January 30th, 2009
(And Duke’s Mayo, Maker’s Mark and Smucker’s Organic Peanut Butter)
As someone involved in visual communications who has done her fair share of corporate identity projects, the word “branding” most often makes me cringe. People misuse it and most often you hear it from clients who have no idea what they are talking about. I have actually asked if they want me to mark their cattle.
Then I came to another country. The day I stood before a wall of soap powders, looking for clues as to what these products actually do, I definitely appreciated the branding and advertising of products.
The first time I looked for laundry detergent, I went home without any. The same with a few other items. I finally recognized one brand name, though not the package, and purchased it. (Next time I will get the liquid.) The Fairy dishwashing liquid, well, just isn’t Dawn. (GEEZ, I have learned the definition of limescale! Have you ever had spots on handwashed dishes before?)
Luckily, I finally found a bottle of Tobasco, though, oddly enough, it was at the Turkish Market. And one of the groovy, organic 50% fiber breakfast cereal brands that I eat was at the local Sainsbury’s. They have Hellman’s Mayo, but, well, it ain’t Duke’s.
There is an abundant selection of good, inexpensive wines, but, my taste in beer runs way past my budget, not to mention the amount of weight I am willing to lug home. I also have learned to shop only with a basket, because if it doesn’t fit in that basket, I will not be able to tote it home. (Have not yet replaced my cart, or trolley as it is here.)
Sparkie is enjoying the random selection of dog foods. She has eaten ONE since she was a puppy, but has yet to turn down whatever is poured into the bowl. The best food is in Lolly or Larken’s bowls anyway. And if she eats theirs, they scratch on my door, walk in, and eat Sparkie’s.
The speciality shops are the best place to buy specific things. There is a patisserie, farmers markets and I really must find the cheese shop where Simon finds the most luscious cheeses.
But, there are no grits. I felt really guilty for not packing a few boxes, because Nicholas, Sophie and Simon’s son, born in Atlanta, expresses his American Southernness by having grits at every opportunity. The only ones available are in a shop specializing in American goods. But they only carry INSTANT grits. And to any real Southerner, that is an insult. They also carry Jiff peanut butter, but I do not eat partially hydrogenated stuff or high-fructose corn syrup, so Jiff is out of the question.
So here are a few lists.
Thinks that are fantastic:
• chocolate
• school
• classmates & tutors
• train and Tube (except late at night)
Things I did not bring (though they are most likely in one of the couple of boxes I did not ship):
• a few housewares (measuring cups and spoons, a few of my favorite mugs)
• certain art supplies
• instruction books for my cameras
• certain connectors for my electronics
• the mini speakers for my computer and i-Pod
• Duke’s Mayo
• Dawn dishwashing liquid
• Books, books, and other books
• anything to wear to paint
Things that I got here with, that I do not need:
• too many heavy winter clothes—it is colder than Atlanta, but not that much
• my big Starbucks Atlanta mug instead of my big Auburn one
• my wireless keyboard (so far I am working on the computer in my lap since shipping the big screen was too expensive)
OK, I will put to use darn near everything I brought.
I did find a source for Maker’s Mark (for medicinal purposes only—“cough, cough”) but the Ketel One and Chambourd are just more than my little student budget wants to handle. So if you want to have a French Martini (Roger) you’ll have to pick them up in the Duty Free.
Random things that I am thrilled I managed to get here with:
• my hot-pink martini shaker and two matching martini glasses from “Sex and the City” with Simone
• my purple paring knife, the good can opener and a small grater
• Mucinex
• Motrin (though I may need some soon)
• thin socks that I can wear with my clogs
• clogs
• cameras
• Sparkie, of course
Things I have had to buy, and cost less than to ship my others:
• an easel (yes I’m painting for my design class and it was only £30)
• paint (great sale at one of the art supply stores!)
• papers
• a printer/scanner
This afternoon I am off to get my check-in/check-up at the GP so that I will have a Doctor. There was one practice that was a smidge closer, but I chose the one that had women in it.
My Brit friends want a report on my impressions of the British National Health Care System.
We remain, very happy to be here. Even without the grits and peanut butter. The coco-hazelnut creme is divine.
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