Well week two of my time here in Germany has brought banishment. Banishment from what you may ask? From the Commissary...aka the military grocery store on base.
Yes, people... your dear and sweet Nikki was caught red-handed with Chobani yogurt, organic greens, and mineral water while checking out on Friday at the Commissary. You see, technically I do not have privileges to shop at the Commissary, which is tragic because it is the most convenient place for me to grocery shop. Plus it has American products like Kraft and Amy's organic frozen dinners. Come on! I'm just not going to find these things out on the economy (aka off-base in Germany).
Well I did have a good run for a while I suppose... things were working in my interest as I frequented the Commissary without any problems, buying here, buying there. All that came to a screeching halt on Friday. To make a long story short, no more commissary for me.
Gone are the days of Nature's Valley granola bars, Kashi anything, and Lactase milk. Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, I hit an all-time low when I found myself staring through the windows of the Commissary yesterday, glazing at all the wonderful American products which were once potential booty but are now far out of my reach. When personnel found me staring like a fool through the windows, they shut the blinds. Now I can't even stare at the forbidden fruit.
Okay so none of the last part actually happened, but it did in my mind and in my recent nightmares.
So what am I to do now? The answer to this is two things: one, make the Shopette (on-base convenient store) my new grocery store, if possible, or two, shop at the local German grocery stores, which can be expensive and tempting, with many shelves devoted strictly to German chocolate.
Today, therefore, I went to the Shopette to check out the goods. I picked up a hand-basket as I walked in. Many minutes later my basket was still empty as I couldn't compel myself to put Hormel canned chili (with beans) in my basket nor convince myself that Bush's Pork and Beans was a healthy option because it had some fiber. The only thing I allowed myself to buy was some Dubble Bubble. After a few chews and a couple of bubbles, I decided to go off base and visit a local grocery store in Germany.
I ventured to the small town of Speicher (pronounced spy-sure), where I found the local grocery store, REWE, closed. Ah! The joys of small town Germany, where most stores are closed completely on Sunday. I did however find a hotel's cafe opened. I parked the car and walked in to find what I had just read about the night before: kaffee und kuchen!
Kaffee und Kuchen is a mid-afternoon sugar-rush of coffee and cakes, a traditional Germanic treat equivalent to English tea. Being that it was 1500 (3pm), I was so thrilled to partake of such a traditional German pastime that I couldn't wipe the smile and excitement from my face, which then scared the local patrons dining in the cafe. I quickly remembered my place and changed my expression to an indifferent demeanor to better suit the crowd. "Oh did I come just in time for kaffee und kuchen? Whatever dude..."
I ordered Apfelstrudel (apple strudel), black tea, and a nice corner table to enjoy it in. It was a real treat! After some contemplation and reflection by way of kaffee und kuchen, I decided that being banished from the Commissary may be a blessing in disguise. A blessing for me who will now exert effort to become aware of German products and way of life. And a possible curse for local Germans who may get tired of an easily-excitable American in their village.
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