Four Days in Denver

For Thanksgiving, I took a trip to Denver, Colorado with my brother and cousin. We spent four days exploring the city and taking in the sights. Our main reason for traveling was to see the last home game for the University of Colorado Buffaloes. The trip included some stunning views, great food, and thrilling surprises. In this blog, I will provide a glimpse into our journey to the Mile High City.

Arrival

We arrived at Denver International Airport on Thanksgiving Day. The airport is the largest in North America and ranked one of the busiest airports in the world. Despite its enormity, we had a fairly simple time maneuvering to our Uber pickup spot. The ride to our Airbnb was about 25 minutes and allowed us to get a first taste of the breathtaking landscape. The area recently experienced snow and the Rocky Mountains stood tall in the distance. We stayed in the Highland neighborhood at the Sonder at Skyline. The neighborhood was very walkable with plenty of shops and restaurants. Furthermore, it was within walking distance of Empower Field at Mile High, home of the Denver Broncos.

Arriving on the Thanksgiving holiday, there was not much open. Fortunately, we brought some food my mom graciously prepared before we left. We did have a chance to explore the neighborhood and walk toward the South Platte River, which offered a nice view of the Denver skyline. After a long day of traveling, we rested in anticipation of game day at the University of Colorado Boulder. 

A shot from our scenic ride to Boulder

Game Day in Boulder 

The Colorado Buffaloes took on the Oklahoma State Cowboys for their last game of the regular season. It was an early kickoff at 10am on Friday. We had an early start and took a 30-minute ride to Folsom Field in Boulder, which offered some more enjoyable mountain views. We arrived at the campus early, so we took the time to briefly explore the city of Boulder. We got some breakfast and made our way back to the stadium in time to see warmups and the senior day festivities. Folsom Field is unlike any other sports venue I have seen. The stadium sits on a hill and offers a scenic view of the Flatirons and foothills of the Rocky Mountains. It was a brisk morning, and snow decorated the stands throughout the sections of the stadium. You could feel the energy of the game building before the first kickoff. We were able to witness Ralphie the Buffalo, the team's mascot, run around the field to introduce the home team. It was exciting to experience the atmosphere of one of college football's top-ranked programs. The Buffaloes showed out for their last home game winning 52-0 with exceptional performances from quarterback, Shadeur Sanders, and Heisman winner, Travis Hunter. I would definitely recommend checking out a game at Folsom Field. Be sure to come prepared if you attend later in the season. The stadium offers a lot of amenities, including Balch Fieldhouse, which provides a warm refuge during halftime with a variety of concessions. 

Our view of the CU game

A rooftop view of Boulder

After the game, we did some more exploring in Boulder. We walked toward Pearl Street Mall, a four-block pedestrian mall bustling with shops and restaurants. We stumbled across Avanti Food and Beverage, a modern food court, with an awesome rooftop terrace. After taking in the views, we bid farewell to Boulder. On our way back to Denver, we made a pit stop in Broomfield to try Outlaw Wings. The restaurant boasts an extensive menu of wing flavors including Blueberry, which was a first for me. We also tried the Buffalo and as North Carolinians, we had to try the Carolina BBQ. The wings were top-notch and for dessert, we tried the fried Oreos. After the grub, we headed back to Denver exhausted but satisfied after a day filled with food and football. 

Buffalo and Blueberry Wings

Red Rocks and Brunch with a Hoops Legend

On Saturday morning, we made our way to downtown for brunch. The restaurant we planned to check out had a long wait time, so we went to a nearby spot called The Delectable Egg. The food was delicious. I tried their Rooster's Suprise, with bacon, eggs, and a short stack of pancakes. While eating, we noticed NBA superstar, Russell Westbrook, enter the restaurant to place an order. My brother, cousin, and I are huge basketball fans, so it was surreal to see the future Hall of Famer currently playing for the Denver Nuggets. My cousin went up to him and asked if we could grab pictures. He was gracious and even offered my cousin who plays college basketball some advice. It was a good reminder that unexpected detours can lead to extraordinary destinations. 

My brother and cousin with NBA legend, Russell Westbrook

After brunch, we visited Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, about ten miles outside Denver. The name, which speaks for itself, aptly describes the open-air venue surrounded by natural sandstone formations. The stage has been graced by music royalty like The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Wonder. Even without its historical presence, the venue evokes a certain level of awe from its appearance alone. Quite a few people were out exploring the park and its trails, which had some spectacular views. We hiked around the venue and descended the steps toward the stage. I looked out at the view from the stage and tried to imagine what it would be like to be a performer. As a huge fan of music, I will definitely have to check out a show at Red Rocks one day to see the venue at its liveliest. 

