A trip to an Indian grocery store in Canada during early COVID lockdowns shows the new reality: masks, gloves, floor markings, and strict limits on how many people can shop at once. They hunt for turmeric and other items needed for puja rituals while navigating the chaos of pandemic shopping.
Chapters
We have just come out shopping and come out of the house after 1 month almost. My husband does most of the shopping, but today I'm like accompanying him. So here is the line, the marking. We have to stand 2 meters apart.
Hello. The green one is for daddy.
Everyone is in a mask.
Can you open that door for me?
It's kind of close. This is an Indian grocery and, uh, come to buy some Indian stuff. They only allow 5 people at a time or 2 people at a time. Okay, we are allowed, I think.
Yeah.
No, we're not allowed right here. Disgraciously, people are the most affected, and they are in. It's it's like a. तीन ते बाग तो लेने होंगे ते बाग.
ट्रॉली नहीं आशी। You did, huh?
People standing outside. One person leaves, so we get to get in. I think you can see every Everybody is in mask and gloves. This is the new normal, so you're not alone. And everybody world over are following this new normal.
Thank you, thank you.
हाँ लग गए तो जो तो टक्कर पूरी हुक्म नहीं है ना I'll take this, I'll take this. I have to get it.
कांचा हुल्लू को था? हाँ नहीं ना, क्योंकि कांचा हुल्लू को था। नहीं क्या नहीं तो करोगे तो तो तो आधा तो और कुछ Not really.
We have all puja, some kriya over here. Who do I ask if they have kancha gulut, which I use it for immunity purpose? I'll ask that lady.
Excuse me.
Excuse me, वो हल्दी कांचा कांचा हल्दी कच्ची हल्दी कहाँ मिलेगी? नहीं आती है। पहले की कोई बच्चे थे तो?
ऐसे ही क्यों?
ना पहले एक बाल्ट के नहीं है नहीं। बाकी के लोग तो थे। अच्छा पहले आलू के शुरू नहीं है ना और कॉलर के नहीं है। अशुभ जी ने, शुभ जी ये ताकि हाँ लाहौरी फिशमास लाने के लिए। शुभ जी को तो नहीं है ना? हम तो कुछ तुम्हें लाहौरी फिशमास लेना है हमें शुभ जी नहीं। Okay guys, I'll have to concentrate on my shopping.
Okay.
Okay guys, I have to concentrate on my shopping. See you then.
