I’m not sure I know how to write this post on Denver, how to properly show my appreciation for the place that just wowed me over the weekend. But I know the attempt is always worth it.

Growing up in Park City, Denver has always seemed like a sister city in a sister state, a larger version of our mountain town that would one day inevitably become a place I’d love. Colorado seems to have everything great about Utah and then some, and while I only spent three days there this weekend, Denver more than met my expectations. The buses were simple, the people friendly, the mountains beautiful and the youthful vibe of the LoDo district addicting. My first time in the Denver was definitely a success, and while my knowledge of this city is obviously limited, in three days Denver managed to show me more magic than many other cities have in 3 weeks.

Here are a few of the free things I did this weekend, but there are zillions of others that I can’t really express or didn’t get to (play chess in the street, free museum days, explore the state capital). I may not know much about my future, but I do know that going back to Denver will be part of it.

#1: The DIA. Denver’s International Airport is the stuff of legend, and I’m not only saying that because I’ve spent the night there twice. Remember like ten years ago when you could walk to the gates and hang out in the airport just because? Well while you still can’t get all the way to the gates, at the DIA you can actually get pretty far, crossing bridges (the only bridge in the world that crosses an active airfield) and wandering shops well before you’re stopped by security checkpoints. Without a plane ticket you can peruse a guitar from Stevie Nicks or a board from Tony Hawk, stop by an Islamic prayer hall or view some Japanese garden photographs, partake in prime window shopping or perfect your people watching. Sure it’s a bus ride form the city, but for a free adventure the time to the airport is worth it. What else would you rather do on a lazy Saturday?

#2: The Coors Brewery Tour. Only a few minutes outside of the city, Golden Colorado is the home of the Coors plant and it’s infamous FREE BEER TOUR. Yes, if you show up, show your ID and smile for a cheesy beer hat wearing photo they’ll let you tour the facility and end up in the free beer lounge. Many people even opt to skip the tour and head straight to the lounge, though you’ll miss the free samples and interesting beer facts on the way. The glasses of beer were generous and we didn’t even stay for our second or third seeing as we had other places to be. But next time I’ve got some time in Denver, I’m heading back to the lounge – free beer should never be denied.

#3: Bus Stop Conversations: I know I know, I’ve already explained to you the beauty of talking to strangers but I can’t help but reiterate it again here. If you’re bored or lonely or broke or anything all you have to do is walk outside and start a conversation with a stranger and your day will be brighter. I was waiting for the bus to the airport when an older woman joined my bench and started telling me about her day. I listened, choosing to participate instead of ignoring her like a large part of me wanted to. She’d had a rough day, her car was rear ended and her nephew had just been arrested for something or other, but she stayed positive, sharing that she was taking the day one step at a time and trusting that things would right themselves when they could. We continued our talk on the bus and when we parted a half hour later she thanked me for listening, taking both my hands in hers and looking me in the eyes and saying, “Bless you.”

Bless you. They’re simple words really, often used to cover a sneeze or because you’re supposed to at church, but when this woman looked at me and said them I knew she meant the sentiment, that she genuinely appreciated me and was glad we’d met. I hope you have a moment like this in your life, where a stranger or someone you’ve recently met looks into your eyes and genuinely wishes absolute and complete happiness for you. After she left I cried, of course, because that is how all my emotions come out lately (Sarah knows what I’m talking about), but I’ll never forget that moment I shared with her, a random occurrence that I so easily could have missed. I’m so grateful I didn’t.

Bargain Bonus:

The Arts Complex alone is worth checking out (what is better than all different types of theatres all next to each other!?), but if you have some free time and a bit of cash to spend I highly recommend heading to the Buell theatre two hours before a show starts to try your hand at winning $25 day of show tickets. The short wait passes easily as you wander the Complex, exploring only a handful of the opera, ballet or black box theatres before you crowd around to hear whose names are drawn from the raffle.

We went on a Sunday morning to attempt to see a sold out matinee of the touring Book of Mormon, waiting only a few minutes before they started to choose 12 names out of the 75 or so who showed up. We knew it was a long shot but seeing as my cousin’s apartment was only a few blocks from the theatre (and campus and the best part of downtown and everything awesome ever) we decided it was worth a shot. When my cousin’s name was called we both jumped up and down screaming like we’d won the lottery, running to the front of the crowd to claim our 2 front row center tickets for $25 each.

Seeing the Book of Mormon was more than worth the cost and risk, turning out to be surprisingly sweet and profound for a show written by the same people who thought of Christmas Poo. And after giving the cast a standing ovation we watched the sun set over the mountains from the Complex’s patio, walking past the two stars of the show as they debated where to grab a bite to eat. It was a perfect day and a perfect weekend; Denver showing me that good things happen when you go outside and interact with the world.

So many other magical things happened that weekend like running into an old Utah friend out dancing at a Western/pop bar (Wagon Wheel is definitely one of the best songs ever), waking up early to play with a curious kitty, exploring campus rooftops, learning about architecture, cuddling up for a lazy afternoon of pizza and movies, and we even went to a place that served apricot mead! I had great talks with my cousin and her roommate, making new friends and reconnecting with old ones, and when I found out my 99 year old grandpa had died that weekend I couldn’t even be sad. I just felt so … blessed. He had an unbelievable life and so far I have too. Death sucks. But life is completely worth it. Thanks Denver, I’ll be back.