Grocery Shopping

Today Mani and I embarked upon a mission to find grocery stores that were big enough, and varied enough, to suit our needs. We were successful, but ended up hauling very heavy loads upon loads of groceries. One bag actually split and my yogurt nearly rolled into the street. It was difficult going getting back and then back up to the second floor where our flat is (third floor if you're in the States). But now we have food with which to feed ourselves, so I'm happy. Plus, the milk is actually good here, so I've been drinking lots of it, for which mom should be happy. On the way to the shops however, I stopped into a little shop to buy some feminine supplies. This story needs background though, because right before shopping, Mani had woken me up from a very needed nap, so I was quite out of it. I got up to the counter and she was asking me the standard questions (stamps, etc.) and I was saying no, all the while holding my bill. When she told me the total and shot a pointed glance at my hand, I realized that the bill I was holding was in fact a $20 rather than a twenty-pound note. I felt very stupid when she said, "I don't know what that is...."

The best part is Mani was standing watching the entire time and never thought anything of the fact that I was holding the wrong currency.

She redeemed herself when she literally ran into a man in the crosswalk.

Oh, that reminds me. We got up to a crosswalk and were waiting FOREVER for the walk sign to come on, and the angry, blaring noise that signals blind people to walk to sound, when all the lights for traffic turned red, and all of a sudden EVERYONE STARTED WALKING WHEREVER. No, they weren't just crossing the street, they were zigzagging, going diagonally. WHAT?! I have since learned not to question things ever since I saw Rolo yogurt. Good job, Britain.

We also stopped in a little shop where they sell office supplies, and the man who owned or managed it told me that I would get a discount on my masking tape (3.49 pounds for one roll! What a load of crock) if I could tell him something interesting about philosophy. This was after the bag split and a lot of lugging and pulling reluctant shopping parcels, so I really wasn't in the mood and muttered something about Plato and the cave allegory. Whatever, couldn't think of anything else. I knew I should have read those philosophy books that I had picked up Borders before I left, rather than at Christmas. But, he said that if I can come back and tell him something that I feel about philosophy, and not just something memorized from the books, that I can have a 50% discount on anything in the store. So I gotta get some opinions soon so that I can buy school supplies there!!!

Going to eat and then pass out. No going out for Rachel tonight. I was supposed to go to some pub quiz (?) but Mani and I are dying from only fourish hours of sleep, so probably not going to happen.

Love you all!