LOCALS GO MAD FOR NEW MARKET

Photo by Peter Sur - Tribune-Herald

It may well be that the lovely folks at our local rag, The Tribune Herald, will not appreciate me use of this snap found on the INTERNET.  This old geezer will run the risk anyway...

The other day, the GRAND OPENING of the new Safeway made the front page of the local newspaper.  Mind, this being Hilo, Hawaii, is is right odd just what is of such import that our local rage does a reportage on and place it above the fold.  The recent opening of a new and improved McDonald's comes to mind.

I digress...

With much fanfare the new market opened.  There was even a presentation done by a local hula group, making it the first and only time one will be able to walk the shiny new floors of the market without slippers.

By the thousands, folks queued up to get into the new market and drool over all of the lovely items for sale.  For the fortunate few, there were even 'free' samples of the lovely 'expensive' items available to hurl into the trolley.  Fancy that...

For you who have not visited Hawaii, you be not 'au fait' with how dear' filling the trolley can be on a visit to the local market.  What one takes for granted on the mainland is so very much more here in Hilo.  Bread for example...

It is such a big deal, this opening of a new market that one well known to MOI had to close down her 'cash & carry' and check out the wares.  Pam, sister to the Big Kahuna at the hostel, was more than happy to slap her slippers on the floor and scoop up all of the delights offered.  Rumour has it that Pam also managed to get a wee bit drunk on the outing.  I did not know that 'free' tastings of the hard stuff was offered as well.

Truth be told, the new market does not hold much appeal for this old geezer.  Not owning a private vehicle, it is not likely that this old geezer will be pushing his trolley down the isles of, any time soon.  Quite near the hostel is a "Sack & Save", or as I call it "Drool & Cry".  Me trolley is always on the 'near empty' side when I go to settle up.  Bare cupboards were never so easy, as is the clean icebox...

Truth be told, there be guests at the hostel who run to local 'health food' market and come back with items that are bloody dear.  Honey for $11.00, eggs for $7.00 and a thin slice of 'organic' cheesecake for well over a fiver.  Being on holiday and healthy is bloody expensive.

This old geezer will continue to shop the bargains at local market and continue life long habit of consuming food that will 'live forever'...

Bon Appetit...