Yesterday I borrowed my mom’s car (yay! no van!) and ran a few errands. Exciting, no? I picked up Lisa McMann’s FADE, a new journal, a couple things for the dog, but before that I plunged into the grocery store. I’d forgotten what an ordeal that is in the US.
The grocery store in Zihuatanejo is no slouch — it has housewares & clothes just like here — but everything in the US is so much BIGGER. I was in there for twenty minutes before I even got to the food. Since I don’t know where anything is I had to go up and down every aisle, then backtrack when I realized I’d forgotten something.
After another twenty minutes I was operating on autopilot so it was more than a little surprising when my cart came to a screeching stop in the International aisle. More specifically, the Mexican section. (okay, I may have had a little something to do with it.)
A cranky-looking store employee pricing hard taco shells (SO not Mexican…) gave me a strange look as I caressed the refried beans and crouched low to see the green salsas on the bottom shelf. I shuffled around him to explore the hot sauces and chiles, then got a little misty-eyed at the jars of mole and Mexican rice.
Seriously?
I couldn’t drag myself away! I stood there long after the stock boy moved on to the Southwestern section and puzzled over why I’d had that reaction. Could I actually be homesick?
Hoosblog 
Wow, I would think that passing by anything Mexican would bring a longing response. If it didn’t I would suspect you not human.
So what store did you go to?
I know, but I wanted out of there so badly that I didn’t expect to get all mopey over refried beans.
Oh, and I was at Meijer.
Awwww! *hugs* Oddly, I think of you every time I pass the mole in the grocery store. I keep meaning to ask you for Ibis’s recipe you always talk about. (Am I remembering right? That he makes some chicken mole thing you love?)
Yes, he makes awesome molé enchiladas. When we lived in Chicago he made it a little differently, but it’s so good both ways. I should really get the recipe from him.
awww….it was a big chunk of your life & I suspect always will be. Don’t know why this made me cry. Curse you Hooey!!!
*sniff*
Sorry! I was surprised!
I’d have been surprised if you’d breezed right on by. You’re a sensitive hoo, and I can appreciate that. :)
Whenever you say things like that (sensitive hoo) I picture Dr. Suess characters, lol.
Awwww, bless yer lickle ‘eart! :(
*Hugs*
Adam
:)
Aww. It’s only natural to be a little homesick. Seriously, it’s a HUGE adjustment for you! Glad to hear your getting back into the swing of things ;o)
I just didn’t expect it so it caught me off guard. Then I had to fight the urge to share my life story with the stockboy.
It’s odd how memories and emotions and strike without warning. ((hugs))
Did you buy any of it?
I bought some black refried beans, but they’re the store brand. They didn’t have ANY Mexican brands. Hrrumph.
Awww… I can totally see you being waylaid by the ethnic foods aisle. Being homesick seems so normal to me. I’m so sorry, Melanie!
Don’t American food stores suck? I hate grocery shopping!!!!
Robin, I wouldn’t say they suck, just that there are SO MANY options. It’s a little overwhelming.
And yet I still couldn’t find Fresca. Sadness.
I can totally understand being ambushed like that. Homesickness seems to jump out at you when you least expect it. *hugs*
True dat.
What my van isn’t up to your standards. It will almost hold your whole world, well maybe not the mattress and sofa.
It’s a BEAST! my thigh hurt for two days after driving from Chicago.