One visit I schedule into any trip regardless of where I am: A trip to the local grocery store. I am facinated with the differences in grocery stores, an essential in any modern city. Different ideas about organization, content (dry goods, produce, toiletries, etc), origin of foods (local or imported), range of products, signs, etc... the list goes on. Since I've been living here, I've become intimately familiar with the local Albert Heijn, especially since I am a lazy college student who doesn't want to carry a week's worth of food home on my bike, I go grocery shopping almost every day. One thing I have realized over time: the grocery store doesn't always have food. Granted, my store is a little neighborhood store, not one of the big ones you find in the center of the city. Still, the fact that I can walk in and be unable to find any bread or vegetables is pretty crazy. It's not that big of a deal, since I can always find something else (and the inability to find vegetables for stir-fry one night led to a change in dinner plans and ultimately some very tasty fajitas), but after the overabundence of food in the grocery stores at home, it's surprising. Sure, you can't always count on being able to find your very favorite variety of apple or ice cream, but not being able to buy bread? Any bread at all? Craziness!
Another difference that could be surprising for American ex-pats is the absence of baggers. Not only that, but the fact that you have to pay for a plastic grocery bag! It's only 20 euro cents, but still. I like this system, since it means (I hope) ultimately less plastic is used. Instead of relying on the store's plastic buys, most shoppers bring bags with them. I use my basic messanger bag, but I've seen people with big backpacks, suitcases or reused Albert Heijn bags. The lack of baggers also means that you have to grab your groceries quickly, as the cashiers will move on to the next customer the second you've paid. It took me awhile to learn how to stuff my groceries into my bag with Dutch speed and avoid getting in the next customer's way. It is more efficient though, once you master the system. It helps that I'm not buying much at any one time.
I'm really going to miss grocery shopping here after I return to the States. Walking or biking to the local AH takes a maximum of ten minutes here, but getting to a Stop & Shop from my dorm takes at least a half hour each way. Ah, the virtues of living in a city!