ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Every day, Mera Warti rides his vending bike up the snowy mountains of Zini Warte to sell comfort foods to tourists who flock there during the winter season.
“I come to Zini Warte every day to make a living by selling to the people who come here,” Warti says, adding “I sell chickpeas and fava beans, as well as coffee, milk, tea, sunflower seeds and other treats.”
The young vendor notes that when it snows, “my business really picks up,” mentioning that “many tourists and travelers pass through this route, so I come here early every morning to work.”
To set the right mood, Warti plays Kurdish folkloric music, which he believes is “the perfect type of music” for the environment and scenery. “I set up speakers [on my vending bike] and play [Kurdish] folk songs. No other type of music feels right for this kind of ambiance,” he explains.
Warti works tirelessly during the snow season to serve visitors to the Rawanduz mountains. He believes that anyone determined to make a living needs to take action.
“I am thankful for what God has blessed me with. If I don’t make ends meet, I'll stop doing this job,” he notes, adding that he has encouraged others from Warte to try their hand at vending in the same area.
Zini Warte is a mountainous area located in the Rawanduz district. It attracts people in the summer for its stunning nature and mild weather, and in the winter for its snow-covered mountains.
