The Little Supermarket Of Happiness

If you told me 6 months ago that a supermarket would make me so happy I would’ve told you not to be silly and that I would cope fine without them.⁣

In Uzbekistan there are plenty of shops and stalls on the road and you will always find what you need, but you won’t always find what you want.⁣

In fact, we gave up on finding what we want ages ago. When you ride a bike 8 hours a day you can’t get excited for what you might find or what you might eat because you’re too often disappointed. ⁣

You just have to go with the moment.⁣

***⁣

I was so excited to find a supermarket like this I made Stew walk up and down each aisle. We were like kids in a sweet shop! We left with 2 Colgate toothbrushes because they were the same from home!⁣

The bright lights & well organised produce, staff cleaning the shelves. Recognisable brands and music in the background. There was a gentle rumbling sound of the hustle and bustle of exchanges going on around us. I felt like I was at home.⁣

Stew didn’t like it , he said it felt “inauthentic” and he’s absolutely right. It was. ⁣

Shops in Uzbekistan, (and Georgia actually) and I’m sure much of Asia are small and often quite dark. There are usually flies on the produce (if you can even find produce) and mostly dry or tinned goods. I don’t mind them at all now, but it took me a long time to get used to them.⁣

I struggled in the shops at first and it made Georgia tough some days. I felt timid, which is a very alien feeling for me! I was discussing it with someone who gave me a firm talking to – I was told not to be timid, go into a shop and get what you want. Pick things up and ask for the price.⁣

It took a while to get used to the “rules” but I’m happy shopping in Asia now. I am more assertive in my exchanges and that helps a lot. I used to wait at cheese counters for example, but no one ever came so now I just go and get what I want. Someone will surely tell me if I’m not supposed to. ⁣

You have to be assertive, extra assertive when there’s a language barrier otherwise you won’t get what you want – it’s too difficult to get your request across.⁣

Like I said, I‘m happy shopping in Asia, but I really miss those supermarkets