Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - A Cosy Autumn Day in Copenhagen

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Starting point is 00:01:40 Just go to DeepSleepSounds.com slash get sleepy. That's deepsleepsounds.com slash get sleepy. In case you didn't know, our company Slumber Studios also has a sleep app called Slumber. With well over a thousand episodes, it has every type of sleep-inducing content you could possibly want, from stories, meditations, audiobooks and history, to soundscapes and music. New episodes are added each week, and you can even search by narrator and listen exclusively to episodes narrated by me, or by any of my wonderful fellow storytellers. Slumber has other unique features too, like the ability to add and adjust background sounds to create your own perfect mix. So I highly recommend you give Slumber a try. It's available

Starting point is 00:02:41 in the Apple App Store and on Google Play, and as a Get Sleepy listener, you can unlock all of the content in the app free for one month. Just go to slumber.fm slash get sleepy to get instant access to all of the content in Slumber free for one month. That's slumber.fm slash get sleepy welcome to get sleepy where we listen we relax and we get sleepy my name's Thomas and I'm your host. Thanks so much for tuning in. This evening, Jessica will read our lovely story, which was written by Mircea. Shortly, we'll join Nora as she enjoys one of her first days at her new home in Copenhagen. With her, we'll visit cozy bookshops, read

Starting point is 00:03:49 about opulent castles, and discover the centuries-old waterfront neighborhood where Hans Christian Andersen wrote his enchanting fairy tales like The Little Mermaid. fairy tales like The Little Mermaid. First though, we would love to have your support on Get Sleepy Premium, where you can enjoy over 800 full length stories and meditations, including dozens of long length episodes to keep you company throughout the night. If you're enjoying the show but find it a bit of a nuisance to have to hear ads at the start of episodes, there are none whatsoever on Get Sleepy Premium so you can rest easy and undisturbed. Plus, every Thursday night we release a brand new bonus episode just for our premium supporters.

Starting point is 00:04:47 Tomorrow's story is set in beautiful Wales and I'll be reading the tale of a dog named Pluto who follows his sense of smell on a special adventure. Try a Get Sleepy Premium with a 7-day free trial to begin. Try a Get Sleepy Premium with a 7-day free trial to begin. Visit GetSleepy.com slash support or just follow the link in the show notes to learn more. Thanks so much for your support. Now then, make sure you're nicely settled in, finding whatever position feels right for you at this moment. And if you find it helpful to do so, then gradually slow your breathing, enjoying a comfortable rhythm that encourages a greater sense of relaxation.

Starting point is 00:05:52 Each exhale is a release, not just of the air from your body, but of the stresses and concerns of the day just gone. Take a little time to check in with yourself. Sense any lingering tension in the body, any thoughts that are vying for your attention, and try to simply accept whatever your mind is doing or thinking. Sometimes, particularly at night, we can easily end up in a kind of internal battle with ourselves. We often go in search of the right thing to focus on so that we can fall asleep. And that sense of looking for the idyllic conditions to fall asleep sometimes ends up leaving us more flustered and disrupted than before. So allow your mind to wander as it pleases without any for a few moments, and just accept and feel comfortable with the idea of

Starting point is 00:07:32 letting go of control. Gradually, as you listen along to our story tonight, you can let those thoughts subside once they've had their moment of acknowledgement. And as each one disperses from the mind, your head sinks deeper into the comfort of your pillow, and you can rest here at ease. So now, as we prepare to begin our story, take in these words by the famous fairy tale author Hans Christian Andersen. It is only with the heart that one can see clearly, for the most essential things are invisible to the eye. With that my friends I'll make way for Jessica

Starting point is 00:08:50 as our story begins. From the balcony, Nora can see all of Nihauen, the quaint waterfront district of Copenhagen, which dates back to the 17th century. It is one of the most unusually beautiful places she has ever seen. she has ever seen. In this part of town, the city's marina, there is no traffic, and the cobbled streets are lined with pastel-colored houses, some of which were built as far back as 1660. Observing from above and seeing no cars, Norrie gets the impression of time standing still. She sees swooping white seagulls here and there, a gently bobbing wooden fishing boat docked in the harbor, and hears the sound of a foghorn somewhere in the distance. All things of a timeless and serene nature. Just then, Nora's potential landlord greets her as he joins her out on the balcony. out on the balcony. So, what do you say?

