Shopping By Metro
Not owning a car does have its advantages. No monthly car payment, no expensive fill-ups at the gas station, and no pricy insurance bills. Despite all the positives though, I have to say that there are just some things that you can’t do easily without a car. Take for example my trip this past weekend to the local Costco. I love Costco – it usually does me no good to go in there with a list because inevitably I always leave with many more things then I thought I would when I walked through the door.
Now, anyone who has ever been into one of these wholesale clubs knows that they are very much about shock and awe. Nothing in these places is small. Big TV’s, luggage sets, fine china, furniture; they have it all.
After three months of living in DC there are just some things that I needed to stock up on. So, on the trusty Metro I go. After transferring at Rosslyn to the Blue line it was a quick trip past Arlington National Cemetery and the Pentagon to my final destination. Armed with two large LL Bean tote bags I trudged into Costco. I must admit that as I walked through the door in the back of my mind I was thinking “what the hell were you thinking, it’s just not possible to leave this place with a little of anything!”
As my cart grew more full the thought of the strain in my poor arms began to sink in. After spending way more then I had planned to (what else is new), I packed my two tote bags and trudged back to the Metro.
After fighting my way through the turnstile and down the escalator, I managed to just miss the train I needed. Sadly, the next train was 15 minutes away. After getting the once over from a friendly member of the Metro Authorities, my train finally came. I guess in retrospect I must have looked a little ridiculous carrying two heaping bags filled with frozen chicken, a pineapple, frozen pasta, and many other items.
After squeezing my way onto the train, I managed to somehow make it home. All along the way I was pushed, pulled, and yelled at for being in the way. I began to really question whether the chicken and produce was really worth the effort. I must say that this was certainly an instance where owning a car would have saved time, effort, and maybe just a few under-my-breath choice words for those who happened to get in my way.
I guess I’ll have to chalk this up to just another Washington, DC Experience. I will say that the chicken was delicious that night and the brownie bites that I bought weren’t half bad either. Next time though, I’m calling a cab!