If we had been home for Earth Day we would have worked in the garden, we really need to work in the garden, but we weren’t so we didn’t. Instead, we found ourselves using the last of a tank of very expensive gas to drive 30 miles into Tampa to shop at the new Wild Oats.
I’ve never been to a Wild Oats before and I was disappointed to find out it was opening just a couple of days after our Spanish II field trip early in April. It was terrific to find ourselves a half hour away from Wild Oats and plenty of time to spare on a shopping spree. And shopping, we did.
First let me just say that you Tampa folks talk really loudly and you should tone down your voices a little bit when you are in Wild Oats. The lighting and the nice music should be respected and appreciated and your grocery shopping experience should feel relaxing in that environment, not like a three ring circus. I know it’s a new store and you’re excited but please. relax.
Once I got use to the sheer NOISE and the crowds I was good. I even managed to get through the entire store without feeling the need to bolt and drag TW OUT of there. And, I enjoyed it quite a bit. Cool stuff. Interesting stuff. Familiar stuff too. And the cafe was nice. Some weird people there – why would anyone ask the barista if the hot chocolate tastes like milk or tastes like coke? That’s just a weird question, ya know? And the dude who tasted every hot entree item and then ordered 1/4 lb of the macaroni & cheese was also weird. The cute little manager, Ashley, was not weird to me – I have teens who look like she does but a lot of people probably thought she was weird.
So, Wild Oats shopping was a success! Whole Foods in a couple of weeks and then Trader Joe’s this summer and I can die a happy woman. I never thought I’d say I enjoy grocery shopping. I never thought I would be looking forward to visiting grocery stores. Talk about weird….
We actually have a Whole Foods here. Yummy samples and just about the only place that I know of to find whole-wheat couscous. Expensive though.