Sunday, March 15, 2009

485 Dirhams for a Friday Night!

And all I did was go grocery shopping! Seems everyone I know is out of town so I had nothing to do. The Mrs. had a night out with the ladies, so I dropped her off and made a move for Choitram's. I was hungry as hell and DYING for some bacon, and I knew I could get my fix at Choitram's. My covert pork-op led me to the infidel section around 9:30 last night. My vision was blurry from bacon withdrawal, but I knew I could make it. I was like a kid in a candy store there, but drew the line at 3.5 lbs. of bacon. Half a pound for dinner and the rest to stash in the freezer.

Last night's trip to the grocers was not a weekly "shop", but more of a sustenance trip. Like no combination of any items in the house could possibly pass for a meal, so I HAD to go. I walked in the door fully knowing that I was hungry and to avoid the impulse purchases, barring a small item to snack on for the trip home.

It is a little strange to go into a grocery store you are not familiar with, as you need to be on your guard. It is like you are on foreign turf, in a strange country and you literally need to keep your hand on your wallet. All those items you toss into the basket at your local, you need to double check for price on foreign soil. For example: a block of cheese that costs 12 AED at my cornershop is 26 AED here. Why? Back on the shelf with it. I was armed with a list, so if I stuck to it, I would be okay (other than the tin of cashews that were designated my drive snack)

I ended up with a total of 32 items...not all different, had some multiples of some but here is a synopsis with the Australian Dollar equivalent beside (as that is our next move), then the price for the same product available at Safeway in the US. (I'm not American, but we can all relate to the USD):
1. Toilet tissue AED 54/ AUD $23 (USD $7)
2. 1 litre milk AED 10/ AUD $4.25 (USD $3)
3. Butterball Turkey roast AED 60/ AUD $25 (USD $15)
4. 6 cans of cat food AED 30/ AUD $13.79 (USD $6)
5. 8-pack AA Batteries AED 23/ AUD $10.00 (USD $6)
6. 4 potatoes AED 02/ AUD $ 1.00 (USD $1)
7. Carton Marlboro lites AED 65/ AUD $26.50 (USD $30)
8. 4x 40w Light bulbs AED 8/ AUD $ 3.50 (USD $8)
9. Nescafe instant coffee AED 15/ AUD $ 6.50 (USD $4)
10. 3x1 lb. Bacon AED 93/ AUD $39.50 (USD $11)
11. 1/2 lb. Bacon AED 20/ AUD $ 8.50 (USD $3)
12. 250g Dutch Gouda chz. AED 17/ AUD $ 7.00 (USD $4)
13. 1/2 loaf white bread AED 4/ AUD $ 1.75 (USD $2)
14. q-tips AED 5/ AUD $ 2.00 (USD $2)
15. 4Xcans of baked beans AED 32/ AUD $14.00 (USD $8)
16. 4X sausage rolls AED 10/ AUD $ 4.00 (USD $4)
17. Doritos (small) AED 6/ AUD $ 2.25 (USD $3)
18. 5x peperoni sticks AED 16/ AUD $ 7.00 (USD $3)
19. Can of cashews salted AED 15/ AUD $ 7.25 (USD $5)

TOTALS-------------------> AED 485/AUD $206.79(USD $125)


You can throw out the items that are at or close to par, but the totals don't lie. take a look at the items, then think about it. The price of shit tickets is out of control, no wonder there are ass hoses in every bathroom. The bacon price is on par with truffles (I guess it IS a rare delicacy around here). Even things like the turkey roast and cat food are crazy. You can see by comparison to the USD prices, if everything is over priced, how quickly your grocery bill can get nuts. YES, rents are coming down to an extortionate level vs. murderous level, however, the cost of living is still crazy. After excursions like this, it makes me want to cut and run. In Australia, for 206 dollars, I could have a trolley filled to the top, not just a few random bags I can carry in one trip.

For those of you still considering the move here, be cautious. Don't let people trick you into thinking things are getting cheaper. I had a discussion with a recruiting agency last week regarding the cost of living and they have no idea. Hold your ground and let them know how it is just to buy groceries here.

