Esbjerg and Fanø

The second- and third-years (technically there is no such thing as a third-year student in a two-year program; they are simply second-years who haven't finished their theses yet) have been beyond outstanding at making our first days here as fun and easy as possible. When I mention these seasoned veterans, I am only speaking about MAP (Maritime Archaeology Program) students. As far as I've experienced, the program is very insular. Among the twenty or so people I've befriended as of yet, only one guy comes from outside of the program. Michael is an Erasmus student from Austria and lives with Alex and Max, two guys in MAP. Because he lives with two MAP boys and because he is awesome, he has been integrated into our group of maritime friends. He's worried that he won't have time to make friends within his own program, and I shush him up and tell him he doesn't need other friends. Psh, other friends... please...

Two second-years, David and Xenius, planned a lovely outing that had us spending all day Saturday out in the sunshine. The Danish weather cooperated beautifully with us that day--it was hazy, so, warm and sunny but not scorching. We started at the square in downtown Esbjerg and David showed us the museum, the main pedestrian street (one particular cobblestone street is inlaid with small lights between the stones that mirror how the stars appeared in the sky on January 1st, 2001, which I thought was pretty cool), the student recreation center, etc.

Then we took a short ferry ride to the island of Fanø. The island is very small but incredibly sweet and super-Danish. Xenius told us the island used to be a big ship-building center and we saw figureheads decorating several of the small, colorful houses.

We stopped at a small store and loaded up on picnic supplies, then sprawled on the grass and enjoyed lunch with a view of the harbor and a hazy Esbjerg across the water. From left to right, that's Mo and Dimitra (both my roommates) and Caroline (a sweet second-year from Sweden). I only noticed the cannon pointed directly at Caroline's head when I posted this picture.

We walked about two kilometers (a little more than a mile) to Fanø Bad after we finished lunch. The beach stretched for miles in either direction. The road led right onto the beach, and cars and buses drive on the beach. There are even bus-stops right on the sand.

 

We had to walk for another five minutes or so to get to the water, but it was worth it. The warm haze, wet sand, and cool water were perfect.

Michael, our honorary MAP student, even came with us. Now I think about it, with all the time he spends with us, he may be correct in thinking he might not make any friends in his own program. But look how much fun he's having with us!

After sitting and basking in the sun, we walked back to catch the ferry back to town. I do like ferries.