Denver,CO.

I got up at a silly early time so I could catch my bus to Denver. The previous nights rain had changed to snow and there was now about six inches of the stuff on the ground, a winter storm warning in place and the promise of another foot of snow to come. Kate had already left the house and had reached her university office so I knew that the buses were still running. Michelle advised that it was better to take a late morning bus as any problems would hopefully have been ironed out. This is what I planned to do. I got to the bus station no problem and found out that the buses were running pretty much as normal. I went to buy a ticket but the lady was busy and the security guard decided to help me. He said that there was a bus just about to leave, I didn't think I could make it as I needed to get change for the fare and had to run to the bathroom. Anyone who knows me, knows how important it is to me to be within a reasonable distance of a bathroom at all times. I knew that the bus didn't have a bathroom, so it could become an issue! The guard said he would have the driver hold the bus for me, I got my change, in RTD tokens, went to the bathroom and then ran for the bus. It was still there, I ran on, asked the driver how many tokens I needed, he wanted to get away so said we should sort it out later. I found a seat and sat back to enjoy the ride.
There wasn't much to enjoy, the windows had all steamed up and I couldn't see out. It was hard to know when we actually left Boulder as Boulder and Denver seem to be linked by park and ride car parks. And of course, I couldn't see anything. That wasn't too much of an issue as the bus driver announced all stops and pretty much there was always someone getting on or off. I was due to get off at Union Station in Denver and then had to catch the light rail to Katies neighbourhood. I knew my stop was coming up, I had worked out what my tokens were worth and how many I needed to give the driver. Let it be known that I was ready to pay my bus fare. My stop arrived, I grabbed my rucksack and headed off the bus, the bus driver wished me a good day and all but pushed me off the bus. So much for paying. Maybe I was getting a by because of the horrible weather and my cute British accent. Although I don't think the accent plays a part here, everyone seems to think that I am Australian. I am not too insulted by this, but ecstatic either.
I was still in a full blown storm when I got off the bus, it seems that American weather forecasters are more reliable than their British counterparts. They had predicted this, the only real problem for me was that the storm was predicted to continue until Thursday night.I crossed the road to the light rail station, I spent a few minutes trying to work out where I was going and how much it would cost and missed a train. Unfortunately for me the next train wasn't for another fifteen minutes and there was no where to stand and get out of the weather. I was feeling pretty miserable at this point. I got the train and with a couple of changes arrived at Katies local station. I called her and she kindly said she would come and get me. I spent another miserable few minutes trying to escape the howling wind. I can handle a lot of things, but rain or snow coupled with wind is not one of them.
Katie arrived, I dumped my bag in the back of the car and we were off. we went straight to "Hansons" a local bar/restaurant and sat down for lunch. I was hungry and cold and a beer sounded like exactly what I needed. It was also just plain nice to be out of the weather. It was great to see Katie again, I hadn't seen her since she had left Hokkaido three years previously. It was like it was yesterday, we played catch up. Katie is now an elementary school teacher and generally enjoying it. I was not looking forward to going outside again, we discussed what to do. I suggested that we go back to her apartment and hole up for the day. Katie agreed and we went to the local grocery store to stock on supplies. Of course the supplies did include wine and chocolate, very necessary to an afternoon/evening spent at home.
We went back to her place, I would like to say that we opened the wine straight away, but being British I needed tea, After a cup of tea the wine was opened. We settled down to watch a chick flick and then another, all the while catching up. It was hard for me to remember who Katie would have met in Japan, who we knew in common. This didn't stop me telling her about the people who had arrived after she had left. As the afternoon slipped into evening we broke open the cheese and crackers. We were both still full from lunch and so didn't feel the need for a proper dinner. Katies neighbour Kavi came round and we play "Scattergories". I lost!! It was an excellent first day in Denver despite the weather.
We hadn't set an alarm so I woke feeling refreshed and actually ready to get out of bed. A look out of the window revealed a winter wonderland landscape. There was at least a foot of snow everywhere, I wasn't feeling the snow love. I don't have the clothing to deal with this weather. And I am feeling a bit dislocated. Normally at this time of year I am waiting and praying for snow. My snowboard is out of the cupboard and ready to go, I've checked my winter gear and am already wearing my long underwear. I am ready for six months where I will wear fifty layers of clothing at all times, including when I have a shower! O.K. so maybe fifty is a bit of an exaggeration, but not much. This year I just don't know where I am going to be or what I am going to be doing. I don't know how much slope time I am realistically going to get. And if I can afford as much slope time as I would like. I know,I know, glass half full and all that. My glass is more than half full and I should just enjoy my trip. And if the first part of my trip is anything to go by it will all work out anyway.
We headed out of the house to a coffee shop just one block from Katies apartment and had breakfast. I had a breakfast burrito, which was so good. We wandered around the neighbourhood, getting a bit of exercise and then went to Katies friends house to pick up a pair of snow shoes for me. I had sold my snow shoes when I had left Hokkaido and even if I hadn't, I wouldn't have them with me. We went back to Pearl St and went for coffee, a tough morning I know. I don't think either of us was ready for another hibernation day, so we went to the Denver Museum of Art. As we walked through town we walked past the Denver capital building, I had to have my photo taken, especially at the "mile high" sign. Denver is exactly one mile above sea level, apparently. Katie is a member of the museum, so she was able to get me in for free, my favourite word. The museum is divided into two buildings. The newer,more modern building was designed by a Japanese architect and is a collection of triangles. It doesn't sound amazing, but it is. I love it when you go to an art museum, well any museum really and the building housing the collections is just as beautiful as the artwork inside. It seems to me to be a reminder that art is not just something that you put on your wall, but something that can be functional and a part of our everyday life.
We spent the whole afternoon in the museum and only left as it was closing at 5pm. Since we were due to meet some of Katies friends at 6pm, this was perfect. We caught the light rail back to Pearl St and walked to the pub, named "Pub on Pearl", original. We were a little early for the $5 all you can eat wings, but the happy hour had started so it was beers all round. We were joined by several of Katies friends and as the bar was busy we couldn't all sit together. After the happy hour had finished Katie and joined the others in the back room of the bar for some beer pong. Katie and I lost, but I don't consider it losing as we got to drink more beer than the other team. We were lucky enough to get a lift home and so to bed. The snow was due to stop the next day, we would see.