Lots to Recap -- 1 of 3

Home sweet home.   

Lots to chat about -- it was a great trip.  I'm not sure how to "organize" the recap, but I'll start at the beginning.  Lots of little (maybe boring) details because those are the things that made me proud how I showed up and the things that made the trip memorial to me. 

The outbound flight was fine -- no delays, seat partners were fine (I had a window which isn't my favorite), masked up.  It took me a minute to figure out the Uber pickup in Denver, but (of course) I figured it out.  The driver was nice, but no English or Spanish so I didn't get to use the "lessons" from Platonic on making (however brief) social connections.

The Hotel Clio was amazing.  Fancy pants for sure -- lots of big name stores, beautiful area.  Greeted with sparkling wine and mimosas -- I passed because I'm trying to experience things with less buffering.  Checked in, unpacked and asked myself what I would do as my FS.  Answer -- take an Uber to the vintage stores I had looked up and stop for an outdoor lunch.  The Uber driver was deaf (I remembered a few basic signs to say "yes" and "thank you") so again no conversation. The vintage store neighborhood was ROUGH though and the stores weren't what I imagined.  I decided to walk the few miles back since it's all sidewalks and that was a mistake.  Lots of homeless and I felt exposed.  Once I got back into the Cherry Creek area, the area was fine -- although I was hot and sweaty and super tired.  

Local church.
Awesome!

Hotel gift at checkin.
Not painting this one though :)

I passed a Whole Foods so I stopped for lunch and ate at the cafe outside.  By that time it was only a couple of hours until dinner and I didn't want to fill up too much with a meal at a restaurant.

I was back to the hotel feeling deflated.  So much for my "adventure" -- strike one on vintage stores, strike two on restaurant lunch.  I sat with the heating pad (my back was hurting from the flight) and regrouped.  If I hadn't made dinner reservations, I would've stayed at the hotel for dinner.

Uber to restaurant (no English again) and the directions took me to an apartment complex.  The driver said there was no restaurant in the area.  Seriously?!?!  I KNEW I had reservations and this was the address so I got out and told him I was fine to figure it out.

Sure enough, it was right around the corner.  Before I even got to the door, they opened and welcomed me inside.  I asked how they knew -- said they can tell by people's lost expressions lol.

Somebody People -- vegan, plant forward, no "replacement" vegan (i.e. burgers, Mac and cheese veganized).  Since I was solo, they asked me to sit at the bar.  The stools looked uncomfortable for my back and they were super close together.  I explained that I made an early reservation so I could have a table -- no problem (everyone was super nice).  I never would've asked before -- FS for another win.  

So cute!

Peach mocktail.

Local pickles and veggies.

Mushroom and polenta.
Incredible flavor.

Mocktail #2
Herb infused -- really unexpected flavor.

BEST DESSERT.
Pear cake with lime -- GF too.

The restaurant got full very fast because they had just changed to the fall menu and so many people were coming to try it.  A couple with a 5 month old baby got seated next to me.  It was a bit awkward because I felt like I was ease dropping on their conversation and it was hard to people watch without looking in their direction (my table was in the corner).  BUT ... I made a rule of no-phone scrolling during my solo meals.  Take pictures, call Uber, etc -- but don't hide with the phone.  I let the uncomfortable feeling be there and did my thing and it was fine.

As I was finishing up, I was talking to the waiter and Asheville came up.  Turns out the people next to me love Asheville and were going to a wedding next weekend.  We chatted vegan restaurants and had a nice 10 minute conversation.  Yea -- I got over the strange feelings and had a good night WITH a little stranger conversation too.  

Uber back and the driver spoke English.  First thing he said -- were you in that restaurant?? His mom loves vegan, but they go to another place in the city.  How did you ever find this?  He needs to take his mom.  AND he commented on how cool it was that I made my own little adventure.  I told him about my day and he explained the area I should explore on Sunday.  

I asked him about catching and Uber to and from the wedding and he said no problem.  It might take a bit to get an Uber back, but it'll be fine getting there.  Spoiler alert -- IT WAS NOT FINE haha!  Stay tuned for Day 3 recap.

The end of the evening felt like redemption.  I stuck with my plans -- some good, some not so good.  Made a point to ask for what I needed.  Let uncomfortable be there.  Got some "stranger" conversation connections.  Had a great meal at an off-beat restaurant.  Didn't buffer with alcohol or phone.  Didn't chicken out even when my adventure spirit fizzled out for a bit.

Next post (this is already too long) -- Sunday morning.  Later gators.