I’ve been sick all weekend and I have to say that one of the greatest things about Phoenix is that there is either an Osco, CVS or Walgreens on every corner. And if you’re lucky, there may be a CVS and an Osco on opposing corners. Or maybe a Walgreens and a CVS on opposing corners. Or maybe an Osco and a Walgreens on opposing corners. You get the picture. In short, there is no way to avoid a plethora of 1 hour photo developing, $5 Hawaiian themed rayon button doiwns, Extra Strength Excedrin and Maybelline mascara, should you need these things in massive quantities.

I’m always quite impressed with the number of competing supermarket chains- Albertson’s, Safeway, Bashas, Fry’s, A.J.’s, Wholefoods, Sunflower, etc. Coming from Texas where you either shop at H.E.B. or H.E.B., this is quite a luxury to see that you don’t have to take the standing price of $8 per avocado or don’t only have just one brand of generic salsa from which to choose.

It may get repetitive at times to drive through countless intersections of the same eateries, pharmacies and clothing retailers, but it’s nice to have them at hand, should you need them. And after also living in Fresno, California, cornucopia of nothing much at all, it’s great to have more to choose from than Olive Garden and Frugal McDougal’s when you need get your errands run.