Shop 'til You Drop!

Today I set out to buy some items for a dinner and game night I am hosting for staff next weekend.  I had ordered some items online from Amazon, but wanted to see what I could get locally well in advance in case I had to make a last minute desperate plea to Mark to send me things from Wasilla.

It was a very windy morning, but not yet raining.  I couldn't leave too early, because the stores don't even open until 10 am, and if you get there within the first couple of hours there may not be anyone there to check you out. I couldn't have gone shopping yesterday, because the stores and post office were closed for the wedding!

On my way, I ran into three students who were more than happy to pose for a photo! I love their faces!

 

There are two main stores in Toksook Bay - the NYC (Native Yupik Corporation) and Bayview. The NYC gives a 10% discount on the 15th of each month (teacher payday!) so I hit that one first.

 

NYC Store

The complete "PRODUCE" section of NYC.  Unfortunately, all of these potatoes were mushy :(

These shelves are pretty stocked (not always the case)!  I was able to get salsa and a few other items here - but they had no butter or eggs (or many of the other items I was looking for) in stock today, yet I seemed able to spend $27 on the couple of items I did buy! . . . So I packed up my backpack and headed to Bayview.  On the way I saw a barge had come in this morning. Apparently it was bringing our winter fuel for the school:

 

 

At Bayview, I was able to get my 25 potatoes for baking - for $28!!  I even found a canned ham, nacho cheese, and a couple of cans of Diet Dr Pepper!

 

Bayview Store

 

This photo (below) makes Bayview look like a Walmart practically.  The pickings are very strange - but there seems to be at least one of most things you'd need in a pinch!

 

I was home from my whole outing in about an hour, very wind-blown, and about a hundred dollars poorer - but happy with my purchases,  having hit all the highlights of the Toksook shopping community!