just hit the town on a shopping trip. things seem so pricey. here's what i bought:
deodorant
cotton balls
toner (for my face)
an english/french dictionary
a french/english phrase book (very cheap)
some envelopes
a pen
a candle
all of this cost about 43 euros, which is about 55 dollars. granted, the candle was a bit expensive (13 euros at l'occitane), but it's long lasting (all beeswax) and smelled heavenly, like honey. my shower room absolutely smells like sewage, and i can't seem to find much potpourri in town that doesn't make me retch, so i figured the candle, while a splurge, would be well liked and used in that shower room everyday.
most things cost less at huge grocery stores, but those stores are often out of town therefore hard to get to on foot. plus, it's not as fun as poking around several different shops and pharmacies around town, trying to find what i'm looking for. still... even if i'm thinking in euros, 43 euros for all that is still a lot.
dad (and rick steves, the pbs travel guru) always say, count on running out of things in europe so you can have an adventure trying to find replacements. this is all fun and good (and i never have any problems trying new lotions and potions) but i'm thinking cost-wise, i should have brought more supplies from home. i hate how things i need everyday cost a lot. it's not like i'm out there buying frivolous stuff...