Target Withdrawal

Like most American moms I am totally in love with the red bulls-eye.  Everything about it is wonderful.  Where else can you buy all of your household needs, cute decor, entertainment, reasonable clothes, and groceries, all while sipping a fresh Frappuccino from Starbucks?  Even the bags are great for lining your trash can!  It's really the epitome of efficiency.  Everything in one place, and you only have to check-out once. 

Understandably, then, I'm going through some serious Target withdrawals.  There is just nothing quite like it China.  The only thing close is IKEA.  I went there last week with Rowan.  It's a long haul - an hour and a half trip to Shanghai - so I had a seriously detailed list with all the crazy Swedish names of the things I wanted.  I had to ask the poor driver to come inside with me because of all the big items I was getting (bookshelves, etc.).  We got there before it opened, and as I stood there waiting for them to open for shopping, I felt like I was just another one of the cows being herded through the gates!  There are just so many people in Shanghai!!!  I've also found that sales people in large supermarkets are not overly friendly.  They tend to run around in little giggling packs.  Likely, they’re just trying to avoid me because of our language barrier.  I did manage to get some great stuff, though compared to Target it was extremely stressful.  I think Rowan and I both fell asleep on the ride home!

In town there's a Wal-Mart, but it's not exactly like in the states.  In addition to the hanging meat (it stinks!), they just don't have the necessities every good, red-blooded American needs that you get in a Wal-Mart in the states.  I was looking for stuff to hang our new embroidery piece, and the "hardware" section looked like something I'd find in a CVS.  However, they do have an entire section of MSG, as well as multiple shelves of steamers and soy sauce.  Never can have too much of that!  There's also Auchan, which Dave wrote about earlier.  I went back today before lunch during the "non-busy" time - which just means that you're not shoulder to shoulder with people, but it's still ridiculously crowded.  I've been told it's significantly cheaper, but I think I'm going to have to give myself a pep talk every time before I go in there.  I had to treat myself to a Venti Mocha Latte afterward to make myself feel better!  There's no Target, but at least there's still Starbucks!