2nd Week in Denver

Hello from very, very rainy Denver, Colorado!

I am wrapping up my second week in the city and things are going not the best, but not the worst!

Bad things about this week:
Got fired from my side-gig for no clear reason! Fun!
Had to change my stay in Denver from 90 days to 60 days (see reason above!)
Still struggling with really bad allergies and headaches that are not improving (fun!)

Good things about this week:
I found some properly seasoned food!
I did not get fired from my main job, so I still have money!
I have lost another 1 lb.!
My cat is still alive and well!
The AirBnB host was super understanding about me needing to change my reservation
I got to see “The Odyssey”!
I am still trying to make the best of being here!

On to some pictures to share some of the things I did and saw this week!

This face pretty much sums up the whole week…a mix of defiance and “you’ve got to be kidding me.”

I tried In and Out Burger for the first time. It was just ok BUT at least it was cheap! I got a single patty meal and it was only $8.88 if I remember correctly. Expensive for what it was but cheap in comparison to a lot of the food I have eaten whilst here. I am not sure why the line was around the building because I did not find the food to be amazing. It was pretty good and the service was great. But I will likely never seek out this establishment again.

I bought a new purse from an outlet mall! This cute little bag will be useful for when I go to shows in the near future. I am excited to have a new Kate Spade to add to my collection.

Image of a number and receipt from the Milano Belmar spa.

I went to get a pedicure at the Milano Spa in Belmar. It was an ok experience, much like all of the experiences I’m having in Denver so far. Not great, not terrible, just ok. Maybe even a smidge above OK. I am a teacher, so I would grade this experience a B-. The technician was really distracted with texting and just bailed on me after the service. She never came back to help me put my shoes on, which I have never experienced before. The shoes were fiddly to get back on myself, but I did it.

When I left, the cashier asked about my experience. Not wanting to get the young lady in trouble, I said “It was just okay” lol. If I wrote a book about my experience this time in Denver, I think the title would be “Denver: It is Just Okay.” LOL.

Well, the cashier didn’t like that I did not have an all-star experience and he called another manager over to discuss. Hopefully she will receive a little training and be better for the next customer.

Image of the Rocky Mountains in the far away distance

I don’t remember where this was, but this was one of the few times I’ve been able to see the mountains since I have been here. The haze is obscuring the view (and the breath trying to get into my body through my nostrils).

Image of an antique car with a black body and white top

I thought this car was super cool. I don’t know what that white, round part attached to it is used for. If anyone knows, please comment and tell me!

Image of the Ho Mei restaurant sign in Denver, CO

Image of food from Ho Mei restaurant in Denver, CO

I found a cheap and tasty Chinese food place. The food was pretty good, albeit a tiny bit bland. All of this food plus a bottled drink was less than $10, so I might hit this place up again one day soon.

Image of author standing outside of a Belmar, CO movie theatre

I finally made it to see “The Odyssey”! Boy, it was good and other than having to pee two times, it did not feel like the movie was 2.5 hours long. I also got a really good parking spot this day and now have a crush on Matt Damon. I bet he’d totally stab a cyclops in the eye for any of us. I’m sure he’s a true humanitarian.

Image of mountains in the far away distance

Driving from the movie theater in Belmar, CO, I also glimpsed a view of the mountains! Belmar is a cute area with a small downtown area that has lights strung above the roads.

THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK: EATING AT THE WELTON CAFE

The author's selfie in front of artwork at Welton Cafe in Denver, CO

Large scale wall art at Welton Cafe in Denver, CO

The Welton Cafe did not disappoint! The portion was a bit small, based on Texas serving sizes, but the food was so, so, so tasty (see evidence of damn-near empty plate). I cannot recommend this place highly enough. The service was also AMAZING. Welton’s also serves a few flavors of Kool-Aid, with Red and Purple being two of the flavors. All the Black American kids who grew up in the hood with Boomer parents will know why those flavor names are funny and cheeky.

This place is in an area called Five Points, which is a historically Black area of Denver. Five Points, like all parts of Denver that I have seen, was beautiful and clean and peaceful. 10/10 experience. No notes! 100% A+!

Cool artwork and historical building across the street from the Welton Cafe.

Ok friends! Despite a challenging week of not feeling well physically and now financially, I am hanging in there and I am committed to making the best of the remaining six weeks of my time here in Denver, CO.

The four weeks that I spent in Shreveport, LA absolutely FLEW by, so I think the time here in Denver, CO will fly by as well. If you’re reading this before September 2026, drop me a comment and leave me some of your recommendations for things to see and do in Denver, CO.

I plan to ride the train to the top of Pike’s Peak (perhaps next weekend) and do as many memorable things as possible.

xoxo, Nicole