A view of the Red Rocks stage

Adventures Downtown

With it being our last full day in Denver, we wanted to head back downtown to see more of the city. We stopped by the Denver Central Market, a food hall, in the River North Arts District (RiNo). We decided to try Vero Italian, which had some delicious brick-oven pizza. For dessert, I had some ice cream from High Point Creamery (I couldn't proceed without shouting out my hometown High Point, NC! Although it has nothing to do with the creamery lol). After eating, we walked around and looked at some of the many murals in RiNo. They definitely added a unique character to that section of the city. 

One of my favorite murals in RiNo

After walking some more, we noticed the Colorado State Capitol in the distance. The historic building faces the similarly regal Denver City Hall. While walking toward it, we noticed a large crowd of people walking to a park across the street. It looked like they were walking to some sort of festival. It turned out to be the Denver Christkindlmarket, an annual German-style holiday market. We perused the many stands in the market, while also admiring the stunning sunset over the capitol building. I tried the Glühwein, a traditional hot wine drink. It was tasty and definitely appreciated on a cold day. 

Awesome sunset over the Colorado State Capitol

Glühwein in the festive mug

A Delightful Farewell

Our flight was scheduled to leave late Sunday, so we decided to explore more of the city with our remaining hours. We made our way to Lower Downtown (LoDo) to check out some more sights, including Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies. We were able to peer inside the gates for a look at the ballpark. We also checked out Ball Arena, home of the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche.  Next, we ventured to the Cherry Creek neighborhood, which is located toward the center of the city. We had a chance to briefly stroll through Cherry Creek Shopping Center. The mall seemed very upscale and had many of the well-known luxury stores. We capped off our time with a meal at North Italia, an Italian restaurant in Cherry Creek, which has other locations nationally. I tried the house special, Bolognese, which was delicious. After our time in Cherry Creek, it was time to grab our luggage and head to the airport after a jam-packed memorable four days in Denver! I'm definitely looking forward to returning to Denver one day soon. If you have any recommendations in Denver or other parts of Colorado, feel free to let me know. Thanks for reading! 

"I love Denver" sign from the holiday festival

 

 

Classic Album Reflection: Pieces of a Man

 

 Once in a while, we come across art that encapsulates a moment in history. These works have the power to seemingly transport us to the period in which they were created, imparting the perspective of a time that we've never experienced. This is how I felt when I first heard Gil-Scott Heron's debut studio album, Pieces of a Man. Released in 1971, the album is a genre-bending 11-track journey containing elements of soul, blues, jazz, funk, and spoken word. Through each song, Scott-Heron melodically grapples with topics ranging from social inequalities to the personal struggles of addiction. The most widely known track on the album is the opening "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised", which has been immortalized for its poetic call to action. Scott-Heron has expressed that the song is about the change that you must make in your mind before you can change the way that you live. At the conclusion of this track, we transition into the serene “Save the Children”, one of my favorite songs on the album. The lyrics serve as a captivating plea to make the world a better place for the youth that follow in our footsteps. Scott-Heron sings “right now they seem to play such a small part of the things that they’ll soon be right at the heart of.” I appreciate the way in which Scott-Heron conveys emotion through his vivid lyricism. This emotion helps the listener feel the gravity of issues that he grapples with through each song. On the title track, “Pieces of a Man”, we hear a narrator recount the tumultuous experience of his father being laid off. He sings “I saw him go to pieces, he was always such a good man.” In the closing track, “The Prisoner”, Scott-Heron articulates the damage caused to a family when a man is “hounded by hatred and trapped by fear.” The song seems to describe both a literal and figurative prison that has left the man feeling unseen and unheard. When we consider the context in which Pieces of a Man was released in the early 1970s, the subject matter on this album is even more compelling. This period followed the strife of the 1960s and saw a carryover of the Vietnam War, the Black power movement, and the dawning of an economic recession. This atmosphere is conveyed through tracks like “A Sign of the Ages” and “The Needle’s Eye”. On the latter, Scott-Heron sings “All the millions spent for killing, seems the whole world must be dying; all the children who go hungry, how much food we could be buying.” The song captures the sorrow of someone observing these world crises with little power to change them. While societal issues are a prominent theme on the album, Scott-Heron also provides tracks that are more introspective. Songs like “Home Is Where the Hatred Is” and “I Think I’ll Call It Morning” paint the picture of a man seeking to find solace within his environment. We also get songs like “Lady Day and John Coltrane” and “When You Are Who You Are” that are both uplifting and reassuring. The breadth of emotions and subject matter on this album certainly fits the title. Pieces of a Man showcases the complexities within an individual just trying to make it through life. Scott-Heron demonstrates the ebbs and flows of the human experience through each track in a way that allows the listener to step into the world as he sees it. On “Or Down You Fall”, Scott-Heron sings “and now you know I’m only human instead of all the things I’d like to be, the world is just a simple circle, you’ve got to keep on turning.” These lines stand out to me because they demonstrate the power in learning the “pieces” of a person’s story. Through this learning we build a deeper appreciation of that person’s humanity. People, like the world, are much more complex than we perceive them to be.  Over 50 years later, Pieces of a Man contains messages that I believe can inspire and connect with people today. 