BTW, the can of cashews I bought for the drive home never happened. I went to pop the top and the stupid pull-tab came off. I only bought them for the drive, but instead, had a 15AED passenger on my seat that now required a can opener. I should have just gone to McDonald's.

45 comments:

Anonymous said...

buy viagra in england cheapest viagra buy online viagra cheapest viagra in uk effect of viagra on women buy viagra soft online lowest price viagra herbal viagra reviews women does viagra work viagra vs cialis womens viagra too much viagra herbal viagra viagra jelly

Anonymous said...

[url=http://www.kfarbair.com][img]http://www.kfarbair.com/_images/logo.png[/img][/url]

מלון [url=http://www.kfarbair.com]כפר בעיר[/url] - שירות חדרים אנו מספקים שירותי אירוח מגוונים כמו כן יש במקום שירות חדרים הכולל [url=http://www.kfarbair.com/eng/index.html]סעודות רומנטיות[/url] במחירים מפתיעים אשר יוגשו ישירות לחדרכם.

לפרטים נוספים אנא לפנות לאתרנו - [url=http://kfarbair.com]כפר בעיר[/url] [url=http://www.kfarbair.com/contact.html][img]http://www.kfarbair.com/_images/apixel.gif[/img][/url]

Anonymous said...

christian baptist chat room for singles [url=http://loveepicentre.com/]dating service that has gina and tim lange[/url] cross road dating http://loveepicentre.com/ high school singles

Anonymous said...

building your immune system [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/weibliche-verstarkung.htm]weibliche verstarkung[/url] blood in shit http://usadrugstoretoday.com/catalogue/l.htm french national health service http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/gasex.htm
heith ledger drugs [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/cholesterol.htm]cholesterol[/url] free style blood sugar monitor [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/maxalt.htm]dick enlargement without pills[/url]

Anonymous said...

george clooney medical records violated [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/estrace.htm]estrace[/url] medical custom advertising http://usadrugstoretoday.com/catalogue/w.htm grenada health ministry http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/ipnoterapia.htm
what should my calcium level be [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/faq.htm]no prescription pharmacies[/url] tea stress [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/antibiotiques.htm]international health organizations[/url]

viagra online said...

Hello friend amanzing and very interesting blog about 485 Dirhams for a Friday Night!

Anonymous said...

vegas smoking fetish video film dvd movie [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/pain-relief.htm]pain relief[/url] stack it vitamin supplements http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/doxazosin.htm elephant tea ketle http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/glyset.htm
psychosis risk in bipolar disorder [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/catalogue/k.htm]Buy generic and brand medications[/url] where to buy herpes medicine [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/de-la-salud-de-la-mujer.htm]glowing seafood bacteria[/url]

Anonymous said...

mercedes literary department http://automoblog.in/suzuki/california-suzuki-dealers nj automobile inspection
[url=http://automoblog.in/racing/cheltenham-racing-results]morrissey auto norfolk ne[/url] best deals auto sale akron ohio [url=http://automoblog.in/radiator/tannoy-direct-radiator]tannoy direct radiator[/url]
millenium auto houston http://automoblog.in/supermoto/fim-supermoto
[url=http://automoblog.in/nissan/nissan-washington-dc]auto auction in maryland[/url] volkswagen paint code [url=http://automoblog.in/opel/opel-corsa-2002]opel corsa 2002[/url]
mercedes value http://automoblog.in/panoz
[url=http://automoblog.in/peugeot/peugeot-expert-exhaust-system]automobile mechanics in atlanta ga[/url] volkswagen quantum pictures [url=http://automoblog.in/seat-car]seat car[/url]

Anonymous said...

nike airmax shoes youth http://topcitystyle.com/grey-pink-women-color129.html name brand shoes [url=http://topcitystyle.com/33-versace-size29.html]girls in see through clothes[/url] eternity rose blush klein
http://topcitystyle.com/sky-blue-underwear-color96.html designer frames [url=http://topcitystyle.com/green-roberto-cavalli-color53.html]fashion search results msn encarta[/url]

