What do the people who live in a tropical Island paradise do for vacation? They travel north to the malls and shop.

The keys are full of water sports and vacation activities but the everyday functions of life are not available. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to shop during my visit in Connecticut. Ed and I spent many days in the malls. I was lucky that he did not mind shopping.

The Westfield Mall turned out to be my favorite. It had a huge Sears store that had a Land's End store attached to it. I could actually hold and feel the items that I had spent hours looking at in the catalog. I hit the jack pot, all their summer clothes were on sale. I purchased several colorful shirts and managed to take advantage of a coupon special. Ended up with 20% off my purchases plus a free shirt!

The most important purchase was less exciting but equally as important. It was what the local people here call the under wear run. Everyone who lives in the keys eventually ends up going to Miami for the required underwear that can not be purchased here in the keys. Again I found just what I wanted in the mall at Macys . The lady did not understand why I asked her for more of the same size and color. She was amused when I told her that Paradise lacked a source for my favorite underwear brand.

That was mostly what I purchased. I did enjoy the Italian candy and brought back two boxes of the Ferrara brand nugget.

Now you know what is missing in paradise.... underwear......