Estefani Writes It All Down

by Judith Thompson

Estefani and Nestor are the owners of the vegetable and fruit (nuts,seeds,grain,beans,spices,herbs,too) store in Colonia Valdense where I live. Estefani writes down the name of the food and the price on everything that I buy. Laura, where I used to buy my food (near my other rental house) did the same thing for me. Can't beat that! Really helps me compare Uruguay and what people are paying in the US. Here are some of the prices for some of the foods I regularly buy: 12 small apples (very tasty red ones)33 pesos or $1.71; 2 very fat sweet potatoes 28 pesos or $1.45; large plastic baggie (quart size more or less) full of pinto beans 56 pesos or $2.89; 56 also for a baggie 2/3 full of quinoa; 12 pesos for a large white onion = .62 USD. 2 nectarines 19 pesos =$1; 1 kilo ground beef = 8.12 USD. 15 large brown eggs = 3.07 USD. Large cabbage = 1.53 US. 6 bananas = 1.69 US. Large piece of steak meat (called Nalga) that I cut up myself is 169/kilo. The supermarkets are well stocked (with the exception of peanut butter). I eat extremely healthful food and feel great. I'm close to 73 years (young).