The Market Place
By Alfred Opp
October 26, 2008
A trip to the open market place was both a necessity and an
enjoyable highlight in the life of our ancestors. This was for them
like a trip to the mall is for us. Even as late as 1940, shopping at
the market place was very similar to what it had been in the very
early colonial days. Even in Germany, the open market place was a
long-held tradition into the 1930’s. Wheeling and dealing was the
order of the day at the open market.
During the pioneer days in South Russia, our ancestors were on their
own to grow and produce the goods they needed for life to be
successful. Rarely did they aspire beyond the basic necessities.
Their traditions were hand labor and living close to the land.
Change did not come easy or soon.
Going to the market was a special occasion. The nearest market to
Teplitz was at Arzis, a town 8 km. to our west. Another market was
held at Tarutino, but that was farther out. Both places had
consistent offerings of merchandise, and people in the region knew
which place would likely offer what they were looking for. Arzis
generally had a wide variety of items from stores to health
services, whereas Tarutino featured equipment, people who knew how
to repair equipment, and gasoline for purchase.
As an example of how far behind we were in technology, in 1940
Teplitz boasted five automobiles in town. And even that is
surprising, given that we had no roads fit for automobile traffic!
My wife’s grandfather had a Buick from the early 1920’s but it
rarely would start. Most villages had no mechanics who know how to
maintain or repair automobiles. In Teplitz, the owner of the store
did have a Ford that ran. The son of Mr. Neugebauer, the store’s
cashier, drove the Ford on store errands and could be hired by the
villagers for a fee. As kids, just to see a car on the street, and
especially to stand close to one, was exciting. As Mr.Neugebauer
lived across the street from my Opa Zacher, I had the chance to see
the Ford quite often.
When Opa went on trips to the market, he often took me along. My job
was to keep an eye on his horses and gear while he went shopping.
These open markets covered several acres, and it took a lot of
walking to take it all in. One could find new wagons, horses and
animals, all kinds of goods for sale, and leather gear for horses.
Stoneware in all shapes and sizes was for sale. Fruits and
vegetables for sale were available in huge amounts. Sacks of
sunflower seeds were sold, some roasted and others not. Vendors came
up with specialty merchandise that was not easily produced by
everyone else. The Bulgar people were known for their fruits.
Gypsies and others were known for making things out of tin. There
were stands where one could purchase a snack or a meal, although
most of our people took a Brotsack with their lunch packed in it,
along with them to market. On one trip my grandpa bought me a
sandwich from one of the market stands – it was so good I can still
taste it!
The main feature of these markets was the bargaining – and there was
lots of such activity. If one was good at it and timed it right, he
saved money. It was humorous to see people arguing one minute and
shaking hands the next! Then there were the roadside Schenke
(taverns). Traders went inside to either fix a deal or soften up a
client to get a deal. The saying was, “There’s no deal so difficult
that a glass of wine can’t fix it.” But the drinking was a nightmare
for the wives. Mom told many stories about how a husband’s drinking
caused problems for his wife and family. Many times grandpa was
called upon to settle an argument where a man could not sell his
wagon to obtain desperately needed income. Trying to ply customers
with alcohol, the would-be salesman also imbibed too many schnapps,
and at the end of the day his frustrations spilled over onto his
poor wife at home.
Many times husband and wife went to market together, each shopping
on their own. While many villages had a local store that carried a
variety of needed items, soon everyone’s tablecloth or window
curtains had the same pattern! A trip to the market gave access to
added variety. Arzis also had a jewelry store where a groom could
get a ring for his sweetheart. For most, Arzis was an exciting place
to go. As a kid, I have nice memories of getting treats such as
colorful markt candies and pretzels. My grandma Zacher went with her
parents to Odessa one time before WWI. That was a once-a-year trip
even for people with money. Grandma proudly told me many times about
the embroidered blouse or nice belt she had that other girls in the
village did not. These finer things were only available in Odessa.
As time went on, shopping became more convenient, especially after
Teplitz opened a Co-Op store about 1904. But going to the open
market was still an exciting event until we left in 1940.
After the war, when we arrived in South Germany the land of our
ancestors, the face of the markets changed, especially once the new
monetary system was established. But the old traditional
markets such as Jahrmarkt, or Kirbemarkt came alive for their
once-a-year festivals. The new Markt had entertainment and lots of
trinkets for sale. The traditional Christkindles Markt remained an
outstanding and well-preserved tradition. I can still see the
glittering ornaments and smell the treats that were featured. There
were so many toys that any kid’s heart would beat faster. It was a
true joy for young and old. Kids went to these market events with
joy and high expectations. However, with money so tight our parents
could fill only a small portion of our dreams. But even a small
token was a huge thing for those of us who had survived the war. We
still took pleasure in the anticipation and the chance for dreaming
about something nice. To this day, I’m still a kid thinking about
those times and places. These events gave us wonderful feelings and
good memories to go along. We also learned to be satisfied with
little and to be thankful for what our parents gave us. Looking
forward to the Market at Christmas and Easter was a dream come true
for us. Having little and expecting little opened the door to enjoy
the good things we did experience. Such a feeling of contentment is
essential for children to be successful in their up and coming life.
There is more value in this approach than meets the eye. Today, I’m
an old man with a good feeling and a smile as I think back on my
childhood memories. I fully realize that I was so lucky – I never
saw myself as a poor kid.
Alfred Opp
Edited by Connie Dahlke
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Alfred Opp is the author of "Pawns on the World Stage" - the memoirs
of his childhood in Teplitz, Bessarabia and the experiences of his
family in war-torn Europe (Poland during 1941-1945 before they fled
to East Germany in 1945, then the reconstruction of West Germany
1945-1955).