Shopping!

Last week when I spent a week abroad for work, Sintra was HOT with temperatures rising until 38-40 degrees in the afternoon. Now that I am back, they went back to the 20's. The pool water is about 24º and it does not change quickly, which is really good! It seems that this coming week we can expect temperatures of up to 27º and then next week they go over the 30º mark again. You can follow the weather here through the following site (accuweather):

http://www.accuweather.com/forecast.aspx?partner=accuweather&metric=1&loc=EUR|PT|PO012|AMADORA&week=15

So last week I was not here - I went to the United States for work, and stocked up on some important items:

1. A proper 110 - 220 volt current converter, with the proper adapter. This because we have had some situations with sensitive equipment of our American guests as they are sometimes unaware that it is not always enough to just have a plug that fits, the current is also very important! If you are American and still on your way here, please bring one of those converters so you can use it everywhere on your travels (I paid about 28euros at Walmart for one).
2. A hang-scale to weigh luggage! We have lots of clients with luggage overweight issues, and in Portugal they are quite strict about the limits. Knowing how much your luggage weighs helps you decide what you leave behind if you do not want to pay for the extra kilos (many leave shampoos behind to have allowance for tiles and other gifts purchased). The scale is quite useful also if you want to distribute the weight equally between various pieces of luggage.
3. Washcloths! In Europe they are not used as much as in the States - we use scrubs and brushes. But now we have washcloths as well, if you haven't brought your own.

I also brought a lot of other things, more personal and for own use; things that are tough to find here (flour shifter, lettuce knife, notepads with magnet for the fridge door, Reese's Pieces, maple syrup...).

It is amazing how much fun it is to go to grocery and other shops to see what other countries have that one does not have in his own country freely available or that is just different. From here, many of our clients buy tiles, ceramics, artisan handiworks, 'chocolate sausage', wine, jams, sardine and tuna patés, ... In addition to visiting castles, parks and museums, you can get in to the culture by visiting the grocery shops. Does your local supermarket have fresh fish and meat counters? How about isles full of wine? What is the shelf-space difference for items such as water or cookies here and in your country? Are the fruits and vegetables we have the same as you have at home? What do we sell in bulk that you can only buy in very small bags - and vice versa; and what items are the same and completely different from your home?

Walking through the isles of a supermarket tells you a lot about the country's culture, of what is important and central in everyday life. Most every supermarket here has a coffee-counter as well for a quick coffee and fresh pastry. And cheap!

Have you already been here? And if so, let us know what did YOU buy to take home - for the benefit of others.