From Capital to Capital and Back

That is, from Washington, D.C., capital of the United States of America, to Copenhagen, capital of Denmark, and back.

And really, it’s kind of like from capital (D.C.) to capital (Copenhagen) to capital (London) to capital (Copenhagen) to capital (Stockholm, Sweden) to capital (Helsinki, Finland) to capital (Brussels, Belgium) to capital (Paris, France) to capital (Dublin, Ireland)… and well, you get the point.

It’s been a long journey. And a fun, exciting, exhilarating one. But one I’ll certainly never regret, nor ever forget.

As we drove down Interstate 66 on Saturday morning, coming up into the District, I began to get that sort of rush that I usually get when I make my way into a big city. If you’re from a big city you won’t understand it, but after spending my entire childhood in a small town, it’s a totally different experience. When you see the lanes widen, the traffic thicken, and the city skyline appear off in the distance, your heart starts beating faster, your mind races, you think of all the potential and opportunity and excitement a city offers that you just can’t really get in rural America (most of the time).

I got that feeling when I arrived in Copenhagen for the first time, too, but it vanished pretty quickly. By the end, Copenhagen began feeling more like the medium-sized city it really is. It’s a fine, fantastic city, but to me at least, it still doesn’t quite match the grand manner-style sheer power that a city like Washington, D.C., New York City, or even London exudes.

Being back in D.C. is a surreal feeling. In some ways, it feels like just yesterday that I was leaving to study abroad. In others, it feels like it’s been years since I’ve stepped foot in the city. The differences between D.C. and Copenhagen are remarkable: people are friendlier here, drivers more aggressive, stores bigger, sidewalks more crowded, bikes totally absent.

The food is better.

In many ways, I even think D.C. is a cleaner city. There’s less graffiti, no glass in the sidewalks (one of the advantages of open-container laws), and less run-down buildings–especially in my neighborhood (northwest D.C.).

It’s younger: a baby-aged city when compared to Copenhagen’s 1000+ year history. But despite it’s young age, I’m in awe of the history that has transpired here. The documents enclosed in our museums; the histories transcribed in our archives; the art, science and knowledge held in our museum vaults — they never cease to amaze me. Copenhagen’s history is fascinating in it’s own right, but it’s ancient history. Modern Danish events lack the passion and excitement of American history. In many ways they’ve moved slowly through the past century, changing passively only in reaction to the world around them, whereas the U.S.–while not always first–changes rapidly, dramatically and often only after fierce debate and struggle.

I’m not saying either one is better than the other–just observations.

The politics–oh the politics. It’s hard to draw a more radical comparison than Copenhagen and Washington. Washington is full of fiery debate, heated rhetoric, flaming insults and scandal. Copenhagen is… silent. Politics seem almost an afterthought in a city that is focused on living “happily”, enjoying their “hygge” and consuming copious amounts of alcohol. It’s not, really–politics play a key role in Copenhagen just as they do in any capital city–it’s just quieter. Changes are less dramatic (for the most part) and less controversial. With a strictly consensus-based political system, and seven political parties that lay incredibly close to each other on the political spectrum, people simply agree more in Denmark.

I’ll be honest, it didn’t get my blood flowing like politics here in D.C. do. One evening at the birthday party of my good friend Laura Bryson (who is starting an excellent blog as part of her New Year’s resolutions), for example, a fellow DIS student and I argued American politics for well over three hours. It was a heated, yet civil, debate, and ridiculous fun. In stark contrast, the most heated debates I’ve seen over Danish politics regard their immigration policy. Even there, most debates end with one side simply being labeled racist and the other “demanding” reform. Feebly.

I learned a lot in Copenhagen. I experienced a country that only a lucky few get to experience. I opted for an experience a little outside the norm, something more out of the way and unexpected than London, Paris, Madrid, Tokyo or Beijing. Denmark is a fascinating little country and Copenhagen is a fascinating little city. It’s got a lot to love (especially if you can get past the terrible weather). It’s not perfect, and to be honest I can’t see myself ever living there, but it was a fantastic experience.

I’m going to miss it.

But D.C. is just another adventure. I’ve lived here for two years already, but I am far, far from scratching the surface of what the city has to offer. Tack this on for another New Year’s resolution: I pledge to experience this city like I experienced Copenhagen. I will take advantage of all it has to offer at every possible opportunity. I want to know the people, the streets, the neighborhoods, the museums and libraries. The events, festivals, restaurants, bars and clubs. I want to see it from every perspective in every season. I want to learn its history and its hidden gems.

I’m glad to be back. Here’s to a great semester. Skål!