Dear Readers,
My sincerest apologies about my ventures. The day in which I was supposed to go on that incredible journey there happened a series of events most unfortunate. I cannot relay them all while still remaining even partially professional, so I won't. However, I will tell you my trip has been postponed. Meanwhile, a blossoming friendship with a guy named Allan is sure to bring me some new opportunities for adventure. Also, there is a gym here, CrossFit Las Cruces (here is their blog http://www.crossfitlascruces.blogspot.com/) and I am trying to get a free introductory class there. I'm very excited to possibly die. Music in the Park is ending soon, and I promise, readers, that I will go to one before it ends. Even if I have to listen to Mariachi music. I will report to you! This missing post will be avenged!
Lastly, I would like to report an interesting thing about Las Cruces. As a resident and new driver in Las Cruces, let me tell you a little bit about driving conditions. Year round, it can be expected to be hot enough to cook an egg on the side walk. We don't get very much snow, and if this is any indication of the experience of Las Cruces drivers in snow, we close schools for the appearance of one inch. That's right, a 1 in snow day. There is also a few weeks at this time of year that we call our "Monsoon Season," and with very good reason. Nearly every day, it will rain-hard-for about twenty minutes or so followed by lighter sprinkling. Roads become flooded quickly and driving conditions are dangerous. No one who lives here seems to have the common sense to driver slower, avoid puddles, or start braking sooner. Word of caution: drivers are not the best here. I will admit, it isn't as bad as Texas drivers; though, be careful. Many people drive without insurance and will hit and run shamelessly. Roads can also be really confusing in Las Cruces, as some change suddenly into a new road. Very few of the roads are numerical, and feature names like Rinconada, or Bataan Memorial. So getting around is difficult and obviously perilous. No need to fear, though, because as long as you obey driving laws and act as a safe driver, you are sure to be safe on your trip. You really do not want to be caught without a car in Las Cruces, especially without air conditioning. It is hot one moment, and then suddenly it is raining cats and chihuahuas outside (still very hot).
That is all for now, so please, go and enjoy the summer heat.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Stripping in Las Cruces
No, I'm not going to discuss strip clubs, not that I would know if any were in Cruces. Tomorrow seems like a good day to go on a trip to the strip on Main Street. Following the upsetting break up of my boyfriend and I, it seems like a good time to have fun. First, how about I tell you about my day, sans major trips?
Last night, my friend slept over (yes, we still do those kinds of things). Today we saw our mutual and long absent friend, George, at a popular park in town. I think for a desert climate, Las Cruces has some of the most beautiful parks I know. Lush, green, with lots of shade, Veteran's Park on Road Runner has a lot of memories for me. It's sort of tradition for my friends and I to meet there for get-together's because when a great friend of ours moved to Nebraska three years ago, this is where we said our goodbyes. I've seen a lot at this park: parties, sports practices for little kids, family outings. It has the most beautiful memorial for war veterans. There is a pathway to follow with placards honoring vets.
I'd still say that Young's Park and Wood Park are my favorites. Young's features this wonderful duck pond and tons of different events held there. The last time I was there, there was a protest on one side, and a Native-American Tribal dance ceremony on the other. Okay, so maybe a protest isn't everyone's thing (but it happens once in a while) and it's a big enough park that you won't notice it elsewhere. Wood Park, also large, is probably the best place to play hide-and-seek that I've ever seen. Once upon a time, though it is hard to believe, my friend set me up on a blind date after two guys had stood me up in a month. She made it a double date and, hilariously enough, he never showed up. So, the three of us, to offset my newly uncovered third-wheel-syndrome picked up some of her boyfriend's friends and played the kid's game there. No one found me for thirty minutes. Not to brag, but I'm good at not being found. (Please read my second blog post now if you haven't already to discover some truly great irony.)
So, about tomorrow. I'm thinking that besides hitting the strip, if we have time, maybe we'll tour a couple of museums. A little road runner told me that Las Cruces has a railroad museum, art museum, science museum, and I'm thinking several others. We'll see. That's all for today. Read up tomorrow! Might be a late post. Enjoy, readers!