Book Reflection: Sixty-One

 

My latest read is Sixty-One: Life Lessons from Papa, On and Off the Court by Chris Paul. As a fellow Demon Deacon and native of the Piedmont Triad, I had to grab this one off the shelf. I'm glad I did because this turned out to be one of the most compelling books I have come across in a while. Sixty-One provides insight into the life of Paul and his relationship with his grandfather, Nathaniel "Papa" Jones. Papa, a business owner and pillar of his community, was tragically killed the day after Paul committed to play basketball at Wake Forest. Throughout the book, Paul recounts the formative experiences of time spent with Papa and how the lessons he imparted have influenced his journey. From childhood to his current status as an NBA superstar, Paul connects these valuable experiences to each of his endeavors. Sixty-One also develops with brief chapters that detail the game in which Paul scored 61 points in honor of his grandfather shortly after his passing. From reading, it's clear how Paul's legendary basketball career is a credit to the upbringing and community that raised him. Before he was known around the world as CP3, Paul was a kid in Winston-Salem helping out at his grandfather's service station. It was here that he picked up many of the values and work ethic that allowed him to flourish as an NBA player and philanthropist. Paul also provides glimpses into other impactful relationships in his life, such as his bond with Skip Prosser, who coached Paul at Wake Forest. I appreciated how this book was both reflective and forward-looking, as Paul seeks to pass the lessons he learned to his children and upcoming generations. These lessons include hard-work, compassion, and finding joy in service. Paul illustrates how these lessons can also help us overcome the collective battles we face as a society. Sixty-One is a testament to the fact that we stand on the shoulders of those that came before us. I recommend this book to anyone, even if you don't consider yourself a fan of basketball. Paul's story highlights the importance of role models and mentorship among youth. As someone that grew up in the 336, this book was a powerful read and new introduction to a hometown hero. 

Book Reflection: Vibrate Higher

 One of my most recent reads is the book, Vibrate Higher: A Rap Story, by Talib Kweli. If you're not familiar with Talib Kweli, he is a legendary hip-hop artist and host of the podcast, People's Party with Talib Kweli. The book is a memoir that documents Kweli's upbringing and career as an MC. The concept of "vibrating higher" is a theme that pervades throughout the book. It's all about being the best version of yourself, and recognizing the people, things, and environments that allow you to do that. In the book, Kweli traces his success back to the various people and places that allowed him to live out his career. We learn about his roots and how the New York hip-hop scene provided the training ground for him to develop his craft. He also acknowledges how failures and mistakes have played a critical role into where he is today. While reading, I appreciated the honesty and clarity with which Kweli wrote this book. He provides a great deal of social commentary on issues like gentrification, race, and politics. He talks about how he sees it as his duty to bring knowledge of these issues and the people's struggle into his music. The label of being a "socially conscious" rapper is something that he wears proudly and lives up to. Kweli writes about his experiences participating in the Ferguson protests of 2014 and meeting with President Obama to discuss mass incarceration. He does a great job of providing context and explaining these issues from every angle. Each story that Kweli tells makes you feel as if you were in the room. The book encourages you to reflect on the components of your life that help you vibrate higher. For me, I believe that is God, family, and exploration in regards to knowledge and experiences. I definitely recommend picking up a copy of Vibrate Higher, as it is a memoir that seeks to inform and inspire. Feel free to order using the link below. Thanks for reading! 

