A new grocery store arrived in town a few weeks ago and the city is all a buzz. It is a store they have in Santiago and in other Chilean towns but one that has never made it to Conce. It was one of those things where everyone always said that it was coming to Conce at this location or that location but it never really happened. So when I got back from furlough and was told that it was actually built I thought it was too good to be true.

"What's the big deal?" you might ask. "Its just a grocery store." Well I know some of you out there can relate. Think about the first time the Trader Joes came to your town or the Whole Foods or HEB Central Market. It was an exciting first trip there, right? Well Jumbo is no Whole Foods but they do carry things that noone else in Chile carries and if they do its just because they carry Jumbo products.

One wild Friday night, the day after it opened, my teammates and I ventured over there to see if it was true. We went in not expecting to buy much so didn't even take a cart. That was probably a blessing and a curse. A blessing because I did not buy more than I could carry but a curse because my load got quite heavy and imbalanced to carry in my arms.

What did I buy on this trip? To mention a few things, I bought Chips Ahoy chewy chocolate chip cookies, Dr. Pepper, Crasins, icing in a can, chocolate cake mix in a box, light soy sauce and Panko bread crumbs. They also had cream of chicken and mushroom soup in a can and cooking spray. They are the ONLY ones in Chile who carry cooking spray. Luckily for me I came back from furlough with a make your own cooking spray bottle, otherwise that would have been in my stash too. They also had Weight Watchers ice cream bars, but guess how much they cost. $12 USD for like 8 popsicles. We passed on those.

A funny experience I had was when I saw some Chileans looking at the Dr. Pepper and Root Beer cans. I boldly went up to them and declared my allegiance to Dr. Pepper stating that it was my favorite soda in the US and I was very excited to see it. This led into a fun conversation about what we are doing here and other American products. It was quite funny. Not sure if they bought any but I did my duty.

I'm not sure that I will make Jumbo my every day grocery store as I imagine the prices are a little high, but it will be my treat grocery store when I need me some good ole' 'merican products. Welcome to Conce Jumbo!