Shop 'till you Drop...or Faint from Boredom

Shopping!

The great American past-time/sport/addiction/hobby!

I indulged last weekend.  We went to Andorra.  That's what people do in Andorra: they shop.  They also ski in winter (not this one, though, no snow) and hike in the summer; but, primarily, people shop.  Bus loads of them.  At Christmas they buy sugar, coffee and chocolate by the case.  Year-round they buy huge wheels of cheese, multiple small wheels of cheese and hams.

Above is the ham rack at the biggest store.  Iberian Hams are similar to the Italian Prosciutto and will range in price from 250 euros for the cheapest to well over 700 euros for the black-footed Jamon Jabugo (which, is reportedly going to be available in the U.S. next year for over $2000.00 per ham).  Naturally you can buy the necessary stand for the ham here as well.   It is served at room temperature, sliced paper thin with a huge, long 'ham knife'.  It is never cooked!

People shop in Andorra because it's a (almost) duty-free country.  Luxury goods are less expensive.  Electronics, leather, jewelry, watches, furs, tobacco and booze are all a bargain in Andorra.  The only items controlled at the borders (Andorra is NOT part of the EU) are tobacco and alcohol.

Fortunately, it's easy to monitor.  They are only two ways in and out of the country: one road across the French border and one across the Spanish.  Every vehicle is checked.  Every time.  You pull into the station, get out and open your doors and trunk (boot). 

After living in Andorra for seven years I still don't own a leather jacket or fur coat; didn't buy a Rolex and didn't even buy a whole ham.  What did I buy on my shopping spree?  What else, the food I can't find in France.

First, and most important, is the olive oil.  This 5 litre bottle cost 26 euros and is Extra Virgin First Cold Pressed.  One can't even find the tiny little bottles sold in the U.S. (or France) 2.5 litres is the smallest you can get.  Did you know that a good portion of Italian olive oil is made with Spanish olives?  You see huge tanker trucks transporting the oil from Spain to Italy for bottling (and, of course, labeling).   

Then the odd bits: Hot Mexican Ketchup, Anchovy Stuffed Olives, Water Chestnuts, Cambells Cream of Chicken Soup, Asparagus, both green and white, hot Taco Sauce, Roasted Pimientos (Pimentos), Banderillas (it's a pickle, jalapeno, anchovy olive, red pepper and pickled onion on a 'sword'), HP sauce, Barbecue Sauce, Italian Bread Crumbs and Cream Crackers.

Because Andorra has a huge expat presence, from all nationalities, there is a rather eclectic feel to the food shops.  You can find Chinese vinegar with whole pickled lizards in the bottle right next to Brit's beloved Marmite next to Campbells soup.

Lastly, the necessary bits.  We can't get Listerine or Vaseline hand lotion in France.  The rest of the stuff is just so much cheaper to buy in Andorra I always stock up.

When we lived in the U.S. it never occurred to me that I might not be able to buy a product that I liked and used.  In Andorra the rule was that if you saw something, buy it all 'cause you may never see it again.  After living in three countries I find myself wanting things that I can't get wherever it is I am.  In Andorra it was good lamb and duck breasts (we drove to France to stock up).  Now it's Pimientos and Listerine.

OMG! Am I ever a boring shopper!

Comments

[Freya]

How strange that we in the UK can get most of the American groceries you mentioned, but not in France. Still, they do like to keep themselves to themselves, grocery wise!

[Cindy Young]

Grocery shopping somewhere different is one of my favorite shopping sprees! I am currently looking forward to visiting friends in the burbs of Chicago and shopping at Trader Joe's!!!

[Tanna]

I found that all rather interesting. Shopping is a unique experience where ever you find yourself.

[Mike Cook]

Katie,
Your shopping excursion sounded a tad more interesting than my shopping trip to the mall.
Mike

[Mimi]

What! I can't buy pimientos in France?

I think this is all fascinating. Shopping in any form is great.

[Scott at Realepicurean]

I'll admit it - I need Listerine, too. Luckily no problem here!

[gattina]

Katie, I've got e.v. olive oil and the olives are from Spain too, very good indeed.
But $2,000 for a ham... wow!

[meredith]

I thnk a lot of french olive oils use spanish olives, too. Not that there is anything wrong with spanish olives.