While I lived in Africa, I came home every few years to see family, friends, and supporters. My life in these two places was so different, I tended to float through my time in the US. But, when I moved back to Knoxville to take care of my mother, I had to adjust to life in Tennessee, and that included shopping.

I’ve never been much of a shopper. My preference was to let my colleague, Janice, do that for me. She enjoyed it and could find the best gifts for my family. When she walked into a store, the employees immediately asked if they could assist her. If I were there, holding something I had finally found to purchase, they looked right through me. I obviously gave off the wrong vibes! Anyway, back in the US, grocery shopping was a regular necessity.

In Sudan, our largest shops were the size of a gas station convenience store. Most were much smaller. At the larger shops there were many items crammed together with narrow aisles. In the smaller shops, the shopkeeper and perhaps a helper were the only ones allowed in, except for my friend Chris who did what she wanted to. The customer stood outside and pointed to what they wanted. Most shops carried the same things, so if one place didn’t have what you wanted, chances are, none of them had it.
 

When confronted with Walmart or Kroger, I rapidly went into Shopper Shock. That’s a branch of Culture Shock. Even if I went in with a list, about halfway through the store, perhaps while looking at the vast array of cereals, my eyes glazed over and my mind went numb. I might keep walking, but no more buying. It was time to leave. Shopper Shock had shut me down.

After many years back in the US, I’m better. But I still take a list and stick to what I know. When I visit other people and see the interesting things they have found in the grocery store, I’m amazed! “Where did you get that?” I ask. I’m hesitant to get attached to anything new as it may disappear, and that’s such a disappointment. One thing I’m grateful for, however. It’s very rare that one of the staples on my list has disappeared. After years of uncertainty, I love consistency!