Moving during the Corona Virus.

We decided to move away from Texas, amidst all the Corona Virus trouble.

November flew by. I was not expecting to go that fast. I hoped it was going to be a quick month, as with all the move from Austin, while staying a whole month at the Airbnb, I expected the days to drag. It was the opposite. 

We arrived Denver on November 7th, exhausted after driving from Texas, which is about 18 hours total coming from Austin. We did a few stops because Josh was the only one driving the truck, with all of our stuff and energy inside of it. Including his 500 lbs motorcycle and dolly pulling the car. I did the entire trip looking at my mirror, making sure the car was still there. Like if it wasn’t, I could just yell “Stop the truck! We need to rescue our car!” I was tense in every turn, and parking the vehicle was another nightmare. 

Amarillo, Texas

On our first stop in Amarillo, after 8 hours of driving, we couldn’t find a place to eat, I’m not sure if its because of Corona, or because Amarillo is the type of town where everything close early, no matter what. The open places, we didn’t have a place to park. I hangry, nervous and a bit scared, if I dare to say. Everything in Amarillo felt kinds of eerie.

Being the writer I’m, I immediately started plotting about possible ghosts and creepy stories. We ate at Sonic. You know when you are so hungry, if you bite a rock, it probably tastes good? Same with that food. 

Colorado Springs, Colorado

The next day we continue our trip to Colorado Springs, our second stop. Fewer hours on the road, a better hotel. We were finally out of Texas! Texas is such a big state that, depending on where you at, it takes you 10 hours to go across the state line.

A front desk crew told us about the Indian Restaurant, super popular among the hotel guests. It was about 2 minutes of walking. Look, I love food and talking about food, so this might be long paragraphs. It might make you hungry too. 

Josh was voted the favorite doctor of the place he works, The Joint Chiropractic, so we decided to celebrate. Usually, to save some money, we get a plate and an appetizer and share.

This time I had a few reasons to celebrate: Josh is the favorite doctor, among all the doctors from the entire country among The Joint Chiropractic clinics. Second: we were out of Texas! And three we finally have a decent place to eat! That’s a reason to celebrate! At least for me! 

Indian Cuisine? Yes, please!

I went all in, I got the naan bread,  the lamb chop curry, the beer, and Josh got the curry.  I was eating for an hour after he was done. I eat slowly, so I can eat more. I take breaks, drink the beer, talk, talk some more. Having dinner with me is an experience and a test for your patience. 

The restaurant is super cool and it was empty. We sat facing the kitchen and we could see the kebabs stick as it was prepared. At the same time, I enjoy it, it gives me a little bit of anxiety, as I was previously a food ambassador (Server). I love Indian cuisine, because of all the spices and herbs they use to season their food. It feels authentic and full of flavor, so I took my time eating. 

Every time the server passed by the table, I informed him I was still working on it. I worked on my food for a good two hours. I had to go for a walk after eating, so we walked around to the mall about 10 minutes away from the hotel. 

Denver!

Our last part of the trip was the shortest. Colorado Springs is only one hour and a half away from Denver. I guess the worst part was yet to come: moving all of our stuff into the storage unit and head over to the Airbnb.

It took us about 4 hours to unload everything and we left the motorcycle inside, as we had to drop off the truck in a different location. Josh forgot the motorcycle keys, inside of the car, who was parked in the drop-off location. A whole mess and I don’t remember exactly how it happened.

After getting to the Airbnb we went to a Korean BBq called DaaGee, close to the house. They were measuring everyone’s temperature, you were not allowed to take your makes if you were not eating and you could only stay for two hours. Uh oh.

Since I hadn’t eaten anything since breakfast, so I went full-on. Again. This time I stopped before Josh, I guess I was too tired to focus on my food. 

Welcome to the new normal

Denver has been great so far. The Airbnb is located close to Regis University and it is closed to all kinds of restaurants, cafes, and bars. I went to Downtown Denver, on the coldest day so far, with the wrong coat and it only took me 30 minutes to get there. It fell much longer because I was freezing at the bus stop.

A few days ago it snowed and I had a blast. I’m from Brazil and we don’t have snow there, so every time I get a chance I incorporate Elsa and let it go. I made some videos of my 35 years old silly face playing around like a child. 

Next week we move to the apartment. We are downgrading from what we had in Austin, to a 1 bedroom apartment. Why would I pay for amenities I won’t be able to use, like the pool, the Gym, and the entertainment center? Also, because here in Denver the same size apartment with 2 bed/2 baths would cost us about 1.800 plus utilities. At this time, I rather have comfort of paying less over any luxury.

I’m grateful for having a place to live. Go back a few posts and read about my struggle a couple of weeks ago, when I realized I was blacklisted from one of the apartment complexes I lived in in 2016, which would not allow me to rent in some places here in Colorado.  Three weeks before moving here. You can read it more here “Dear 2020,I had enough!”

For the last week on the Airbnb, I will be cleaning, moving, and organizing the new place before we move there. The organizing part of it, I project will be the most difficult one, since I will need to find a spot to work and write. Maybe I will fit on the linen closet.

If you have any organizations tips, please let me know in the comments! I would love some help!

See you in a few days!

J.G.Snelly