The Albatross
Tuesday 23 April 2024
As we are departing for more warm and sultry climes in a few weeks we thought some more summery attire was in order as we only have one pair of shorts each, and no swimwear. Where do you go then? Walmart.
The first stop was to find sunscreen and insect repellent. Every aisle I pushed my jumbo trolley down was immediately blocked at both ends by other shoppers. Fine once or twice, but after the 5th time a bit of paranoia was creeping in, so I parked the chuck wagon on the main drag and made furtive dashes. We eventually found both items and set off for clothes shopping, my best most favourite thing in the world. I quickly located some garments to attire the undercarriage to try on. After eventually finding someone to let me into the change room, selections were made, but not before being asked multiple times if “Sir, are you still in there”. It can only have been 5 minutes! What did they think I was doing?
Escaping the confines of the cubical, I went in search of the Tuna, she was on a similar quest and I correctly assumed she was holed up in her own cubical. So, I parked the trolley near lady’s wear on the widest aisle, not in front of checkouts where I wouldn’t get in folks’ way. Bad move I should have hidden in the dunnies or something. No less than 4 of Phoenix’s more challenged folks came up to me in turn and wanted a chat, just because I was stationary. Eventually Tuna emerged and rescued me whilst not understanding why I was twitchy.
So, Rule one: take a basket not a trolley. Rule two: Keep moving. Rule 3: know your size so you don’t need the change room. Rule 4: No eye contact ever.
We then went and explored some culture. The Heard Museum was the first time that the different tribes and cultures of the South West were put in some decent context that we have seen. It explains the history and relationship of the different people and ages for Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Southern California and Northern Mexico. Something which had been bugging me, as whilst we visited sites the details were really missing.
Oh, we also saw pots and stuff.
Home for a booking extravaganza, in air-conditioning as the temperature was climbing. I’d hate to see this place in summer.