Springtime in Aalborg.

I wasn't expecting the weather in Denmark to be all that great especially because I'm a big fan of sun and heat.  But since we've been here, I haven't had too much to complain about, and in fact, this weekend in Aalborg brought us sunny days and temperatures around 10-12 C (50-55 F).

So, of course, I took the opportunity to be outside as much as possible, and it was outside that I kept thinking "oh that kinda reminds me of Boulder".

Most obvious Boulder similarity... BIKES!

BIKES EVERYWHERE!
This should surprise no one because Denmark is known for its bike-friendly culture, and it has not disappointed.  The only thing I'm disappointed about is that my bike is still on a boat floating somewhere in the Atlantic, but one day soon, I can join the hordes of cyclists speeding around town.  Most of the residential streets around us look like the picture here with bike after bike parked outside the buildings.  But (this surprised me) these bikes aren't locked to anything!  At best, they may have a small locking mechanism on the back tire which I've read can be easily popped off with a screwdriver.  That's not to say that bike theft is uncommon in Denmark; apparently, it happens all the time.

Next Boulder similarity... runners everywhere.  Every time I go outside, I see people running.  On my street, at the waterfront, in the parks.  I've even started running again (it's a great way to get to know a city).  Maybe it's all the endorphins from running that makes the Danes so happy.

Well, it's the endorphins and probably the dogs.  Aalborg, like Boulder, loves dogs.  Just like I always see runners, I always see people walking their dogs.  However, I have noticed that Aalborg residents aren't as good about picking up their dogs' poop as Boulder residents are.

And, like Boulder, all of this biking and running and walking dogs preferably happens outside in the sunshine, of course.  Everybody and their mother (and their baby and their dog...) was just out taking a stroll this weekend.  It reminded me of a spring day on Pearl St.  Well, minus the Flatirons and the street performers and, ya know, people speaking English.

And one big difference from Boulder...there's water here!