As I've spent the day trying to purchase ingredients for a lasagna dinner, I'm hit with how different something as simple as this is in Nice compared with the States.
Obviously, moving from Boise, Idaho to the South of France was a big change. I don’t speak the language (improving every day but still have a long way to go), so even the most everyday, mundane task can become anxiety ridden and difficult. It will often take me a couple of attempts before I actually purchase the product I was trying to get.
Today, the differences were highlighted through an attempt to buy the ingredients for and make a lasagna dinner. Now, in the States, I would have driven my gas-guzzling SUV to the nearest grocery store, purchased the ingredients and driven home. I would have, as I had so many times before, made the lasagna, salad, garlic bread and that would be that. It just isn’t that easy here.
So many ingredients
First of all, I recently moved into a new apartment and although it is “furnished,” which means it also contains dishes and cookware, the likelihood that there’s a casserole dish is low. So, I’ll have to purchase one of those. I have absolutely no spices, so they will also have to be purchased. Noodles, meat, tomato sauce, cheeses ... I’ll have to get it all.
I make a list and set out on foot, sturdy grocery bags tucked into my purse (you have to bring your own now). I no longer have my Isuzu Rodeo here in France, plus, I live on a street that is literally too narrow for it to accommodate the Rodeo. Therefore, I’m walking. All the time. And I love it.
Which store?
My best bet, I think, is probably Carrefour. But it’s Saturday and it’s going to be unbelievably packed, so I want to avoid it. I opt for the lovely grocery store in the basement of the Galleries Lafayette. In addition to having very nice produce and meats, this particular store also carries items for foreigners, which can be helpful.
Unfortunately, the store is being redone right now, which I didn’t know, so it’s a complete mess. I couldn’t find anything save a couple of spices. The Galleries Lafayette is located about a mile or so from my apartment and I end up walking home nearly empty handed. By the time I get home, I’m a little sun burnt (yes, it’s sunny and warm most of the time here), tired and sweaty.
That little voice
Then, something in me (experience, perhaps), tells me that making a nice lasagna dinner tonight is not going to happen. There are just too many ingredients to buy, plus, making lasagna takes awhile. Best if I just accept what was obvious from the beginning: It’s going to take me about a week to acquire all the ingredients for the meal. Just finding the ricotta cheese alone could take a day. Grocery stores here have whole isles devoted to cheese. Oh, and I will probably have to look up what they call ricotta cheese. Didn’t even think about that.
But the point is, by this time next week, with any luck, I’ll be enjoying a lovely lasagna dinner. And oddly enough, I like it this way so much better.
