Photo. A
dromedary in a shopping centre in Copenhagen. Santa has to travel flexible - by
elephants, horses, camels and dromedaries! But where is Santa Claus and his
trusted reindeer?
Of all places I found this dromedary in a shopping centre in Copenhagen in
Denmark. Dromedary is one-humped camel. Probably it`s because the Danish believe
that reindeers can`t fly. The genuine Santa Claus, whether he comes from
Norway or Korvatunturi in Finnish Lapland, has a long way to go, and of course
he has to use the best suitable transport to reach all the world`s frontiers.
Norwegians enjoy their time now to celebrate PreChristmas in
their own traditional way. They suck in the great Christmas atmosphere on ships from
Norway to Denmark. They take the opportunity on the ships to enjoy a wide
range of onboard leisure, eating heavy Christmas food, partying and just
sail way.
In Copenhagen they enjoy their stay in city
centre Strøget for shopping, walk around in Nyhavn Canal,
where but also have real fun and suspence thrill in
the Tivoli Gardens. The big Tivoli park is full of seasonal
festivities. It has Christmas market, several entertainments, amusements, Tivoli
Lake for ice skating, spectacular lighting on a big Christmas Tree in the front
of the snow palace Nimb Restaurant, fun rides and a fairytale garden. Check out
the Yule goblins, the hamlet of Goblinsville - Nissekøbing - with over 100
mechanical pixies (in Danish: nisser) and listen to Christmas music performed by
Hobgoblin Band. Here you will also meet Santa Claus - Father Christimas, and he
speaks Danish, which has its own charm.
Santa transportation
Santa seldom use other
transportation than Reindeers (see the photo above). The species of camel which
was in common use among the Jews and the heathen nations of Palestine was the
Arabian or one-humped camel, Camelus arabicus. The dromedary is a swifter animal
than the baggage-camel, and is used chiefly for riding purposes; it is merely a
finer breed than the other.
The Arabs call it the heirie. The speed of the dromedary has been greatly
exaggerated, the Arabs asserting that it is swifter than the horse. Eight or
nine miles an hour is the utmost it is able to perform; this pace, however, it
is able to keep up for hours together. The Arabian camel carries about 500
pounds.
The camel is often found around ancient ruins in Petra in Jordan. mostly for taking the tourists
around in the huge ancient city. The locals do it for living, and the
visitors get a unique memory without getting too exhaustet in the heat.
The hump on the camel's back is chiefly a store of fat, from which the animal
draws as the wants of his system require; and the Arab is careful to see that
the hump is in good condition before a long journey.
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Photo. The nice Danish speaken Santa Claus on
the boat Pearl of Scandivia - DFDS.
Some children become frightened when Santa
emerged, but I told them there was nothing to worried about: "This
Santa Slaus is not genuine because he speaks Danish".
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Another interesting adaptation is the thick sole which protects the foot of
the camel from the burning sand, with a web between the toes. The nostrils may
be closed by valves against blasts of sand. Most interesting is the provision
for drought made by providing the second stomach with great cells in which water
is long retained. Sight and smell are exceedingly acute in the camel.
| Photo. Santa Claus in
the shopping centre Illum in Copenhagen. |
 |
Get into the spirit of Christmas on the Danskebåtene
DFDS Seaways, Stena Line and Color Line from Norway to Denmark. It`s a big party
going on here now! Meeeerrry Christmas!
Stein Morten Lund, 5 December
2005
Additional information
DFDS Seaways is part
of the DFDS Group of Companies, one of the largest in Denmark. The name DFDS
comes from the original name under which the company was founded in 1866: Det
Forenede Dampskibs-Selskab (The United Steamship Company).
DFDS`s
website:
www.dfds.co.uk (in english)
www.dfds.no (in Norwegian)
Stena Line: www.stenaline.com
Color Line: www.colorline.com
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