Arenal General Store

One of the many interesting things about Costa Rica is the shopping.  There are very few chain stores (you have to drive to San Jose to find a Walmart), and the local store owners may provide a variety of services.  For instance, Jerry & Sarita's Pharmacia also serves as a coffee shop, a used book store, a realty service, and a place to pass some time with friends.

One of my favorite shops is the Arenal General Store owned by our Spanish teacher's husband, Ahmad.  It's only about the size of a narrow single car garage, but I often tell Ahmad he has everything in there, to which he responds "almost everything".

If you need a toaster oven, a coffee pot, a blender (every household needs one for fruit smoothies and margaritas) - Ahmad has it.

If you need a machete to trim the plant life along your driveway - Ahmad has it.  Do you need a birthday present, wrapping paper, a fly swatter, or some school supplies - Ahmad has it all.  A pair of crocs for walking through puddles in rainy season - Ahmad has them (although only in black).  Do you want to learn to play the guitar - Ahmad has several and can probably teach you to play as well.  A casserole dish to cook Ileana's plantain recipe (see previous blogs) - Ahmad has that too. 

 A pretty area rug, dishtowels, a flower vase, a new tooth brush - Ahmad has it.  A multi-charger for the car so you can charge your phone, tablet and other electronic paraphenelia - Ahmad has it.  And if Ahmad doesn't have something, he can certainly get it for you. 

 

We are in Ahmad's store twice a week after our Spanish lesson, and I'm sure I still haven't discovered all the "jewels" he has displayed in his little shop.

Try counting the number of items you can find in these pictures of the Arenal General Store.