Today (or yesterday, now)

Today, we needed an outing.  We were all feeling homesick, and so this was not the day to sit at home, even with language study to keep us occupied.  So we combined the fun with the practical and headed to Metro, Bulgaria’s version of Costco or Sam’s Club. 

In the weeks since we have been here, I have spent a great deal of time going to different stores, both to become familiar with what is available and to compare prices.  I have lists of what is available where, and what the prices are, so I can make the most of each trip into a particular store. 
Metro is good for a few things in particular, and today was out third trip there.  Our first trip was fact-finding only.  The second was an attempt to stock our home with some essentials (think toilet paper, flour, and sugar), as well as to purchase small amounts of a few items to try them before buying in bulk. 
Today, I finally felt prepared to enter the store armed with a list (based on a complete menu for 2-3 weeks) and get down to business.  Here’s a sampling of what we bought (and the prices, since so many of you are curious).

- Milk.  We are milk drinkers, and although we don’t drink nearly as much milk here as in the States, we do use about 3 liters per week.  (4 liters per gallon.  You’re welcome.)  At the grocery store milk ranges from 2,19 BGN to 1,49.  At Metro, we paid 1,07 BGN.  We bought 24 liters (no refrigeration necessary till they are opened.)
- Ground Beef.  It took me a while to find 100% ground beef.  Most of it is mixed with ground pork or lamb.  I even bought ground ham once by accident.  The price is 9,95 per kilo, which works out to about $3.00/lb.  It’s very lean too. 

- Muesli.  We eat this nearly every morning, with whatever fruit we have.  This morning, I cooked it with cinnamon and bananas.  A few days ago, it was peaches. Muesli, complete with flax seed, and dried fruit, is about $1/lb. 
- Eggs.  We bought a flat of 30 brown eggs.  Here,the price is often per egg, or for 10 (not often do you see a true dozen).  We paid ,16 per egg, or $1.26/dozen.
- Watermelon.  It’s in season now, and delicious.  We paid ,27 per kilo for ours, and it was a 7 kilo (just over 14 lbs) watermelon.  Total cost: 1,89 BGN or $1.24.
- Chocolate Chips.  This was our splurge, for sure.  This was the only place I have seen them here, and less demand drives up prices.  The bag was 2.5 kilos, or nearly 6 lbs (close to 7 bags in the US 12 oz size).  The cost was 35,00 BGN, or $23.00.  I’ll be making these last as long as possible.
I’ll try to take more photos next time we go.  I forgot this time. :)
Thanks for coming by!