Living At the Casino!

No, I have not acquired a new hobby!! Casino happens to be the name of one of the local supermarket chains. In my neighborhood, the Casino is situated on the southeast corner of the intersection of Boulevard Gambetta and Rue Bottero. It is similar in design to the supermarkets in the States, with the grand exception being the products are labeled in French!! (Surprise!!)

Upon entering the store and going through the turn-style, I find myself in the Produce Department, and I am confronted with a dizzying selection of fresh produce. The Produce Department happens to be “the budget buster” and the “time consumer” in my case!! After grabbing the staples for my petite cuisine (onions, garlic, and bell peppers), I turned my attention to fruits and vegetables that refuse to be ignored!! This week, the celery, carrots, and cauliflower begged my attention!!

After weighing and ticketing my selections, I made my way to the Meat Department by way of the “Bread Department.” There I grabbed a loaf of French bread and I decided to try the mini gaches too!! Finally arriving at the Meat Department, I pondered the selection of chicken, turkey, and what we know in the States as “rock Cornish hens.” Moving along the aisle, I reached the section containing rabbit. I examined the offerings of veal, beef, lamb, and pork. This day, though, I was searching for beef bones (os à moelle) for my soup stock. Finding none, I headed back to the poultry section where I found a bargain on chicken wings!! So, instead of French Onion Soup prepared from “hearty home made beef stock,” I am to prepare the soup using “hearty home made chicken stock.”

Leaving the meat section, I headed over to the Yogurt section. Yes, I said “section.” There one finds an immense variety of yogurt!! I deliberately avoided the smoked fish section and headed over to what I call the “Cheese Department.” Once again, I chose a block of Provolone Piquant. Since the Cheddar looked particularly enticing, I could not resist dropping a block into my basket.

As a result of the change to French Onion Soup using a base of “hearty home made chicken stock,” I visited the Wine Department to choose a “dry white wine.” I selected a reasonably priced Chardonnay, and after checking my list and confirming I had not omitted anything, I made my way to the check out counter.

With a view to quickly paying for my purchases, I decided to queue at the “self check-out” counter, given the lines for “live” cashiers were quite long. It seemed the other shoppers also had the same idea! So, I found myself in what I thought would be the “line of the quick,” given there were only four people in front of me. Of course, it turned out to be the “line of the glacially slow!! In fact, my line neighbor and I even commenced to chat. The topic of conversation? How glacially slow the line was moving, of course, and what could possibly be the cause!!

Would you like to know more? Stay tuned, Same Bat Time, Same Bat Channel!!

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