Our Danish Adventure Is Picking Up Speed! October 16, 2023
Hurray! We're back from Denmark and I can barely believe it myself - we actually managed 2200 wonderful kilometers! Who would have thought? Especially me, who used to groan on a 100-km drive and never really enjoyed driving! Life really can surprise you!
Our bus was packed to the rafters this time - a true Tetris masterpiece! There wasn't even room for a chocolate bar. It was simply wonderful to see how we transported piece by piece of our life into our new home. Those three days flew by - unpacking, putting things away, sitting on the terrace in between, breathing in the fresh sea air, and just savoring that feeling: "This is OUR house now!" And then we headed back to Germany with empty boxes but full hearts.
But the best part is still to come! We've rented a large moving truck and will soon be driving back to Denmark with Susanne and Peter (our fantastic friends and moving helpers!). This time we're bringing actual furniture! So far our new house looks a bit sparse, but that will change soon. I can't wait to make our Danish nest more cozy!
This time we were completely alone there, and it was absolutely lovely! That wonderful silence in the morning when you wake up and look out the large windows... the view into the garden and the certainty that we've made the right choice - priceless! In moments like these, I feel my heart expand with joy.
My walks with Ebbi are turning into real neighborhood tours! Our four-legged treasure is the perfect conversation starter, and I've actually already had some lovely chats with our Danish neighbors. Of course, my "Danish" is still more of a creative mix of German words, wild hand gestures, and hopeful smiling. What we've learned so far is nowhere near enough for deep conversations, but the people are so friendly and patient with us! It's as if they're welcoming us without words.
Now we're back in Germany temporarily, tackling the great decluttering mission! The junk removal is scheduled, and we're busily hauling out everything we don't need or probably never really needed. It's amazing how liberating letting go can be! Every item that goes feels like a little gift to myself - less baggage, more freedom. I'm overwhelmed by the lightness that comes with each discarded possession.
Meanwhile, we've told all our friends, relatives, and acquaintances about our moving plans. The reactions? Quite mixed! Some look at us like we've lost our minds ("Denmark of all places? Why not Mallorca?!"), but so many others cheer us on, give us big hugs, and say: "That's so brave! You're doing exactly the right thing!" This encouragement gives us even more momentum for our adventure.
With fresh energy, I'm now packing the empty boxes we brought back from Denmark and filling them with new treasures for our Nordic home. It's almost like Christmas - with each item, I wonder where it will find its place, how it will look when everything is finally arranged. I imagine us sitting at our new dining table in the evening by candlelight, hearing the ocean in the distance, and smiling at each other: "We did it!"
Sometimes, when I can pause and take a breath, I'm overwhelmed by a feeling of boundless gratitude. We're in the middle of a life adventure that we chose ourselves! How many people dream about it - and we, we're just doing it! Leaving Germany will certainly be emotional, but it doesn't feel like an ending; it feels like the beginning of something wonderful. Every kilometer on the highway heading north, every packed box, every new Danish word in my vocabulary notebook - all of these are small steps into a life we've chosen for ourselves.
And the best part? We're doing it together!
