Wednesday, January 13th, 2021

In the twenty-shekel store, some things cost twenty shekels. Some things cost less. Some things aren’t worth as much as they’re charging. Twenty shekels equals a bit over six dollars now. A few weeks ago, it was about five dollars. The papers say that our money is worth more now, because we are doing well on vaccinations. A few people are waiting in line outside when I get there. The line moves quickly. They’ve designed the store to get people in and out efficiently. There’s little space to pause and calculate whether things are worth their price. Customers spot things, get them, and think later. The one glitch is right at the door. When we enter, we wave our hands in front of a temperature scanner. It isn’t working well. The sensor is more directional than I’ve seen elsewhere. I have to try it a few times before it lets me in. I’m looking for shoelaces. Both of mine have broken. I’m told that shoemakers carry them, but the one in the neighborhood is never open when I go past. Retail shoe stores don’t have them. Drugstores don’t either. I still think in terms of US stores where you can get just about anything anywhere. I look for the shoelaces here in the twenty-shekel store. I don’t see them. I start to ask a worker. I forget the word, though I used to know it. I lift my foot and pull on one of them. The worker shakes her head. “Shoelaces,” she says in English. “No. We don’t have them. Sorry.” I thank her and wind my way through the store and out. The remnants of my current laces will hold for a few more days. I’ll try two shoemakers on Friday morning. They have to have them somewhere.