Starting point is 00:10:46 He asks. He looks out proudly over the beautiful skyline, zipping up his fleece against the surprisingly gentle November breeze coming in from the marina. Despite the time of year, the weather is still rather mild, and the air fragrant with the scents of the sea and an autumnal sweetness. I'll take it," Nora says, smiling. They shake hands as he gives her the keys. Nora knows instantly that it will be a perfect new home for her in Copenhagen, where she

Starting point is 00:11:35 has recently relocated. It is a wonderful place for a fresh start, the landlord says, taking in the beauty of the city in which his family has lived for many generations. As he heads out, he puts on his shoes in the hallway. Because in Scandinavia, it seems, most people take off their shoes indoors. It is a custom Nora encountered during her travels in Japan, but never really in Europe. He asks her if she has any plans for the day. She's been thinking of taking a walk, she says.

Starting point is 00:12:23 of taking a walk," she says. "'You know what you should do?' he smiles suddenly, as if he has just had a brilliant idea. "'Go and find out about Hugo.' "'Hugo?' she asks. He tells her that once she figures out the meaning of the word, she'll feel like she's right at home here. When reading up on the Danish capital before choosing where to live, Nora learned that Nyhavn has two sides.

Starting point is 00:12:58 The sunny side, or the north bank of the canal, which makes up the main part of the marina, and the shady side, the south-facing embankment. As the monikers suggest, the south side gets less light exposure during the day, an important thing to bear in mind when living in these northern parts. An important thing to bear in mind when living in these northern parts. Here, daylight is even more scarce during the winter than in other places. On the shortest day of the year, the sun sets not long after three o'clock in the afternoon. And so, light is understandably a precious thing. This is why Nora ended up choosing an apartment on the sunny side. Stepping out into the

Starting point is 00:13:58 street outside her building, Nora pauses to think for a moment. Which way should I go? she wonders, before remembering that she has brought along a map of the area. She takes the map out from her warm coat pocket, her fingers a little cold in the November air. Unfolding it slowly, Nora feels mounting excitement about exploring the area as she traces the illustrations on the smooth, glossy paper with her finger. There are many places to visit in a surprisingly small neighborhood. She could go for a walk and visit the different houses along the harbor where the fairy tale author Hans Christian Andersen lived that he wrote his most famous stories of magic and wonder. Such as the Princess and the Pea and the Tinder Box. But he lived at number 67 the longest, for some 20 years.

Starting point is 00:15:29 In the area, there is also the 17th century Charlottenborg Palace. Or, she could also visit the more modern Royal Danish Playhouse, a theatre housed in a striking futuristic glass structure overlooking the water. The playhouse is located right by the street market in Ophelia Square, which is a popular place worth visiting, much loved by locals and visitors alike. But in this moment, the thing that beckons the most is just Nihaon itself. Nora decides to walk about aimlessly for a while, doing nothing more than slowly absorbing the unique atmosphere of her new surroundings. It is a beautiful day, sunny and crisp, with no hint of clouds or rain,

Starting point is 00:16:39 perfect for a walk. The first thing that strikes Nora is the sense all around her. The air is very fresh, almost like country air, and full of different fragrant notes. Hot coffee, cinnamon, and cut flowers, she thinks to herself, taking a deep breath and trying to identify what makes the air so sweet. It is the cozy, enveloping smell of a quiet Sunday at home, right in the middle of a city street. Nora sits down on a bench, on the sunny side of the canal. She closes her eyes and turns her face towards the bright sky. and turns her face towards the bright sky. The stillness of the moment and the fragrant air stirred gently and pleasantly inside her. Taking a moment to do nothing but relax in the warm glow of a gentle November sun. She feels herself drift into a reverie. Nora can almost see and feel herself sitting on a picturesque porch, a hot drink in hand. A bouquet of delicate pink and white sweet peas blooming in a chipped

Starting point is 00:18:30 porcelain jug, on some wobbly old table next to her. Flickering autumn golden leaves rustle all around her in this daydream scene. The wooden boards of the kneehound promenade below her feet creak, like the boards of the porch she now imagines in her head. The gentle lapping of the canal before her could be the lapping of some brook or stream that runs by the imaginary house, which she now conjures up so vividly in her mind's eye. The gentleness of the sounds around her are not that of a busy capital. They are the delicate tones of quiet waters, a mild breeze, and softly creaking wood. But there is more. Sounds she cannot place or identify in her surroundings. identify in her surroundings. The rustling of fabric. Clicks and snaps of something opening and shutting. The scattered notes of a string instrument, maybe a guitar, being moved from one place to another. Nora opens her eyes, the countryside porch fades, and she finds herself once more in Nihalm,

Starting point is 00:20:28 surrounded by the red, yellow, and pink houses of old, and the wooden fishing boats in the marina. In front of her stands a street performer, dressed in a quirky top hat, colorful pastely waistcoat, and a pinstriped suit holding a guitar. His guitar case is open in front of him. It is a shiny black leather case with red velvet lining and gold clasps which glimmer in the sunshine. To move, to breathe, to fly, to float. To roam the roads of lands remote. Yes, to travel is to live. He proclaims proudly to the passing crowd, quoting the famous words of Hans Christian Andersen. He then begins to play. Instantly, Nora recognizes the light, chirpy, acoustic intro of the Beatles' song, Here Comes the Sun. It is a tune that somehow aligns perfectly with the day and general ambiance of the place. One by one, people gather to hear him play.

