Shopping

Please understand that nothing in Moldova is quick. There are no quick trips to the store, no easy online bill pay and no fast food. It takes time to get everywhere, get what you want and stand in line. This is true with shopping. Sure there are stores with the Target/Wal-mart mentality, where one is supposed to go and get everything in one trip. And this is a viable option if one is not picky. But to get the best of everything,one must visit multiple stores and always keep ones eye open.

One store may have the decaf tea I like, another, gluten free noodles. There is a special store to buy pajama pants and another to get slippers. The meat in the butcher by the market is always the best, but it is hard to find the cheese there that one wants. Also, there is simply no point in buying produce except at the open air market. And even that isn't easy. I have to look for the best cucumbers and the best price, taste the walnuts and hope I can find a quality spinach.

If there is a line at the grocery store, it is usually long and the cashier is never friendly. They repeatedly ask for spare change, though you have told them that none is to be had. It is odd that they begrudge you this right, because they rarely have change either. Often a few cents are replaced by a piece of gum. Thus each meal I prepare and eat is more savory and more satisfying, because I feel as though I hunted for my food.