How to Fly Ryanair

I've been nice and lazy the last couple days, killing hours by lounging around in bed and watching trashy American TV (RuPaul's Drag Race, anyone?). As I wait for my last load of laundry ever to be done at IPC to finish, I figured I might as well attempt to be productive and write this guide that I'd promised to give weeks ago.

When I came to Denmark in January, it was my first European experience. My friend, a seasoned traveler who spent his gap year backpacking through Europe, advised me to take whatever opportunity I had to travel. Travel between European countries was apparently dirt cheap, especially if I used budget airlines such as Ryanair or Easyjet.

Come February, I started looking for affordable trips out of Copenhagen. Ryanair had the cheapest flights (roundtrip to Barcelona ~ $36), except they only departed from Malmö, Sweden. Undeterred, I bought the tickets anyways, figuring that Malmö couldn't be that difficult to get to. Wrong. To save you all the giant pain in the rear, here is a breakdown of the best ways to get to Malmö, warnings about flying Ryanair, and general tips on how to travel on a budget.

How To Get To Malmö:

I currently know of two ways to get to Malmö (unless you have someone willing to drive you or are able to shell out the cash for a taxi).

1.) Gråhundbus from Copenhagen Central Station to Malmö Airport -- 
         Exactly what it sounds like, this is a bus you can take directly from Copenhagen Central Station to the Malmö Airport. It's a pretty cheap option at 100 DKK, however it only runs at select times through the day, with a different schedule depending on the day of the week. If you're lucky and your flight lines up with the bus schedule, or you find that you are willing to arrive early and wait, this is probably the best option.  Make sure you board the 737 bus and NOT the 999 bus, which will take you to Malmo central station, located another 40 minutes or so from the Malmo airport. Don't worry about buying tickets online, you can purchase them directly from the bus driver. (Approximate travel time = 50 minutes)

2.) Regional Train + Flygbussarna Airport Shuttle --

         If you are unfortunate enough to not have a flight that aligns perfect with the Gråhundbus schedule (My flight would have required that I wait 8 hours at the Malmö airport), fear not, you can always take the regional train to Malmö Central station then the Flygbussarna airport coach to Malmö airport. The cost of a train ticket to Malmö Central from Copenhagen Central is 86 DKK. If you are traveling with a friend, I recommend buying a family ticket, which gives you two adult tickets for around 76 DKK each. You can buy these tickets at any DSB office. One is conveniently located around the corner from the Nørreport station. You can buy Flygbussarna Airport shuttle tickets online. Make sure you buy a youth ticket and keep in mind that buying in advance will save you around 10 DKK. The Flygbussarna shuttle also departs at specific times, so be sure to check the timetable on the website linked above. (Approximate time = a little less than 2 hours.) The Flygbussarna shuttle stop is located across the bridge from Malmö Central, be on the lookout for a white bus with a rainbow painted on its side. The shuttle will drop you off right in front of the airport.

Flying Ryanair

1.) Baggage Nazis -- Do NOT fly Ryanair if you are incapable of packing lightly. Ryanair is always looking for ways to charge their passengers. One of the easiest ways is through extremely strict baggage regulations. Ryanair also charges insane amounts for checked bags (You don't get any free checked bags, and checked bags are charged for by weight), so when you travel Ryanair, you want to be sure to limit yourself to a carry on only. Baggage size restrictions are strict and if you fail to comply, they will force you to check your bag or simply deny you boarding. Before boarding, airline personnel come around with a little basket to make sure your carry-on fits size regulations. If your bag doesn't fit, you will be charged...happily. 

2.) Document Checking -- If you are a non-EU citizen (that means YOU, Americans), you will need to arrive a little early at the airport and get your boarding pass stamped. It doesn't take too long, they just take a look at your passport, but you will have to queue so time your arrival accordingly. If your boarding pass isn't stamped, you will be turned away at the boarding desk and not allowed to board.

3.) Boarding Passes -- PRINT THEM IN ADVANCE. If you have them printed at the airport, you will be charged 60 euros per boarding pass. Holy shit! That's probably more than you paid for the ticket itself.  Ryanair allows  passengers to check in 15 days before departure. We traveled to Barcelona, then Palma, then back to Malmö within 8 days, all on Ryanair. That means we checked in for all three flights ahead of time, printed out, and brought three boarding passes each. Don't be this woman. 

4.) Check Location of Arrival Airport -- Like, really check it. For example, Ryanair flies into Girona airport, but advertises it under Barcelona. Girona is about 70 minutes away from Barcelona...which can pose a real problem if you didn't know that in advance. Make sure you know exactly where you are landing and how to get to wherever you want to go afterwards.

Anyways, bottom line is, Ryanair is cheap...but it makes up for it with all sorts of assholery. They are always looking for excuses to charge you up the wazoo: here is a list of possible penalties and fees. Also, don't look for amazing passenger service.  But if you are low maintenance and on a budget, however, Ryanair will definitely do the job in getting you from Point A to Point B.