Vibrate Higher: A Rap Story: Kweli, Talib: 9780374283407: Amazon.com: Books

Book Reflection: Let Love Have the Last Word

How do you define love? It's one of those words that you can feel, but not be able to articulate. In his New York Times bestselling memoir, Let Love Have the Last Word, Common analyzes love from his perspective. He recognizes love as a powerful force that shapes the way we live. The book touches on different aspects of love including God's love, self-love, love of partners, and love of family. He defines love as a practice, something that requires time, effort, and attention. Common acknowledges that love is hard, and discusses his own shortcomings in giving love. It can be difficult to focus on love when there is so much negativity in the world. However, practicing love can serve as an antidote that can help us overcome these challenges. In some of the most impoverished places, love shines and helps people live enriched lives. As Common mentions, love requires us to be vulnerable and honest. It also asks us to listen and be patient with those we love. As humans, we crave love. It influences many of our actions and emotions, but yet we don't fully understand it. This book is powerful because it encourages us to do our own self-assessment of love in our lives. While reading, I often thought about how love has operated in my life. I realized that the people I love are those that have made the greatest impression on my life. They have invested love into me, and I can only hope that I have done the same for them. Love is strengthened when it is reciprocated. Though it may not solve all of our problems, leading with love is the way to ensure that we are on track for progress and healing. Let Love Have the Last Word is also a good read for artists, as it provides insight into Common's creative process. He describes creativity as a way to experience love through divine expression. Art requires us to be vulnerable and be comfortable exposing ourselves to the world. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It provides a great conversation about love in its many forms. It's not too often that you get to go inside of the mind of one of your favorite artists. If you want to check out Let Love Have the Last Word, feel free to order or preview using the link below. Thanks for reading!

Book Reflection: Shoe Dog

 

My latest read is Shoe Dog by Phil Knight, the creator of Nike. Released in 2016, this memoir chronicles the early days of the global multibillion dollar footwear and apparel brand. Knight takes readers back to 1962, when he was a recent college graduate seeking his purpose in the world. He dreamed of an extraordinary life where he could live out his passion and have a career that didn't feel like work. He embarked on a journey around the world, and began pursuing what he called his "crazy idea". When he returned from that trip, he began distributing shoes that he imported from Japan. He called his company Blue Ribbon, and partnered with his college track coach, Bill Bowerman. More than a business, Knight was looking to develop a lifestyle brand. His company would go on to transform the shoe industry and become a household name. In the book, Knight tells the stories that shaped the brand. Far from a smooth journey, the book is a testament to resilience and risk-taking. A "Shoe Dog" is someone who makes shoes, but finds a deeper meaning in their work. They see themselves as a part of each step a person takes in their shoes on the journey of life. Considering what Nike is today, it's hard to fathom the challenges that the company faced in its infancy. From lawsuits to federal investigations, the company almost didn't live to see its full potential. Even Knight acknowledges the pivotal role that luck played in Nike's success. Shoe Dog was a very uplifting read for me. Few people possess the audacity to chase their wildest dreams. Through Knight's memoir, we see how a shy kid from Oregon went on to develop a multinational corporation. I definitely recommend adding Shoe Dog to your reading list. You will be entertained, informed, and inspired. Feel free to order using the link below. Thanks for reading! 

Reflecting on My Trip to Kenya!

During the month of May, I was privileged to participate in the Community-Based Global Learning program in Kenya through my university. I, along with fellow students and staff, traveled to the East African country for an exciting two weeks of experiential education and cultural immersion. The trip was facilitated by EDU Africa, an organization that provides "transformative learning journeys" in various countries throughout the continent. Our journey provided an array of opportunities for learning, as the EDU Africa team had numerous experiences in store for us. We engaged in activities that allowed us to build meaningful relationships and engage with the people and places that we visited. I wish that I could bottle up my experience and sell it to you, but for now we'll have to settle with this blog post. In the following paragraphs, I'll provide you with some of the highlights from this amazing trip.

Prior to our arrival, each member of our group was given service-learning placements with one of three local organizations in the town of Limuru. These incredible organizations were Limuru Children's Centre, Limuru Cheshire Home, and Plants for Life. I volunteered with Plants for Life, which works in reforestation and environmental conservation at the campus of Brackenhurst, an international conference and learning center. It was a pleasure to connect with such passionate individuals, who were able to teach me a lot about the local ecosystem and the amazing power of plants that have aided mankind for centuries. The area we worked in had tremendous biodiversity, with both indigenous and exotic species of plants. We assisted in gratifying and fulfilling work, such as the collection and planting of seeds, landscaping, and helping children at a nearby school create a butterfly garden. We also participated in a tree planting venture of over 500 trees in the Kereita forest, which provides a water catchment area to help the local community attain water. It felt special to know that the work I was engaging in would yield results long after I had left.

