For John, I really enjoy making him things. It's personal and it's a one of a kind. SOOO, I decided to obviously go with the one year anniversary theme. So I infused the concept of romance with the concept of John and I. I created a "message in the bottle" with a past, present and future twist. So I went to the store and purchased a calligraphy pen and wrote a lovey dovey sappy letter to him. Then I dip the letter in coffee water to give it a sepia tone. Then I tear and burn the edges to give it that archaic look. Then roll it up into a scroll and tie it with tweed. Then I went to The Container Store here in NYC (which by the way is the COOLEST place for house hold trinkets) got an oooollldd school milk jar (because I needed a wide mouth to put all the stuff I was going to inside) then got a cork top and tied tweed around it and tied it to the top (well...after I put everything inside I did that). So for the past I got a tiny watch that was only the face of the watch (and it worked too) which symbolizes all the time we've shared together. The moment I told him I loved him, that was the moment I gave him the key to my heart. So to represent that moment I found an old fashioned Victorian key to put in the bottle. For our present I went to M&Ms and custom made a bag for us that says "Happy 1 Year" and "I love You" because M&Ms are our favourite chocolate candy to nibble on. Also, I put in the bottle a bag of seeds, which symbolize how every moment we plant a seed for our future, but we must plant it in our present for it to grow into our future. For our future I only want prosperity us-emotionally, physically, mentally and of course monetarily, so I got one of those pirate coins to symbolize this desire. Lastly, I went to a store and purchased two rings and a tiny candle wick in which I tied the rings to; representing our wedding rings and the candle we shall someday light together in unison.
It was mushy and it was sweet and I knew he loved it :)
So after that, we got dressed and walked outside to the Bisbee streets to explore. Along the way I saw this ridiculously AWESOME sign...seriously...hippies are so hilarious.
We walked around and gandered at the cute shops and I saw many cowboy boots that made me ponder whether I ought to purchase them or not. I was good and withheld...but it was hard. Hunger started to kick in and we decide that lunch was much in need. We walked around to find a cute place to eat at, but in the end we decide to go to the place we were referred to by a few local folk called "Santiago". It was "TexMex" style food. It was good, but I looooove good ol' fashioned Mexi food (like Ajo's....mmmm....Ajo's...)
Of course, we celebrate our day with a good ol' shot, some beer and some good eats. It was funny because this place was soooo slow. I'm used to things running a little faster than this lil' joint, but it was fine-we weren't really in a rush.
After we finished our meal, we had an appointment to attend to. The appointment was at the Copper Queen Mines! John made reservations at the Cooper Queen Mine to actually tour INSIDE the mines. 46 degree temperature, 1,500 feet deep plunge down into the earth, hard hats and warm jackets were awaiting us.
http://www.queenminetour.com/index.htm
We walk out of Santiago and literally cross the highway and there the beaut was. Grand and gleaming in all of her radiance. You can see the front of her in the prior blog where I took the patio view. The entrance had large doors that were gaping open, welcoming all guests. To the side of the doors about 25 feet was the tunnel entrance. The "office" wasn't an ordinary office. It was a giant chiseled tomb, gutted piece of the mountain. Inside was a wooden rack that held all the lights, hard hats, belts and coats. Then in glass casings there were rocks that were found within the mine or within a radiance of the giant vessel. There was also a wooden cubical where you checked in. They also had authentic tools and gear that was used during the mining time. I'd say it was almost like a tiiiinny, bare museum dedicated to the mine.
It was time to get strapped up. We all hurded together in a line and like a conveyor belt, there was a man that had a specific task to "dressing up". The first man put the coat on us, we moved forward, the second man strapped the belt around us with the light, we moved forward, the final man fitted the hard hats on us, we exited.
We stepped outside as instructed and parked in a semi-circle was the tram we were going to be sitting on as it took us down and deep into the mine. Kind of reminded me of those trams you see at Universal Studios or Disney land, ya know? Of course I wanted to find of spot for John and I so we could sit comfortably together. My skin crawled with anticipation of what was about to become: the discovery, the history, the adventure.
The tram lurches forward and each cart before us gets swallowed in the mouth of the mountain, the darkness of the mine until it is finally our cart that is inhaled. The breath of the tunnel is bitingly cold and drastically dark. My eyes went blurry with the strong contrast of light difference and the hair on my body stood up like pins and needles. I know it's silly, but I felt a wave of panic because I thought about all the men who died in this mine and I was wondering about ghosts. However, that silly fear was immediately washed away with wonderment and awe of this place.
The tram clicks on the rails and is descends down to the belly of the mine. I flash my light over the walls to see all the rough marks in the mine from the blasting. It was truly amazing. I suggest to everyone to go into a mine...it creates within you an awe of the world, the earth above and below and puts into perspective how small you really are.
We stop in several spots in the mine to get off the tram and to walk around while the tour guide explains the history of the mine or the purpose of a specific area.
Look how freaking cool this old school telephone is?! I mean seriously...I want one in my house. Also the bell system is pure neato.
This is a toilet...an uncomfortable toilet and I feel bad for the miner's bums!
After seeing this we all head upstairs to this tavern area where a huge vein explosion occurred of copper and other ores.
You know these are super cool pictures and you know you are thinking...man I want to go there! 'Tis true because a) it IS cool and b) you SHOULD go there. Mines and caves are really cool and are incredibly beautiful.
I learned a lot that I honestly have no way expressing back to you. I feel like a mining nerd, but I like that.
Soooo, we all clammered back onto the tram and made our way out-back into the world of the sun and warmth. The world on top.
Once we surfaced, we all went back into the warehouse and returned all the items we needed to return.
Fortunately for John and I, our venture back home was alllll about 2 minutes. All we did was cross the highway and waddle up the stairs. We were tired. I claim I was tired because of jet lag and being very active since I came. Ooorrr...I'm just out of shape. Whichever. We relax at the house before our dinner reservation. Watch Shrek 2 and to be honest...I liked it. It was cute!
Six o' clock rolls around and the dinner reservation was at seven. Well, you know us girls...we need time to look all pirdy for you chaps. So I got ready starting at six and John got ready ooooh about 6:55pm. The restaurant was again in walking distance. I love that about Bisbee...everything is so close together...kind of like New York...well okay not really at all, but I do like the walking aspect!
We arrive at a place called Cafe Roka and it was darling to say the least. I also liked that while we were waiting for our table they gave us wine. Mmmm...vino... Our table is ready and we sit. This place was pretty simple and straight forward. It was an automatic five course meal and there were about five entree options and maybe five appetizers.
I ordered the roast beef and John ordered I believe it was Salmon...some sort of fish plate. It was delicious! Our course started out with mussels and dates wrapped in bacon, then soup, then salad, then our meal and I don't remember dessert to be honest...but I think it was something small like a sorbet.
After dinner we wanted to see how this town parties. We heard bass music in the air and it got stronger closer to these steps that led to a plateau. Apparently there was a block party shenanigan going on, but unfortunately it was $10 to get inside and neither one of us had cash (plus...it didn't look THAT happening). So we decide to hit up a bar called the OK Theater. There was a live band playing and it looked like fun. It was minus the next day where they charged John an excess of $200...but it got resolved thankfully.
And this was some random chick named Cathy who had her nephew or son or something like that visiting in town.
However, it was close to midnight and the exhaustion from the day started to kick it. I know, we really do sound like pansies. Normally we aren't like this, but for some reason we were sooo tired from the excursion of the day that we hit the hay early every night. Oh well, it was better this way anyway!
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