Best Thing Since Sliced Bread

from Elliott

I went to the market today with a single item on my list but I spent quite a bit of time just learning what has become our new story. I went simply to get a loaf of bread but I found myself fascinated by the experience.

First off, a loaf of white bread (perfect for making Cason's toasted cheese sandwich!) is price controlled by the government and is quite a deal at 72 cents. Secondly, the days allocation sits on the shelf, uncut and unwrapped. Just sitting on the shelf. Wait till the health department finds out about that!

Thirdly, because all white bread can mistakenly be seen as a commodity and hard to distinguish one loaf from another, our market has their name 'Spar' branded on the side of the loaf. It is hard to notice that when sliced.

Finally, you pay for the loaf and then you can go to a machine against the wall and have it sliced. That is if the attendant is there. Today was quite busy in the market and there was no attendant so I was left to decipher this rather scary contraption. Fortunately, a xhosa woman who appeared to be a domestic worker was in line in front of me with her loaf.

She speaking no English and me speaking no xhosa (not yet at least!) began this pantomime that must have been hysterical to any passerby. I can only imagine she thought I was either a moron or from another planet but she smiled sweetly as I waved good bye, nodded and said 'enkosi' - one of the few words I know but a good one to start with - "Thank you"