Going Go-Karting

The last time I went Go-Karting Opu promised never to accompany me. But then I had an excuse. I didnt know driving. Danske Bank employees go Go-Karting once in every month. And the person with the best time gets to keep a trophy for a month. And its not the best finisher but rather the one with the best lap time. And you get 15 laps to prove your mettle.

My team mate asked me if I would be interested. And since in Danmark, I have decided never to say no to anything new or relatively new. So I agreed. But the moment I reached the Go-Karting arena I knew I was in the wrong place.

As is their wont the Danes were all decked up - driving gears of all hue, the right shoes, firejackets and ofcourse matching crash helmets, gloves et al. I wore the smallest gear that was available in the race track.

My confused state of mind was all too apparent on my visage, otherwise why would a had huge middle aged Danish manager come up to me by himself and offer "a basic tip".

If someone wants to go past you let him go. Enjoy the race and dont worry about the time.

Fortunately I was at the end position when the race started. So I guessed there wouldnt be anybody honking behind my back till the first few laps. As the race began I was sure I was in the wrong place.

The first sharp bend and I was into the tyres. The alarm went off, everybody stopped and I thought I would be disqualified. But I was allowed to carry on after they retrieved my car.

4 laps down the line I wanted to quit the race but I didnt how. I carried on with people banging behind me. I could almost here some honking. My formal shoes were not allowing any grip on the accelerator (alteast I now have a reason for not finishing well).

15 laps looked an eternity. I was still trying to enjoy the race. But the car was controlling me, the other drivers whizzing past every now and then.

Among them there was this driver in the red who had gone past me twice before. And he was there again. And suddenly the moment of truth arrived. My Indian ego sparked and I decided not to enjoy the race anymore.

I would not allow him and pushed the pedal (inspite of the shoe). I did not allow him and the rest for the next 2 laps atleast but then my stamina gave up.

The race was finally over. Suddenly I felt that I had these two heavy iron arms. My entire torso was aching and for the first time after coming to Copenhagen I was perspiring profusely.

I didnt want to see my time. But my team mate and this middle aged man was keeping a watch. No it was not a Hollywoodish end - I didnt have the best lap time.

The best lap time was 35.32 secs. But what I saw was very interesting. I had presumably had the biggest gap between the fastest and slowest lap time in a single race. My slowest time was 48 secs or so and nobobyd was slower in a single lap. But my best lap was 38 something and there were people who had worse time than me.

I almost remembered by MA Part I and Part II scores. I am proud to be Gemini.

The Legend of Holger Danske

I was living on a street called Holger Danske Vej (Vej is pronounced as 'way' in Danish). And I was curious to know why would someone name a street on Holger Danske. In the catacombs of Kronborg castle (it is called the Casemates) I discovered the legend of Holger Danske.

The casemates of Krongborg Castle comprises a series of tunnels. You can walk through them, get a real experience of the cellars of ancient castles and get to smell history. There I saw Holger Danske in a deep grave slumber.

Holger Danske or Ogier the Dane (Danske means Danish) is a symbol of Danish pride, strength and bravery. Son of King Geoffrey, once upon a time King of Denmark, Holger Danske was a fighter of immense strength. It is believed that he has fought many a victorious battle for Denmark.

Like all legends he is glorified and commercialised. www.holger-danske.dk is the site of Danish furniture company. I also saw a bus company called Holger Danske and the history at casemates tells me that there are numerous other products in his name (bread, beer etc). Holger Danske sells in Denmark and I was tempted to pick up a t-shirt for June.

Interestingly as with any other legend there was lot of claim to his antecedents. But now Kronborg and consequently Denmark has the legal claim to the legend of Holger Danske. After Hans Christian Anderson, Holgar Danske seems to be the most loved Dane. The former writes in one of his tales

"But the most beautiful sight of all is old Kronborg, and in a deep, dark cellar beneath it, where no one ever goes, sleeps Holger Danske... He sleeps and dreams, and in his dreams he sees all that happens here in Denmark. Every Christmas Eve one of God's angel comes to him and tells him that what he dreamed is true; he may sleep again, for no real peril threatens Denmark. But should real danger come, old Holger Danske will rise in fury... and the mighty blows he strikes for Denmark will be heard throughout the world..."

There is something about legends that give me goose bumps even now (@ 32!!). I like believing these stories (and I truly hope they are true). It makes the world a little bit more fun. I cannot wait to be back in India and download the legend of Holger Danske on June. And I hope she believes in it till long.

Fredriksnagor

Surprised? I was too when I saw this painting of our dear Bengal. Inside the Marine Museum in Krongborg Castle (earlier called Elsinore) I saw this painting by one J. Hammer. It depicts an Indian village overlooking the river Hughli. The Danes seemed to have been there around the late 18the Century.

"During the course of the 18th century Bengali goods, especially cotton fabrics, became more and more important. The Danish Asiatic Company was therefore given permission to set up a trading station called Fredriksnagor by the town of Serampore on the west bank of the Hughli river just opposite the British trading station of Calcutta."

There are few more references to Calcutta and India. The Danes had a trading base in Travancore (for its spices). Below is a model of an Indian peon in the same museum.

I knew about the French (Chandannagar), Dutch (Bandel??) and ofcourse the British but to find that even the Danes had knocked on our doors was quite a surprise. I will be curious whether Fredriksnagor or its remnant is still there in Srirampur.

Run around Danmark

The Frederiksberg Garden (ignore the man in the picture)

Last weekend I was running around the Damhus Sø. Sø is a lake in Danish. The 'Ø' is special about the nordic languages. It more 'oo' than 'o',a little touch and go, like most other sounds here. And my Danish keyboard helps me type that.

Usually I cannot run for more than 2km at a stretch. But the 4 km run around the lake doesnt seem like a strain. It is a beautiful big lake. Its treelined walkway is now completely autumned with dry leaves of different hues. And you can enjoy the ducks and the swans (not the taste but rather the sight) as you run around.

Even in this cold many parents would be out early morning with their babies in toe. Couples would cycle around. On most weekends it will be common to find many Danes out on the roads. And whatever they do they are completely decked up. So if they are running they would be in their complete jogging gears.

So on any weekend you would find many running around the streets, the lakes and the parks of Copenhagen. And unlike in India you will find almost an equal number of women.

But I guess it has something to do with the surroundings. If its so picturesque I guess even folks in India would be out on the roads.

My earlier apartment in Frederiksberg - an upmarket locale in Copenhagen, used to be near to the Frederiksberg Garden. The garden, which houses the Frederiksberg Castle and overlooks the Copenhagen Zoo, is straight out from a picture postcard.

And it used to be another beautiful run inside the garden. So I do not blame folks in India. We have our Cubbon Park, the Gorer math or the Marine Drive. And I have seen some enthusiastic folks out there as well.