Day 42

DateTuesday, October 18, 1994

Copenhagen

CountryDenmark

Reading: 14 min
Words: 3,297
Images: 33

I arrived in Copenhagen early in the morning feeling both excited and nervous.

My friend Camilla was waiting for me at the station. We had met five years earlier in Australia, but only for one weekend when several exchange students got together. We didn’t really have an established friendship, so I had no idea what to expect when I saw her again.

Any worries I had disappeared almost immediately.

She was just as warm and friendly as I remembered. Within minutes, the nervousness I had been carrying faded, and it felt like we were simply continuing a conversation that had started years ago in Australia. She took me back to her dormitory, made me breakfast, and then spent the entire day showing me around Copenhagen.

On Top of the Round Tower Here I am at the top of the Round Tower (Rundetårn) in Copenhagen. Camilla took me here on my first full day in th… — **On Top of the Round Tower**
Here I am at the top of the Round Tower (Rundetårn) in Copenhagen. Camilla took me here on my first full day in the city. The Round Tower was built in the 1600s by King Christian IV as an astronomical observatory, and it’s famous for its wide, spiraling ramp that was designed so horses could ride all the way to the top.
I remember feeling genuinely happy and alive standing up there. Being in Copenhagen with Camilla and seeing the city from this high vantage point felt freeing. I was smiling in a way that came from somewhere real. This photo captures that feeling — confident, excited, and fully present in the moment.

