Bagalas – the convenience stores of Arabia. These small markets are everywhere. There are some that just carry produce, but most have the typical essentials: snacks galore, some canned goods, diapers and toilet paper, and coolers of beverages.
We have mixed feelings about the produce bagala in our neighborhood. In most shops, I pick up what I want without anyone talking to me, but in this one the seller employs all his powers of persuasion to get me to purchase more fruit. “You want strawberries? Try one, you must buy them, they are delicious. And you need these grapes, they are seedless so no problem. Oh and the oranges! Best oranges. Take.” I get overwhelmed and somehow come home with two full bags when I intended to just buy bananas. It’s basically the Target of bagalas. But, the guy is always right. The strawberries ARE delicious. And those seedless grapes? Yum AND easy to eat. 🍓🍇🍊
Bagalas are a lifesaver when we’re lacking one ingredient for a recipe, or we want to pick up beers (of the NA variety) on the way to a gathering. And it was especially nice that we had one across the street from our apartment when I wasn’t able to drive.
Now if they would only follow Ohio’s lead and make them drive-thrus…
