Delivering groceries in Valletta, Malta

 

A bread vendor delivering along a street in Valletta, Malta

Every day in Valletta, Malta, vendors make their way up and down the streets, selling fruit and vegetables and bread and household items to the town's residents.

Bread delivery in Valletta, Malta

Some folks walk up to the delivery man and buy his products right out of the back of his van.

A woman bringing her order up to her apartment in Valletta, Malta

But, many of the townspeople buy their groceries using a rather ingenious method.

Bread for a hungry family in Valletta, Malta

Instead of trekking down three or four flights of stairs (most of these older buildings don't have elevators), they lower a basket with a rope.

A woman pulls a basket of bread up to her apartment in Valletta, Malta

The vendor places their order in the basket and has them raise it back up to their apartment.

Making progress

Then, they lower the basket back down with payment.

Just a little more.

Many of the patrons are elderly women who likely can only manage the stairs with great difficulty, so this service is a tremendous convenience for them.

Got it!

Watching this process is quite entertaining, and as we stood there taking pictures and video, a crowd of tourists gathered, snapping their own photos and enjoying the spectacle. 

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