Walking Back to Wal-Mart ?
December 15, 2009 by Jason Shaw
Walking back to Wal-Mart -
The other morning after work I went down and walked along the front all the way to Hove. The wind was gusting in from the sea at 40 to 50 miles per hour, white water atop the massive waves of grey crashed to the shore with such fore that the spray was reaching the road at times, encouraged by the winds.
I love walking along the front during winter, there is something magical, majestic and mysterious about the promenade on a blustery day in the off season when it’s all but deserted. There was hardly a soul about, vastly different from the summer days when rarely venture down that way, for it’s way too packed with day trippers, tourists and out of towners! In the winter though, bereft of persons, it take son a whole different atmosphere, the dark grey skies, the vicious winds, the swirling and rough seas, the white water and the gritty feeling of sea salt sinking into the skin is a wonderful experience.
There is also something calming when walking toward the old pier, it’s rusting old frame work striking out of the undulating wild greyness like an alien animal, a mere skeleton of it’s former self. I love the old pier, the whole area has something mysteriously beautiful about it. It contours up images of the past, and as my eyes gazed upon it’s striking form the other morning, I could almost seem the white classic traditional pier spring back around that iron work, like a special effect in a Hollywood blockbuster, about the Regency years, all the faded glory of a seaside town, popular in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s yet time has not been kind. I can see it now, all
flashbacks and soft fade outs.
I left the beach side and headed up the road to get the bus homeward, but something caught my eye in the store by the bus stop. It was a memory inducing soft drink, that I just had to nip in to buy. Moments later I was back outside waiting for the bus, along with me 6 cans of A & W Root Beer!
I love root beer, it’s difficult to get over here, which perhaps explains the 80p a can price tag ( that’s nearly a buck and half for a can a soda!) but I do adore it. Seeing those can’s reminded me of being back in America with Matt and his folks taking us shopping to Sam’s Club and us coming out with a case of root beer, which cost lest than the 6 cans I’d just bought, that in turn forced other such memories to come flooding back, like the massive cheesecake, the size of my head, the blackened salmon at less than a quarter of the price here!
As I rode the bus home, I thought back to those supermarket days, popping in to Wal-Mart or Sam’s Club or Kroger. I never thought I’d miss food shopping, but missing it, I am.
Please come back soon, see where my mind has gone, that I’m remembering next and maybe more!
7 out of 10 people believe in life after death, almost 30% of people skip lunch, 80% of lipsticks contain fish products, 68% of the population have little faith in a politicians ability to tell the truth! Have your views heard and counted so they can really make a difference. YouGov surveys are used by respected newspapers, TV stations, companies, organisations and even governments. Join the YouGov panel here and get paid for your views!
Comments
Feel free to leave a comment...
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!
You must be logged in to post a comment.