$15 blueberries

OK, let this be a lesson...always look at the price tag.

While I am not price insensitive, usually it is my assumption that at the grocery store, everything is reasonably priced. Oftentimes I feel like a grocery store millionaire - it is the one place that everything is well within my financial reach. That is, until now...

One of my all time favorite "treats" is yogurt with blueberries and strawberries and a bit of granola. Suddenly hit with a craving, I realized I had not enjoyed this most delicious combination in quite some time. As there is a large market directly across from my new apartment I decided to just dash over and quickly pick up the essential ingredients. Much to my surprise, the checkout register rung up $45 for this seemingly ordinary combination. Astonished that I did not notice the high price of my exotic, imported fruit, I quickly paid the cashier and slunk out. To put this in perspective, I will let you know that your average Thai earns about $15 a week.

Later I sat at my table chewing each expensive berry very slowly. I am not persnicketty enough to count every berry and figure out the cost per berry - but I was tempted to.

OK, so I can afford $15 blueberries, but that is 3 hours worth of massage, people! And I do have my priorities straight. Next time...going local - mango and papaya.

Sawasdee ka,
(Thai for "hello" and "goodbye"....I don't know the word for "stupid foreigner that overpays for fruit")

Joanna