Our flat is located in Shoreditch in East London. While parts of it have been gentrified, it also has many ethnic enclaves. Every neighborhood has its distinct culture and flavor. Finding a good grocery store, wine store, pharmacy, and hardware store are all part of the fun (and challenge) of living abroad. While these may be familiar, there are also some differences.
We found a great little wine and spirits store called Amanthus less than 10 minutes walk away. I found it a bit overwhelming, only because the shop offered so many wines from vineyards that are unfamiliar. The young man who helped us was very knowledgeable and recommended a French table wine from Corvieres to go with the pork I was planning for dinner. It was delicious!
I am a creature of habit. For years now, I used Oikos Greek Yogurt for my breakfast parfaits or smoothies. We found a little grocery store run by a Turkish family. The produce was incredibly fresh and displayed in a really appealing way. They also offer a really tempting array of olives, grains, and other products. But they did not carry any familiar brands.
I decided to try the Koliós yogurt and I am so glad I did….it is incredibly thick and creamy …absolutely delicious. We also bought British butter and British cheddar cheese (which was divine with the Mediterranean olive and French red wine!
So, familiar things like wine and yogurt are cultural entrees, ways to explore local and regional differences.
Soon, Bernard will need a haircut and I will need to find a hairdresser. The adventure continues. I am very grateful for this opportunity.
Thanks for tuning in.
M
Leave a Reply