Paris in Denver

We've spent quite a bit of time creating our own private Idaho.  Or, in our case, Paris in Denver.  We downsized, began taking public transportation, explored the common spaces in our beloved city of choice, and found the best crêpes, espressos and Parisian sandwiches there are to be had.

Turns out, with space at a premium in downtown Denver, we pay about what we would pay to have a similar apartment in Paris.  Ok, maybe ours is larger.  But still, 2 BR, 2BA with a postage stamp balcony, walking distance to Denver's "Restaurant Row" and to the iconic Brown Palace Hotel with high tea is a far cry from our old place near Cheesman Park.

We strive to be energy efficient.  We replaced all of our bulbs with high performing Philips low energy, 25 year bulbs.  We drive smart cars on a car share program, or lease cars by the hour.  We take light rail and buses when possible.   And we can literally walk 3 blocks to the free mall ride, hop that to Union Station and take a light rail train or passenger train to just about anywhere.  In another year, we'll be able to take that train to the airport at DIA and be able to wheel our little suitcases from our apartment all the way to Paris.  That's the dream come true!

In the meantime, we go to the Denver 16th Street mall, ride the free ride, and step off at Crêpes and Crêpes for a Swiss and Jambon crêpe and a nice Lavazza Espresso.  As an alternative, we can walk three blocks, take the free ride to Union Station and enjoy the ambience and European-like social commons while having a nice Parisian sandwich from the Mercantile with butter, brie and ham on a baguette.  Just like the Paris train station offering!

In case you hadn't noticed, food is associated with place in my mind.  It's one of the things that Richard and I share.