Friday, July 25, 2008

Cabin Fever and Ice Skating

When not discovering the many beauties that tropical paradise has to offer, I have a long agenda of things to do every second of every day! Er, not. Problem: I haven't had much opportunity to exercise. And even more time to eat. 1+1=2. There is zero canceling out to do in this equation. Solution: Grocery shopping! Actually, there's no joking in that statement. Let's just say that we're not in Kansas anymore, with no Wal-Mart to be found. Grocery shopping is a big event in the household. (We don't get out too often...) I never ever thought in my life that what I would be missing from the United States were the grocery carts! cart [kahrt] –noun 1. A heavy two-wheeled vehicle, commonly without springs, drawn by mules, oxen, or the like, used for the conveyance of heavy goods. 2. A light two-wheeled vehicle with springs, drawn by a horse or pony. 3. Any small vehicle pushed or pulled by hand. In our local grocery store, Carre Four, they take definition #3 to heart and pay special attention to the word "any." These contraptions are very deceiving look-a-likes of a common grocery cart. Yes, I was fooled. I'm sure there must be a handbook on how to properly use it (that everyone else in Tahiti has come across except us, of course.) By pushing it straight, it automatically veers to the left. (Or right. Whichever way has a large stack of cans to knock over.) So you try to steer it the other way, but these carts are determined. Be smarter than the cart... Be smarter than the cart. Methods:
  • Take 10-15 steps in order to beat the cart to its destination. (a.k.a. chasing after the darn thing on the replica ice skating rink and look like an imcompetent American.)
  • Tighten you stomach muscles, and wait a few seconds before the torque kicks in and it slowly decides to turn.
  • Use all of your upper body strength while planting your feet firmly in a ready-position and use the push/pull method.
  • Pick the entire thing up, and walk around the store carrying it over your head. With 100 lbs. of groceries inside.
When repeating this ritual for two hours, it adds up to be quite the workout. No lie.

2 comments:

Megan Conrad said...

That is great!:) No lies... I want this workout option!!!:)

Parkside View said...

Pushing a cart through the grocery store can also be a workout in America when you have a baby in a car seat in the basket, a four-year-old hanging off the handle bar, and a six year old trying to hang over the front to ride. All that extra weight really throws off the carts ability to maneuver properly. Try to rush through the store in record time before said baby awakes, and who needs a gym membership?!

By the way, seriously, so blessed totally cracks me up! Whoever writes that blog may have found some inspiration from my own. Thanks for clueing me into that one!