tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277313567524932904.post7697971610278398355..comments2024-03-23T20:52:19.525-06:00Comments on An Alaskan in Yucatán: Living Here: Shopping LocallyMarc Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11289566244668566622noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277313567524932904.post-18659487946150829772012-05-31T22:18:22.657-05:002012-05-31T22:18:22.657-05:00I do love the personalized service of shopping in ...I do love the personalized service of shopping in Mexico. Having spent hours wandering the large home stores up here (most of our little hardware places having succumbed as a result of the giants popping up everywhere), I appreciate even more the welcome, the offer to assist, the effort made to find just the right thing. And I detest having to buy screws and nails in large quantities or in those stupid blister packs. This is an improvement? I don't think so. In our little Chuburna market, I can buy one egg or three or a dozen. I can get a hunk of cheese just the size I want cut off the big wheel kept in the refrigerator. It's a pleasure to buy just what I need in just the right amount. Missing Mexico tonight.lynettehttp://www.bigassbelle.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277313567524932904.post-56220294479484393092012-05-28T14:40:37.726-05:002012-05-28T14:40:37.726-05:00I've walked by there many, many times and now ...I've walked by there many, many times and now I recall having noticed it. I'll pay more attention next time I pass that way.Marc Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11289566244668566622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277313567524932904.post-60446717354119699042012-05-28T14:39:19.503-05:002012-05-28T14:39:19.503-05:00Absolutely. The personalized and friendly service ...Absolutely. The personalized and friendly service at the local small businesses can't be equalled by the big stores. But the most important thing is supporting the neighborhood and local area economy.Marc Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11289566244668566622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277313567524932904.post-56139512250681658582012-05-28T10:24:02.571-05:002012-05-28T10:24:02.571-05:00I agree with your shopping methods, not only are y...I agree with your shopping methods, not only are you supporting local business but it's a lot more personal and fun. Our version of your hardware store in Patzcuaro is Vidrio Electico and in 5 years of shopping there I don't think I was ever told that they couldn't give me something I needed.Shannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10707196505818823372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277313567524932904.post-38637122685001118452012-05-27T16:22:06.626-05:002012-05-27T16:22:06.626-05:00It's right across from the Santa Ana market. I...It's right across from the Santa Ana market. I'm momentarily forgetting the number of the street (the one at the foot of Paseo de Montejo). Ah, there it is on the Google Map. Calle 47.Debbiehttp://www.themeridainitiative.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277313567524932904.post-78355355806710070072012-05-26T16:17:10.714-05:002012-05-26T16:17:10.714-05:00Well, the writing is not effortless, but I find th...Well, the writing is not effortless, but I find that once I get an idea, it pretty much fills itself out in my mind before I ever try to write it. I don't know why that happens, but I suppose it's just habit.<br /><br />I do know that among the best ways to improve writing are to read and analyze others' good writing, and to write a lot. Many who are serious put aside time every day to write, and they write, write, write. I am not quite that dedicated, but I do try to sit down and write a couple of times every week.<br /><br />I appreciate your comments, and look forward to following your blog more regularly.Marc Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11289566244668566622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277313567524932904.post-29488511747424636482012-05-26T13:07:13.269-05:002012-05-26T13:07:13.269-05:00Marc,
Thank you for your note.
I tend to write ...Marc, <br />Thank you for your note. <br /><br />I tend to write comments more frequently than diaries. Being a bit dyslexic and having a wandering mind, it is hard to put together a longer diary post than a comment. I need to read it over and over, edit, edit, read, read, edit again. It gets exhausting. <br /><br />So, it tends to be that I write something when I'm passionate about it and that leads to the impression that I'm always in a rage. haha.. Well, not "rage", but a bit fired up, perhaps.<br /><br />I love reading your posts here because they seem so effortless. I'm sure that is far from the case, but the reading is smooth, the thoughts peaceful, the company pleasant. <br /><br />I hope to diary more and get better at writing. Not really being a trained writer, I'm trying to pick up things from others in the area. <br /><br />Thank you again for all the nice things you share about your life in Yucatan.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277313567524932904.post-17457691187317639572012-05-24T08:48:40.196-05:002012-05-24T08:48:40.196-05:00It's nice that wipers are available singly at ...It's nice that wipers are available singly at the smaller stores. I also have a single rear window wiper, and it's next on the replacement list...<br /><br />I also like the simple, old-fashioned faucets. I end up replacing washers every six months or so, but if the mechanism is simple, nothing much else can go wrong. KISS is the best philosophy for most things mechanical in this climate and with our water.<br /><br />Y-Man, I just belatedly added your blog to my blog roll.Marc Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11289566244668566622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277313567524932904.post-44825629646197190952012-05-24T08:41:33.790-05:002012-05-24T08:41:33.790-05:00Debbie, you do just what I used to do frequently (...Debbie, you do just what I used to do frequently (and still do occasionally): study up on the vocabulary and go down to the store. It's a wonderful way to learn Spanish.<br /><br />No, I've never been to "La Tristeza" that I know of. But sometimes I am oblivious to the names. Where is it?Marc Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11289566244668566622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277313567524932904.post-13780423028463392402012-05-23T00:08:15.647-05:002012-05-23T00:08:15.647-05:00I once had a Mazda with a 19" Driver's wi...I once had a Mazda with a 19" Driver's wiper and a 21" Passenger side wiper. (Or was it the other way?) I was constantly buying matched pairs, then learning one was too short or too long. So... it happens!<br /><br />We do the same: shop at the little places as much as possible. And faucets with replaceable washers seem to hold up than faucets with modern 'cartridges' and all those tiny parts which sarro-up in no time. <br /><br />Thanks for another great account of life in Merida.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277313567524932904.post-24932640684061519832012-05-22T22:47:16.240-05:002012-05-22T22:47:16.240-05:00People are so helpful at the neighborhood stores. ...People are so helpful at the neighborhood stores. I also see them as great opportunities to learn and practice new Spanish words and sentences. If I'm organized I'll look things up and write down some notes before I go. <br /><br />Do you go to the Tlapaleria called "The Sadness" (La Tristeza)? I always wondered how it got that name.Debbiehttp://www.themeridainitiative.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277313567524932904.post-13063350561297127022012-05-22T16:02:33.052-05:002012-05-22T16:02:33.052-05:00Of course you are right Andean, the smaller family...Of course you are right Andean, the smaller family-owned businesses provide personal service that is no longer available in "more developed" countries. And it's a great loss to them.Marc Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11289566244668566622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277313567524932904.post-47471776081997799832012-05-22T15:59:36.220-05:002012-05-22T15:59:36.220-05:00Thank you for commenting Arturo.
