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!
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