A Brief Provision Store

We are over at 58-6-47 in Chinnagottigallu. This is a small provision store, nothing like those big malls you see in the cities. We have a bit of everything crammed into the shelves. From lentils and rice to small toys for the kids. The space is tight, so you have to watch your elbows when you walk through. We get our fresh milk deliveries very early when the sun is barely up. Most of our customers are from right here in the village. They come in for a single item or a whole bag of groceries. We have a small bench outside where some of the older men sit and talk while they wait. The floor is concrete and has a few cracks in it, but it serves us well. We don't have a computerized checkout. We just use a calculator and a paper pad to keep track. It’s a simple way of living. We know who likes which brand of tea and who is looking for a specific type of spice. Sometimes we run out of bread if the van doesn't come, but people understand. It’s a slow pace of life here in Chinnagottigallu. We enjoy the routine of opening the shutters and sweeping the front step every morning. It’s not a fancy business, just a local store for local people. We keep things going one day at a time, making sure the jars are full.