I keep thinking I should post about the variety of places the fruits & vegetables come from but never get around to it. I had two exciting purchases at Mega Mart today so I'm finally going to make some notes about grocery shopping here.
I bought Tide Free (liquid) today! I sent several boxes of the powder to ourselves in the sea shipment (and a two in the air shipment) because both Craig & I have sensitive skin.I was excited about the liquid though because with the powder I had to do a double-rinse on Anna's clothes for a while (not any more and we are all actually feeling itch-free with the "regular" Tide that was given to us from Craig's work).
I did find some Crisco shortening today so I bought a big container. More than I will ever use but now I have it in my possession.
I have previously stated (I think) that grocery shopping here is fabulous. I must clarify that that is in comparison to Okpo, Korea; not Texas! If you require a certain brand of something it is best to buy a few containers of it when you see it because it is not always guaranteed to be in stock. Anna has been asking for goldfish crackers for weeks now but there just aren't any to be had. Aunt Jemima pancake mix hasn't been on the Mega Mart shelves for the last two weeks either. This is why I bought a 70 Riyal (just around $20) container of liquid Tide Free. I can't ship the liquid version in our Baby shipment, I know I'll want some for at least the first round of Baby Girl's clothes, and they were selling it.
I spend maybe 50% more on groceries every week here than I did at home and I am not discerning. I just buy what I want which typically means I am buying mostly imported food that is not cheap. I am ultimately too lazy (and uncoordinated) to do two separate days of grocery shopping to find a better deal at Carrefour (although that's where I have found the best sandwich bread).
I find myself continually surprised by all of the organic products for sale at Mega Mart. As well as the large sections for sugar-free stuff at both Mega Mart & Carrefour (Anita, I will get some Splenda for you when you get here!). I just really didn't expect that. I think of Rachel & Mat in the big soy milk section and every time I see the Panda licorice.
I'll try to update my list of fruits & vegetables on occasion, but here is the start of my list:
Oranges: you have a choice of USA, Spain, or Turkey
Bananas: USA or Phillipines
Sweet Potatoes: USA, India
Avocado: Chile, Kenya, Australia
Broccoli: Australia
Nectarines: Australia
Apples: USA
