I’m not surprised Copenhagen is called city of happiest people –– Judith Audu

Judith Audu

Actress and filmmaker, Judith Audu, shares her experience in Denmark with KORE OGIDAN

How often do you travel?

I don’t travel as often as I wish to because of work. Sometimes, I get stuck with work after making plans to travel, then, have to cancel my trip. Work doesn’t give me the liberty to travel as much as I’d like.

What’s the most interesting place you’ve visited?

Most of the places I’ve been to have given me different feelings. They all have something beautiful and dynamic about them. I love Copenhagen, Denmark. Toronto is also a beautiful city.

Tell us about a recent place you’ve been to?

I visited Denmark in February. Copenhagen is a beautiful island that you must visit. The people there are amazing and that’s probably why it is called the city with the happiest people in the world. It’s really pretty during the summer but during the winter, it is very cold.

What was the reason for your visit?

I went to visit my family there and also relax.

How long did you spend there?

I was there for two weeks.

What was your living condition?

I stayed in a hotel. I would have stayed in my family’s house but it was out of town and I wanted to stay in the heart of the city. The idea of this trip was the ease to walk around and get to wherever I wanted to go without having to take buses. The hotel was beautiful, though I didn’t spend much time there. I was really just there to sleep and by morning, I was out again. It was also very cosy. There are amazing cafes in Copenhagen.

Were you recognised there?

No, I wasn’t. It was great not being recongnised because I could walk around like everyone else and not be noticed, or singled out in the crowd. I also had my privacy and was free to do whatever I wanted without people noticing me. However, at the airport, a few people recognised me.

Tell us about the people of the country.

They are very friendly. They are rated among the friendliest people in the world. They are always smiling. There is equality of race also; they don’t discriminate between white and black. I heard that the government can sanction you for racism. They are also very helpful.

How would you describe their culture?

It’s an island inhabited by Vikings. The Danish are Vikings. They like to drink beer and relax. Interestingly, the story of The Little Mermaid, actually originated from there. That’s one of their major attractions and tourists usually visit the statue of the mermaid, especially in the summer.

Did you try their food?

They have many bakeries and cafes where they make awesome snacks and cakes. They eat a lot of potatoes as well. There are a few things that are traditionally Danish recipes.

What are the interesting things about Denmark?

They celebrate Christmas on December 24, instead of the 25th. Everyone drinks and has a great time. They also have a big celebration when the kids graduate from secondary school. On the last day of the school’s exams, a truck, which is specially rented for that day (and works only on that day), picks the kids from school. The parents wear graduation caps for their kids and the kids board the truck and go round all their houses to feast till the next day. The day is declared a public holiday.

How would you encourage people who want to visit this country?

They must go to the city, Copenhagen. They must also go on a tour to the heart of the city. Here, you take a boat round the town for sightseeing. It’s beautiful and filled with amazing places. Almost everywhere has a rich history. They have a good culture of preservation. You can also walk around the palace, take pictures with the royal guards and explore the castles. They won’t be short of fun but it’s important to note that it is an expensive city. They should also research on the places to visit. There are a lot of amazing new things they can try, and they should not be afraid to try out new things.

What was the state of security in Denmark?

Security there is top-notch. You can walk around freely at any time of the day; and at night, it is even more fun to move around.

How was their transportation system?

It was very awesome. The bus tickets are easy to purchase and you will be given an estimated time of arrival at wherever you are visiting. You can also use a map of the city to navigate your way around. It’s almost impossible to get lost. Finally, transportation there is not too pricey.

Was there a language barrier?

No, they speak English.

Tell us about the journey getting there.

I took a flight to Amsterdam where I had a two-hour layover. I don’t like booking flights with short layovers, so that I can have ample time to ensure I don’t miss my next flight. From Amsterdam, I got a connecting flight to Copenhagen.

Do they know about Nigeria?

They are very aware of Nigeria. They know about the positive and negative sides of Nigeria. In fact, at the mall, I heard Davido and Wizkid’s songs and that made me very proud.

Copyright PUNCH.


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