Tips to Traveling on a Budget:

1.) You Have to Eat --When you're living somewhere that meals are provided for you on a daily basis, it's easy to forget that you actually have to pay to eat. When you're traveling and you plan on paying for each meal YOU. WILL. BE. POOR. If you really must skimp, you can eat two meals a day (brunch + dinner) or even better, cook every once in a while. I'm not telling you to not try native foods (because really, what would be the point of traveling then), but just plan ahead and be mindful of your budget.

2.) Transportation -- I can't emphasize enough how important it is to plan ahead. Make sure you have calculated for transportation in your budget. Whether it's the shuttle to and from the airport, or just for daily excursions throughout the city, look into day passes or the native equivalent of a klippekort. Even better, WALK. Each ride on public transport in Barcelona was about 2 euros, but with a T10 card, we paid 9.80 euros for 10 trips, split among multiple people. Research beforehand really does pay off!

Well, my laundry is just about done. Hopefully, this proves helpful to future DIS globetrotters. Happy travels!

Beginning of the End

I've been swamped these past two weeks with final papers and exams, but with three papers turned in and my only exam out of the way, I'm FREEEEE....to blog. I'm officially done with my time at DIS. It's hard to believe that I've already been in Denmark for four months and a day. With the end in sight (I leave this Friday for London to rendez-vous with my sister), I just want to thank some of the Danes who have made my study abroad experience so great.

First off, to the volunteers at Cafe Paraplyen:

I'm going to miss this cute little green awning...even though
 Comic Sans really should be outlawed.

Every single volunteer at the Cafe, has treated me so well over the past few months. Even though I would drop in and out because of travel breaks, they always greeted me with a smile and made sure I was fed...a lot. I'm definitely going to miss early morning breakfasts with that NASTY-ass cheese and singing hymns before starting the day of work. I was extremely blessed to have the opportunity to interact with both young and older Danes, and even more lucky to catch a rare glimpse of the Danish religious scene. My time spent here has taught me to better appreciate the free-thinking and tolerant ways of the Danes, and has taught me what it means to find fellowship in hard work. 

Mads, washing those dishes like a boss.

Master Chef John showing off the meal of the day.

Preparing the pickled beets for the next day.

I will always remember Cafe Paraplyen, or Cafe Umbrella, as a place that all are welcome -- Danes, Americans, young, old, employed, unemployed, healthy, disabled, gay, straight -- to call home.

I also spent the weekend with the Ehlerns, my visiting family. DIS could not have matched me with a more perfect family. Karina once worked as an au pere very close to where I live in California. When Kristian heard that I love food, he pulled no punches in wowing me at every meal I was invited to in their household. Whether it was lungfish roe on rye bread, crepes, lemon-butter cod, or barbecue roast pork, Kristian does not mess around. Mm. He may be single-handedly responsible for about five of the pounds I gained in Denmark. During the evenings I've spent with the Ehlerns, I've had some of the deepest conversations of my life.

Sitting down for a Saturday morning breakfast.

My visiting brothers are also unbelievably cute. Nielse is always showing me some crazy Parkour video on Youtube. Kalle offers me candies that aren't licorice, bless his heart. And how can I forget my adopted baby, Ofelia. That dog is PRECIOUS, I'm going to miss her so much!

Nielse climbing a tree....

The Ehlerns are going to be visiting the States this summer. They used to be a host family and one of their previous DIS students is hosting them in Maryland. We've made plans to meet up and I can't wait to show them a good time...and a good meal. :) 

Could not have asked for a better Danish family. 

Tak for the memories, Denmark!

May Day

I've been looking forward to May Day ever since I heard about it during Orientation week. The thought of this day eventually coming got me through the frost-bite inducing 19-degree weather for the past three or four months. It's hard to believe that my time at DIS is going to be over in a little more than two weeks. When I think back upon my experiences here years and years from now, I'm going to blithely gloss over the peacoat/scarf/two pairs of gloves/layer on everything in my closet weather, and just remember the perfectness of May Day.

May Day is also known as International Worker's Day, but in Denmark, young and old people alike flock over to Faelledparken to enjoy the dawning of spring, listen to speeches,and hang out with friends. Translation: glorious day drinking. Just kidding (except, no really).

I have never seen so many people so naked in Denmark. Look! Forearms!

Even these kiddos are out to have a good time. Except don't look
 in the bushes behind them...there may be a dozen or
 so people peeing in the bushes...

...and I don't blame them. Look at this line!!

Random drum line get-together. Just jammin' and bringing
 on the fun times.

So if you're contemplating coming to Denmark for the Fall semester, good for you. Enjoy the great warm weather and try not to despair as you slowly descend into the dark, glacial winter times AKA finals period. But if you're here for the Spring semester and starting to wonder if things will ever get warmer...look! Evidence! Coldest and longest winter since the 40's in Denmark and yet May Day is still glorious and beautiful. Don't abandon hope. Just grab a blanket, grab a crateful of beers and wine coolers, and get ready to get your tan on. :)

Enjoying May Day! It's the Danish way!