the Metro store

Yesterday was the day we -- foreign teachers -- were taken down to the German owned Metro store. For many in the U.S. this store would be considered a Costco of sorts. This company also ownes Trader Joes and Aldies.

It was arranged that each of us would get our own membership to make it easier for us to shop for those Western brand foods we love so dearly and can't do without. Cheeses (the Chinese do not each much), cereals, and so much more...it's hard to describe.

Some of you have asked about prices of items. To give you an idea, we purchased 22 items in total: 2 large firm pillows, a 10 pack of toilet paper (kleenex brand), oranges, skippy peanut butter, mainland cheese, laundry detergent and dish soap, a 6-pack of pepsi, a jar of jam, saran wrap, garbage bags and a 3 and 10 pack of package of tissue. Yes, we use a lot of tissue. Not only for our noses but to wipe off the sweat and if need be, the toilet.

This is the short list of our shopping extravegansa but in the end we paid 323.45 RMB (the Chinese currency) and that converts to $40.69 U.S.

Today's temperature will be over 100 Farenheit and a dew point in the 70's. We're not going out for much today.