My trip to Wal-Mart...

On Monday, I went to Wal-Mart in the hope of finding a few things for my new apartment. After a 45-minute bus ride, I finally arrived. I know that you're thinking-- globalization at its worst. However, there are few places in the greater Buenos Aires that offer the selection that Wal-Mart offers, so for better or for worse, I went. On a random side note, I do sometimes get coffee from McDonald's because it is the ONLY place in Buenos Aires that will give you your coffee to go. After spending about an hour shopping I was ready to pay. However, I had to wait 45 minutes in the checkout line before I could do so. I cannot understand how it takes so long to move people through the checkout line in Argentina. It happens everywhere! It literally takes ½ hour to get out of any grocery. Then I took my 45-minute bus ride home with my new purchases. On the way home, however, I developed a keen understanding for how wonderful it is to have a car. It is so much harder to do pretty much anything without a car, especially if you're trying to transport things such as groceries or new Wal-Mart purchases. Needless to say I have an even more profound appreciation for cars now and recommend that no one in the U.S. take their car for granted!