To shop or not to shop?

Since making aliyah to Israel 35 years ago, my trips back to the "old country," were spent shopping. Honestly, I must have spent more time in stores than seeing badly missed relatives. It didn't matter who was paying me or if the bill was considered a gift by generous loved ones. I shopped. And I shopped.

Olim, immigrants of my time knew that nothing could beat the old products and styles and quality. I don't know when, but at some point things began to change. Now my relatives come here to shop, whether it's for high style boutique clothes or underwear. We've found stores that are better than the American ones. And even if you can get thicker, softer towels for less money in the states, my closets are full; I don't need any more.

In the 1970's and possibly the '80's, too, olim brought so much stuff--to save money--that they had to spend a fortune in closets to store it all!

Even fifteen years ago, looking for a special outfit in a fancy New York dress shop to be a gift from family, I saw styles that looked just like my neighbors were wearing the previous winter.

During my last visit my mother and I did abridged shopping excursions, and after calculating prices of the few things that looked interesting, it became clear that my shopping days are over.

I hope that the new Nefesh B'Nefesh olim aren't bringing too many of the things that can be bought here.

PS That is except for one thing, I haven't found here... gloves for exercising in the water. If anyone knows where to get them, please let me know.

Thanks