First Impressions

My first week or so in Denver was a whirlwind of job searching, apartment hunting, and getting to know the lay of the land. I was immediately reassured of my decision to (somewhat spontaneously) relocate, as I began to explore my new city. Apart from the first few days, the weather was pure perfection--sunshine and pleasant temperatures. The climate here is quite variable; there is a vast difference in temperature when shifting between sunlight and shade, and weather can change drastically over night. As a result, I have learned the importance of dressing in layers. The higher altitude and dry air is also a game changer; staying properly hydrated is key.

My very generous sister and brother-in-law invited me to stay with them during this adjustment period. Downtown Denver is a sprawling yet walkable (and bikeable) area, consisting of several neighborhoods. Surrounding central downtown lies Anna and Alex's neighborhood of "LoDo" (lower downtown), Five Points, Uptown, Capitol Hill, and several other areas. There are several parks and trails scattered throughout the city, with the majestic Rocky Mountains always in view. In general, it seems a safe city, despite the large homeless population and the legalization of marijuana.

Within the past few years, the city has experienced an enormous increase in size. In fact, the percentage of "transplants" just recently surpassed that of natives. I suppose that I contributed to this statistic. In some ways, this population growth is beneficial to the city, though detrimental in other ways (i.e., traffic).

My first weekend in Denver was well-spent. I joined Anna and Alex on a morning hike in the nearby town of Boulder. Blue skies set the perfect backdrop to the ever-close mountains.







 I will admit that it was strange to hike in short-sleeved shirts through the snow. Nevertheless, the relatively easy hike was an appropriate level of difficulty for me, as I was still adjusting to the mile-high altitude. That being said, I expect much more hiking in my Coloradan future!

After the hike, we rewarded ourselves with beers and grub at Fate Brewery in beautiful downtown Boulder.

On Sunday, we participated in a local favorite: bar hopping around the city's numerous breweries. It was a hard event to pass up when so many bars have rooftop decks and are broadcasting Pittsburgh sporting games. I was pleased to meet several of Anna and Alex's friends, content on spending the day in the same low-key way as us.

My time here, of course, will not all be play. After a great interview with Whole Foods Market, I am eager to begin working as a cashier for the reputable company. I am excited to surround myself with people that are passionate about healthy foods and active, outdoor lifestyles. In addition, the opportunity will provide me the funds to cover my living expenses while I transition form pharmacy student to pharmacist. The apartment hunt was more challenging, until I determined the area where I wanted to live. Anna and Alex's neighborhood is urban and trendy, but a bit out of my price range. Therefore, I focused my search south of downtown, in the Cheesman and Washington Park areas. Just when I was beginning to loose hope, I stumbled across a tiny place close to Cheesman Park that was calling my name. I knew it wouldn't last, so I secured the deposit right in time for my parents to see, on their upcoming trip. I guess it's official--I'm moving to Denver!