When we weren't at our service-learning sites, we were engaging in activities that taught us about the rich culture and history of the area we were visiting. One such experience was listening to speakers from the Lari Memorial Peace Museum. They spoke to us about the Mau Mau Uprising, which helped bring about Kenya’s independence from Britain in the mid-20^th century. Two of the speakers were involved in the conflict and were members of the opposing sides, one having been a Mau Mau Freedom Fighter and the other a British loyalist. They talked about the destruction that the war had caused and how it divided the people. Further, they discussed their efforts to bring peace and unity once the country gained its independence. In order to unite, they had to see the humanity in people that they had previously saw as enemies. It was important for them to honestly deal with the past and to start working together for a brighter future. Since, the Lari Memorial Peace Museum has sought to preserve this history and to keep future generations from repeating past mistakes. I found the account of peacemaking to be inspiring, and one that should be shared around the globe. Hearing such a powerful lesson made this one of the most impactful experiences from the trip.

During the trip, it was great to spend time in the town of Limuru and being able to gain a sense of what everyday life is like in the community. Through some of our activities, we had opportunities to interact with members of the community and learn more about Kenyan culture. We participated in a market challenge, where we divided into teams to see who could bargain for the best quality produce. We had a cooking lesson with host families, who showed us how to prepare proper Kenyan cuisine. We toured a local tea farm, where we learned about the history and production of Kenya’s largest export. We dined at The Lake House Tigoni, a beautiful estate that provided magnificent views of the area. The most special activity we engaged in was putting on a sports day for children at Limuru Children’s Centre. We organized stations of soccer, dance, coloring, and jewelry making for the children to participate in. It felt great to spend time with them for an afternoon of fun and laughter. Through time spent in the community, we were able to learn a lot and create some of our best memories.

Halfway through the trip, we departed Limuru and headed westward to the Maasai Mara. It was a long and beautiful journey that allowed us to see the countryside, including a view of the Great Rift Valley. In the Maasai Mara, we were spending a weekend on safari and learning about the Maasai tribe. We stayed at the Naboisho Camp in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy, where we were provided a luxurious experience throughout our stay. We were led by Maasai guides, who possessed a wealth of knowledge about the land and the animals that inhabited it. I was amazed by the vast open landscape, which provided a great view of the sky and hills in the distance. While on game drives, we were fortunate to see a variety of animals and learn about their lifestyles and behavior. It was surreal, being so close to lions, giraffes, wildebeest, hippos, and many other species. One of my favorite moments was seeing a hungry lioness hunting for her cubs. We didn’t see her succeed, but it reminded me of the strength that mothers of all species exhibit to care for their young. At times on the drives, we would step off to eat and admire the view. On our first night, we found a clear area and viewed the Moon, which looked brighter than I had ever seen it before. The safari was a thrilling experience and a wonderful opportunity to see nature in its purest form. Also, while in the Mara, we were fortunate to be received at a Maasai village. While there, we spent time in homes and learned about Maasai culture. The people there were very welcoming and taught us a lot about their way of life. On our last day in the Mara, we visited the Maa Trust. The Maa Trust is an organization that engages in projects to conserve the environment and assist families in the community. We met women producing Maa beadwork, which has helped provide an impactful source of income for women in the area. It was special to see how they were creating a better future for themselves by incorporating traditional elements from their culture. Our weekend in the Mara had a lot to offer and was definitely a highlight of the trip. It was a dream worthy excursion, that our group would talk about frequently for the rest of our time in Kenya.

On our last day in Kenya, we were reminded to recognize our trip as a real experience. It seemed incredible that we were able to build relationships, create memories, and learn so much in the short time that we were there. During our final group reflection session, we shared our biggest takeaways from the trip. The lesson I shared was about the power of cross-cultural communication. Through interacting with the people there, I was able to experience the impact of trading perspectives with someone that comes from a different part of the globe. When respectful and honest, these conversations can make everyone involved a more enlightened individual. I enjoyed my time in Kenya, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in the Community Based Global Learning program. This trip provided me with unique experiences and helped me further my education as a global citizen.