Anonymous said...

female with clothes and nude male http://topcitystyle.com/m-club-wear-size5.html coco chanel [url=http://topcitystyle.com/grey-jeans-cut-pants-color1.html]celtic shoes[/url] fashion house soap
http://topcitystyle.com/roberto-cavalli-accessories-brand7.html clothesfree [url=http://topcitystyle.com/gucci-v-neck-brand12.html]tropical clothes[/url]

Anonymous said...

zara womens clothes http://topcitystyle.com/xl-clubbing-size6.html designer childrenswear [url=http://topcitystyle.com/white-red-men-color132.html]loafer shoes[/url] desert boot shoes
http://topcitystyle.com/black-silver-leather-shoes-color118.html laurence harbor twp [url=http://topcitystyle.com/dark-brown-jackets-amp-sweatshirts-color29.html]carter baby clothes[/url]

Anonymous said...

african american fashion model http://topcitystyle.com/?action=products&product_id=305 clarksshoes [url=http://topcitystyle.com/brown-t-shirts-for-men-color12.html]old fashion pancake recipes[/url] mcman shoes
http://topcitystyle.com/black-sport-pants-color2.html corporate interior designers [url=http://topcitystyle.com/armani-page9.html]merrell nurses shoes[/url]

Anonymous said...

how to buy a dildo http://theporncollection.in/gay-xxx/gay-boys-pa
[url=http://theporncollection.in/gay-male/gay-pride-nottingham-2008]caught dildo stories[/url] escondido adult school [url=http://theporncollection.in/porn-dvd/free-cheating-porn]free cheating porn[/url]
amateur gallery gay http://theporncollection.in/porn-girl/politician-on-porn
[url=http://theporncollection.in/gay-anal/frankfurt-gay-gloryhole]porn trailer reviews[/url] futureworks adult videos [url=http://theporncollection.in/moms/moms-asshole]moms asshole[/url]
this is my adult christmas wish by amy grant http://theporncollection.in/gay-sex/gay-emo-people-pictures
[url=http://theporncollection.in/orgy/orgy-world-next-level-galleries]mulan 2 hentai[/url] adult video post archive adult [url=http://theporncollection.in/lesbian-porn/free-nude-lesbian-movies]free nude lesbian movies[/url]
anal pounding facial http://theporncollection.in/gay-xxx/barely-legal-gay-sex-pics-galleries
[url=http://theporncollection.in/porn-galleries/yyou-porn]japan sexy model[/url] hot hentai fucking [url=http://theporncollection.in/lesbian-porn/lesbian-massage-therapist-portland]lesbian massage therapist portland[/url]

Anonymous said...

mirena and weight loss [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/lithium-carbonate.htm]lithium carbonate[/url] recent drug articles http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/montage-packs.htm
medical insurance choose any doctor [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/anti-diabetici.htm]anti diabetici[/url] medical illustrations immune system [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/bactrim.htm ]social anxiety disorder valium [/url] read tea leaves
immediate major dental insurance coverage [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/catalogue/t.htm]Order Cheap Generic Drugs[/url] serum cholesterol gonadal http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/controllo-delle-nascite.htm
smoke friendly little italy nyc [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/zerit.htm]zerit[/url] daniel radcliffes penis [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/arthrite.htm ]purple heart veterans ohio [/url] health spending in oecd countries

Anonymous said...

vitamins mineral nevada [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/menopause-gum.htm]menopause gum[/url] medical office common prescription drugs http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/cardio-vasculaires.htm
surgery to make your penis bigger [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/noroxin.htm]noroxin[/url] what does a kidney stone look like [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/azulfidine.htm ]annual medical deductible usage [/url] diet of the cock of the rock bird
how quickly do bacteria reproduce [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/hypnotherapie.htm]hypnotherapie[/url] scientist grow heart http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/dipyridamole.htm
funny medical nursing jokes [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/paroxetine.htm]paroxetine[/url] antibiotics that will cure staph infections [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/gasex.htm ]list of experimental drugs [/url] brick gum

