Denver, CO
Trip Start
Jun 05, 2008
1
4
5
Trip End
Sep 04, 2008
Denver,
Colorado,
United States
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
We pulled into Denver mid morning and it took me approximately an hour to find the hostel (i use the term 'hostel' loosely on this occasion). The first problem i had with the hostel was that there was no staff around. There was a note on the door explaining there would be somebody returning at 4pm, which isn't good when you've spent most of the previous day in Vegas in 111 degree heat and then 15 hours on a bus!! I needed a shower. Badly!! Luckily a german girl had taken the lead and called the owner, who promised to come down and book us in. At least then we could dump our gear and get cleaned up!
I'm guessing that, as the only hostel i'd stayed in up to this point was the HI in Santa Monica, i'd been spoiled..... This place appeared to be more bomb shelter than hostel! The bunks were filthy, the lockers were old, small and flimsy, and the (only) bathroom had dried blood on the floor and obviously hadn't been cleaned in days. I made my mind up within about 15 minutes that i had no wish to be there. And not because it was so untidy, but because it was so insecure. Doors to the street were left open, which allowed access to lockers, and rear doors into the dorms were left open too, meaning anybody could get in and have a wander around! My immediate thought was to skip town straight away, but i eventually decided to see some of Denver and stay for two nights.
Denver itself is a very nice city. The main shopping area is known as the 16th Street Mall, which is a mile long, semi-pedestrianised high street. Shoppers are helped along their way by a free shuttle service that runs from end to end, allowing you to walk into the city centre, then catch a bus to whichever shop/restaurant you require. (I wish i'd known about this when i arrived with heavy rucksack in tow!) The only full day i had there i took advantage of the open air music festival that was taking place. We're not talking Glastenbury here, but any free music, along with ice cold Corrona can only be a good thing. America definately has the climate for this sort of thing, and they use it well. Most towns i've been to have had some sort of music show / open air festivities on over any given weekend. Denvers was a country show. Not my usual cup of tea, but when in Rome etc.....
I read somehere that Denver is the US's fastest growing major city. That's not a huge suprise, as from what i saw it has alot to offer. What i can't quite get my head around is the fact that it's in the middle of the desert, much like Las Vegas. Where do these places get their water from? Anyway, the last morning i was in town i found a gem. I got up an hour earlier than expected (my watch was set to California time, Doh!), so had time to kill before i headed to the bus station. I usually skip breakfast (especially when it's this hot!), but decided to sit down and grab a bite. At the top end of the 16th St Mall, tucked away down one of the side streets, i found the Delectable Egg restaurant. ( www.delectableegg.com ) This is a must visit if anybody heads out this way. The food was awesome, and the staff friendly and attentive. If the hostel had left a lasting negative impression of Denver, this place definately evened up the score and more besides. I left Denver thinking i'd probably not given it a fair shot, and that it was definately worthy of more time, especially a weekend. But anyhow, it was only a $4, 45 min ride up to Boulder, and i was quickly on my way.....
