The Lotus Center

I took another trip to the Lotus Center as Mel and Elmeda wanted to search out the local convenience shopping. It really is a WalMart wanna-be. I don't know if it is a chain or just the one store. It has everything, from electronics to food to clothing to liquor.

There is someone standing at the entrance, but he appears to be more security-related than a 'WalMart greeter.' When we were in the food area I wanted to take a photo of the chicken feet and other delectables to post, but when I took out the camera a gentleman came up and shook his head in the negative. Later, I approached a more friendly-looking female and took the camera out and tried to signal that I wanted to take some photos; she motioned to the front of the store so off I went to get approval. After again doing my pantomime to indicate my wish, The 'WalMart greeter' shook his head, but added a firm vocal "no." So unfortunately, I am not able to show some of the store's offerings.

If there would have been air conditioning in the store, we would have stayed longer; but the air was quite heavy. We spent most of the time in the food area. The fresh fish, beef, pork, chicken, and other 'birds' were displayed in a combination of open market style (with ice) and heated cases. The aromas mixed with the warm air filled the nostrils. Every body part to the animal/bird seemed to be available for purchase. In the heated case, many items looked very appealing but then there was this one container at the end--it had tiny, tiny, little birds in it and they were very dark with some sauce basted on them. Not many remained so this item must be on the shopping list for others. It wasn't on mine.

Going down the packaged goods aisles it was easy to find the Pringles, the Lays, the Oreos, and other assorted snack and cookie brands. There were also the Coke products and juice brands, such as Minute Maid. Trade dress was ever present so they were easy to spot, even though the American tradename was not on the package. In some instances, though, the tradename was used. In health and beauty aids I found such brands as Tide, Safeguard, and Kleenex. With these products, the name was the constant yet their trade dress was not always apparent as we know it. It was interesting to see the strategy that different companies use in packaging their products in the international market. There was no consistency.

I by-passed the dairy aisle as there was still news of arsenic being present in dairy products here. Even though the news programs indicate they have been taken off the market and are locking down on the production of these products, I decided to play it safe. Besides, I brought calcium tablets along.

Prices are very reasonable. I bought another liter bottle of Minute Maid orange juice and paid 5.50 RMB, which is roughly 80 cents converted. As I went through the checkout lane, I thought maybe I should have looked for a 'pillowtop' for my bed or an air mattress (that is what Mel and Elmeda brought along) to add some comfort to my sleep. Maybe on another visit.