August 10: Odense Day 2

This morning we had breakfast at the hotel and it was an excellent spread. There were lots of different breads, cheeses, salad and meats, some yogurt, jams and cereals and also American style stuff like scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage. After breakfast Kyoko-san, Ojiichan and I went to pick up rental cars for the day. Unfortunately, I forgot my passport so we picked up the first car, drove back to the hotel so I could get the passport, then drove back to get the second rental car. Once we had gotten both cars we parked them at the hotel parking lot and relaxed for about an hour before we packed up and left for our daily excursion. Our first stop was Yuri and Christian’s house to exchange omiyage and pick up Kie and Nao, their older children, who would be coming with us. Then we drove to Ollerup, which is the town and school that Kyoko-san attended when she was younger and learned Danish gymnastics. 

Some of Ollerup's Grounds

When we arrived a Japanese girl met us to show us around the school. The first thing we were shown was the school’s indoor pool, which is the oldest indoor pool in Europe according to our tour guide. Then we took the underground pathways they use in the winter to the new gymnasium stadium that was finished in 2020 for their 100 year anniversary. 

The New Gymnasium

Then we walked outside and met Esben (sp?), who was the first person to do the homestay program with Kyoko-san, and his kids. We all headed outside, walked around and went across the street to another building that was strictly for parkour. 

Is That LB?

It had all kinds of apparatuses and a foam pit for you to practice on. All the kids loved it and played around for a while until it was time to go for lunch. 

Can You Find the Foam Pit?

For lunch they had Swedish sausages, which were sliced sausages and potatoes in a pepper cream sauce, a couple of salads and a really good bread that had some rosemary and nuts. At lunch we met up with Kyoko-san’s friends that had come over from Amsterdam. Before the adults had finished lunch, Esben (sp?) took all the kids to the tumbling training center to play around. Once the adults had finished lunch we walked over to see the kids. 

Time for Trampoline Training

The tumbling training center was impressive, there were a few trampolines set up with bungees, a couple trampolines where you could jump into a foam area, a long inflatable runway, I’m assuming for tumbling passes and even more equipment stored in the storage area. The kids loved playing on it all and LB was doing all kinds of flips on all the trampolines. When we finished in the tumbling center we said goodbye to Esben (sp?) and his family and our tour guide showed us more of the school. 

The Outdoor Pool

Before we left we spent some time at the outdoor common area and the kids were able to play soccer and frisbee or lay in the hammocks and I played a little basketball. When it was time to go we said goodbye to our tour guide and Kyoko-san’s friends from Tokyo and drove back to Odense. 

The Outdoor Common Area

We headed to Yuri and Christian’s garden plot to hang out for a few hours. We parked in a small car lot and walked about 500 yards and then turned left until we were at their garden. Apparently in Denmark they rent land from the government for these gardens and most of them have a structure that you can sleep or relax in. They can be as elaborate as having running water and AC or as basic as being a shed, but obviously, the nicer the structure the more expensive it is. 

Yuri & Christian's Garden Paradise

Yuri and Christian’s garden basically had a structure with a bed and nice floors in it and then a futon/couch outside on the porch, and a picnic table beyond that. They had an apple tree that was filled with apples, but Yuri said they wouldn’t be sweet for a couple more months. Their garden beds had lots of herbs, some tomatoes, strawberries and lettuce and a fire pit next to the apple tree. Kyoko-san and Yuri had brought some baked goods, snacks and drinks so we sat and talked while we ate and drank, all the while LB and Ojiichan were napping on the futon/couch. 

The Futon's a Little Too Comfy

After about an hour and a half or so Christian arrived on his bike since he was able to get off of work a little bit early. We talked with Christian a few minutes and then we went for a hike next to the river that runs by the garden.

Along the River

We walked along the river for a little while then circled around and up a little hill and back down to the original trail. When we got back to their garden LB was just starting to wake up and it was about time for us to start heading out. 

Strolling Through the Woods

We drove back into central Odense and dropped off Hirojichan, Christal and the kids at the hotel and then Kyoko-san, Ojiichan and I returned the rental cars and walked back to the hotel. For dinner Ojiichan, Christal, the kids and I went to a middle eastern restaurant that was pretty close to the hotel. After dinner we came back to the hotel and went to bed.