Growing up in a landlocked region of Germany one vivid childhood memory is about the weekly arrival of a fishmonger in his little van coming over from the big city some 60 kilometres away, resembling the mobile ice cream ‘window sellers’ we were later on getting used to seeing in many parts of London and all across the United Kingdom. It is not that we did not have a supermarket in town but the fresh fish on offer was rather limited to say it diplomatically.
Memories of an era only of interest to experts in the field of nutrition and how over the decades, food reached its final destination aka us the consumer? Most definitely not in our fascinating and always welcoming Türkiye as an amazing variety of products is delivered to our doorsteps. And we are not talking about ordering by telephone or online – the tradespeople come to us without need for placing an order.
‘Fresh fish, fresh fish’
During fishing season, a wonderful way to wake up is the early morning ‘fresh fish’ call from our local fishmonger who dispatches one of his staff to our estate, walking to a central spot and using his friendly voice to announce his catch of the day. Goods sold, he goes and picks up another bag of fish, nicely chilled by means of ice-cubes, as he quickly sells out his wares.
As fishermen as almost anywhere else in the world conquer the seas during night so that the catch of that moonlit hours reaches shore on and in time for fishmongers who then rush to deliver to restaurants, green-grocers and individual customers well before noon one thing is certain: we are in for absolutely freshly caught fish, most definitely not deep-frozen and above all else, not having travelled thousands of miles from the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans, respectively. Think carbon footprint… Please do not misinterpret me – we are enjoying a steak prepared with Argentinian prime cuts and indulge ourselves by eating Norwegian salmon. We do live in a globalized world and shall reap in the benefits.
But there is another aspect intertwined with either going global or staying local – by buying fresh fish the way explained in the paragraphs above we support our local community and our local businesspeople.
Watermelon by the kilo, not sliced
And there is so much more to it than simply seafood. Another doorstep delivery option are watermelons. Knowing that a good-sized piece weighs quite a few kilos carrying one in a shopping bag is impossible anyhow. Which brings me to my next observation: is it not correct to say that in most European countries our supermarkets tend to sell sliced melon, wrapped in cling film? I often wonder how come? One logical explanation is that our families are smaller than over here and keeping a melon in the fridge for weeks would not make sense at all. Besides, once started cutting it should be eaten within a few days, not weeks.
A further point is that same as with fish a fresh watermelon, cut by our-selves and then put into the fridge before serving to friends and family beats the taste of any ‘competitor’ found in larger markets.
Last not least, getting hold of the real thing is cheaper when compared with opting for let us say, ten slices even if they would make up a similar number of kilograms.
Bread, he said
Let me share a third example with you. Most definitely we have a superb array of bakeries scattered around town. But then again and who would complain whilst being on vacation or spending an entire year amongst our friendly Turkish neighbours there are occasions of when we realize that there is no bread left in our kitchen.
No need to panic, as in our case and approximately at eleven o’clock each weekday morning freshly made bread is coming close to our small front lawn. It is so tasty that a queue forms within minutes!
Should we really have overslept on that sunny summer day the breadman – if that terminology is accepted – brings his loudspeaker along and plays soft music yet audible enough to remind us that it is time to embark on a one-minute stroll and go ‘bakery shopping’, mobile style.
All this reminds us that we live in a country where tradition is still kept alive and not for playing to the gallery but as a happily accepted way of life. Yet this does not mean that we are at home in a backwards oriented nation, exactly the opposite is true. Tradition easily matches modernity and progress. And what is truly inspiring is the fact that ‘doorstep deliveries’ are not limited to the older generation – young citizens with or without kids in tow avail themselves of the above introduced foodstuffs and many other fine examples.
Please enjoy the month of September, a great month to explore not only our resort but the surrounding region.
