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Cool summer days

Hey guys,


So, you should know that I am fascinated by grocery stores here. That sounds so like me doesn't it? It is just that they are so small and everything in them is so different from what I am used to. For example: eggs and some milk are not refrigerated. I walked by the eggs today and they were just sitting on the shelf next to the pasta. I also am in love with the fact that you can have your groceries delivered to your house if you don't want to carry them. OK, how about I just describe the whole thing to you.


First of all, the store is about the size of a jiffy store. When you walk in there are carts on the right and on the wall facing you there is soap and shampoos. So you know, there are a lot of different shampoos, fewer conditioners, fewer lotions than conditioners and about three different kinds of soap. Your choices are 1-2 brand of each: dish soap, body soap, hand soap and 2-3 brands of laundry detergent. Behind this false wall is fruit and veggies. The size of this area is about the size of a small walk in closet. Behind that there is a cooler with deli style ham and some sauces like grocery brand pesto and other sauces (kind of like how they sell publix potato salad and stuff. Also, just ham/salami. Not turkey or chicken. Just ham lunch meat). The back wall is taken up as such: 1/4 is milk/yogurt, 2/4 is different cheeses, 1/4 breads. There is a small (the size of a coke machine) cooler with frozen stuff like pizza and ice cream. There is a section (about the size of the veggie area) for wines/beers. Isle 1: Pasta. Isle 2: 4 different types of cereal, a lot of cookies (cause they eat them for breakfast), some pies, water and soft drinks (more water less soft drinks). Isle 3: Napkins/tp/paper products, eggs, candy (the size of a fireplace) etc. That is pretty much it. I have seen bigger grocery stores but this is the one that Bormio has to service the people. I am sure there are more than one but that is where we did the shopping. I have learned that we just have an over abundance of selection for things we don't need. I think I saw 1 bag of potato chips. At home there is a whole isle about 6 yards long dedicated to potato chips. It is things like that which make the difference I guess.


Let's see- I walked upon a soccer game the other night. I posted a picture at the bottom. I have been craving sugar lately because nothing is really as sweet here as at home. Even the chocolate is more beans less sugar (still good though). Therefore, the lady at he ice cream shop knows me now. A scoop of chocolate gelatto in a cone with lemon gelatto. When you order ice cream you get one major scoop of whatever you choose and they take the spoon and add to the sides the other flavors you want. This is as opposed to the second scoop on top in America.


I met some basketball players from France the other night. They seemed really nice. They were excited to find someone who spoke English because they were only here for a game and didn't speak any Italian. They played for the Pentagon.


I have been informed (by the kids) that I must be an Inter fan (football from Milan). There are two teams in Italy: Inter and Milan. You are either a fan of one or the other (kind of like Mets/ Yankees. Mets by the way). When they asked me who I was a fan of (they assumed America) broke out with Brazil. Apparently this was not OK. When I switched to Milan (because I didn't know there was anything else- I don't watch soccer) that was even worse. We made an agreement that I would be an Inter fan if they would be Gator fans. This worked out well for both sides. 3 more down- Go Gators.


On that happy note I will sign off for tonight. Have a happy Gator day tomorrow!

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