November 30, 2006

TO MARKET, TO MARKET


I went to the market yesterday. All by myself. Although Ruther did not go to the office, I could not very well ask him to come along with me while he was still sick and I could not put it off any longer because the freezer was almost empty and we were out of ideas on what to cook for ulam. So, after putting Ethan to sleep, I made the list of things to buy and left home at 1:30. I made it to the station in 15 minutes and shortly after that, rode the train (by myself =D). Two stations later, I got off at Kamoi and walked the distance to Uositi (pretty long walk), the place where we buy our meat and fish (we buy our veggies back home at Tokaichiba). The first time Ruther showed me Uositi, it looked like a small grocery/supermarket. But indeed, the prices there were relatively cheaper so I could understand why he would go all the way to Kamoi for marketing. Anyway, I picked some shrimps, a chunk of pork meat, 4 fish, beef terderloin, ground beef, chicken and pork chops. It cost around Y3100. They don't call Japan an expensive city for nothing... =P After paying for the stuff and putting them in the paper bags i brought with me (yup, they don't usually have baggers here; you do the packing by yourself; yes, they still give plastic bags), I trudged back to the train station. The next train arrived promptly at 2:55 and fortunately, i found a vacant seat and was able to rest for a few minutes until we arrived at Tokaichiba. I had to pass by the nearby supermarket to buy some orange juice for Ruther so to Daiei i went. I decided to buy a small cup of ice cream for the boys and some cheese as well. With my arms heavy, I made it home a bit tired but exhilarated that I did the marketing all by myself. Back home, it's usually not a feat because one tricycle ride and you could get anything you need outside the subdivision. Sometimes, the things you need are at the sari-sari store nearby. But here, with the language and the distance (and the train ride), I was apprehensive at first but I'm proud to say I did okay. My mom might think I was risking my life or something (yes, she's a bit paranoid; okay, not a bit) but i had fun today. A few weeks from now, I'll ask Ruther if I could do this all by myself again. =D