Starting point is 00:21:55 They stop and take the time to enjoy the music and the beautiful day. Sunny autumn days are always enchanting, she thinks to herself. As he finishes playing the song, the busker looks over at Nora and smiles. She asks him what his favorite place in Copenhagen is. She asks him what his favorite place in Copenhagen is. Being new in town, she's trying to find the best spots. He stops for a second to think. The Sirens Bookshop, I would say. It is the perfect place for first-rate Hugo." He smiles widely. There's that word again, Nora thinks. She asks him what it means. It means many different things, he says. For me, Hugo can be browsing in a bookshop on a rainy day, or cooking dinner in good company, but it might be something entirely different to someone else.

Starting point is 00:23:16 It depends on the person you ask. My friend, for instance, does not enjoy cooking in any shape or form. To her it's only a chore. But she loves board games. Game night is absolute huger for her. He pauses before adding with a wink. Not for me, though. I get too wrapped up in winning, and I'm not always terribly gracious when I play. He smiles again as he strums the guitar, getting ready to play another song. But mostly, it is a feeling. Nothing tangible, nothing you can ever explain, really.

Starting point is 00:24:11 It is a sense of being comfortable and relaxed, and that everything is alright in that moment. Knorr asks if it means something like the English word cozy. It can be cozy. It can be chill. It can be a quiet moment alone. Or a fun moment with others," he says. Cooking together. Game night. Cozy moments. Fun times. This very special Danish notion could be so many different things all at once. Although, sometimes one person's hygge is another person's chore, it seems. Trying not to rely too much on her phone, Nora shows the street performer her map, and

Starting point is 00:25:18 he points out the location of the Sirens Bookshop. It is located right by the old astronomical observation tower called the Round Tower. These days it is a great place to visit for the panoramic views of the city. But for centuries, it was the main place where curious scientists came to Stargaze, as they mapped the unknown skies above. Nora waves to the busker as she heads off, leaving Nihauen behind for a while, to explore other parts of the city. a while to explore other parts of the city. Following the route on the map, Nora has no trouble finding the bookshop on her first try. It is located in a quaint, narrow lane, right around the corner from the astronomical tower.

Starting point is 00:26:28 from the astronomical tower. The buildings in the street are all the same red brick, with mint green wooden shutters, mint green fixtures, and roofs of oxidized copper. On each facade, there are signs, plaques, or engravings, giving the years in which the houses in the lane were built. 17th century, 18th century. All the houses are hundreds of years old. years old. Everywhere she goes in Copenhagen, Nora seems to the glass door and turns the creaky metal knob. The door needs a little light push to open. A bell chimes above the doorframe, and Nora has to hunch slightly to pass through the low vaulted entrance, which must have been constructed a very long time ago. The special magic of bookshops contain, in the space of a shelf,

Starting point is 00:28:11 endless portals to many possible worlds. This one, the Sirens Bookshop, is the cozy, quiet kind, Bookshop is the cozy, quiet kind, where curious readers snuggle up in green and russet, vintage velvet chairs with whatever books they are currently browsing. In the far corner of the Bookshop, there is a tiny coffee stand serving simple filter coffee, There is a tiny coffee stand serving simple filter coffee with a little milk or a lump of sugar, if that's how you take it, and a selection of only two treats, cinnamon rolls or cardamom rolls. It is a simple café that does not overwhelm you with endless varieties, offering only what is essential and tasty to the curious reader who is looking to spend some time exploring the wondrous world of books and stories.

Starting point is 00:29:26 Each shelf is different from the others. Some are made of dark wood, others are of a lighter grain, and others still are actually gleaming glass cabinets containing old illustrated tomes, not to be touched by cinnamon sticky hands. It seems like the shop has grown over time, organically, following a logic of its own. Nothing matches, nothing is symmetrical, yet everything feels like it is just right, and fits perfectly in with its surroundings. On the counter, by the till, a colorful book is displayed as the book of the week. The title reads, Your Guide to the Huguer Life. Copenhagen's Cafes, Castles, and Cozy Spots. Nora purchases the volume along with a cup of coffee, a dash of milk, two sugars, and a cinnamon roll.

