I self-diagnosed covid, but after going through all the symptoms, I am now under the impression, that what I have is a very bad cold. How do I know that?
Well.. Cold sores, or o*al herpes. They always present themselves when I have had a particularly bad cold, so the fact that BOTH my lips had them, it's pretty safe to say that I don't have covid. I'm just dealing with a monster of a cold. That type of cold that makes your voice turn into a croak, at times. I also have that extremely annoying cough, that just will not go away.
So yes - no corona for me this time, thankfully. Or.. Well, I MIGHT have it, just not Covid-19.
"But Philipsen, what do you mean when you say you might have corona?"
An excellent question. You see, although the common cold is usually caused by rhinoviruses, in 15% of cases the cause is a coronavirus. The human coronaviruses HCoV-OC43, HCoV-HKU1, HCoV-229E, and HCoV-NL63 continually circulate in the human population in adults and children worldwide and produce the generally mild symptoms of the common cold. The four mild coronaviruses have a seasonal incidence occurring in the winter months in temperate climates.
If it was covid, I wouldn't have as much energy as I do now, and I probably wouldn't have cold sores either. I mark this down to a change in climate. It's the only thing I can think of that would give me a monster cold. Or maybe that I didn't sleep a lot during my flight home from the US. The next time I am going there, I am taking a direct flight so I don't have to stress with changing flight, and it makes me more relaxed as well.
But for now, it's time to relax and enjoy this extended weekend. It's a public holiday today, and tomorrow, every person at my job, who is paid by the hour, is off. I do not fully understand why, but it suits me well. It gives me more time to recover from my cold.
That's how long I have to wait until my next USA trip. By then, the date will be October 28.
The plan is to experience Halloween in the US. Once again, I am staying with my friend, her son and her cat, which I have nicknamed The Terror.. It's a long story.. Anyway!
I plan on booking the flight in six months. That gives me just over 4 months to save up, which is entirely possible. I am getting a second payout from work next month, so that's going to be put on my savings account. Before you know it, I have enough for my flight to the US.
This time around, I am flying direct! I don't want to change flights, because it can end badly, like my trip home earlier this month. I am also going to go a class up, and select Premium Economy rather than regular economy. More space on the plane and lounge access - two things I have never tried in my life, so I am thinking that now is the time. I also think the food is better, but I'm not sure.
I am prepared this time. The last time, I just picked the cheapest option available, which showed. This time, my flight will leave in the middle of the day, rather than at 6.35 am. That means I can get a good nights sleep at home before I head to the airport. Now that I know there is a direct flight from Copenhagen to DC, that's what I will take from now on. I gave Lufthansa a chance, and they blew it. I will explain more in a future blog.
Now I have my next trip to plan in a few months. And yes, that means another installment of my "Making plans for my USA trip!" blog series!
I was feeling fine on Friday. I went to work as normal and everything was good.
Saturday I made plans to do some grocery shopping and just restock my fridge, but when I woke up, my throat was sore. Like really sore. I ignored it, thinking "oh, I might just have had a clogged nose during the night, so my throat must have sort of dried out during the night", and I went about my day. I restocked my fridge, but I was feeling worse with every passing minute.
Suddenly, my entire body was burning. I had vertigo, began to sneeze and cough a lot and every muscle in my body started to ache. I sort of just went "Oh, I'm having a very bad cold. Maybe it's because the climate is different? The US had a very dry heat, while the heat here is more wet. Maybe that's what's messing with me?"
I spent most of my Saturday in bed, trying to watch YouTube videos on my phone, but I was overcome with extreme exhaustion. Not good, seeing as I was due to attend my mother's birthday on Sunday. I decided to call her, to let her know that I might not make it, because I was currently feeling like absolute hell. We agreed that I would call back on Sunday to let her know if I was attending or not. That was about 7 PM. I went straight to sleep after that.
Sunday morning, my fever was gone. However, I was still low on energy, and my nose had started to run. Now, I COULD technically have gone to the birthday, but seeing as my newborn niece would be there, it wouldn't be safe for her if I was to attend, so I phoned up my mother to let her know, that I wouldn't be arriving due to my illness.
Luckily my mother is very understanding, so she was all "It's alright. Just focus on getting well", which I tried to do. I did feel a lot better, and my vertigo was gone, so I decided to make the most out of my day at home, and just play video games all day long. I have recently bought Hogwarts Legacy, so I played that for a few hours. I didn't leave my bedroom until 4 pm, when I had to go to the toilet.
A few hours later, I thought "Well, if this is how I feel tomorrow, I'm gonna go to work".. And go to work, I did. I met one of the sales people, and I told him about how I felt, to which he jokingly said "You might have covid"..
It might have been a joke, but it all made sense. All the symptoms I had. All point to covid..
