Wednesday, March 18, 2009

The Super "Mega Store" Supermarket

When asked what I would miss most when I was about to depart my last place of residence, Bogotá, without hesitation I would answer Carulla – a top quality Colombian supermarket chain. Indeed just a few blocks away from our Cedritos apartment was a 24 hour hour mega-market. Although somewhat expensive this shop had pretty much everything one could want – at a price! There was almost illicit about buying a leg of lamb or strawberries dipped in chocolate after midnight.

(Of course there are plenty of other things I miss about Colombia: - the friendships: the warmth, generosity and the hospitality of the people were exceptional).

The closest we have in McLeod Ganj is the “Mega Store” supermarket on the Bhagsu Road. The shop is small and crammed with shelves so it is difficult to navigate when there is more than three shoppers inside. As well as your basic supplies, some exciting finds include ground South Indian coffee, French mayonnaise, Heinz baked beans and tomato soup, Ceres juice (have you tried their “Youngberry” juice? Awesome!), Bounty bars, Cadbury´s Hot Chocolate powder, green olives and even Marmite – a yeast extract paste that is similar to the Australian Vegemite, but only a Brit. could like.

All are available at a price!

I might have been non-resident in the UK for 18 years, but those formative food experiences have dug in deep.

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