Leigh in Azerbaijan

Tanya reports that her paper was well-received this morning.  She decided to give a quick summary and throw it open for conversation.  Lots of discussion followed.

While she was presenting I took a north-boun train to Helsingor this morning to see Kronborg Castle where Shakespeare’s Hamlet is set.  Hamlet is older than the castle but Shakespeare thought the story was worth telling.

I won’t bore you with endless castle shots but this courtyard scene indicates some of the splendour of the place.  It was also used for tax collection on ships going through the straits.  The castle was overtaken by the Swedes in 1658, when they took all the works of art back to Sweden.  Sweden returned them when the place became a museum.

Helsingor is a colourful seaside town that makes you want to retire there.Note the ever-present Danish flags.

(Above) This shows part of what appears to be the main square in town. Copenhagen has about 1.5million people.

This is to show the thiving cafe life in Copenhagen. Bicycles are everywhere with dedicated tracks on most roads.

I can’t remember if I’ve shown backgammon shots from Baku and Istanbul but it’s a very Azeri/Turkish thing for old men especially.  It seems like it’s a Copenhagen thing as well.  I think it’s a substitute for a shed.

Tonight I’ve going with Tanya to a banquet and cultural sharing.  I’m wondering should I take a bush hat and gum trees?  No, I’m singing Search Me O God, and Give Me a Home Among the Gum Trees.