I also patronize...Thank you for commenting Arturo.<br /><br />I also patronize the little tiendas. Something I do when new foreign neighbors move in and want to know how to meet people and learn Spanish is tell them to go to the little neighborhood stores. The owners are usually happy to talk with them and are patient when newcomers don't speak much Spanish. It's a great way to make friends and spending money there helps the community.Marc Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11289566244668566622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277313567524932904.post-59544530072539374332012-05-22T15:53:11.227-05:002012-05-22T15:53:11.227-05:00I do the same, occasionally hitting the big stores...I do the same, occasionally hitting the big stores for things that they are "good at." I don't ALWAYS want to buy in small quantities or to keep going back for more. The big bales of toilet paper at Costco come to mind. I can afford to buy this item in quantity, and don't want to be running to the corner every time the bathroom roll runs out (sometimes very inconveniently).<br /><br />By the way, thanks to you and Tom for being so generous with your flowers!Marc Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11289566244668566622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277313567524932904.post-76339463125407585212012-05-22T15:49:50.273-05:002012-05-22T15:49:50.273-05:00Wren, you didn't tell us how the "crazy i...Wren, you didn't tell us how the "crazy idea" of a hammock in NY turned out...<br /><br />I agree, one of the greatest parts of shopping in the little stores is the personalized attention.Marc Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11289566244668566622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277313567524932904.post-49514242295928798482012-05-22T15:38:20.459-05:002012-05-22T15:38:20.459-05:00When I was in Melaque I really appreciated the loc...When I was in Melaque I really appreciated the local food markets and how accomodating they are. Buying a smaller cabbage then the ones they carried was no problem, they immediately cut it into two pieces, and charged only for half. If you overbought, (like I'm inclined to), and was on a bicycle they found someone to deliver to your home, again, - no problema.Andeannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277313567524932904.post-4546734416495038532012-05-22T11:34:07.060-05:002012-05-22T11:34:07.060-05:00Excelent article Marc, I do enjoy shopping in the ...Excelent article Marc, I do enjoy shopping in the little stores, i learn more about my city and the traditions hanging around tienditas and tlapalerias in Santiago. In my tienditas video the man from the last store says, In the supermarket you can't buy just one canddle, here in my tiendita if you want just one candle i sell you just one candle.Arturo Novelohttp://realmerida.com.mxnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277313567524932904.post-79009961448038413502012-05-22T10:25:30.508-05:002012-05-22T10:25:30.508-05:00I'm like you, I like the local stores, and I l...I'm like you, I like the local stores, and I like to go, get waht I want, and go. Now Tom, he likes to wander the aisles, up and down, left and right. That's why we don't go shopping together.<br /><br />But we do both like to support our local stores!Debi in Meridahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10763731716351347254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277313567524932904.post-89464196113508448112012-05-22T09:59:33.200-05:002012-05-22T09:59:33.200-05:00Loved reading about your shopping experiences! I ...Loved reading about your shopping experiences! I also am trying to twist my tongue back to normal shape after pronouncing "tlapaleria"! I agree that the shopkeepers are helpful and accommodating - I remember going into a tlapaleria in Merida after getting the crazy idea of installing a hammock in my New York city apartment. Even though the clerk SURELY realized how difficult the task would be, he thoughtfully introduced the proper equipment, compassionately described the problems I might encounter, and gave me the best recommendations he knew. NOT your everyday Home Depot clerk! Thanks again for this fabulous blog!Wren Marie Harringtonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277313567524932904.post-31727338794795591082012-05-22T09:54:46.308-05:002012-05-22T09:54:46.308-05:00Yes, Steve, I remember this type of hardware store...Yes, Steve, I remember this type of hardware store from my childhood. I particularly appreciate the advice and alternatives I find out about when chatting with the owner. This saves me even more money and time, usually.Marc Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11289566244668566622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277313567524932904.post-48550572895305664852012-05-22T09:50:07.997-05:002012-05-22T09:50:07.997-05:00It took me a bit to warm to the hardware store sys...It took me a bit to warm to the hardware store system of "behind the counter" inventory. But I really appreciate it now. The counter clerk always asks about my project and often has a better option than I had in mind. Rather like the hardware store in the little town of my youth.Steve Cottonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00468378507171761868noreply@blogger.com