Six Meals a Day and Morning Song

I have lived in several countries and have always tried to acclimatize and assimilate the new customs. I learned to cook Danish food right after I got married. You know, my husband wanted me to cook as well as his “father,” since he was the one who prepared all the food for guests and special occasions. The customs and traditions of Denmark were interesting and unique wile I lived abroad. The language was a little like the measles - a little uncomfortable, but then I got used to it. Upon moving to Denmark I had a more intense contact with the food, customs, traditions and language, and somehow the whole process took on a more serious note. We were no longer here on holidays; enculturation became serious business. So I took all the Danish courses available to foreigners, studied Danish night and day, and passed all the government regulated exams. I completed my studies of the Danish language in one -and-a-half years, which now allows me to study at university level . The latter is not one of my aspirations.

And so I found myself going to a Danish sports high school to learn to play golf, learn about Danish culture and learn to find time for six meals a day. The day’s program began at 7:00 a.m. with breakfast. This consisted of healthy Muesli cereal, whole grains and nuts, natural yogurt, a selection of cheeses and cold cuts, freshly baked white bread, rye bread (pumpernickel - which my digestive system refused to consider so early in the morning), tea and coffee. We then had a 15-20 minute break before we met for morning song followed by a meeting and talks which related to the Danish way of life. We learned about mushrooms in Denmark, who virgin Anne was and why the main street in Aarhus, Jutland, is named after her, sang in the choir, and participated in a memory game. I learned that 5 million women were tortured, convicted and burned or otherwise executed for witchcraft in Europe and that you need to be very certain you know what kind of mushrooms to pick and eat if you want a long and prosperous life. We received small, black song books containing about 575 traditional Danish songs. Denmark is a very old country which dates back to the first Viking King called Gorm the Old in 900 A.D. That is probably why there are so many traditional songs. Everyone at the sports high school knew the songs. I was just pleased that I could read all the words and just mumble along.

After morning song and sessions, we met for morning coffee and cake, what else! We gathered our golf equipment and headed out to the golf course for 1-½ hours of training and coaching and a break for lunch.

After we played 18 holes of golf, we met at the restaurant of the golf course for refreshments, headed back to the school for a quick wash - no time for showers - and back to the cafeteria for a two course, simple but delicious meal. We again had a short break, gathered for the evening session which commenced with a Danish song before we were introduced to the evening’s entertainment. On one occasion it was Danish jazz in which one of the students participated on the drums, along with his father on the bass cello, a pianist and the father’s girlfriend who sang. A family musical, I think I would call it. Another evening a Canadian guitarist entertained us in Danish with a Canadian accent, drawing our attention to all the forms of Danish food and how it can affect the personalities and integration of foreigners. The Director of the Olympic Committee in Denmark (yes, he was also at the sports high school for golf lessons) talked about his role and experiences behind the scenes of the Olympic Games. The last evening’s entertainment consisted of golf jokes (many of them in English), an older gentleman who sang and accompanied himself on his accordion, and a grand finale of “Give me that Old Time Religion” by the selected Golf Choir. The evening ended with more coffee and cake.

Meal times, especially dinners, were quite impressive. I have never been with 60 people without a “grumbler”. You know, one person who complains about everything. Everyone enjoyed the food . Everyone helped clean up. At the end of the meals, the plates and cutlery were passed to the end of the table (we were six people at our table), then the glasses and finally the bowls and platters of leftover food were passed on, . Two of the staff employed at the high school collected everything on trolleys, and the place was clean and tidy 15 minutes later.

The menu for the week was typical Danish food. The chef introduced the menu each evening, everyone applauded and then waited for the bowls and platters to be placed on the tables. We served ourselves, and there was always sufficient food. On Monday we enjoyed Roast Chicken, Potatoes, Tossed Salad, Cucumber Salad, and Ice Cream. On Tuesday, we were served Fresh Tomato Soup, Hakkebøf with Mexican Sauce, Rice, Boiled Potatoes, Pickled Red Beets and Tossed Salad. On Wednesday it was Hamburgerryg (Gammon or Smoked Pork Loin), Pasta, Potatoes, Cauliflower, Peas, Carrots, Sauce and a Fruit Salad with Custard. Thursday we had a Spicy Pork Casserole, Pasta, Potatoes, Green Salad and Fresh Fruit. Friday was the big feast which began with a Cold Fish and Shrimp, Stuffed Rolled Turkey Breast, Oven-Browned Potatoes, Broccoli Salad, Ice Cream rolled in crushed macaroons and slivered almonds, topped with a raspberry sauce. Coffee, tea and cake was served later.

Do I feel like I now have assimilated the Danish culture? I have learned more about food, golf , sports high schools , the Danish language and about the people in Jutland, Denmark. I think assimilation occurs in stages. So, perhaps, I have passed another step in the process of adapting which is probably a life-long project for me.

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