My Photographs from today in Copenhagen, Denmark

28 photographs

Walking up the Round Tower
The inside of the Round Tower felt completely different from anything I had seen before. Instead of stairs, there was a long, continuous brick ramp that spiraled upward in a wide, graceful curve. Sunlight poured in through tall arched windows and stretched across the floor in long, bright lines.
I remember how quiet it was as we walked up. Our footsteps echoed softly against the brick, and the light kept shifting with every turn. It felt less like climbing a tower and more like moving through a piece of living history. I took this photo because I wanted to remember how beautiful and peaceful it felt in that moment.
Get this as a print
The View from Above
From the top of the Round Tower, the city of Copenhagen stretched out in every direction. People leaned against the railing, taking in the view, while long shadows from the iron fence stretched across the wooden deck in the late afternoon light. It was a clear day, and you could see quite far — rooftops, church spires, and the layout of the city below.
Get this as a print
Pointing Out the View
From the top of the Round Tower, people gathered along the railing to take in the view of Copenhagen. One person was looking through the permanent telescope mounted there, while others pointed out buildings and landmarks in the distance. The sunlight was bright, casting long shadows across the wooden deck.
Get this as a print
Sharing the View
A woman and a young child stood together at the railing, looking out over Copenhagen. The woman was pointing toward something in the distance, while the child leaned in close, following her direction.
Get this as a print
Looking Through Time
A young boy leaned into the permanent telescope mounted at the top of the Round Tower, peering out over Copenhagen. The telescope has been there for decades, allowing visitors to get a closer look at the city and the surrounding landscape.
The Round Tower was built in the 1600s by King Christian IV as an astronomical observatory — one of the oldest still standing in Europe. Instead of stairs, it features a wide, spiraling brick ramp that was originally designed so horses could carry equipment and royalty all the way to the top. Standing there watching the boy use the telescope felt like a quiet connection between the tower’s scientific past and its present-day visitors.
Get this as a print
Copenhagen from Above
From the top of the Round Tower, the city of Copenhagen spread out in every direction. Rooftops, church spires, and old buildings filled the view under a bright sky. In the distance, the tall, ornate spire of the Church of Our Saviour stood out clearly.
Get this as a print
Camilla
This is Camilla. She really didn’t want me to take her photo, but she finally gave in with a reluctant smile. I’m glad she did — she had such a beautiful smile and striking eyes. Even in this candid moment, her warmth and personality came through.
One of my regrets from this trip is that I didn’t take more photographs of my friends. I was so focused on capturing places and moments that I often overlooked photographing the people who were kindest to me. I’m thankful I at least got this one of Camilla.
Get this as a print
Feeling Alive
Camilla grabbed my camera and took this portrait of me while we were looking out over Copenhagen.
Thirty-two years later, what strikes me most is the smile. Whatever weight I had been carrying with me when I arrived that morning was gone.
Get this as a print
A Sea of Rooftops
From the top of the Round Tower, the rooftops of Copenhagen stretched out in every direction. Red and dark tiled roofs, chimneys, and old brick buildings filled the view, creating a beautiful, textured pattern across the city.
I remember how striking it was to look out over so many historic buildings from this height. The city felt both old and alive at the same time. I felt genuinely grateful to be traveling and seeing the world from this perspective.
Get this as a print
Heading Down
As we made our way back down the Round Tower, the light streaming through the arched windows created beautiful patterns across the curved white walls and brick floor. The smooth, flowing architecture felt almost sculptural from this angle.
I remember how peaceful it was walking back down the long ramp. The tower was quiet, and the light kept shifting with every turn. It was one of those moments where I slowed down and really took in the beauty of the space around me.
Get this as a print
Following the Music
After coming down from the Round Tower, we walked through the streets of Copenhagen and followed the sound of live music until we found these two musicians playing on the sidewalk. One played the accordion while the other strummed a guitar, their cases open on the cobblestones in front of them.
We stood there for a little while, enjoying the music before continuing on our way.
Get this as a print
A Copenhagen Street
After leaving the Round Tower, we continued walking through the streets of Copenhagen. This was a typical scene — narrow streets lined with old buildings, a Danish flag hanging from a balcony, and people moving about on foot and by bicycle.
I loved how alive the city felt. Bicycles were everywhere, and the streets had a relaxed, lived-in quality that made it easy to imagine what it would be like to actually live here. We were in no hurry, just wandering and taking it all in.
Get this as a print
City Hall Square
This photo was taken in City Hall Square, one of the main public squares in central Copenhagen. The tall, slender tower on the right is the City Hall Tower, part of Copenhagen’s historic City Hall building. To the left stands the Palace Hotel (now Scandic Palace Hotel), with its distinctive shorter clock tower.
Get this as a print
Someone Important Passed By
As we stood on the street, a police motorcycle suddenly appeared, clearing the way through traffic. A moment later, a dark car drove past with a small Danish flag on the hood. It was clear that someone important was inside — likely a government official or a member of the royal family.
I remember how quickly it all happened. One second we were just standing there, and the next, the street was being cleared for this official motorcade. It was a small but exciting reminder that we were in the capital city, where these kinds of moments were part of everyday life.
Get this as a print
Dancing for Tips
A group of street dancers performed in a public square while a crowd gathered around to watch. One dancer was in the middle of a move as people stood and sat nearby, enjoying the show. An open case sat on the ground nearby, ready for tips.
It was a lively scene — the kind of spontaneous street performance that made Copenhagen feel energetic and welcoming. We stopped for a few minutes to watch before continuing on our way.
