July 16, 2010:  I am American, therefore, I understand the USRDA Food Pyramid to prescribe a base of several servings of grains per day, I also do not know the metric system.  This has lead me to two realities:  1.) I have been eating a lot of rice and whole wheat bread in an attempt to maintain a relatively healthy, satisfying and, most importantly for my budget, cheap diet and 2.) I have been unable to buy fresh produce.  The first reality is understandable.  We’ve all been on budgets before.  The second?  Allow me to explain…

Fruits and vegetables here are sold in metric measurements, namely, kilos.  For the best prices per kilo you must go to a frutría/verdulería.  These are stands where the produce is presented in rustic crates.  Locals stop in on their way to/from siesta, they chit-chat with the vendors there.  They kiss each other on the cheek, they wave ciao and they take their fresh produce home to enjoy with friends and family.  I have walked by these stands several times and have salivated over the beautiful jewels of citrus and rich verdant leafy things.  I am stuffed to the gills with bread and grains.  I would love some fresh produce.  I have not stopped to purchase any because I DO NOT KNOW THE METRIC SYSTEM.  You cannot imagine the immense anxiety this has invoked.  I have no idea how much is involved in a kilo, 2 kilos, a half kilo?  What’s a gram?  What if I end up picking 10 kilos of something and end up owing $50?  What do I ask for?  How do I ask?  Do I help myself?  Do I give the vendor a kiss on the cheek and tell him I’m his new neighbor?  I just want a fresh, juicy, bright, ripe orange!!!

I finally could stand it no longer.  I had to overcome this insanity.  I stalked people coming and going from the frutería.  I watched what they did, I listened to what they said, I mimed their gestures-well, okay, maybe not really but in my head I did.  Turns out, it’s not that scary at all.  Prices are low enough that even if you bought 5 kilos of something it would still be pretty affordable.  But hardly anyone orders by kilo.  You just tell the vendor how many of something you want-four apples, three oranges, two bunches of spinach.  The vendor picks the fruits and veggies for you and places them in a bag which he then weighs and tells you how much you owe.  Easy peasy!  I have never been so happy to have a fresh orange before!  It’s the little things…