Now, I should have gone home, but I couldn't get myself to leave, because it was busy. Was it stupid? Yes. Absolutely. However, I did manage to stay at least 6 feet away from everyone. I will stay home for the rest of the week, or until I feel better. If it is covid, it shouldn't last for more than a few days. I have to self-isolate for 4 days, meaning I cannot leave my room until Friday, except when I have to make food or go to the bathroom. When I do, I need to wear a face mask, which is fine. I have several still in the box from the pandemic, so I shouldn't have a problem with a supply.
So yeah - someone gave me covid, it seems, and the most likely place is the airport in Washington. It sucks, but there's not a lot I can do about it. Luckily, it's a three day work week, so hopefully it shouldn't be too busy tomorrow.
If you are curious as to how I sound when I speak.. Well.. It sounds like a croak mixed with having a potato in your mouth, seeing as that's how foreigners think Danish sounds like.. Speaking with a potato in your mouth.
But for now, it's off to bed! Hopefully, tomorrow's gonna be a bit better, and hopefully I will feel better too.
And yes, I know I have been reckless by going to work on public transportation with covid symptoms. No need to point that out.
One week in the USA done! What did I see and experience there? Well. Lots of food, fun experiences and delays on the flight home. More on that later!
So.. Where in the US did I go? I went to visit a friend in Virginia. It's someone I have known for at least 13 years, so it's not something spur of the moment with someone I have only known for a week. No, this is a friendship that goes way back.
I slept on the sofa, which was very comfortable. That was the deal from the start, when I booked the flight. She was unable to get all the days I was visiting off, so I was alone in her apartment with her cat, until she got off work.Then, we'd go out for some food.
The first place I tried was Olive Garden, which was delicious! I got one of those make-your-own dishes, which was regular noodles, a 4 cheese sauce and Italian sausage on top. I liked it a lot.
We also visited something called Glory Days, which had the best sandwich ever! It was a short rib grilled cheese sandwich, and it was freaking awesome.
We also went to DC for some sightseeing. The following day, she was off work, so we decided to head back to DC to get some gifts for my family, as well as coming close to The White House. Naturally, the weather was warm, so it was a little sticky.
Am I done with the USA? No. Not at all! I want to visit again soon!
I have been home for one day, and I am already planning my next USA trip. At least in my head. My next trip will be two weeks, but I am unsure if I want to go back to Virginia, or if I am going to go somewhere else. Maybe I can find a hotel somewhere, which won't break my bank balance. I saw one hotel called Hotel Washington next to The White House, but it's quite.. Expensive..
So I will look into finding a cheaper hotel somewhere. The idea of a motel came into my mind, but I quickly ditched that idea. Too much Criminal Minds, I suppose.
I do know that I want to visit other states than Virginia. Maybe visit all the states, if possible. The United States of America is a big country, so I doubt it'll ever happen. Mainly because I waited so long to visit for the first time. Maybe I'll just save up for a few years and take a full month in the USA, and either fly, take the bus or the train to see as much as possible. I also want to see some history, if there's anything left, anyway
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In any case - I am not finished with the USA. At all!
Ah, yes. Ladies and gentlemen! Today's the final entry in my "getting ready for the USA!" series. It's been 11 parts, but we have finally made it to the end! I am set to leave in less than two hours, and I have already packed my suitcase. I did that two days ago!
I also exchanged all the money that I need for a week long trip, but it wasn't without any drama. I had to exchange them in two stages, because my card would only allow for a certain amount to be exchanged daily. The first stage went off without a hitch. Everything was functioning as intended, so I ended up with $690 then. I still needed $575 more, so I went to exchange that at the airport. "Technical error", said the machine. I tried to draw some money out of an ATM - "Amount exceeds daily limit".. That was weird, since I hadn't spent any money that day. It was only after I got home, that I read a message from my bank. They had some issues with some cards, making purchases and withdrawals impossible. I went to the airport after work the next day, and by then I could withdraw the remaining money.
All is well now!
The next "oh boy what now" was Monday morning. I looked to see if my flight was leaving on time, and it then showed that my flight didn't fly on Wednesday. "Is this some form of joke? A punishment? How am I THIS unlucky with trips to the US?", was my immediate thought. As it turns out, my airline sent me an email at the early hours of Monday morning, explaining that they had to change aircraft, and so I had been assigned a new seat. A few hours later, the flight was back on the schedule.
So now I am ready to go! I still need to pack some toiletries, but other than that - I am ready! Ready to FINALLY visit the United States of America! It has only taken me 38 years to go, but better late than never, right? Before I leave, I have to make sure to take out all the trash and disconnect everything from the power supply. That means switching off every switch and pulling out the plugs from the wall. Everything that's connected to the electrical grid needs to be disconnected. Well, everything in my room, that is.
