Shopping explained

This is the town hall, right in the center of downtown. You can't drive downtown unless you are delivering. It is pedestrian only. Then all around are the stores for shopping.

Moores has the nicest clothes. It is a three story place and would include some housewares. This is the closest to a Macy's that is available. But obviously not as large. (below)

(left)This is where you get hairspray and stuff!

(Right) To the right of Superdrug, you will see Laura Ashley! It is wonderful! 2 stories of amazing things!

(Left) This is the nice downtown grocery store. There are larger ones on the outskirts of town, but you have to drive to those.

(Right) Next is like our Gap. There are trendy clothes here.

Railway Meats is the Butcher and Homemade is a little restaurant( it is called a cafe) You would go here for tea and scones. (left)

(Right) The Bakery, very small, but lots of cream buns :) Then Gareth's is their version of fast food. There you can get fish and chips. Fast food here is expensive.

Shopping explained

This is our Woolworths-- you can get simple household items here.

Shopping..No Walmart here...

Shopping is very different here. Instead of a mall with 60 stores, everyone shops down town. There are tons of little stores-- they range in size from a store smaller than Dots (actually this is probably the average size) to a few stores that are that are 3 stories in old buildings that have been redone. Mark says it is not different to shop here. I don't know why he is arguing with me. I know shopping... and this is different. You go to one store for your cosmetics, one store for books, one store for hardware, one for clothes. The only problem is the town closes at 5 pm so you have to get everything done during the day.

No Walmart although our ASDA store is owned by Walmart. It is just a grocery store. There are tons of little bakery's which make amazing things. I'm going to be so fat!

There are two stores that are great. One is Laura Ashley. Very expensive but the most beautiful clothes! The other is called Moores, again very expensive but awesome suits and things. The problem is that US dollars are only worth half over here so something that is 120 pounds is actually 240+dollars. Mark says I should buy my clothes over in the US... but I can tell that my clothes are very different here. Not that I can afford a new wardrobe or anything, but the styles are different... and I feel a little out of step (in more ways than one)

The experience of downtown is kindof cool, but it takes forever to get what you need. Take the other day for instance, One store for hairspray, a different one for Windex, another one for keys made, one more for a mop, another for a small present, another for milk. Oh how I wish for Walmart.

blogging

I never thought I'd see the day when I looked forward to blogging. My life has changed so much--.

It is really expensive for internet right now, so my posts willl be short. But hopefully i can feel more connected to the NAmerican world through this.


I miss all of you very much. Sunday dinner was the worst homesickness I've experienced! I invited another couple over for next Sunday. They are new here too--They are very inteligent people, but really struggling with the language (I think they've been here 6 weeks--and already communicate pretty well) I admire them, and know they understand how I feel. Their names are Benny and Adina. Say a prayer for them if you think of it.

Life here is rainy, and rainy and rainy. We've only had once nice day since i arrived, and it rained half of it! They say this is unusual, and everyone is blaming it on global warming.


I must go-- this has been too long already!
Love,
Deanna