I decided to go grocery shopping this morning. I completed my shopping list and drove to Wegmans, my new favorite shopping experience. I entered, worried about getting lost, my friends had issued warnings like:”overwhelmed” and “loosing track”.

Entering Wegmans is like stepping in to void , but unlike Walmart’s cold neon-lit grid, a void full of air and light, and unexpected turns. Having shoppers get lost and wander around aimlessly must have been part of the business plan, but as an artist I like illogical, nonlinear layouts. I found myself meandering between well stocked shelves, unexpectedly finding what I didn’t know I was looking for, things like fresh Turmeric root, Kombucha, and Greek Turkey Burgers. I didn’t feel the usual urge to get out fast but delighted in being surrounded by half a mile of snacks, an acre of wine, and dairy as far as the eye could see.

I am not sure for how long I wandered around inside Wegmans, it could have been days. At a certain point, my wagon was full and I found myself in the checkout line. Payment was my ticket out and an earthly reminder of reality waiting outside the automatic doors. The wind blew cold as I stashed my groceries in the trunk, surprised to see a store-front hovering like any anonymous big box store, and it made me wonder where I had really been.