Our First Shopping Trip Experience In Chitre, Panama

Yesterday’s outing was quite the adventure. Bonnie, our neighbor who kindly offered to help us retrieve our missing bag, pulled up in front of our house, all excited hollering at me to hurry. She had confirmed our bag was in Las Tablas, but she needed me with my passport to pick it up. We had to get there quickly because they were closing soon and there was a line. 

She got me there in time, but could not drive me back because of prior commitments. She did, however, tell me how to get a cab and that it might be easier to get one on the other side of the street down by the bus station about a block away. Easy enough, but there was a long line to get a cab. In the meantime, the driver we hired to take us shopping, Mae, was picking up Vic at the house. So I messaged Mae and Vic to pick me up at the bus station. About 15 minutes later, they picked me up and we were off to Chitré for shopping.

Chitré is the largest city in the Azura Peninsula and has more options for getting our initial supplies to make our new home more comfortable. We went to Super Carnes (grocery store) first. Mae said that is where she likes to shop and I have to agree. It is like a Kroger Marketplace that we’re used to in Tennessee. We got all our startup groceries, cleaning supplies, a good cooking pot, frying pan, and some cookies. At the checkout, we learned that in the produce section you have to weigh the veggies yourself and print out a sticker for the cashier to scan. Our bagger was kind enough to run and do that for us. Oops! Now we know for next time. TIP (or reminder for myself); slow down and watch what other shoppers are doing to learn what to do.

Next stop was the Do It Center, a hardware/home supply store. We bought a couple of pillows, bed sheets, a Vortex Fan (OMG we love this fan!), a small trash can, broom, mop bucket, and a few other things. Mae had suggested we stop at a Veggie/Fruit stand on the way back and I’m so glad we did! We got potatoes, onions, cucumbers, watermelon and a pineapple that smelled amazing!

The experience took me back to childhood memories of visiting my Uncle Bob and Aunt Grace. They had a Veggie/Fruit stand across the street from their house that my family would fill up the back of our Station Wagon with freshly picked produce. I love moments that take you back in time to beautiful memories.

Shopping today really emphasized that we need to learn Spanish, starting with numbers. Everyone was helpful, kind and honest, smiling at us trying our best, but with minimal abilities. We didn’t get back until just after 4 pm. What an afternoon! We got unpacked and Vic started cooking. Our first home cooked meal was rice, black beans with locally grown red onion, bell pepper, tomato and avocado. It was delicious! By the way, that amazing smelling pineapple was the best tasting pineapple we have ever had!