Grocery store

I grocery shop almost every day.  At this point, I don't have a pantry full of food I can rely upon to make various dinners, like I did in the states.  So, every day I either walk or bike to the shopping center.  I also can't haul a whole bunch at one time since I have a kid on the back of my bike and the basket on front only holds so much.  Give me time, and I'll stock that pantry.

Today when my son and I went to the store, it was a mad house.  It seemed like everyone was shopping at 1 pm on Tuesday.  I couldn't figure out what was going on.  But I had to get my groceries, so we persisted.  I had a list of items that I thought would be easy to find.  I had my Google Translate as my assistant.  I had my son as my cart pusher/commentary provider (responsible for giving the play by plays). 

We started in the deli, where we passed by the sushi display.  Although quite impressive, today was not sushi day (that seems to always fall on Friday, when I just don't want to cook).

We then walked up and down aisles trying to find rice noodles and Thai red curry paste.  I'm in an Asian store, should be easy, right?  Nope.  I finally found the noodles in the Thai section, right next to the Mexican section.  However, I couldn't find the curry paste.  After looking for some time, I FaceTimed my husband to help.  He asked me to find a store clerk, who he then asked to find it.  The store clerk came up empty handed.  We needed to go to another store.

But first I had to finish finding everything on my list.  I found shrimp on a bed of ice in the seafood section.  After watching others around me, I finally decided I needed to put the shrimp I wanted in a bag and then I could just put it in my basket.  Nothing fancy there.

We grabbed a couple other items and stumbled upon my new favorite product of all time.  It is anti-snoring tape that you can use to tape your spouse's mouth shut.  Where has this been all my life?  All those nights of poking could have been prevented with a bit of tape.  Too bad he only snores when he's sick...

Finally, it was time to check out.  There were ten lanes open (out of 12) and every single lane had a line half way down the aisle.  We stood and waited and waited.  My son was getting tired of waiting and was getting bouncy.  He really wanted something to drink.  As we got closer to the cash register, I told him he could grab a tea from the cooler right next to the register.  I forgot that these aren't generally cold, but actually heated bottles of tea.  He was happy with hot tea, so I let him get it.  I have noticed there are very few items in the checkout areas here.  Maybe a couple packs of gum and these hot beverage warmers.  But it isn't fully of candy and toys.  It makes checking out so much nicer when you have a kid!

We then paid for our groceries.  After a lot of practice, I am now pretty good at specifying that I don't want a bag.  After I pay, they push my basket to me and I go pack my own bags (as everybody does) at the provided tables. 

We then swung by the import store and quickly found the Thai red curry paste.  I'm so thankful to have this store!  It may be a bit spendy, but it has what I want/need.  I even picked up a little bag of kosher pickles, per my son's request.

On the way home, we rode my bike through the park.  I find it relaxing to ride through the park.  It is lovely and the leaves are starting to change colors.

Ginko Trees - I often see people collecting

the nuts from the ground.

Once home, we cooked our comforting curry noodle bowls and enjoyed the evening.  I told my husband about the herds of people at the store, and he explained "Tuesday is sale day at that store."  Oh.  Now I know.  And since he found an app that has the ads, I'll even buy stuff on sale like everyone else on Tuesdays.