Eric's Beijing Diary

I don't really need to be sitting here chewing on a piece of Danish cheese. Then again, maybe I do. The whole thing started a couple months ago when there was this big discussion on the teacher's "China Life" Yahoo Group about the fact that you can't buy cheese in China. The discussion surprised me, because I have been in China for more than two years, and never noticed this. I have had pizza several times, and it always has cheese on it. Once in awhile I will get a grilled cheese sandwich and soup at the coffee bar. Always tastes like real cheese to me. But I had to admit that I had never tried to buy cheese at a grocery store. I don't cook, so I have just never thought of it. But after reading some of those posts, I couldn't stop thinking about it. Funny how the thought that you might not be able to get something tends to focus your attention on something that you really didn't really miss before the subject came up. I finally rode my bike to the Walmart Super Store to see if cheese could be bought. Found both the German cheese and Danish cheese (as well as New Zealand butter). They are both pretty good, but a little spendy. I don't think I need to worry; I don't go to Walmart that often. Now that I know I can get it, I don't have to.