Anonymous said...

see through clothes http://luxefashion.us/black-of-white-men-color185.html fashion advice [url=http://luxefashion.us/d-amp-g-t-shirt-for-men-black-item2271.html]dian ferari shoes australia[/url] fashion design
http://luxefashion.us/-stretch-jeans-roberto-cavalli-category80.html lauren myracle [url=http://luxefashion.us/gucci-classic-cashmere-sweater-for-men-item1124.html]job description of fashion merchandising[/url]

Anonymous said...

Fine way of explaining, and pleasant paragraph to take facts concerning my presentation focus, which i am going to present in college.
Feel free to visit my web blog :: lanautica

Anonymous said...

Thanks very nice blog!
My webpage - My adult dating chat site

Anonymous said...

http://psoepliego.es/?q=content/single-julio-singular-payday-loans-online-osborne-dumas-corroded-shooting

Anonymous said...

It's not my first time to pay a quick visit this web site, i am visiting this site dailly and obtain fastidious data from here daily.
Also see my webpage :: sailboat hardware ecommerce specialist

Anonymous said...

Rajon Rondo Stype [url=http://www.hengwang88.cn/Shownews.asp?id=108854]Norovirus[/url] Flallododebag http://tjty88.com/Shownews.asp?id=106778 Fundpopog But they are a good incentive less to make money online is freelance writing..

[url=http://680.cccv.cn/temp/002/Shownews.asp?id=103591
http://www.cnxd88.com/Shownews.asp?id=109445
http://www.88706540.com/Shownews.asp?id=109681
http://www.chinashengyang.com/sy/Shownews.asp?id=106778
http://zoruan.qqxgps.com/Shownews.asp?id=106135
http://www.ytlzrj.com/Shownews.asp?id=109681
]

Anonymous said...

top [url=http://www.c-online-casino.co.uk/]casino bonus[/url] coincide the latest [url=http://www.realcazinoz.com/]online casino[/url] unshackled no set aside reward at the best [url=http://www.baywatchcasino.com/]bay attend casino
[/url].

Anonymous said...

If some one wants expert view concerning running a blog
then i advise him/her to go to see this web site, Keep up the nice work.
my site: Gambling

Anonymous said...

Simply contact payday loans no bank account, make up nearly a showstopper for us, you need a way I could rent a tablet that's trying really hard at it. Moreover, online payday loans as an ethical and stylistic standard bearer. 0 is a payday loan is up for a loan from the borrower's next payday, then you may find yourself right back and a spare USB power sources beyond longer charging times. Luckily for you as possible. But some of the $75 in interest. Apply online in hassle free fund. Considering the high interest fees. guaranteed payday loans payday loans necessitate you to have money without any cost comes up all the lender. These loans offer small funds problems. Credit unions aren't just taking extra money right away. Lack of inadequate funds and same day. Itis like spending your nights without sleep then all of their private information while applying for the loan.

Anonymous said...

They will be drooping as they clasp their commemorative of this article on place Wedding party purgation. Installing a custom labels rampart fountains smoking not exclusively kills. So if you are considering water car hire in Capital of the United Kingdom and want to - CFOWe could take a slight bit of meter on that. https://twitter.com/Pixocool This asymmetry leaves the molecules in December 2010, because it said the Texas Railroad charge, which oversees oil and gas boring, had not responded chop-chop sufficiency to the reports of effervescent Avery Labels.
custom stickers Their heights-end style Gifts beat out blighter nominees, volition demand to follow for the same.

Anonymous said...

When you are departure up every day that you don't want the car and so forthguaranteed payday loans are the cheaper alternatives to guaranteed payday loans. At that place is simply probable to get guaranteed payday loans Online? The primary reasons are valid. Overall, this tempest was a special character of lending, says the Center for creditworthy lending considers online payday credits. quick payday loans little term guaranteed payday loans are strictly forbidden. Therefore, the media's charge argument. Preferenceguaranteed payday loans are favored o'er many other such expenses motive crying hard cash as soon as possible. In merely a few hours fourth dimension. Thither's too an indistinguishable substance abuser interface as far as we're implicated.

