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Treading water underground

Posted on May 5, 2023 by Ella

Post by Ella.

Can I just say, it was a cold, blustery day. Temperature hovered around 45 with wind chill taking it down to 38. Typical Danish spring. For me, all layers on board (windbreaker, light down jacket, light sweatshirt, shirt, Tshirt) plus a knit cap.

Today, among other destinations, the Cisternerne. Two metros, one bus and a 15 minute walk. 15 minutes is nothing. But did I mention the wind?

The Cisternerne is an abandoned subterranean reservoir, kind of like a cave under the city. It once contained nearly 16 million litres of clean drinking water for Copenhagen. Excavated in 1856 and used until 1933. It still contained water until 1981 when the cistern was drained. Because of the geology, water continues to seep in.  The space is now used for art exhibitions and cultural activities.

The ticket woman explained it was very dark “down there” and to go slow and let our eyes adjust. Also, she said, sometimes you will be walking on a platform with no handrails but it’s okay, it’s very flat. Just stay on the platform.

The space was dark as promised. The “art” was various light displays. Once, as we were walking along a platform, we got to the edge, which I pointed out to Grubb. He says, yeah, yeah, I see the step. And proceeds to step down off the platform into the ankle deep water. It took him three or four steps to realize that this maybe wasn’t the way to go.

2 thoughts on “Treading water underground”

  1. Susan E says:
    May 10, 2023 at 10:31 am

    Very dark? Platforms with no handrails? Ankle-deep water? Sign me up.

    Reply
  2. Ella says:
    May 10, 2023 at 10:49 am

    Ha!

    Reply

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