Starting point is 00:30:53 She heads over to an alcove in the bookshop and takes a seat in one of the soft, comfortable velvet chairs. The alcove is flanked on one side by a vaulted stained glass window, depicting a mermaid with ruby red hair, surrounded by emerald green seaweed and sapphire blue waters. Settling into this snug little spot, Nora opens her book. The chapter that catches Nora's attention is the one about Copenhagen's many castles, especially the pages dedicated to the Rosenborg Castle, built during the Renaissance. Across its many opulent floors are rooms with dreamy names such as the Winter Room, the Garden Room, the Marble Room, and then a room simply called the Rose. The name for the latter comes from the Latin expression sabrosa, meaning a secret.

Starting point is 00:32:20 It is said that everything relayed in this room has to remain a secret." She continues browsing the pictures of the castle's wood-paneled halls, marble corridors, majestic staircases, and regal portraits of princes and princesses. Nora wonders, what might Huger have meant to people of the past? What might it have meant to a princess living in this castle during the Renaissance? Would she have reveled in the simple pleasure of curling up with a book and a freshly baked cinnamon roll? Perhaps cinnamon was not as common then. It would probably have been a luxury spice. Norah thinks about this as she takes a bite of the buttery sweet bun, still warm from the oven, dripping with cinnamon cream.

Starting point is 00:33:34 After finishing the roll and the book, Nora leaves the Sirens bookshop, happy to have taken the advice from the street performer. bookshop, happy to have taken the advice from the street performer. She is quite sure that this will become a favorite place of hers and that probably many a lazy Saturday and Sunday afternoon will be spent in that stained glass alcove, discovering new books. Still feeling a little hungry after the treat, Nora decides to pop into a nearby cafe and have something to eat before heading home. Even as she crosses the threshold, she already knows what she will be having.

Starting point is 00:34:28 For weeks, Nora has been reading about Denmark's småbru, the generous, open-faced sandwiches that come topped with many different locally sourced delicacies and garnishes both savory and sweet. She cannot wait to try one, since the walk and the fresh air has really worked up her appetite. She orders and enjoys her sandwich in the cozy interior of the cafe. By the time Nora returns to her apartment, the sun has already set. Before she turns on the lights, she looks around her new home. lights, she looks around her new home. Wavy reflections of the water from the canal below dance across the ceiling, as lights from the street and passing boats outside ripple along the walls of her empty living room. It almost seems like ages ago that she was standing on that balcony with the landlord.

Starting point is 00:35:53 In many ways, Nora already feels like she has been in Copenhagen for a very long time, long time, like she already belongs. So far, there is only a lamp in the main room, placed on the floor. In the bedroom, there are her suitcases and a few boxes from her old place that were shipped to Copenhagen and delivered to the building earlier. The landlord was kind enough to bring them up to the apartment during the day, while Nora was out exploring the city. He left a note on the boxes that says, boxes that says, Welcome Home, followed by a smiley face. Anticipating this initial lack of furniture, Nora packed a sleeping bag in one of the suitcases.

Starting point is 00:37:01 She takes it out and unrolls it on the floor of the living room, right by the large windows and the balcony doors. From here, she will be able to see the sky when she lies down. She takes off her shoes, places them in the hallway, and returns to her sleeping bag. Nora nestles inside it, picking up from its glossy green fabric the faint scents of campfires, rich soil, and says softly to herself. A new home full of endless possibilities, mixed with sweet memories of precious days spent exploring by herself and in the company of others. There is comfort in that

Starting point is 00:38:09 thought and she feels herself release and relax. Even though it is not terribly late, Nora feels that it wouldn't be a bad idea to shut her eyes and go to bed early. There is still a great deal to discover in the days to come, and she is keen to find out more about this new city that she will now be calling home. She looks up at the sky from her makeshift bed on the floor. The clear, sunny day has morphed into a bright and starry evening. Endless stars dot the vast firmament above her, like tiny precious opals set against a background of some midnight blue silk. The city sky is as clear as the sky she encountered on those many camping trips, looking up from this very same sleeping bag. Then, like a breaking wave, an undulating green light unfolds amongst the stars.

Starting point is 00:39:36 Her whole life, Nora has wished to see the northern lights. And suddenly, right there in her very own living room, she finds herself enveloped in their lambent shades of green and gold. It feels almost magical, like something out of those wondrous fairy tales by Hans Christian Andersen. The softness of the northern lights, the deep blue sky and sparkling stars fill Nora with a sense of gentle contentment, and her eyelids grow heavy. She closes her eyes as images and sounds and sense from the day whirl in her head, rocking her to sleep. in her head, rocking her to sleep. She thinks of pastel-colored houses, fishing boats, swooping seagulls, old castles, and reveries of countryside porches. If Huga is a relaxed feeling and a sense that

Starting point is 00:41:09 everything is all right in the moment, then she has certainly been feeling it all day long. And as Nora slips into her world of dreams, she thinks to herself, yes, everything is You You. You You You You You You You You You You You You You You You You You You. you

Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - A Cosy Autumn Day in Copenhagen

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