At the Art Fair on the Square earlier this summer, I was struck by a sign. "Soda: $1.50. Water: $2.50."
Interesting that plain old water is making such a splash these days. It is actually in high enough demand to command a higher price than the sugared stuff. That's actually a good, healthy sign. Madison really is a progressive place.
I'm all for the popularity of water drinking over soda, but I am rather amazed at the price points. Over the weekend, I was twice struck by the sticker price for a small bottle of cool water.
In Illinois, we were at the convention center in Rosemont attending the big coin conference. Olivia was thirsty so we walked up to the refrigerator in the lobby and pulled out a bottle. The clerk rang it up at $3.50! Damn, that's some mighty expensive water. I found the experience rather ironic, given we were in close proximity to one of the largest freshwater lakes on the planet!
Yesterday, we were even closer to that same lake and the price was higher. At Irish Fest on the Summerfest grounds, which is literally on the shores of Lake Michigan on a sweltring afternoon, Olivia again needed something to drink. We went up to a stand and they were selling the same brand of water...for $4.00. Yikes! I once read that it costs about a penny or two for that much water out of the tap.
This time, we glanced around the corner for alternatives before plopping down the cash.. Is that A bubbler?! What a discovery.
That water was refreshing in more ways than one.