Last night, my friend slept over (yes, we still do those kinds of things). Today we saw our mutual and long absent friend, George, at a popular park in town. I think for a desert climate, Las Cruces has some of the most beautiful parks I know. Lush, green, with lots of shade, Veteran's Park on Road Runner has a lot of memories for me. It's sort of tradition for my friends and I to meet there for get-together's because when a great friend of ours moved to Nebraska three years ago, this is where we said our goodbyes. I've seen a lot at this park: parties, sports practices for little kids, family outings. It has the most beautiful memorial for war veterans. There is a pathway to follow with placards honoring vets.
I'd still say that Young's Park and Wood Park are my favorites. Young's features this wonderful duck pond and tons of different events held there. The last time I was there, there was a protest on one side, and a Native-American Tribal dance ceremony on the other. Okay, so maybe a protest isn't everyone's thing (but it happens once in a while) and it's a big enough park that you won't notice it elsewhere. Wood Park, also large, is probably the best place to play hide-and-seek that I've ever seen. Once upon a time, though it is hard to believe, my friend set me up on a blind date after two guys had stood me up in a month. She made it a double date and, hilariously enough, he never showed up. So, the three of us, to offset my newly uncovered third-wheel-syndrome picked up some of her boyfriend's friends and played the kid's game there. No one found me for thirty minutes. Not to brag, but I'm good at not being found. (Please read my second blog post now if you haven't already to discover some truly great irony.)
So, about tomorrow. I'm thinking that besides hitting the strip, if we have time, maybe we'll tour a couple of museums. A little road runner told me that Las Cruces has a railroad museum, art museum, science museum, and I'm thinking several others. We'll see. That's all for today. Read up tomorrow! Might be a late post. Enjoy, readers!
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
A Day in Historic Old Mesilla
I am happy to relay to you, dearest readers, about my venture through Old Mesilla. I think out of the entire town, it is my favorite place because it feels so authentic. It is the one section of Las Cruces that came before the Taco Bells and Walmarts. Therefore, it has genuine Native American and Mexican culture. So here is how it went.
My friend Josh picked me up at ten o'clock. We were going to stop at the farmer's market (more on that later) but instead went straight to Old Mesilla. We stopped at a public parking lot to park his Blazer and went past the Basillica (also more on that later) and down to the main strip. The first thing to notice is a green park with a large gazebo-like stage in the middle. There are some metal stands behind in and on either side of the park stand trees with benches in front of them. Here, at this gazebo, you can find many Mexican celebrations. I think, many years ago, my family witnessed a Cinco de Mayo fiesta happening right here. I also stood for photos in the cold December air a year ago at my friends' (they're twins) quinceañera. I have good memories at this place. Every relative that stayed with us was taken to this place.
On either side of the park stands a row of stores and brick streets. Each of the stores has authentic pieces traditional to the Mexican or Native American culture, along with tourist items. My favorite store is called La Plata, not because of the goods they sell, but the fudge they home make. I think every time I go there, I get a different type of fudge. This time, Josh picked out one called Tiger Butter, which tastes like white chocolate fudge with Reese's Peanut Butter Cup tasting fudge. It was actually quite delicious.
So we started on that side of the strip and went store to store (forgetting the fudge when we went into La Plata), until I remembered to stop at my mom's favorite store, Solamente de Mesilla. They sell various sauces, including the hottest in the world. The Ghost Pepper? Not the hottest in the world. Their new hot shot? Scorpion. To me, the prospects of trying it are awful, because I dislike such spiciness; however, you, traveler, might decide to try something so hot if you have never been tricked into consuming the heat of Hell Fire. (I jest, but I have been cruelly tricked in such a manner before.) So I bought my mom a bottle of her favorite sauce: Roasted Raspberry Chipotle Sauce. I think it is much more on the sweeter side than most sauces, but she likes it. Always, always, always ask the owner how to use a particular sauce. She always has interesting thoughts, and she knows her business better than anyone.
Then we stopped at Scent Chips, the best smelling store on the strip, which is smelled about a block away. I bought a mini pouch for about $2 and I mixed a bunch of my favorite scents. The owner is a very kindly man and will tell you all about the history and uses of the chips. Probably another of my favorite stores.
We also stopped at Nambe, which I will dream about until I have enough money to buy everything I want there. It is beautiful metal alloys turned into gorgeous kitchen ware. Want. Badly. I think one of the most rustic places is the Billy the Kid Shop, where you can find all sorts of cheesy and funny items, along with rustic treasures and many antique weapons. They even have a Billy the Kid fortune teller. Best part of the store and good for some laughs.
