sorry, my roots are showing
By me • Jun 21st, 2008 • Category: Detroit, Michigan, nablopomo, today's blog 365 postWest Michigan is a very Dutch area. Between the city of Holland and Calvin College the area is just saturated with a bunch of blonde-haired, blue-eyed, CRC individuals. And most of them are very proud of their Dutch heritage, embracing every stereotypical aspect of it - participating in the street scrubbing at the Tulip Time Festival, wooden shoes proudly displayed in their homes, and just generally being really cheap SOBs.* How cheap? Even the U.S. govt recognizes the fact that in this area you have to pry the money from their cold, dead fingers.
The Grand Rapids-Muskegon-Holland metropolitan area was rated by ReliaStar Financial Corp. in 1998 as the No. 3 city in the US (out of 100) “to Earn and Save Money.” (FAIR)
By ancestry I am German, Irish, and Czech. However, just as a child raised by wolves occasionally howls at the moon after being brought into civilization, I’m still someone that loves shopping for a bargain. I’m not necessarily cheap, but if I can find a deal on something it will make my day. And I will tell everyone I know about it.** For example, this morning I went to do my weekly shopping at the Eastern Market and bought all of this:
A watermelon, 2 plantains, a head of romaine, cabbage, 2 yams, 6 tangerines and 1 dz. baby cucumbers for $8. I am not kidding. There will be fresh salad, tostones, and baked yam fries all week. And I’m beyond geeked that I was able to get all my fruits and veggies that cheaply. My roots are definitely showing.
*however they have yet to embrace the liberal politics of Amsterdam. In this area a coffee house still sells only coffee.
** I have found that while my friends who are also from W. Michigan understand this obssession and will gladly listen to and exchange info on the deals they have gotten, once you step east of Lansing people just start rolling their eyes. Uppity snobs.
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I am Dutch by heritage! Though it sounds like I’ve disappointed my people by not having the patience for bargain shopping. Very jealous of all that produce though, except the cabbage. Ever since having it stuffed in my bra for the last week, I’ve lost my taste for it : /
I’m geeking for you that you managed to get all of that for $8! You are my produce hero!
Nice job with the bargain hunting and eating so healthy! It’s practically a daily occurrence for Kevin and I to find and/or share deals with friends and family. We’re the people they go to for all the good coupon/sale/deal knowledge in the family - and we love it that way!