In Venezuela we use the term compras nerviosas to describe the kind of stockpiling or hording of groceries that follows fatalistic news (natural disasters, scarcity, etc.). Of course, you need to have money to do that.
However, there is another kind of "nervous shopping" we experience sometimes when you realize your accounts balance may not be enough to pay for all you put in the shopping cart.
We have reached that point this month. You debate what can and cannot be bought over the morning coffee, but still the maths are sketchy.
We walked down to the "closest" supermarket (the little abastos and bodegas that are really close hardly ever offer fresh and good products).
We actually walk about 10 blocks (which is a good exercise), but return on a bus that leave us three blocks from our place.
Today they finally decided to put some makeup on this street (the one I show you when I have to get up at 3 am for @manujune's appointments).
We did not do a full mercado (groceries for a week or more) and yet we had to put together all the moneys we had in our accounts.
With a Bolivar being devalued at an astonishing rate (100bs per dollar in June; 170 now), food is increasingly expensive every day.
You stare at the register's screen and start putting aside ítems that, on second thought, did not look so urgent or needed.
Thank Hive, we took what we needed the most. Next week should be less ...nervous.
