I set my alarm for 930am central, and I woke up not terribly hungry. It is unclear which time zone my body clock is on at this point, so I decided not to force food down. Furthermore, the Even hotel did not have a complimentary breakfast, and it was 20 degrees out. Around noon it was expected to finally break 30ยบ, so it was around this time that I ventured out for a “brunch” of sorts. The nearby 11-Worth Cafe had good reviews, so I gave it a try. I should have known what I was in for when the clientele and servers all looked very well fed. I ordered an omelette, which came with hash browns and pancakes. It was supposed to be a single pancake, but the kitchen decided to give me extra. Everything was massive. The hash browns were the size of a Chipotle burrito (fork shown in picture for scale). If the Even Hotel had a personality, it would be shaking its head and folding its arms as if to say, “Tsk tsk,” like a disapproving mentor. It goes without saying that I ate everything.
I ventured outside once again, and the temperature was manageable, though I had to keep my gloved hands in my jacket pockets or they would freeze. I walked through the entirety of downtown Omaha, where I observed absolutely nothing. You will recall my posts about Wichita and everything being closed. This was a minor step up, as I did occasionally see people and cars, and there was a Subway that was open, but as a whole it was a virtual ghost town. After a few miles of walking I made it to the riverfront, an area that is currently under renovation. They are attempting to revitalize this area and make it more “fun” and put in outdoor cafes and brewpubs and things the kids like. I did see a few people trying to brave the cold temps by running along the bike paths near the river, but I could have counted them all on one hand.
I eventually wound up at the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. I walked across the river to Iowa and then back again. Take that judgy Even Hotel! Did YOU walk to Iowa and back? No! You’re a building! After another few miles, I finally made it to a Walgreens. Let that sink in for a minute. I had to walk through the entirety of downtown Omaha to find a basic convenience store. I needed a sewing kit to repair a button on my uniform epaulette, and the Even Hotel did not have such things. While they had exercise balls in the room, and various strength training apparatus, they did not having sewing kits. In any event, I walked about 7.5 miles today, which burned off about 10% of my brunch at the 11-Worth Cafe.
I did look through the in-room fitness guide and tried my hand at some of the exercises, but felt very silly doing so. Nevertheless, I have provided documentation of this for you to see the absurdity of it all. And with that we bid good night to Omaha, the city that never woke up.
