Our bodies were cold, but our minds and souls were dripping with warmth from the gaze of the sun and the company of new friends in a strange, but hospitable land.
The day started well, which was full of promise and discovery from the endless blue skies and the bright sun as we waited at the bus stop in the city of Aarhus.
With several days of over cast (except for a brief break earlier), me, and my fellow photojournalism peers, all friends, willing to share in each other's challenges, triumphs and defeats, were excited to see and feel the illumination of the sun.
Even with an early start to the day, we rubbed our eyes, drank our coffee (or not in my case) and waited eagerly for the bus to take us to the seaside Danish retreat, Ebeltoft.
Like old friends, we poked and prodded each other verbally, exchanging barbs to pass the time.
The town Ebeltoft is located on the central east coast of Denmark. It is a resort town that apparently explodes in population with tourists from around Denmark and Germany, and is best known for its many beaches, campgrounds, glass museum and the longest wooden warship from colonial times in the world (at least according to wikipedia).
Our eyes wide with excitement for the expanse of the sea, not to mention sun starved, we spoke of the deep connection we have to the majesty of the mountains and the broad power of the sea on the one-hour bus trip.
After hundreds of photos taken of each other (including a series of humourous silhouettes), others who passed by and the various surroundings that included the beach, buildings, vegetation and a campground, we took refuge from the biting wind at a small pastry shop just off the highway. We shared our thoughts on a diverse range of topics from photography (of course) to criminal justice over warm coffee and pastries (which would otherwise be referred to as Danish, however here it sounds ridiculous so I will cease to use it ever again).
With warm bellies, filled with fine food, we left to explore and discover more of the area, and each other.
Weary from walking, and the onslaught of the sea wind, we went to the bus stop to head back to town. Although the chill of the air was present, lashing at our faces, cutting through our clothes, the laughter we shared, and the smiles we traded, dulled the ferocity of winter.
On the trip home...
As the dying of the sunlight flashes by the buses windows, I listened with a smile as my iPod plays a Shins song, singing about diving in and going for it. It is just slightly louder than the hum of the engine, rising and falling in time with the vehicle's speed, leaving us all sleepy with fulfillment. It's hypnotic rhythm leaving me and the rest of the trip group, lulled into an afternoon trance, reflecting on the day's events filled with revelry for the welcome sunlight, the openness of the sea, the surrounding landscape, and each other's generosity of respect.
A near perfect ending to a day full of light for the weather we felt and the time we shared.
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