The Art of Buying Groceries

Tuesday, 11/9/10-Wednesday, 11/10/10. I have designated Wednesday as my grocery shopping day. It gives me a chance, midweek, to take the bus into town and gives a change to my daily routine. Today I had several things on my agenda to do so I started out semi early. When I arrived in town, I went first to the Mailbox Etc. store to see about getting some things printed out. They were closed. The sign on the door said they were closed because of the Holiday. I don’t know what the Holiday was and all the other stores were opened. Oh, well. Then I went across the street to the other mall to check out the food court I had read about. I had been to this mall several times and did not know they had a food court. I didn’t miss much. All they had was a Chinese food, a Sushi place and a Dominos Pizza. Once all the spaces are filled, it will look just like the food courts in all the US malls.

My next stop was for lunch. I wanted to check out the restaurant where the expat meetings are held. I ordered langostinas which are large shrimp that are supposed to taste like lobster. They still tasted like shrimp to me and the lunch was expensive. Get this: regular tea is .65, iced tea is $1.25. I guess ice is expensive in Panama.

Next, I did my grocery shopping and as I have done so much on this journey, I learned another lesson. I should never buy more than about 10 items at a time because otherwise carrying the bags is too cumbersome. I had three bags and not only was it inconvenient on the bus but I had to schlep them the ½ mile down the road to home. Must have been all that stuff I bought to make tacos. Ymmmm!

I did notice that I am in better shape as I was hardly winded when I got home.