Greener Grass

I was a little shocked this weekend when I realized I haven't said much at all about shopping in Europe yet. To friends and family, it will not come as a shock that I have already done plenty of shopping here. Too much, really, considering in less than 4 months, I will have to figure out a clever way to get it all back to the states. But it can't be helped...when I think about the fact that I won't be able to shop at Zara, Pimpkie, or Mango anymore when I get home, I start to panic a little bit. I mean, I have to buy as much as I can while I'm here, right? At least H&M is available in the states, even if it does require a trip to Atlanta or some other large city.

I certainly got my shopping gene honestly. From a young age, I have been coached on this subject by every female in my family. I'm pretty sure that my family from Mississippi comes to visit us in South Carolina just to come shopping. But it's good family bonding, right? Who needs to play games and make pot roasts together when you can shop together? [Although to be fair, we do play our fair share of Mexican Train Dominoes (is that politically correct?) and eat enough to feed an army (food, not dominoes)].

Like I said (other than H&M), Zara, Pimpkie, and Mango are my other three favorite stores here. (Such cool names, am I right?) They're all the kind of stores where you get lots of bang for your buck. The people here just don't appreciate them as much as they should. Instead, they just talk about wanting a navy blue sweatshirt from Gap that says GAP on the front of it (for the record, they do have some Gaps here, just not everywhere). But seriously, I could come back to Europe with suitcases of these sweatshirts and be rich. Or Levis. I was asked how much Levis are in the states, and had no idea. I don't think I've ever owned a pair of Levis in my life. Not that I'm against them. They're just not a huge novelty to us (or me, at least). Plus, I'll admit I'm kind of a snob about what jeans I wear. They're the only things I am willing to spend lots of money on. For everything else, H&M, Forever 21, and the three stores noted above are my treasure troves for clothes.

Oh yes, and speaking of American stores that are coveted here, this is a good one. When Mom and I were in Paris over Christmas, we of course walked down des Champs Elysees, mostly just to see the store-fronts decorated to the nines for Christmas. About halfway down, we noticed a line of people waiting to get in somewhere. We were confused because it looked like a line waiting to get into a club. The velvet ropes were black and the line was growing by the second. At the front of the line stood a large, fancy iron and gold-leaf gate with two bouncers in matching outfits standing in front. So Mom and I think okay, either this is a really swanky new club or a designer store, right? Wrong. We walked past all of the people waiting in line and I look at the gates, beside which is a plaque. Can you guess what the plaque says? Don't want y'all peeking ahead... Click Here to See. Also, here is a picture of the Gate. Mom and I were flabbergasted by this. That is the only word that correctly conveys how surprised we were. Flabbergasted. A line and gates and bouncers? Seems crazy to us.

I guess it really is a case of the grass is always greener. I'm sure a lot of Europeans would trade me Pimpkie for Hollister. Maybe before I leave, I can make some kind of deal. I'll wager 2 Gaps, 5 J. Crews, and 3 Banana Republics for 5 Pimpkies, 3 Zaras, and 1 Mango in the southeastern US... think the higher powers of shopping that be will go for that?