København v. Praha

So I am now in my old stompin' grounds, K-town, Copenhagen. It feels weird to be back but it is nice. I miss this city. It got me comparing Prague and Copenhagen. These two cities alike in dignity. Both about the same size, both old capitals of old European nations of erstwhile great importance. Both beautiful in their own way. Still, in my opinion very different despite all these similarities.

I love Copenhagen. It is just such a nice place to be. Copenhagen to me epitomizes something very important to the Danes, coziness. With long, fairly dark winters, the Danes love to be cozy in their homes. This idea trickles down to a number of things and cozy is really the way I would describle Copenhagen, at least as cosmopolitan capital cities go. With a municipal pop. of 1/2 million and a metro pop. of a little over a million Copenhagen feels like a true city, but a managable one. It has a density that keeps it a managable size but there are very few large buildings. It's indvidual sectors and neighborhoods feel like large towns that you can really get to know, but the entire city is highly accesible wherever you are. It is a city where you can ride a bike almost anywhere due to it's size and status as one of the best if not the best bicycling cities in the world. In this regard I really prefer Copenhagen to Prague. Prague is surprisingly spread out in the metro area considering it's population. The suburbs feel very seperate from the city center and although nice enough lack much charm. Biking is difficult and unpopular due to long distances and lack of infrastructure though both cities have extensive, quick, and convenient mass transportation systems based on 'honor systems'.

The city center of CPH is fairly compact but incredibly vibrant. Although it was highly controvesial at the time the decision to turn a large portion of the city center into pedestrial walking streets has proved a great decision. It also helps make for a highly defined central area. The area is filled with people walking on a Saturday doing shopping (much is closed on Sundays due to some interesting legislation designed to support small businesses, this can be frustrating). Even at 3-5 am you can see loads of young people about (establishments are open much later here). There are beautiful squares, one of which has ice skating in the winter. I miss being here in December, the city center lights up with Christmas lights. Prague is very different is this regard. The city center feels much larger and has a few pedestrian only areas. However Pragues' endless meandering alleys and small streets make going through the city center an adventure and it lends itself to really discovering it for yourself. Prauge has a lot of it's large businesses mixed in as well which is why it larger whereas CPH is more strictly residential, retail, and food. I think CPH is the one I prefer but that may just be because I know it better.

Pragues buildings are undoubtably more beautiful. There is no better city to be lost in. Just walk around, look up and you are sorrounded by art. Strolling anywhere is a pleasure, it is a truly a city to be discovered on foot and it takes time, more than I have. With CPH on the other hand the buildings are far more well, Scandanavian; simple, attractice, functional. Think if Ikea had been making buildings for a couple hundred years. No eyesores and a few truly attractive buildings, but no comparison to the ubiquity of beauty to be found in Prague. Then again when all those beautiful buildings were being built in Prague, Denmark was as a local friend Søren said,' having a war with Sweden about every ten years', so what was the points. Instead the beauty to be found in CPH is when looking down not up. CPH has some of the most unique water settings of any city. It doesn't have a great river like London, Berlin, Prague or so many other cities. It isn't filled with Canals like Amsterdam. Instead it has a unique mix of some canals, harbors, ports, and man made water fortifications that I love. It is my favorite city to run in. Many of the canals are and harbors are filled with sailboats which gives the city a great maritime feel and the forifications make for some unique and beautiful waterfront settings.

As a tourist city I have to say Prague is probably better. There is simply more to do as a tourist and the city is truly more impressive to see for a few days. Plus there is the money thing. CPH is really, really expensive. Wages and prices are much higher (minimum wage is about 18 dollars/hour and a beer in most bars or restaraunts will set you back at least 7 dollars +) here which makes it a tough place to travel to and live coming from somewhere else. You can get a lot more bang for your buck in Prague with meals coming at half the price and beer at a genuine fraction (if you're paying for then 2 bucks for a pint your getting ripped off). If you could only visit one I would have to say Prague, especially on a budget. However Copenhagen doesn't have that tourist city feel that can get frustrating in Prague. If money wasn't an issue I would love to live in CPH again. It is just so damned pleasant.

As for what I have actually been doing. Mostly just seeing the city again and hanging out with some people I know. I went out until 6am last night. They party late here. It isn't really my thing but it is good for me to do now and then, remind myself I'm still young. I've got a couple more days here. Shep and I are going to go to the Carlsberg factory to take the tour and see some other stuff. Also I am practicing with my old ultimate team Ragnarok tomorrow which will be fun. Should serve to show me how bad I have gotten at disc.

Alright that is all for now. I am going to upload pictures soon, I promise, once I get back home. I will just backlog them into pertinent posts. Okay, I should get some shut eye now.

Jøey