Our Quick Trip to America

On Friday night, Joe and I spent a few hours in America. Or, at least it felt like we did.

Going on the tip of some friends, we decided to check out a different grocery store than we usually frequent. Those of you who know me well, know that I have serious customer loyalty issues--once I find something/someone I like, I don't usually change, no matter what. And, I do really like our grocery store. But, variety is the spice of life, so they say, and I thought 'why not mix it up a bit?' So, off we went to the Craigleith Sainsbury, only 1 mile from our flat.

Never having been to this store before, we didn't know what to expect. I had heard that there were some other shops close by, but still didn't know what it would be like. There are, afterall, very few shopping centres in Edinburgh. There is absolutely nothing like those Target shopping centres anywhere. There's nothing even remotely similar to Target, actually. But, when we rounded the corner, we were shocked--did we just walk to America, we wondered. It was big. It was bright. And, it had several large stores right next to each other. Several clothing and shoe stores, a specialty baby shop, a TK Maxx (yes, just like a TJ Maxx), a Lowes'-esq store, a large specialty food store, and a huge grocery store (complete with a small housewares section).

After soaking up the luxury of this all-in-one-place shopping experience, Joe and I were ready to set off for home. Only one problem. No, it wasn't 80 pounds of groceries this time....this time, the problem was the weather. After several lovely days of sunshine, Edinburgh had (has) been under seize with cold temperatures, bursts of wind, and long periods of rain-sleet-snow. And, Joe and I were without an umbrella.

So, being the tough expatriates that we are we set off to walk home. Just kidding. We called a taxi. And it was bliss. Heavenly bliss. The kind of bliss most people can only imagine. I cannot tell you about the bliss of taking a taxi home--no walking, no carrying heavy groceries, no getting wet and cold. Just the bliss of groceries safely loaded in a trunk and a quick trip home in the comfort of a dry, heated automobile, only to be let off at our door.

And then we got home and realized we forgot something and contemplated making the trip out to get the item. And, then we remembered we don't actually live in America anymore.