Last weekend before Christmas and still Christmassy bits of decoration at the Saturday market. Cheerful stop but we’re not buying. Well, more or less not. Do spot William Dalrymple’s City of Djinns, his second book, this one on the historical roots of the city of Delhi. He’s now lived in Delhi for over forty years, though this volume was published in 1993, early in his sojourn. Beverley kindly offers to put it in her backpack so we can collect it from her later and not have to head off to the supermarkets already carrying a book.
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| Courtesy Hazal Kuzu |
First stop Bestmar #2. The first time we went there I had trouble believing we’d stopped at a supermarket. Took both the dolmuș driver and J to convince me that this was anything more than a giant American liquor advertisement despite the modest sign immediately above the door. It does carry groceries, in an underwhelming sort of way but its real virtue is in the liquor collection. The only place we have found our preferred blood orange gin. None in stock today but it’s more whisky weather anyway and actually we’ve come for wine so that’s all right.
Then a short walk to Dima. Supermarket with plenty of other supplies like pots and pans and such. Bit short on the bargains it used to have. Display price on whisky near the front door is higher than the regular price for same at our little local supermarket.
Longer walk to Illeli. Better than average meat section though we’re not buying. Am tempted by the back bacon until J suggests that it’s probably not cured. Tend to forget that some countries - England for example - sell bacon both smoked and unsmoked so it pays to read the package and get what you want. Pork products in this store all frozen as turnover probably not super fast. Probably imported, though the ones at the Russian shop are local. Helpfully, there is a black pig symbol on the relevant packages so you’re not stuck hauling out the packet and squinting for the appropriate language.
Short wait for the dolmuș outside Ileli and home, collecting an enormous roasting chicken from our local shop on the way.
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