coffee. While strolling through the park, we encounter many horse-drawn carriages. Horses prance by, pulling bundled up adults and children in their tow. Blissful dogs trot alongside their owners, happy to be outdoors and among the fresh air, just as their human companions are.
We pass through “Bakken,” an amusement park located within the Dyrehaven woods. Notably, it’s known as “The World’s Oldest Amusement Park,” a venue visited by people seeking out the area’s natural springs in 1583 because they were believed to have curative properties. Now, it’s empty, made barren by the pandemic. Colorful roller coasters sit in disuse, only taken in by the eyes of passersby like ourselves wandering through.
Coincidentally, Nikki and I notice a recreation of the set of the iconic Danish television show “Matador” (Monopoly, in English) within the amusement park. We watched an episode or two of the show for our class titled “Glued to the Screen: TV Shows, Norms, and Culture,” and it’s intriguing to see a model of the fictional town in real life.
As we cautiously make our way across the icy paths, I observe lots of young kids tugging on clunky sleds, accompanied by their parents. Denmark isn’t a particularly hilly country, but within this park, the topography is great for sledding. It’s a fantastic recreational activity, and to get a taste of the fun the children are having, my flatmates and I take turns trying to slide across the icy paths by getting a running start and coasting down small hills on the bottoms of our sneakers.
Finally, we see the Hermitage Hunting Lodge far in the distance. The sun is perfectly angled and shines directly on the majestic building as if showing us the way to our destination. Originally built in 1734 for the royal family to host banquets and hunting trips, it looks remarkably well preserved. Imposing and grand, its teal rooftop complements the color of the vivid blue sky.
We pause for a brief snack break and enjoy the homemade pizza we prepared the night before. The pizza is piled with thinly sliced potatoes (a new concept for me!), zucchini, onion, mushroom, pepper, and vegan cheese––the perfect portable treat. After we finish, we head back in the direction of the train station. It’s a pleasant, leisurely stroll, and the bright sun filters through the branches of the trees that line the paths we walk on.
We only see one deer on the jaunt. It’s far off in the distance, slightly obscured by the foliage, delicately grazing. Too far away to capture in a photo, I simply take in its presence. It is a deer park, after all, and I’m glad we saw at least one of the creatures responsible for the setting’s namesake.
On our way home, we pick up some fancy vegan pastries at the bakery I’ve come to frequent, called “Naturbageriet.” Nikki and I select a variety of baked goods for the flat to try later, and once home, all of us dig into our tasty haul. It’s a delightful way to end the trip, and I’m appreciative for the outing, company, and special treats.
Bonnell Abroad 