Monday, December 31, 2012: Here’s to a New Adventure

Monday, December 31, 2012: Here’s to a New Adventure

Sunset coming into Denver

I’m back on the road, starting the new year doing what I love best, experiencing the world in all its wonder.

I’m in downtown Denver, just having settled into my room at the Melbourne Hostel. What a day it’s been. It didn’t begin as I’d planned, and it held more surprises than I’d imagined.

 

The day began with an adjustment in plans. I was telling my dear friend Jesse last night that I wanted to get on the road this morning by 4 or 5 a.m., and he asked if I really wanted to start my vacation by getting up so early on very little sleep. (I, of course, wasn’t packed until around 1:30 this morning.) I realized I didn’t have to start so early, even if it meant a long day on the road and getting into Moab much later than I’d intended. So I slept in a bit, unhurriedly finished loading the last few items in the car, and hit the road about 10 a.m.

My room at the Melbourne

I soon realized many things would have to be adjusted. I realized I wouldn’t be able to get to REI before they closed early for the holiday, as I wouldn’t get into Denver until around 6 p.m. I also realized I was exhausted and wouldn’t be able to make the whole drive to Moab safely. So I searched for hostels on my phone, and found one in Denver that had an opening. The cost was a very reasonable $22/night for a dorm bed, and I reserved a room.

I pulled in front of the hostel about 6:30. In heart of downtown Denver, it didn’t look like a great part of town. I had to park on the street, but did find a place immediately across from the front door. I couldn’t help but wonder if my stuff would be safe in the car. I could bring in my computer and valuables, but all my camping gear would have to be left, just sitting in the car. I sat there, looking at the people milling around the bar next to the hostel, wondering if I should revamp my plans and look for an inexpensive hotel room instead. I sat until I knew to just go in and check it out.

The woman working at the desk was very nice and I decided I might as well give it a try. The hostel was old but clean, and it was teeming with fellow travelers. The woman at the desk said the dorm room only had one other occupant, so I decided to stay. After checking in, I asked about a place to walk and have dinner. She suggested the Mercury Café, just down the block, so I headed down to it.

There were no other businesses on the block, and the Mercury’s  green awning sported stars and moons and beckoned invitingly. I walked in to a fabulously, festively decorated dining room. The staff and many of the patrons were wearing holiday gear, and I was asked if I had a reservation. Realizing I was wearing a hoody I’d smeared mustard on, my jeans and hiking boots, I started to back out, apologizing for my attire. The hostess enthusiastically encouraged me to stay, saying it didn’t matter what I was wearing. So I stayed, asking to sit at the bar to eat. As I walked to the bar, under the strung lights, balloons, and past a tarot card reader, I felt I was in some magical place. And that’s exactly what the Mercury Café is. Proof it’s magical? Even the  wonderful woman who owns it looks the part with long, gray hair, topped with a beret and who proclaimed, in a fabulous poem, that her favorite number is 13.

I decided on a few specials of the night – an appetizer called "Moon Dog Farms Jerusalem Artichokes"  and the chili rellenos – made specially only once a year. Both were fabulous. And the food served there is all organic, because "organic food is your birthright" according to the menu. But this was just the first of the surprises in store. As I was eating my dinner, a couple sat down next to me and we struck up a conversation. They told me that upstairs there was an “Erotic Poetry Reading” about to start. I couldn’t believe my good fortune. I finished my meal and headed up to the next level, which was even more magically constructed. The seating was a combination of tables, theatre seats, and folding chairs. Belly dancers gyrated in the aisles as I was stopped by the doorman who collected the $6 cover charge. He explained the evening – after the poetry reading there was a dance with live music. I decided I’d just stay for the poetry and found a chair.

Enviro Toilets!

The poets were some of the strongest performance poets I’ve ever seen and heard. All of the poetry was, of course, erotically themed, and there was a lot of laughing and joy as these bards performed. It lasted more than two hours, and halfway through there was a ten minute intermission with more belly dancing.

After I returned back to the hostel, I had just settled in after texting everyone Happy New Year’s at midnight Iowa time, was getting ready to sleep, and heard fireworks marking the turn of the year Mountain time. I sat up, looked out the window, and there, perfectly placed between two high buildings, was a fabulous fireworks display. I watched until the last flash of light, then turned over and went to sleep.

What a magical night and what a way to send out one of the best years of my life. Here’s to another great one in 2013. If this is any indication, it’s going to be one helluva ride!