So for the most part I think I have dealt pretty well with the differences I’ve encountered since I’ve moved onto this Rock called St. Thomas. But today however I was reminded again that I live on an ISLAND.

You may be wondering what the catalyst for such a reminder was. Well, it was not earth shattering or ground breaking. It didn’t even rock my world or enlighten my thinking. I could have gone about my day and probably never even realize it had happened if I had not actually glanced at my receipt from the market this morning.

My 2nd Job (coolsignsvi.com) was having a Christmas Lunch and I was asked to bring in chips and soda. NO PROBLEM I said as I thought ::SCORE, I pulled the lucky straw, no cooking, no weird cheese logs, just EASY chips and soda and cheap to boot!:: Pulling the chips and soda straw for an office party is like winning the corporate holiday lunch lottery.

So it was with this perspective I entered the Marina Market in Redhook and proceeded to purchase a few bottles of soda and a couple bags of chips. After winding through the store and admiring how much it seemed like a Trader Joes distant relative (I.E homegrown but not upscale) I found the chip aisle. I located the two bags I had previously decided on 1) Dorritos and 2) Sun Chips French Onion and then grabbed the soda at the other end of that same aisle. I proceeded to the check out and things went smoothly. I received my total, thought it was a bit high but just went and paid. I waited for the cashier to hand me my receipt and then exited the store.

It wasn’t until I sat down in my passport that I got a chance to look at my receipt and notice that the reason the bill seemed too high was that instead of the 99 cents or the 1.75 I was use to for a bag of chips in the states I had been charged 4.99 for my Sun Chips, 2.29 for the Dorritos and 1.99 for each of the 2 Liters of soda.

Now, remember I did mention that this isn’t earth shattering or ground breaking but it is indicative of the types of small reminders us new comers to the Island receive that where we live really is a bit different and requires an approach other than the one we are use to back in the states. Anyway its not bad, its just different and I thought I’d post about it.