Scandinavia – Page 11 – VirtualWayfarer

BackpackingDecember 10, 2011December 10, 2011

Dining Manners and Etiquette – How To Use Your Knife and Fork Abroad

I just spent the evening ruining a perfectly good hamburger while trying to re-learn how to use my knife and fork. In an effort to immerse myself more completely during my time in Europe and Scandinavia I'm starting to try and eat like a European. Unfortunately, that means awkwardly using my knif…

BackpackingNovember 30, 2011July 26, 2013

The Incredible Power of Social Networks Illustrated By Studying, Living and Travelling Abroad

Housing in Copenhagen When I signed the agreement and notified the University of Copenhagen that I was headed to Denmark I assumed I'd face a lot of challenges upon arrival. Things like visa issues, language barr…

BackpackingNovember 24, 2011November 24, 2011

Diving In Feet First – 36 Traveling Boot Photos From Around the World

It's Thanksgiving back home, probably my favorite holiday of the year. It's a holiday about people, about coming together, and about taking a moment to focus on all that is positive in our lives. The people, the opportu…

BackpackingNovember 10, 2011November 26, 2014

Renting A Rowboat and Expecting a Luxury Cruise Ship – Let’s Talk Budget Airlines

It happened again, I posted an update about an upcoming flight with a budget airline and before long had messages from several friends and readers telling me to be careful or suggesting I book with a traditional airlin…

BackpackingOctober 29, 2011October 29, 2011

A Quick Metro Rant – Basic Information Everyone Seems to Have Forgotten

Photo by Stignygaard Life is full of unspoken rules. These rules can be hard to figure out if you're an outsider. Yet, when followed they tend to drastically improve the flow and efficiency of group activities. When v…

BackpackingOctober 26, 2011October 1, 2012

Five of My Favorite Travel Videos From Around the World

Over the last few years I have been lucky enough to travel to some pretty amazing places. A few years ago I decided that photos alone were not cutting it. So, I picked up a video camera and started shooting. It's been quite the learning experience and isn't always easy. It's amazing the added ch…

BackpackingOctober 16, 2011October 16, 2011

Etiquette Be Damned. Stop Asking, “Do you speak X language?” It’s Rude and Pointless.

In a previous post Learning Danish – Surprising Realizations I discussed my evolving relationship with Danish. One of the things I didn’t discuss was the surprising advice I received from Danish friends regarding one …

BackpackingOctober 11, 2011October 11, 2011

How “Howdy” Has Made Me A Better Traveler – Considering Cultural Identifiers and Their Value

Each time we interact with a stranger there’s a significant amount of uncertainty. When that interaction occurs between people from different backgrounds, cultures, and languages that level of unknown is magnified sign…

EuropeSeptember 24, 2011September 24, 2011

Learning Danish – Surprising Realizations

When I first arrived in Denmark I was gung ho about learning Danish. I felt that as an incoming resident who would be spending two years in the country it was the least I could do to learn Danish during my stay. To m…

BackpackingAugust 25, 2011

The Danish Animal House! Photos From A Day at the Copenhagen Zoo

In my effort to round out my Copenhagen introductory experience I quickly realized that the Copenhagen Zoo was a must visit. With a reputation for being one of the best zoos in Europe it boasted stellar review after s…