In the US, we complain about gas prices on a daily basis. Prices go up and down constantly, and we ask 'When will they go back down? Will they ever go down?' It is on the daily news in the US, how much prices have risen each day, week, month and year.
Here, gas prices are not on the news and people don't talk about it. It is simply the price that it is. And if you are going to fill up with gasoline in Portugal, you better come with a pocket full of euros!
We have been very grateful to be borrowing a car while we are here. We have filled it up with gas twice. We don't drive around to compare prices, we simply fill up near our apartment. Gas stations are not on every corner as they are in the US and there are no phone apps to help us find the cheapest price of the day. (Now granted, the large store I shop for groceries does give you a discount for gas as you use their card, much like we have at home with our local Ralph's grocery and Shell gas stations.)
Not only did I see the difference in gas prices, but as you go inside to pay for you can purchase a bar of European chocolate for a significantly lower price than US M&M's. Or how about enjoying a fresh cup of coffee, personally made for you and served in a glass cup that is as good as from any barista in the US? (instead of that extra large coffee to go from the carafe of coffee made sometime very early that morning and long past its prime!) If you are a bit hungry, along with your coffee you can devour a freshly baked pastry, and avoid the prepackaged "six pack" of mini donuts shipped in from a far away factory. If your car needs a wash, instead of sitting inside and washing the suds, you pay the machine, and step out of the car while it is being scrubbed. Hey, what a convenient time for that coffee and pastry! And to avoid that unpleasant gas smell on your hands, light plastic gloves are provided at each gas pump so the smell doesn't drive away with you as you head down the road. It is interesting to notice these differences in the everyday tasks of life here in Portugal.
Not only did I see the difference in gas prices, but as you go inside to pay for you can purchase a bar of European chocolate for a significantly lower price than US M&M's. Or how about enjoying a fresh cup of coffee, personally made for you and served in a glass cup that is as good as from any barista in the US? (instead of that extra large coffee to go from the carafe of coffee made sometime very early that morning and long past its prime!) If you are a bit hungry, along with your coffee you can devour a freshly baked pastry, and avoid the prepackaged "six pack" of mini donuts shipped in from a far away factory. If your car needs a wash, instead of sitting inside and washing the suds, you pay the machine, and step out of the car while it is being scrubbed. Hey, what a convenient time for that coffee and pastry! And to avoid that unpleasant gas smell on your hands, light plastic gloves are provided at each gas pump so the smell doesn't drive away with you as you head down the road. It is interesting to notice these differences in the everyday tasks of life here in Portugal.
 |
| Price conversions: Gas = $5.36 per gallon US Diesel = $6.43 per gallon US |
 |
| Breakfast for approximately $1.65 US |
No comments:
Post a Comment