Our penultimate stop was The Chocolate Lady, my favorite chocolate place in the cultural epitome of Las Cruces. We shared one milk chocolate and one white chocolate covered pretzels for $2. The chocolate is enticing to the senses and reasonably priced. The only cause for concern was that when I asked if they could slice the pretzels in half, I got a no, due to others complaining of health issues after their goods had been sliced there. So the knives seem of questionable quality to me, but their goods still seem honorable in this blog.
Finally, we stopped at La Plata for the fudge, and I bought a pound for myself and Josh's family. The day was a lot of fun and, get this, we didn't even see everything! Every time I go there, I see something new. I still haven't gone to any of the restaurants there. I am dying to go to Double Eagle, one of the most reputable places in Old Mesilla. Next stop for me, the Farmer's Market! One of the largest in the nation! I'm excited to share all my memorable moments with you!
My friend Josh picked me up at ten o'clock. We were going to stop at the farmer's market (more on that later) but instead went straight to Old Mesilla. We stopped at a public parking lot to park his Blazer and went past the Basillica (also more on that later) and down to the main strip. The first thing to notice is a green park with a large gazebo-like stage in the middle. There are some metal stands behind in and on either side of the park stand trees with benches in front of them. Here, at this gazebo, you can find many Mexican celebrations. I think, many years ago, my family witnessed a Cinco de Mayo fiesta happening right here. I also stood for photos in the cold December air a year ago at my friends' (they're twins) quinceañera. I have good memories at this place. Every relative that stayed with us was taken to this place.
On either side of the park stands a row of stores and brick streets. Each of the stores has authentic pieces traditional to the Mexican or Native American culture, along with tourist items. My favorite store is called La Plata, not because of the goods they sell, but the fudge they home make. I think every time I go there, I get a different type of fudge. This time, Josh picked out one called Tiger Butter, which tastes like white chocolate fudge with Reese's Peanut Butter Cup tasting fudge. It was actually quite delicious.
So we started on that side of the strip and went store to store (forgetting the fudge when we went into La Plata), until I remembered to stop at my mom's favorite store, Solamente de Mesilla. They sell various sauces, including the hottest in the world. The Ghost Pepper? Not the hottest in the world. Their new hot shot? Scorpion. To me, the prospects of trying it are awful, because I dislike such spiciness; however, you, traveler, might decide to try something so hot if you have never been tricked into consuming the heat of Hell Fire. (I jest, but I have been cruelly tricked in such a manner before.) So I bought my mom a bottle of her favorite sauce: Roasted Raspberry Chipotle Sauce. I think it is much more on the sweeter side than most sauces, but she likes it. Always, always, always ask the owner how to use a particular sauce. She always has interesting thoughts, and she knows her business better than anyone.
Then we stopped at Scent Chips, the best smelling store on the strip, which is smelled about a block away. I bought a mini pouch for about $2 and I mixed a bunch of my favorite scents. The owner is a very kindly man and will tell you all about the history and uses of the chips. Probably another of my favorite stores.
We also stopped at Nambe, which I will dream about until I have enough money to buy everything I want there. It is beautiful metal alloys turned into gorgeous kitchen ware. Want. Badly. I think one of the most rustic places is the Billy the Kid Shop, where you can find all sorts of cheesy and funny items, along with rustic treasures and many antique weapons. They even have a Billy the Kid fortune teller. Best part of the store and good for some laughs.
Our penultimate stop was The Chocolate Lady, my favorite chocolate place in the cultural epitome of Las Cruces. We shared one milk chocolate and one white chocolate covered pretzels for $2. The chocolate is enticing to the senses and reasonably priced. The only cause for concern was that when I asked if they could slice the pretzels in half, I got a no, due to others complaining of health issues after their goods had been sliced there. So the knives seem of questionable quality to me, but their goods still seem honorable in this blog.
Finally, we stopped at La Plata for the fudge, and I bought a pound for myself and Josh's family. The day was a lot of fun and, get this, we didn't even see everything! Every time I go there, I see something new. I still haven't gone to any of the restaurants there. I am dying to go to Double Eagle, one of the most reputable places in Old Mesilla. Next stop for me, the Farmer's Market! One of the largest in the nation! I'm excited to share all my memorable moments with you!
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