OK, people. This is one of the posts I have been wanting to write since we moved to Ukraine, but it has been waiting for photographic support. Thanks to my intrepid sister sidekick, I finally have some shots to share depicting one of my favorite things about grocery stores here: the extensive variety of alcoholic beverages and sweet treats.
You may wonder that a Mormon girl is so taken with the alcoholic beverages for sale, but I can assure that I only look. It is truly a phenomenon, the array and sheer quantity of wines, coolers, and vodkas that is in every grocery. We are talking multiple shelves, crates, and aisles of it all.
Now, I understand that most states I've lived in have had laws about what a grocery store can sell, so perhaps it only makes sense that what would usually be in a separate store in the US is included in a grocery store here, but still. I just think it's astounding at the stock they maintain. The following pictures are taken in one store (our love-to-hate MegaMarket), and I feel that this pretty much says it all about the priorities of the average Ukrainian consumer:
Aisle one of alcoholic beverages...(keep in mind that in each one of these photos, you are only seeing the facing side of the aisle - there is a side of the aisle to the right and behind the photographer)
Aisle two of alcoholic beverages...
Three...
And four...(Captured from the top of Joeli's purse, after we were told that cameras are not allowed in the store. Ooops.)
And to accompany your drinks, you must have sweets. Now here, I have more experience. There is never shortage of cookies, chocolates, taffies, hard candies, and other sweets. It is truly amazing.
I give you Aisle One of cookies, candies and other confections...
Aisle two of sweets...
And three (the opposite side of aisle two, but it's an extra wide aisle)...
And four...
And five...Yes, FIVE aisles of sweet treats!! And did you notice toward the back of the store? That's a small pastry cafe which also sells bulk candy from a whole wall of bins full of it.
My cleaning lady says that every Ukrainian has a sweet tooth. What do you say?
So, as you can see, what is normally one of my least enjoyable tasks (grocery shopping) is really an intoxicating and sweet experience here in Ukraine.
In the next day or two, I will have another long-awaited post on grocery shopping for you about my favorite place on the planet: the rynok. I hope you will love it as much as I do.
3.24.2010
You Should Live Here: Candy and Alcohol
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7 comments:
brings back such memories!
I just want to point out that these aisle go all the way to the back of the store. I have spent a bit of time in liquor stores in the U.S. (an occupational hazard) and I have never seen a selection like this place. But then again you can't buy a liter of Vodka in the US for $1.19 either.
i wonder why no cameras in the store?
Amazing. Actually quite shocking, isn't it?
I remember you starting a "You Should Live Here" series that started with squeezey package ketchup (I had the same product on my shelves at the time). It's good to see another "YSLH" addition!
I was told "no cameras" here in Kenya recently in a bookstore. I had taken a (discreet) picture of a Masai warrior in full regalia walking through the Barnes & Noble-esq. store. It was just too ironic to pass up the opportunity to snap a shot. Silly little camera rules...meant to be broken.
That's a store that will mess up your blood sugar readings.
HOLY COW!!!
That is amazing!
I love this post. Now that I am home I will have to be a regular visitor to have the chance to read about your unique experiences in Ukraine just to bring a smile to my face now and then. Hey I was just going thru my old blog and saw a comment you made about Sasha who was a little girl when you were in ukraine. Is she Vlad's sister. Vlad is on a mission and Sasha just got her mission call. Mom is Laressa. I read about it on facebook. I'll check the name for sure and let you know.
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