Wait a minute, that's not German in the title...
I just returned from the grocery store to prepare for tonight's Cinco de Mayo celebration. Cinco de Mayo cracks me up because it is another one of those holidays that give Americans an excuse to drink, much like St. Patrick's Day or Oktoberfest, under the auspices of it being a cultural celebration. I am all for celebrating cultural diversity and for that is is good. It is just funny because it is really a minor holiday in Mexico. When I talk about our "celebration" tonight, I use that word very loosely. It will consist of eating some Mexican food, drinking a beer, and maybe talking a little Spanish with S and Raven. Not surprisingly, my options for Mexican food are a bit limited here in Switzerland; but thanks to the wonders of globalization, I can get Old El Paso products right here at my local grocery store. If only they could get to work on the Little Debbie Swiss Rolls. One thing you should know is that food is a bit pricey here, that is my little hint as we enter the next part of the program. Now I want you to "Come on down!... to the Price is Right!" That's right, now is your opportunity to guess the cost of tonight's dinner.
Take a look. What would you pay for this delightful feast? One package of 8 corn tortillas (I was hoping for flour tortillas but the store was all out. Apparently the Swiss like to find excuses for drinking too. Or maybe they are just really into Latino culture. Take note Neil. Neil is my brother-in-law. He is not latino, but he does a nice little music show called El Ritmo Latino. You can download podcasts of his show from iTunes if you are interested. Now back to our program...), one small jar of salsa, one can of refried beans, one block of Emmentaler Swiss cheese (I know, I know, I have to work with what I have here), and one 125g bag of tortilla chips. What do you think? $10. $12. $18. The total cost was 24.50 swiss francs. The exchange rate is nearly 1:1, with a current cost in USD of $23.24. That is for a bare bones bean and cheese with some chips kind of affair. I'll probably add some veggies and maybe have a beer or two. If I add some rice and maybe a little chocolate for dessert we could be pushing $30. Good thing I have a Swiss bank account. More on that later...
5 comments:
That's why people own goats in Switzerland, for the cheap cheese, and for when they realize how expensive food is, they can turn to their goat for solace.
You can't eat a Royale with Cheese every night!
too bad you can't eat money...
Veggies? Now I know where the $6k went!
Famous in Lozier family lore is the story of Julie's father's first call home on his first trip to Hawaii with his buddy Bill. His first words to his wife "Do you know how much a jar of Miracle Whip is here?"
Swiss cheese on Nachos? That's just wrong dude.
Kara and I thought of your mexican fiesta last night as we ate at Chilango's(our favorite provvy mex place.) The food came out to about the same as your cinco de mayo feast. Rhode Island wins the mexican food battle, but the skiing....no contest.
ciao...b
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