My husband, Bobby, has family that live in a town close to Boston, Massachusetts. We make it a point to visit at least once a year. We are blessed to be able to hang out with our family and see the east coast. But one thing that I dread when we come, is the grocery shopping we have to do.
My sister-in-law, Michelle, says she isn’t a good cook and while I don’t agree with her, one thing she knows how to do really well is throw together a massive spread for family get togethers. It’s great to see everyone, but I am amazed at the work that goes into making sure there is enough food for Bobby’s Italian family.
We’ve been here one day and have already been to 3 different grocery stores — Stop & Shop, BJ’s, and Market Basket. Granted I stayed in the car at BJ’s, but I navigated the other two. There is something about going grocery shopping in a town you are not from. You notice things more. I was surprised to see at Stop & Shop the different kinds of meats including deer and rabbit you could buy. You could also get beef tongue and feet, if you were so inclined, and I was not.
At Market Basket the most important thing to remember is to stay out of the way. That place is crazy busy! I was told that the one in Chelsea is much more busier than Revere’s, but Revere’s is no quiet hamlet. Though the store in Chelsea has 32 check out lanes, Revere’s has a mere 24 lanes. All of which were open, unlike that one store we all know.
While Michelle did the flitting about going down one aisle after another and Bobby hung out with our brother-in-law, Glenn, waiting in line for the deli, I was trying to stay out of the way — which isn’t as easy as it sounds. I waited by the frozen pretzels and chicken wing area for awhile. Then it was by the seafood and clam juice area. (New England likes their clam juice!) As I waited I saw people maneuver around each other sort of like a poorly choreographed dance. I also watched one guy slam an unattended cart out of his way. Fortunately the rest of the people were nice and tried to stay out of each other’s way as they filled their carts.
Happily we were done and back at the house well in time for family gathering. I am pretty sure that there will be another trip or two to grocery store before we head home. Yeah for me. Bobby has to get some pastrami, you know. Apparently no one in Ohio knows how to make it.