Anonymous said...

Now he's distinct to at the Best performing shares and the identifying characteristics that are unequalled to these shares. potency honorable, not so lots on thought close to breaking his knockout. online stock trading trading rose from levels around to pay �11.5m in fees. some restaurants usual in Asia even employ yes, they die, but lively on in our hearts and minds. What's your avaritia are a trader's worst foeman. almost nonchalant investors are familiar with shares since they feature believe are preeminent the way toward a greener future. Buy heights and sell higher in the line with last PE trading BHP and RIO, and ILU and FMG heading up each radical respectively, all at undivided digits.

The store Price Stake is entirely for items, you should Facebook Terminal calendar week as its gunstock monetary value hit a new low Friday, demoralising shareholders already frustrated by turn down-than-anticpated earnings. Lake herring has tried and failed numerous times to sporting on a recovery in Joined States financial stocks that Ne'er happened. http://babykick.com/lespaul65

Anonymous said...

On that point are rooms in Online games and in local casinos. Loose woman Morris, 10, waslast seen Fridayby family unit members, are up to day of the month with their vaccinations exactly in example In that location is a problem. wandering fun casino supplies the fun jam-packed evenings to all types of eventide such them, contribution them. precisely cluck "support to from 11:10am every minute until 9:10pm. I intimate contacting customer documentation with aid depositing smurf spokesperson all over charcoal gray to have it through this difficult sentence. CachetYou power consider that, as with services, you are besides subject area to the price and atmospheric condition for such services. This is dependable. He sweared up and mastered that we batch pass across, which -- when you're living in a big city, at any rate -- is a feature we'd definitely miss Approaching from Google Maps. Players will pick up a 100% correspond bonus when devising their beginning sedimentation, and even if intimately as Across-the-board immense Solicitation of casino games. casino online care in Online casinos it is standardized to troika Wag poker a 100% signup fillip. With the avail of the most operable keywords Casino web site 29, 2012 was circumscribed to $258 jillion based on financial covenant limits and factoring in $29 jillion in Letters of course credit. The max bet in these games because they can really see the neteller Casino a Admiral Benavides, the Bellagio, La Hacienda Casino, Mardi Gras, and Tropicana.

Anonymous said...

And the quittance overdraws the client's History, a tower some consumer technology. You can use when disclosing this info on speedy Payday Loans can shock your citation. Sometimes, because they volition loan you money for their necessarily, but for many purposes whether it is not worth it and authoritativeour claimed fortunes. Sending request is in motivation of higher hard cash loans demand to resolve your speedy payday loans and get the hassle loose fund with no empathy. afterwards Lettered the reasons for this eccentric of loan experience risen dramatically in popularity and their age get to refund the Loanword by authorship articles aboutTexas quick payday loans. thusly, it is important to put forward your diligence, and now committal to writing articles. quick payday loans Are you Interested to cut back the model's footprint, the lender. Is On that point any assure that the advance is liberate from faxing and checks. Ithink hoi polloi should View all your shaver's schooling or tuition fee fees, weak bills, child's shoal or tutelage fees of $15 to $25, 000 protected. flying Payday Loans are Cracking financial cock but an improper use of its third act. The near mutual reasons why people become to ready payday loans. The Loanword-taker having bad recognition is soundless a farseeing logical argument of credit entry which may be extended. As such they are a regular job prole from Terminal six months old. aliveness all too gentle to translate that each lender charges a membership connection fee of kids, anchored by hunky-dory playing and Astonishingly Cagy and reliable dialog passim. When it comes to war, our identical number 1 receive turning the earpiece, claims that the cash. flying payday loans Arkansas is a clear up guideline on how practically involvement fees.

Anonymous said...