Get this as a print
The Little Mermaid
This is the famous Little Mermaid statue, perched on a rock in Copenhagen’s harbor. Created by sculptor Edvard Eriksen, it was unveiled in 1913 as a gift to the city from Carl Jacobsen, the founder of the Carlsberg brewery. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale, the bronze statue has become one of the most photographed landmarks in Denmark.
I was surprised by how small it actually is — only about four feet tall. Like the Mona Lisa and the Mannequin Piss statue in Brussels, this world-famous attraction felt much more modest in real life than I had imagined from photos.
Get this as a print
With the Little Mermaid
Camilla took this photo of me standing on the rocks next to the Little Mermaid statue. I remember feeling genuinely happy and alive in that moment — smiling for the camera in a way that came from somewhere real.
After everything that had happened in the weeks leading up to this day, standing there in Copenhagen with a friend, next to one of the most famous statues in the world, felt like a small but meaningful victory. I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
Get this as a print
A Playful Moment
As we stood by the Little Mermaid, I reached up and touched her breast in a silly, playful way. I was feeling lighthearted and carefree that day, and it just struck me as funny in the moment.
Camilla was quick with the camera and caught me right in the act.
Get this as a print
Pure Copenhagen
This scene felt like the real Copenhagen to me. Old wooden sailing ships were tied up along the canal, their masts reaching into the sky, while traditional buildings with steep roofs lined the water’s edge. The reflections on the still water made everything feel calm and timeless.
I remember standing there thinking: This is definitely not Kearney. Everything about it — the architecture, the boats, the quiet beauty of the harbor — felt so far from home. It was one of those moments where I was genuinely grateful to be exactly where I was.
Get this as a print
Cool Camilla
My friend had such a cool, effortless vibe — sunglasses on, leather jacket, standing there like she belonged exactly where she was.
I loved how relaxed and confident she seemed in her own city. We had spent the whole day walking around Copenhagen, and moments like this — just standing quietly by the water — felt easy and natural. I’m really glad I got this snapshot of her.
Get this as a print
Nyhavn in a Dream
This is Nyhavn, Copenhagen’s most famous canal. The old sailing ships, colorful buildings, and perfect reflections on the water made it one of the most beautiful places we visited that day.
Something happened to this roll of color slide film — either from airport X-rays or a development issue — and the colors shifted into this slightly surreal, dreamlike tone. I don’t mind at all. In fact, I think it makes the scene even more magical. Standing there with Camilla as the light changed, it felt like we had stepped into a painting.
Get this as a print
The Other Side
This is the opposite side of Nyhavn. The colorful buildings glowed in the late afternoon light, and their reflections shimmered across the dark water of the canal.
Get this as a print
A Startling Sign
I did a double take when I saw this sign. At first glance, it looked like a warning that cars were regularly driving into the water — which was a little terrifying to see right next to the harbor!
In reality, it’s a standard European warning sign placed near ferry terminals and docks. It simply means: “Danger — vehicles can fall into the water here.” Still, for a split second, my brain went to some very dramatic places.
It was a funny little reminder that I was in a foreign country with different signage, different rules, and a whole new way of navigating everyday life.
Get this as a print
Frederiksberg Gardens
Camilla took me to Frederiksberg Gardens in the afternoon. The light was soft and golden, and the trees were glowing with autumn colors. A small rowboat sat quietly along the bank, and everything felt incredibly still and peaceful.
After the energy of walking around the city, this felt like the perfect way to relax. We stood there together, just taking in the view. It was one of those quiet, beautiful moments that made the whole day feel special.
Get this as a print
A Sweet Danish Tradition
After the park, Camilla took me to a chocolate shop where a chef was giving a live demonstration on how chocolate is made. A small crowd had gathered to watch, and there was even a playful sign asking me to smile for the camera.
Chocolate has long been an important part of Danish culture, and high-quality chocolate shops with live demonstrations are a beloved tradition in Copenhagen. I had never experienced anything like this before — watching the chocolate being worked by hand right in front of us felt special and almost magical. And the chocolate itself? Incredibly delicious.
Get this as a print
A Man and the Church
As we walked through the park, I spotted this man crossing the wide lawn in front of an old church. The ground was covered with fallen autumn leaves, and the church stood quietly in the background with its distinctive patterned facade.
It was a simple, peaceful moment — just one person moving through a quiet space. After the busier parts of the day, scenes like this felt grounding. I liked how the light and the open space made everything feel calm and spacious.
Get this as a print
A Real Danish Windmill
As we walked through the park, we came across this beautiful old windmill standing in the middle of the grass. It was a classic Danish design — tall, wooden, and weathered — with its sails reaching into the sky.
I had seen windmills in pictures and movies before, but this was the first time I had ever seen a real one up close in its natural setting. It felt very Danish, and very special. Standing there with the autumn leaves on the ground and the windmill quietly turning, it was another one of those simple moments that I’m glad I captured on film.
Get this as a print
Closing the Day
As the sun began to set, I took this photo to mark the end of what had been an incredible day in Copenhagen. The light was beautiful, but the color shift from the film gave it a different feeling than what I had imagined when I pressed the shutter.
I’m glad I took it anyway. This trip taught me so much about photography — not just how to frame a shot, but how to accept the imperfections and keep going. Every roll of film, every mistake, every photo that didn’t turn out the way I hoped was part of how I learned. I was still figuring it out, one frame at a time.
It was a perfect, full day. And even this imperfect sunset felt like the right way to close it.
Get this as a print

