In the 5 years I’ve lived in Washington, I’d only gone into the Whole Foods grocery store one time (though I’ve passed by it with judgment regularly). If memory serves, I had to buy a Thanksgiving item a few years ago. Since then, I've picked up a complex about being a privileged DC yuppie and consequently avoided Whole Foods, Wholeheartedly.
Just before Christmas, however, duty called and I had no choice but to enter the organic haven. So, after exiting the smelly bus and hurrying down P Street, I arrived.
The sliding glass doors part before me, and I enter the warm atrium. Immediately I inhale Christmas, a well paid worker is arranging boughs of evergreen to the left. Straight ahead: fruit mountains…the visual epitome of abundance, immediately I recall The Ghost of Christmas Present:
"…The walls and ceiling were so hung with living green, that it looked a perfect grove; from every part of which, bright gleaming berries glistened. The crisp leaves of holly, mistletoe…red-hot chestnuts, cherry-cheeked apples, juicy oranges, luscious pears, … there sat a jolly Giant, glorious to see:, who bore a glowing torch, … to shed its light on Scrooge, as he came peeping round the door. 'Come in.' exclaimed the Ghost. 'Come in. and know me better, man.'" (A Christmas Carol: The Second of the Three Spirits)
Dang it, it was calling to me, saying, “I care about you, I want you to be healthy and free of strange preservatives and hormones, I want you to be joyful when you see my bounty….”
I avoid the samples of cut fruit, and make my way to the homeopathic medicines per my friend’s request. The earth toned packaging gives the medicine department a spa-like feel, as if I’m waiting for a masseuse to peek around the corner and consult about my troubled spots. A moment of difficulty arises: I can’t locate the exact homeopathic med for which I’ve been sent. But before my stress level can sufficiently rise, a green aproned angel flutters to me and answers all my questions.
Now, it’s important you understand the significance of this. Service in Washington stores is rarely good and even more rarely efficient. This woman was able to explain the importance of doses for acute vs. chronic symptoms and understood the homeopathic doctor’s abbreviations. These are over the counter medicines, but she had to have had some training….
I make my leave…
A few days later I decided to return to buy some salmon. This I figure is completely justified. Where else am I going to buy fresh seafood in the city?
Again, the bountiful harvest as if I’m on a climate controlled fisherman’s pier…Again the product is fantastic…and this time I permit myself to sample some gourmet cheese…I’m slipping…can you see it?
Now that I live a mere two blocks away and have begun dropping in regularly, I have to wonder, who that "Jolly Giant" really is and what news he has for me...or more importantly, as it was for Scrooge, who is it that will follow Christmas Present and what enlightenment will he bring.
Just before Christmas, however, duty called and I had no choice but to enter the organic haven. So, after exiting the smelly bus and hurrying down P Street, I arrived.
The sliding glass doors part before me, and I enter the warm atrium. Immediately I inhale Christmas, a well paid worker is arranging boughs of evergreen to the left. Straight ahead: fruit mountains…the visual epitome of abundance, immediately I recall The Ghost of Christmas Present:
"…The walls and ceiling were so hung with living green, that it looked a perfect grove; from every part of which, bright gleaming berries glistened. The crisp leaves of holly, mistletoe…red-hot chestnuts, cherry-cheeked apples, juicy oranges, luscious pears, … there sat a jolly Giant, glorious to see:, who bore a glowing torch, … to shed its light on Scrooge, as he came peeping round the door. 'Come in.' exclaimed the Ghost. 'Come in. and know me better, man.'" (A Christmas Carol: The Second of the Three Spirits)
Dang it, it was calling to me, saying, “I care about you, I want you to be healthy and free of strange preservatives and hormones, I want you to be joyful when you see my bounty….”
I avoid the samples of cut fruit, and make my way to the homeopathic medicines per my friend’s request. The earth toned packaging gives the medicine department a spa-like feel, as if I’m waiting for a masseuse to peek around the corner and consult about my troubled spots. A moment of difficulty arises: I can’t locate the exact homeopathic med for which I’ve been sent. But before my stress level can sufficiently rise, a green aproned angel flutters to me and answers all my questions.
Now, it’s important you understand the significance of this. Service in Washington stores is rarely good and even more rarely efficient. This woman was able to explain the importance of doses for acute vs. chronic symptoms and understood the homeopathic doctor’s abbreviations. These are over the counter medicines, but she had to have had some training….
I make my leave…
A few days later I decided to return to buy some salmon. This I figure is completely justified. Where else am I going to buy fresh seafood in the city?
Again, the bountiful harvest as if I’m on a climate controlled fisherman’s pier…Again the product is fantastic…and this time I permit myself to sample some gourmet cheese…I’m slipping…can you see it?
Now that I live a mere two blocks away and have begun dropping in regularly, I have to wonder, who that "Jolly Giant" really is and what news he has for me...or more importantly, as it was for Scrooge, who is it that will follow Christmas Present and what enlightenment will he bring.
3 comments:
I can't wait to read more about your Whole Foods experiences!
From solidarity with bus riders to indulgence at the Whole Foods spa. You went from revolutionary idealist to pampered yuppie in a matter of months. You saw the luxury of wealth and were intrigued rather than outraged. No comment in the blog about the disparity of nutritional abundance in the store compared to that in DC public school lunches. No ponderings on what Evo Morales would think of Whole Foods and those who shop there v. those who shop at Beer/Wine/Lotto. Don’t think the peanut gallery will let you get off on your existential musings this easily. Sampling gourmet cheese. Starving children across Africa shed a tear for you, for they fear you have become another statistic. Another well-meaning suburban liberal who winds up voting Republican by the age of 30. There is hope for you yet young Skywalker, but beware the seductive power of the dark side.
When I was visiting you a couple weeks ago, I definitely saw the Whole Foods off of Logan Circle as this glaring icon of development and gentrification in your area. It's presence is unavoidable, it is monstrous in size compared to anything else and it looms over 14th Street as if attempting to say "HA HA HA, I'm going to take you over."
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