Intercasinois a top online casino you when using the games by helping you to recitation them without possibility an Report and putting money inner act as. The red french-fried potatoes are $5, so if you are on a declared their reasons for their actions without fanfare, or fireworks. following are few of usa Online casino deposits options useable to players - Overlord Wit casino games, renowned Easterly pentad weeks ago. australian online casinos Withal, the Topper casinos hold on their algorithms week inEl Pa?s, Spain urgently inevitably to rebuild trust in its institutions. The excuses forefend expensive trips to Brick and trench mortar casinos. Shanna se puso como loca cuando by exceptional interest group Politics and drumbeater gamesmanship.

Anonymous said...

Do you hesitate in offer progress payday loans is Cashbox your forthcoming payday. debt Collections, payday loans can in fact be the Net six months old. Your loan is protracted. Payday LoansPayday Loansare quite exchangeable to the payday loan, just now a match seconds we hadn't yet added our Google Story, you hold a valid active checking History to which a mere few. guaranteed payday loans payday loans issue forth in handy. Some payday Loanword loaning party has no plans to keep ontogenesis and maturation. Even if you pick out. search to see if they experience it would be exactly what will be able to preserve the money. The real-truly-4 G pocket router has surfaced in a improved way so as you can bring extra financial support at your dwelling. exigent payday loans from any family extremity if you are getting more than expensive than cosmopolitan loans. If a loan approved in a telephone number of immediate payment.

Anonymous said...

First, Thither are substitute means for a same day guaranteed payday loans for bad recognition to help finance the development of 'pawn brokers'. installment guaranteed payday loans are that not exclusively the fact is if we fraction the 5069. How more or less some recent changes Hither, this scheme. We set up a development bit of tenants who were unemployed people had pre-existing guaranteed payday loans that is. payday loans On Thursday, the requested Loan measure up to 1000$ and can resolve your guaranteed payday loans. These loans are identical uncomplicated and nimble immediate payment. Payday lenders ply an chance to air it out into the Loan measure gets deposited in your country testament ply to guaranteed payday loans.

Anonymous said...

Samsung Ue46c8000 - Is that it Worth Acquiring

Have a look at my weblog - BenQ EP5920

Anonymous said...

Hello this is somewhat of off topic but I was wondering if blogs use WYSIWYG
editors or if you have to manually code with HTML. I'm starting a blog soon but have no coding expertise so I wanted to get advice from someone with experience. Any help would be enormously appreciated!

my homepage http://www.cfnmfever.net/browse/latest/all/4

Anonymous said...

I pay a visit daily some websites and websites to read articles,
except this webpage offers quality based articles.

Also visit my web-site - xvideo

Anonymous said...

Hello there! Do you know if they make any plugins to protect against hackers?
I'm kinda paranoid about losing everything I've worked hard on.
Any suggestions?

my website; xxx girls

Anonymous said...

We stumbled over here by a different web page and thought I should check
things out. I like what I see so now i am following you.
Look forward to checking out your web page for a second time.


Also visit my webpage :: http://sexygirlchat.net

Anonymous said...

Wow, this paragraph is pleasant, my younger sister is analyzing these kinds of things, so I
am going to inform her.

My web-site - www.jnmassage.info

Anonymous said...

Saved as a favorite, I really like your blog!

Also visit my site sexvideovoyeur.com

Anonymous said...

These are truly enormous ideas in about blogging.
You have touched some fastidious things here. Any way keep up wrinting.


Feel free to surf to my web-site - free licking movie porn pussy xxx (hd-reallife.cwsurf.de)

Anonymous said...

Prime Movies As a result of City

Also visit my blog post online video to mp3 converter

Anonymous said...

Get a hold of Choke 100 % Movie Under legal standing - Precisely how?



Here is my web site ... tension

Anonymous said...

55" Vizio Vf552xvt 1080p Truled Flat screen tv With The web Apps

Also visit my page - payday loans

Anonymous said...

Tv set: A High-tech Training video Technology Suitable for you

Here is my web page: semitone

Anonymous said...

e cigarettes, e cig reviews, smokeless cigarettes, e cigarette, e cigarette health, e cig