I have also switched phone subscription, to one that gives me 25 gigs of data in the world. Every electronic device I have to bring with me is on charge. My power bank and the battery for my camera. My phone is fully charged, and I am bringing my charging cable to use in my power bank. I never use public charge points.
What else.. Ah yes, my carry-on luggage. it's been so long since I have been on a holiday, that I have forgotten what to put in it. What I have in it is a shirt, my passport, money and all relevant documentation I need to show at the US border. Next, I have to put my toothbrush, my charging cable, power bank and camera in. By then, it should be 11 pm, at which point, ladies and gentlemen: I will be going on an adventure!
I will not be on the site while I am in the US. I have to experience so much! Oh.. That reminds me.. I need shorts, because apparently the weather is going to be nice and toasty! 26 degrees on Monday.. I also have jeans with me, just in case the weather gets a bit.. Nordic.. I also need some good walking shoes, since DC is a city built for walking. Luckily, I like to walk, so I shouldn't be too put off by that.
But yeah, I am ready to go! I can't believe it's here at last! It seemed like it was forever away just a few months ago!
I will update you all about the trip when I get home!
It's yet again time for your favourite blog - reading about a random Dane planning a trip to the United States of America. This episode is all about what happens the first few hours after I land in Washington DC.
The original plan was to be picked up by my friend, but work has gotten in the way of that, so I have been to Google Maps to see, how I can get to her place by myself, without having to deal with cabs. I found the PERFECT route, and since I am from a country where public transportation and metro is a huge thing, I will find it incredibly easy!
The route I have found takes me from Dulles to East Falls Church and then the bus further on to my destination. And yes, before you ask: I WILL be that annoying tourist with a itinerary on a piece of paper, with a confused look on my face.
So my day of traveling looks like this: Airport at 1 am at the latest. Flight to Frankfurt, Germany at 6:35 am. Layover for about 2 and a half hours. Boarding my flight to Washington at 10 am, flight departs at 10:30 am. 9 hours later: Touchdown in the USA! My first test awaits me: Clearing US customs.
From what I can gather online, and through friends and family, they ask a few questions: Where I am flying in from, what I do for a living and the famous "business or pleasure?". Note to self: Don't say Copenhagen when asked where I am flying in from. Frankfurt, is the correct answer.
Once I clear customs, I have to find my suitcase and then I am ready to start my holiday! I still need to figure out where the Silver metro train is located, but according to Google Maps, it's a short, 11 minute walk away. Next, I need to get one of those SmarTrip cards. I saw a video on YouTube where it clearly tells me where I can buy such a card. I just don't know how much to put on, since I have no idea how much I need. I might just put $20 on it, just to be safe. I don't want to run out of money.
So to sum up: I am in the air for a combined 10.5 hours, if everything is on time. The journey from the airport to where I am staying is another 1.5 hours, so that's 12 hours. Finally, there's the customs line, which can take about an hour. We're now up to 13 hours. Then I have to include the wait time at both Copenhagen and Frankfurt airports. 1 am to 6:35 am is 5 hours and 35 minutes, and the wait time in Frankfurt is 2 hours and 35 minutes, for a combined wait time of 8 hours and 10 minutes.
Add that to my flight and wait time at Dulles, and we're up to 20 hours and 10 minutes - almost a full DAY of traveling. When I arrive at my destination, I am SO going to sit down and relax!
It's that time again - where a random Dane tells you all about his plans for his upcoming USA trip. This episode is all about being online in the US.
I deleted the previous blog, because I have come across some information that made the blog obsolete! Basically, I was talking about data plans in the USA, and how I had to buy a new sim card once I land in the USA. As it turns out, my phone provider offers something called World, which gives me 80 gigs of data at home, and 25 gigs of data in the USA.
How much is 25 gigs of data, I hear you ask? Well.. It's 277 hours of social media usage, which is what I am going to use it for. I need to update my family and my friends, so 25 gigs of data is plenty. I probably won't have time to watch YouTube videos. But just as a precaution, I have asked my phone provider if I will have the full 105 GB of data, or just the 25 GB.. There's free WiFi everywhere in the US, but I would prefer to not use that. Safety, and everything.. I could get a VPN, though..
In any case, me switching to World will solve the biggest hurdle. That also means, that all my research into sim cards in the USA has been for nothing.. Well.. If I one day decide to take a longer holiday there, then it might be the best option, but for one week? Yeah, my World subscription is enough.
The next step is to buy some small kitchen gadgets, note the price on them and then pack! 17 days until I start that process..
I have forgotten how to pack a suitcase properly.. Send help..
Edit: My phone provider confirmed that the 25 gigs is what I have available, and not the full 105 gigs. Still, 25 gigs is enough, for sure
Here we go again - another installment of your favourite blog ever: Planning the trip to the United States of America.
In this blog: Papers. Specifically which papers I have to have in order.
