There are 3 grocery stores/supermarkets near our home. Anvar is a the closest, perhaps two or three blocks' distance away. It is rather cheap--bread especially--but towels and kitchen supplies are expensive! It's nice in that it has a lot of everything. The upstairs contains drugstore-type items (think Rite Aid or Eckerd, not pharmacy) It has a small selection of toys and school supplies, even some clothes. I've bought her tights there. The upstairs also contains the liquids--juices and alcohol.
The downstairs has bread; baking supplies (we've found powdered vanilla, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, etc!), dairy products, etc--what you'd expect in a grocery store. And a counter where you can buy meat and a bakery section that looks yummy.
There are cubbies near the front entrance where you can put your sacks, lock them with a large key, and get when you are finished shopping. I've learned to come with a large duffel bag, so that we can carry our drinks (juice and soda) home.
Like stores in Europe, you must bag your items yourself. This is frustrating. I have never been able to open plastic bags easily. Often, the cashier will finally help me.
There are a lot of workers, mostly women, standing around everywhere. They are usually very friendly, and one who speaks some English has come to recognize us and greets us in English.
Sulpak is the second closest to our home; I've heard that it's cheaper, but haven't done much shopping there to tell. It's a bit further than Anvar, the bread isn't as good, and as far as I can tell, it doesn't have mozzarella cheese (needed for Sophia's pizza). However, it is located near Eurasia, the large shopping complex, and on buses 4 and 14 routes. Also, it has an ATM for our bank.
It is a bit smaller than Anvar, and definitely more cramped. A bit dirtier, and most of the cubbies for baggage check have lost their keys.
However, a big plus is the small restaurant located in the front. Sophia noticed the hot dogs there on our first trip to Sulpak. This is great when we go there after school. I can feed her first. We went there after attempting to pay our Internet on Monday, and I marveled at the fact that she had two hot dogs and a Sprite for 185 Tenge--barely over a dollar. Where in the States can you get that deal?
Also, birds seem to love the restaurant, and everywhere we come, one flies in and fascinates Sophia throughout her meal.
The other store is Ramstore, whose symbol is a kangaroo. This store is a bit further of a walk, and it's the one we went to before church on Sunday. We have only gone twice; Christie had told us it was cheaper. I don't think it is. It's located in what should be a mall, but is mostly empty. It is very, very clean, spacious, and nice. This is where Valerie found Parmesan cheese, brown sugar, and cake mix. It's worth going to at times, but Anvar still tops my list.
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