Perhaps one of the most enjoyable things about Belize is the laundry service. In the US, I would take my laundry to the laundromat once a week, and have to supervise it through the washing and drying process. Frequently the drying would take much longer than expected, and cost many more quarters than planned. The whole trip would take up at least an hour and a half, and sometimes two hours of my time. For the decent washing machines that don't leave powder residue on the clothes, it would cost at least three dollars, and to dry all the clothes to satisfaction in a reasonable time would cost as much again. Then I would have to take the time to fold everything and finally return home.
Here, I take the bag of my dirty clothes in the morning to the laundry service. The lady charges $1.50 BZD per pound of laundry to wash, dry, and fold. I return in the afternoon to pick everything up, clean, pressed, folded, and smelling wonderful. Then I have only to return home and put everything in its proper place in my dresser. For a week's worth of clothes, it typically costs eight to ten dollars, merely four or five US dollars. The entire arrangement is most satisfactory!
You can get it done in the US but it sure costs a lot more!
ReplyDeletePricing is odd here, but I think I've fine-tuned my economic theory for why. Some things are cheaper, some things are about the same, and some things are a lot more.
ReplyDeleteThat's typical in other countries. I noticed that when I was in the Philippines; basic foods and clothing were really cheap (even custom-tailored things!) but the more "luxury" things--processed foods, gasoline, imported foods, etc.--were comparatively more expensive. Electronics in particular seemed expensive, as the prices are about the same as in the US, but with everything else so much cheaper, it seemed like more.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it was similar when I was in Brazil, only even worse for electronics because they were subject to a high tariff.
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