In these troubled times, we all need to be a bit more safe and secure, which I have no problem with. I need two pieces of paper for my USA trip.
Document one is the following: Proof of Covid-19 vaccination for non-citizen non-immigrants passenger disclosure and attestation to the United States of America. What this essentially is, is a document where I say if I am vaccinated against Covid-19, if I am exempt from vaccination or if I refuse to be vaccinated.
The second document I need, is my vaccination disclosure form, where it says how many shots I have been given, and when I was given them. I am fully vaccinated and boosted, so that's not going to be an issue once I get to the gate in Copenhagen. I need to present these documents there, before I check in.
For that, I need a printer. It just so happened, that there's a few at work, so during today's VERY quiet afternoon, I printed everything out, and signed what I needed to sign.
Now I need something to carry the documents in. I don't want to fold them or bend them out of shape, since it doesn't look professional. I want my trip to go as smooth as possible, which means I needed something, like a pocket folder. Luckily, one of the supermarkets here had that in stock.
So now, everything is set. My next order of business for my USA trip, is to pack my suitcase and head to the airport. My plan is to pack in 25 days, on the 30th. That gives me a few days to go through everything and make sure I have what I need when I travel. It's been such a long time since I have flown, that I have forgotten what to bring.
Passport, money and travel documents, as well as the ticket. I can check in 48 hours before my flight, but I think I'm just gonna wait until I get to the airport. I am that kind of traveler who arrives HOURS before my flight. In this case, I am making it so I am at the airport at half past midnight - plenty of time to settle down and calm my nerves. I always do that. Head to the airport in the middle of the night, just so I don't have to stress. It's much nicer to just arrive a few hours before the flight.
Given that my first flight is at 6:35 am, I have to be there at 4:30 am anyway, so it makes even more sense that I arrive that early.
It's all getting very real, very fast. I am very excited!
Easter, at least in my family, is centered around food. Every year around Easter, we all gather for the annual Easter lunch.
That was a lot of Easter in one sentence.. Anyway..
The main attraction is food. It's always the same: Fish and eggs for starters, heavier meats during round 2.. Given that my family loves to eat, we pretty much just go all out on food!
Me? I'm the bread bringer. Literally. I am in charge of getting all the bread to the Easter lunch. My one pair of aunt and uncle brought the herring, cucumber, tomato and lettuce, while my other uncle brought Æbleflæsk, which is a traditional Danish dish consisting of cured or salted pork belly, fried with apples, thyme and sugar. Chopped onion is often fried with the apples.
My cousin and her husband brought the roasted pork, which is a MUST have during any Danish Easter or Christmas celebration. It's a crime not to bring it.
My cousin's husband's mother brought some light salads, and my mother brought the shrimp, the fish fillets, the candy and the snacks.
We each had to bring our own stuff to drink.
Yesterday was the Easter lunch, and today we had leftovers. You might be thinking "did you eat enough?", to which I say: Absolutely.. Whenever my family get together for food, we go all in!
We
In fact, there was so much food that we even had enough for a full course today.. It's absolutely insane just how much we eat during the holidays.. It's a bit scary, actually.
If you ever attend one of these feasts with my family, if you leave hungry, it's your own fault. The next feast coming up is a summer party, where we'll get some proper good food. We're talking hotdogs, roasted pork, sausages, lots of meat and dessert as well. Combine that with copious amounts of soda/water and alcohol, and you have a recipe for a good evening.
I am bringing the champagne!
But for now, no more food.. If I ever see a piece of meat today, I will barf...
That means a short work week. In my case, three days. My next work day is on the 11th of April.
I have a few things to attend to during my days off. I am going to help a coworker move, and the annual Easter lunch in my family.
It's gonna be nice with a few days off. Plenty of time to catch up on some sleep, do the laundry, watch movies or just relax and play video games.
I do need to sleep as much as possible. I didn't get a lot of sleep last night, probably about 5 hours or so. I cannot function properly unless I get 7 hours, so I am missing 2 hours. Hopefully I can get caught up on that soon.
But for now, three days of work.
Let's do this!
First, let me tell you the name of the Monster Energy. It's called Ultra Gold, and it's sugar free. It contains taurine, ginseng, caffeine, vitamin b and pineapple flavoring.
Taurine, if you didn't know, is a nervous system depressant and has a stimulating effect on the brain, so TECHNICALLY, it's good for you, albeit in small doses. Some will claim that the taurine in energy drinks is bull semen, which is false. The taurine in energy drinks is synthetic.
Anyway, back to the new Monster Energy.
Opening the can, I got a strong smell of pineapple, which I love! I took a sip, and was a bit disappointed. It tasted like watered down pineapple juice.. It's definitely not among my favourites, but I am not going to waste it. I will drink it and never buy it again..
I'll stick with the Mango Loco..
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