Tea House and Chautauqua, Colorado

Monday is my last day in the US and with Peggy and we take a drive downtown for lunch in a very interesting restaurant. This is an authentic Tajikistan tea house. It was presented to the city of Boulder by the citizens of Dushanbe, Tajikistan as a result of a post Cold-War partnering between the two cities. The tea house arrived in 200 crates and was reconstructed in its new location by craftsmen from Dushanbe. It is now a very popular restaurant and tea house. The decoration inside and outside is beautiful and colourful.

Lunch in the Tea House

Tea House Statue

Tea House Decoration

After lunch we drive a short distance to a site on the edge of the city that is close to the Flatirons where there is a preserved Chautauqua – one of only 3 left in the country. I had no idea what this is and had never heard of it before. ‘Chautauqua’ was a mass educational and cultural movement that started in New York in 1876 and quickly swept across the States to 10 000 communities. It held the belief that nature could uplift the heart and the mind. In 1898 the residents of Boulder purchased 70 acres here and it was used in the beginning as a tented summer school for Texan teachers and developed into a site with communal wooden buildings and individual cabins where people would come for the summer for wholesome play and self-development. President Teddy Roosevelt described Chautauquas as, ‘The most American thing in America.’ Troops of educators and entertainers travelled the country visiting the Chautauquas, and exposing people to prominent speakers, educators, artist and entertainers at a time when less then 2% of adults had degrees.

We wander around the site, which is a lovely living museum. An extensive concert programme still runs here through the summer and people come and stay in the little cabins to enjoy the site and access the natural environment for hiking and climbing in the Flatirons. A sign explains: ‘Since 1898 this campus has demonstrated a unique western expression of the ideals of the Chautauqua Movement (1874-1930): learning for all; uplifting entertainment and useful leisure in a natural and inspiring setting.’

Me and the Flatirons

Flatiron

Dining Hall

Auditorium

1898 Cabin

So I have come to the end of my short stay with Peggy. She has been a great host – fun, enthusiastic, energetic yet relaxed and informative – and a great ambassador for the United States. I have learned so much about the country, the state of Colorado and about Boulder and its surroundings.

I have also enjoyed the home comforts of staying in her lovely house. I have had my own bedroom and bathroom, which has been a wonderful luxury that I haven’t experienced since I stayed with Debbie in Hong Kong last October.  There have also been many occasions, such as right now, that I have sat comfortably on the sofa, with a glass of wine close to hand, while fantastic smells and amiable creative sounds drift out of the kitchen as Peggy and her son Adam work together to produce creative and tasty meals - bliss.

I hope that I have the opportunity to return the favour after Peggy retires at the end of the year. I can promise the fun, energy and enthusiasm, but will have to swot up on my general knowledge, political and social history in order to be as informative as she is!

Peggy and Adam in the Kitchen