How I came to have a cheese roll
Things have been a bit quiet on the blog for a while. The main writer has been in Germany a few times, earning a living. The others probably didnât feel like writing anything or didnât feel called upon to tinker with the website. No wonder: It is summer after all, and itâs simply lovely in Copenhagen. By the sea, in the sun. When everyoneâs out and about, the climate is even more bearable than in Berlin-Friedrichshain.
But now to the bread
After the bread had been hard-earned through night-time Flixbus journeys and not always relaxing work commitments, the investment in said bread was made. As is well known, everything is a bit more expensive in Denmark. And so this story begins.
Itâs Saturday
A cycle race is taking place in Copenhagen: the Copenhagen Sprint. The start is in Roskilde. So our road cyclist heads to Roskilde in the morning. One reason is to see the town. Another is pure curiosity about the start zone. And a third is the desire to make the most of the sunny morning weather forecast for a short road bike ride.
No sooner had he arrived in Roskilde than the weather made it clear: the forecast wasnât for Roskilde. It must have been for Copenhagen. So a shower began to fall over the charming little town. The cyclist decided it was high time to go ahead with his plan for a morning espresso. As he stepped into a bakery, the tempting aroma of coffee filled the air. And there were some delicious-looking rolls in the display. The order is for a flat white and, because the rolls are well deserved, a muesli roll to go with it. Theyâre always delicious in Denmark.
A misunderstanding
The friendly young lady picks out a roll, but isnât sure if itâs really a muesli roll. The road cyclist emphasises, in a confident yet relaxed manner in English, that the coffee is far more important to him anyway. This attempt at a witty reply brings a smile to the face of the gentleman behind the road cyclist in the queue. At the till, the road cyclist is no longer startled by the price quoted; after all, he is experienced and has already been living in Denmark for four months. Even if the figure on the till display is a fair bit steep. Stay cool. The rolls are well deserved, even if theyâre priced at German rates.
The new waitress says something in Danish â a rather long sentence. The cyclist is delighted: his attempt to order in Danish seems to have worked! Unfortunately, he doesnât understand a word of her reply and shows it with a bewildered look on his face, though the new waitress doesnât notice. Sheâs busy picking out the right muesli roll.
And a bit of understanding
The gentleman in the queue behind the cyclist, still smiling, asks in English: âDid you understand that?â After a clear ânoâ, he translates: the cyclist can sit down; the coffee and roll will be brought over. After heâs sat down, he comes over again straight away: does he want cheese on the roll? Itâs included in the price. This explains the unexpectedly high price to the road cyclist. Thanks to the help and clarification, a delicious coffee is steaming on the table shortly afterwards, and a truly delicious muesli roll with cheese, topped with fruit and vegetables, turns the rain shower into a real highlight. Without the spontaneous help and friendly explanation, it would have ended up as an expensive, dry roll.
What makes it special?
Of course, things like this have happened to us before in Germany, perhaps even in Berlin. But here it happens to us time and time again, very often, and it feels good. People are helpful, they smile, and the atmosphere is almost always friendly. Weâre going to miss that â that much is already clear.