Price(s) of living on this tropical island

Although we were duly warned, we still experienced major sticker shock upon going to the grocery store when we first arrived. In our first couple of visits, we spent $200-300 (note: all prices listed here are in US$; exchange rate ~ US$1=BDS$2) on items that would result in only a few meals for the 2 of us. However, once we bought some basic staples to set up our pantry, and once our household effects arrived (in which we had shipped lots of non-perishables having been warned of high prices here), our grocery spending has come down a tad. And now, for your amusement, here is an odd assortment of items/services and their prices:

• Milk: $9.50/gal (for BOXED milk!)
• Loaf of sliced wheat bread: $2.05
• Bag of 6 bagels: $4.60
• 1/2 dozen eggs: $1.80
• Some juices (local brand): $9.50/gal
• Beer (locally brewed & bottled): $5.25
• 5 lbs of potatoes: $5.50
• Tomatoes: $3.63/lb.
• Apples: $1.04/lb.
  
• Cantaloupe: $7 ea.
  
• Ham (deli sliced): $8.39/lb.
• 8 oz bag of Cheetos: $4.75
• Ice cream to bring home: $23.85/gal!!!!!!!! We have done this math multiple times, and I still can't believe it's correct
• Gas: $5.20/gal (fixed by gov't so same price across the island; full service is the norm)
  
• Drive-in cinema: $15 for 2 tickets + about $11 for cheeseburger with fries, potato roti & large soda
• Men's haircut: $25 (with tip)
• Women's haircut: $40 (with tip)
• Car wash (inside & out, by hand, in parking lot at work - CONVENIENT!): $10!!
  
• Rental car: $283/week (for a glorified golf cart, i.e. Suzuki Celerio)
  

There is a 17.5% VAT (value added tax = sales tax) included in all of the prices above. As diplomats, we get the VAT back; although the process isn't easy or fast, it is certainly worth the trouble. I haven't figured out if they have seasons here for produce since everything is imported. I chuckle at the fact that a lot of produce here is from the U.S. seeing as I rarely ate American produce when I lived there! Eating out is fairly pricey, and sadly (or not, depending on one's perspective), we haven't found too many options that are worth spending the money. Thankfully, I'm pleased to report there is an Indian/Thai restaurant (interesting combination, but they manage to do both well) that is worth the money.

We are getting used to the cost of living here, and are pleasantly surprised when something actually costs less than what we would pay for it in the States. Meanwhile, we try to remember to be thankful that most of what we are used to consuming is at least still available to us, which may not be the case in future posts.