Background
Delivering parcels amidst the smell of onions and showers of confetti
The narrow streets of Bern’s historic centre are packed with people and market stalls. It’s the Zibelemärit – the onion market in Bern – which is like an unofficial cantonal public holiday for the Bernese and there’s a mood of fervour in the air. But it’s just a normal working day for our mail carrier Georgi Ginev. Today, his delivery round means getting through crowds of people and showers of confetti.
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It’s 8 a.m. on Monday, 28 November and Georgi Ginev comes over to me in good spirits. After saying good morning, the first thing he says is: “I haven’t got so much to do today. I’ve only got to deliver 90 parcels.” 90 parcels sounds like a lot to me. But after he has explained that his record is 400 parcels, then I understand why 90 is a relatively light round.
Georgi loaded his vehicle at 7 a.m. and set off at 7.45 a.m. We deliver to a few districts on the outskirts of the city before heading into the historic centre. And his delivery round today is anything but ordinary. Not just because he’s being accompanied by a cameraman and myself, but because the “Zibelemärit” is taking place in Bern’s historic centre. It’s Bern’s biggest market and is held every year on the fourth Monday in November. From around 6 a.m. people start bustling around various stalls where they enjoy culinary delights. The braided onion strings, onion wreaths and figures are iconic symbols of this market. Textiles, jewellery, ceramics and toys are also sold. The narrow streets of Bern are packed with stalls and people enjoying the day in groups. Children and young people throw confetti, turning the paving slabs into a vast array of colour.
Copyright: Lars Würgler
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Georgi also find himself amidst this scene. Because of the market the Bernese mail carrier must park two streets further away today and make deliveries to the entire area around the market by foot. “I walk a lot further today than on other days,” reveals Georgi with a wink. But he doesn’t mind. He’s moving very efficiently and easily delivers the parcels around the market at such a rapid pace that I can barely keep up with him. But he’s held up slightly when he has to go right through the middle of the market. People make way for him and one passer-by says to her friends: “Look, the parcels still have to be delivered despite the market.” Just how right she is!
Contact with people is the highlight of Georgi’s day
When asked if he’s less motivated on days like today when facing more hurdles on his delivery round, he replies: “I always enjoy my job.” He loves being outdoors and seeing customers. And they like to see him too. He regularly chats with some about everyday things and knows what’s going on in their lives. He also loves bumping into friends on the street: “We can have a quick chat which brightens my day.” During the summer he met a work colleague over his lunch break and they went swimming together in the Aare. This kind of contact makes his job enjoyable.
Copyright: Lars Würgler
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I soon realize that he knows Bern’s historic center inside out. All over the place he shows me little ways of delivering the parcels even more quickly. For example, he knows how every door opens and the shops where he has to knock on the window to be let in. What’s striking about the buildings are the narrow lifts. Sometimes he only has just enough space. “If I don’t fit in with my parcels, I load up the lift, send it up and then take the stairs,” he explains.
After around 45 minutes, he’s delivered all the parcels around the Zibelemärit area. Georgi hasn’t got time to enjoy the market. As he’s from Bern, he’s obviously been to the Zibelemärit with friends before. Why does he visit the market? “For the mulled wine.” He’ll decide off the cuff whether or not to go today. It depends how much energy he’s got left after work.
