Copenhagen Keys

During my time in Europe, I took advantage of my location and seized every opportunity I could to travel.  Accompanying me on every one of my trips, except two, was my very good friend Esmeralda (who from here on will be referred to as E).  We made great travel buddies and got very used to each other’s quirks. 

Our spring break that year happened to fall on the week of St.Patty’s Day.  So our plan for this extended break from school was as follows:  a group of us flew out to Ireland for a few days to tour the countryside and celebrate the holiday.  From there E and I went on to Scandinavia.  We spent two days in Denmark visiting friends, two days in Sweden, two days in Norway, then back to Denmark for two days, and rounded out the trip with two days in London.  (Although due to a currency conversion mishap in Sweden we ran out of money to get us downtown London and ended up spending the two days at Stansted airport.  But that’s a whole different story.) 

And while we’re on the subject of Scandinavia, I’d like to note that this part of the world is where all the pretty people come from.  Denmark is full of the world’s MOST beautiful people.  I’m telling you, they are ALL gorgeous.  E and I spent a lot of time people watching and saying “Seriously, how can this many people be this good looking?!?”  So if you ever have the chance to go to Scandinavia, take it.  You won’t be sorry!

Anyway, this story occurred while E and I were visiting Denmark for the second time.  We were very good at stretching our money while traveling and being that Scandinavia is so expensive, we took overnight trains and buses between countries to save on paying for a hostel.  Once we arrived in our destination country we usually found our hostel, dropped off all our stuff, took quick showers, and then began our adventures.  This instance was no different.

(Copenhagen, Denmark...aka Land of the Pretty People)

As I mentioned before, this was our second time through Copenhagen on this trip.  The first time we stayed in a hostel that was more towards the outskirts of the city; this time around we found a very nice one right downtown.  Like most hostels, there weren’t individual bathroom facilities but a communal bathroom shared by all those on the floor.  So E and I got to our room and gathered our stuff for the shower.  The showers were not too far away and there didn’t seem to be many people on the floor so it was much easier for us to undress in our room and walk to the bathrooms in just our towels.  E was ready first and as she left the room she said, “I’ve got the shampoo and conditioner, make sure you bring the key with you when you leave.”  I told her I wouldn’t forget and I’d see her there.  As I said, E was used to traveling with me and knew there were moments (VERY rarely) that I could be a little spacey, so she said again, “Seriously, make sure you bring the key.”  I held up the key card to prove I had it, “I’m only in charge of this and my towel, I think I can handle it.”

Feeling refreshed after showering, we walked back to the room together in our towels.  We got to the door and every attempt of the key was met with a flashing red light.  CRAP!!  I could feel the look E was giving me.

“I thought you said you had the key”
“I do!! This has to be our key!  See, it says Copenhagen on it”

That’s when I realized my mistake.  The key was in fact from our hostel in Copenhagen, but not the one we were currently standing in…in nothing but small towels.  The key I brought to the shower with me was the key from our first hostel, and no matter how hard I tried, it wasn’t going to open the door to our current room.

E was no stranger to these rare moments of mine so she didn’t get mad (but she wasn’t giggling like I was) instead she just stood there giving me her “Esmeralda look” and said, “Well why are you just standing there?  Go down to the lobby and get us a new key.  You did it, you fix it.”

I of course did NOT want to walk down to the lobby in my shower sandals and towel to get a key…at least I didn't want to go alone.  After a few minutes of pleading, E finally agreed to ride the elevator down with me.  But she was not leaving the elevator and she was not doing the talking.  That was fine with me, I just didn’t want to fly solo.

So we both got on the elevator, me giggling all the way.  The doors opened to the lobby and, of course, it was packed with people waiting to check in.  I knew there was no changing E’s mind about accompanying me to the desk, so I hesitantly stepped out and tried to find the most discreet way to get a key without waiting in line.  Luckily one of the front desk guys noticed me (I’m pretty sure everyone noticed the half naked girl with dripping wet hair) and walked over to the end of the desk.

“You need a new key don’t you?”
“How’d you guess??”

With my replacement key in hand, I scurried back to the elevator where E was patiently waiting, along with a few new additions to the car who also happened to be staying on our floor.  After just a couple more awkward moments we finally made it back in to the room (and to all our clothing) where we got ready for the next chapter in the adventures of E&C (also known as the adventures of A&C ;) )

p.s. I apologize for the lack of posts last week...life was a little hectic...I will try to not let it happen again!!