Close Encounters in Denver

I’m a real people person. But I like being alone a lot, too. I often like traveling by myself, at least part of the time. Sometimes I just need to be on my own schedule without having to consider another’s wants or needs. I also have more encounters—interesting or otherwise—when I’m alone.

The Lobby at Denver’s Hotel Monaco

This turned out to be the case recently at Denver’s Hotel Monaco. I was to stay at this stylish hotel a couple of nights before flying out to the east coast. When I arrived, their wine hour was in full swing. I made a mental note to be sure to check it out the next evening. The hotel’s boldly colored lobby beckoned.

After the bellman provided me with a brief tour of the room, I noticed a goldfish in a big round bowl on the desk. I peered down at it and read the adjoining notice that talked some about the fish, its environment and what not to do to it. I learned that I was not to share the crumbs from my granola bar—or anything else—with it for example. I looked at it again and registered one thought: gimmicky.

Hercules and Friend

The next day was devoted to catching up with my laptop, so I ended up spending many, many hours in my room. I ducked out a few times to take a little walk and to run errands. Each time I welcomed some kind of contact with the outside world and was greatly rewarded by the warmth and affection of some of the hotel guests, namely the many four-legged ones I encountered that were leading their trendy looking masters around every turn. Being a big animal lover (and craving episodic interaction that day), I stopped many a pooch to coo and comment about the cuteness of these visiting pups. I met a nine-week old French bulldog, a Border Terrier, a Cocker Spaniel and Hercules, a Golden Shih Tzu that also happened to be the mascot and Pet Relations Manager of this super pet friendly hotel. I enjoyed my exchanges with these doggies more than the ones I experienced with my fellow two-legged guests.

A New Acquaintance

This contact made going back to my desk a lot easier. Then a funny thing happened. I noticed I was paying more attention to the fish. I found myself turning off the desk lamp for fear that it was too bright for it, and then I began to look down at it each time I returned and found myself saying hello. Once I even said, “Hi, I’m back.” I chuckled after that one but continued to become increasingly interested in this orangey-colored creature. I found myself gazing over at it periodically between paragraphs. I was becoming attached.

I worked a little more, then decided to head down to the wine hour where I found an attractive group of people sipping wine and mingling about in a highly convivial manner. Still, it seemed as though most were paired off or involved in their own little group of friends, so I zeroed in on the only apparent single man in the room and took the seat next to him. He presumably had already spotted me as well, so he wasted no time in chatting me up. He tossed a barrage of questions my way like a knife thrower at a carnival. I did my best to remain polite. Was this guy so incredibly dull that he had to know so much about my life? What about the art of revealing oneself slowly and skillfully, so that the other person quietly yearns to know more?

I sat back on the striped armchair and sipped my perfectly chilled Pinot Grigio. “Excuse me while I take a few notes,” I finally insisted as I looked around at the whimsical décor. I loved the Big Top feel of this hotel. Normally I would have shared this thought and many more with someone over wine, but in this case I thought it best to remain silent. He searched for more. I said nothing hoping he’d take this as a sign. He didn’t.

“It was nice meeting you, but I have to get back to my fish,” I said as I stood up to leave.

At least that wasn’t a lie. I did have much more work and I knew that that sweet fish would keep me company all evening. I said goodbye to my little guy when I left the next morning. If I ever stay at the Monaco again, I’m sure next time I’ll get around to naming him.

Hotel Monaco Denver, 1717 Champa Street at 17th, 800-990-1303 and 303-296-1717, www.monaco-denver.com