I often feel like a pack mule. We live in the city without a car, so that means that everything we buy – from groceries to wine to firewood – is carried home. On most days, that is fine with me. When Robert and I left the US, we made a conscious decision to go green, sell our cars and rely on public transportation in Stockholm. We live close to the subway and buses and every now and then, we rent a car when we want to get out of town. No worries. There are days however when I am at the grocery and find myself making decisions about what I will eat based on how heavy my shopping basket is. I will think: I already have cartons of milk and juice a bottle of diet coke and some apples and avocados and cereal, so I don’t really want to get that heavy box of risotto today after all. That is just strategic thinking.
But the American in me hates not having a car when I really have to do a lot of schlepping of stuff. Yesterday was a perfect example. We had friends over for dinner last night, which meant several trips back and forth to the grocery and also Systembolaget for wine and beer. Each trip, I was coming back with several bags and they were heavy. I had to stop several times on the way home to give my arms a break. I was sweaty and grumpy. And those are the times when I miss the easy convenience of a car.
{ 3 comments }
You may need to break down and buy a collapsable “granny cart.” I have one and use it for days that I need to buy detergent and bulkier items (e.g., trip to the hardware or home goods store). It isn’t fashionable, but it is certainly functional!
I have been meaning to get one for ages. But I never think of it again until I have an enormous load of stuff!
Maybe put that on Santa wish list.
Comments on this entry are closed.