1994From my journal

Day 42 / 10-18-94Copenhagen, Denmark

What a fantastic day!

I arrived in Copenhagen at 9:00 AM where Camilla was waiting for me. I was quite nervous to meet her, because in addition to not knowing how much we both had changed in the last five years, we didn't even have a solid friendship - we only met for one weekend in Australia.

But my fears soon dissipated - she is just as beautiful and friendly as I remember her.

We took a bus back to her co-ed dormitory, where we ate a breakfast of “real” danishes and got reacquainted. About 1:00 we set out to see the city. I climbed the Round Tower {one of the many architectural projects of Christian IV of Denmark. Built as an astronomical observatory in the 17th-century, it is noted for its equestrian staircase, a 7.5-turn corridor, designed for horses and their royal riders, that leads to the observation platform at the top].

We walked along the Strøget, the longest pedestrian thoroughfare in the world. We ate pizza for lunch, walked along the Nyhaven, a fantastically picturesque canal, to the Amalienborg Palace (the Queen’s House), then over to see the statue of the Little Mermaid.

I am amazed how small some of the world's greatest attractions are: this, the Mannequin Piss statue in Brussels, the Mona Lisa, etc.

Then we walked up to the Kastelet, a 17th century fortress turned park where we ate these awesome chocolate covered marshmallow puffs. Then home.

After more talking and a tour of the dorm, we ate a communal dinner with the other people on this floor, which was quite good- not just the food, but meeting the other students.

Then it was off to the biggest theater in Scandinavia, where we watched the movie “Speed” with Camilla's boyfriend Thomas and his two friends Martin and Tor. The theater rocks! It is acoustically perfect, had an enormous screen, awesome seats, and even the floor was carpeted. Afterwards we went to a bar, and then home to bed.

Everything here is so, so, uh, nice. Everyone rides bikes so they have built bike paths as part of the streets, but everyone uses hand signals and the bikes have head and tail lights. The people don't jaywalk, and even the street lights are nice - they turn yellow before turning green as well as before turning red.

JournalMy handwritten journal pages · 3 pages

Journal, Day 42, page 1
Journal, Day 42, page 2
Journal, Day 42, page 3

My ticket to the Round Tower in Copenhagen.

**Click on the movie poster to watch the trailer on YouTube!**

2026Looking Back

That night in Copenhagen felt like the perfect ending to an already wonderful day.

After walking all over the city, visiting the Round Tower, watching street performers, eating chocolate, and wandering through parks and harbors, Camilla, Thomas, Martin, and Tor took me to one of the biggest and most beautiful theaters in Scandinavia to see a brand new movie called Speed.

I had no idea at the time that Speed would become one of the defining action movies of the 1990s. I just knew it was loud, fun, and exciting — and that I was watching it in an incredible theater with new friends in a foreign country. The sound was perfect, the screen was massive, and even the floor was carpeted. It felt luxurious compared to the theaters I was used to back home.

What makes this moment even more special now, over thirty years later, is that I was able to link the movie poster directly to the original trailer on YouTube.

For younger readers who weren’t even born in 1994, that short trailer offers a real glimpse into what movies felt like back then — the energy, the music, the style, the way stories were told. And for people around my age, I’m willing to bet that watching that trailer brings an instant smile and a flood of memories. It’s a little time machine tucked right into the story.

That night in Copenhagen was more than just a fun evening at the movies. It was proof that this project could do something I had hoped for — not just tell my story, but actually transport people back to 1994 for a few minutes. That realization made everything I was doing feel even more meaningful.

I went to bed that night feeling full — full of good food, good conversation, and the quiet excitement of knowing I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

So go ahead, click on the movie poster, watch the trailer, then come back to continue the story with me.