Anyone who knows me will know I do not like shopping. But I must say here food shopping is really fun! I will do a story soon on food - but as we find our way around thought I would share a little of what it is like.
The picture is of Jan in the Glad Wrap aisle of the supermarket. Yes, they are that dedicated to plastics here. In fact convenience foods and packaging abound. Which is sad beacuse of the waste. Not that there is a lot of litter - but what do you do with so much rubbish on an island? Answer: large smelly landfill site near the ocean :(
There are several large stores and hundreds of small ones. ALL stores sell: Spam, Beer and washing powder. In fact let me focus on Spam (there is a photo in the Spam photos). This became a staple and therefore comfort food when brought in after the war from US. People now eat this and any kind of processed meat. Also noodles and white rice.
So we tried to get local foods - there is a tiny market or by asking around you can get some things. But locals love processed foods. Sadly, as you can imagine this is reflected in the health status. Rampant obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
But we can get bananas, papaya, coconuts, mangoes, taro, eggplant, yams and some yummy cassava and coconut concotions. My favourite is a bright orange one. No, I have not asked what is in it! And the local tofu is wonderful. Oh, of course there is plenty of very cheap US beer too. More of that another time!
