Grocery Shopping and Laundry

I am experienced at grocery shopping, have been doing it for years but not like this. There are a few stores that we visited to accomplish getting food. The first, is similar to a western grocery store its clean and has an array of items. It's not very large and some of the prices are higher then the other stores we visted. I didn't mind because it was clean and well organized. They even have grocery carts, but they are much smaller then the ones at home.

I was pleasantly surprised with the options available but was told this isn't where we buy fruits and vegetables. I bought canned tuna, canned soup, whole wheat pasta and sauce. All things I can make using the top of the stove, I haven't figured out how to light the gas oven yet.

The next store we went to was much more dusty and not as organized. The interesting thing at this store is the prices are negotiable. They also had food and household items. I bought a throw rug and paid $15. Not because I was good at negotiating the price, I didn't even think to ask if there was a "discount." One of the girls I was shopping with asked because she was also buying a rug. They aren't fancy but I needed something to put in the hallway. I am anxious to go to Chicken Street where we can get some hand woven Indian rugs. We haven't been allowed there on account of security restrictions.

The last place we went to was an open market known as the Obama Bazaar (last summer it was called the Bush Bazaar). This was unlike anything I have ever experienced. There are rows of shipping containers that have been transformed into little stores. If you are patient, you can find just about anything here. Knowing the language and being a good negotiator are key skills to posses in the bazaar. It's also important to check expiration dates since not everything is "new." I did get a t-shirt for $4. As we walked in to the area, freshly slain animals were hanging. I haven't had much meat since I arrived for two reasons. One, I haven't figured out how to light my oven and two, I can't bring myself to buy the meat. The second grocery store had frozen chicken which I'll get once I figure out the oven.

Fruits and veggies we bought at a roadside stand. The mango's are amazing. I didn't get any veggies and in hind sight should have. Either way the fruit and veggies need to be cleaned before you can eat them. This involves rinsing the dust/dirt off with regular tap water then soaking them in this bleach solution for 20 minutes. Once that is done they need to air dry on a clean dish towel. We can't drink the tap water but thankfully I have one of those water-coolers in my apartment.

Doing laundry also involves a learning curve. I had to have one of my apartment mates show me how, it's a bit humbling. I really don't know how to do anything on my own anymore. The machine is small, it resembles western machines but not really. It front loads and has a lot of buttons. One for selecting the actual temperature not just cold, warm or hot. One to select the speed at which you want the machine to spin, again an actual number and one for the type of cycle. That was the only button that was familiar to me. There were other buttons but they seemed a little high tech for my needs today. A wash cycle lasts an hour and a half.

I am very thankful to have a washing machine and it seems to do a decent job. There is no drier so after washing clothes, you have to carry them up to the roof (4 flights) to line dry. The roof is actually our patio. I'm not sure how it works in the winter. I suspect clothes dry in our apartments and I'll have to add drying rack to the list of things to get. I also need a laundry basket, thankfully an apartment mate let me use his. Community living does have its perks because I'd be lost with the help.

Everyone keeps asking if I brought warm clothes for winter. I think so? I'm getting the feeling that the winter will bring a whole new set of learning curves and adventures.

Keep Smiling!