A
Sherutz is a cross between a bus and a taxi – usually a 6-10 seater van. The
sherutz travel along many of the same routes as the buses and cost only pennies more. This is the story of learning about the
sherutz.
Paul and Jen want to learn how the pseudo-public transportation system worked so they promise themselves they would get home from the shook (market) via
sherutz (taxi/van). Looking at several bus maps they find a few
sherutz that would pass near their apartment; however, after a long time waiting they learn their
first lesson: there is not a
sherutz for every bus. The
second lesson quickly followed: the sherutz follow similar but not identical routes.
While waiting, Jenny sees a 73
sherutz* heading in the wrong direction giving the couple hope that eventually it might come back…and it does…20 minutes later.
Sherutz 73 is coming and Jen tries to wave it down as the guide book has told her to do. Several taxis try to answer the call – but not the
sherutz driver. Finally, he looks (from the left lane), wags his finger “no” and points to the #73 bus stop 2 blocks ahead. Jen and Paul miss the long-awaited
sherutz because they had not yet learned
lesson #3: you must pick up the
sherutz at the bus stop.
After another 20 minutes Jen and Paul decide they will get on the next
sherutz, go where ever it may take them, and then either walk or cab home. This was not the most attractive option – but it accomplished the goal of riding a
sherutz. (Can I just note that this story reminds me of ‘riding a bungalow’ with Jill in Guatemala!)
Sherutz 94 is coming. Jen flags it down (this is the taxi part) and Paul and Jen get it. “
Shalom”, “Shalom.” “
Eifo blahblahblah?”, “Slisha?” (Excuse me?), “
Eifo blahblahblah?”. Jen (confused)…”uh,
at medeber anglit?” (Do you speak English?), “
Lo, eifo blahblahblah?” (No, where….?), Jen (struggling)…”
anachnu m’america” (We’re from America). “
LO! Eifo blahblahblah!? (NO! Where…?) Jen (not understanding…)
ah..Ibn Givor (a road in tel aviv). Driver (pointing at the door) “
Lo.” (No.) Jen and Paul are kicked off their first sherut.
Lesson #4: you have to know where the sherutz is going so you can tell the driver where to let you off so he can tell you how much it costs.
Finally, another #73 comes, Jen flags it down. The couple enters. “
Shalom, Ibn Gavor bavakasha.” (Hello, Ibn Gavor please.” “
ashrah smonim.” (Dang it! We only learned numbers 1-10 in Hebrew class!) NIS 11.80 for two – about $3.20. Yeah for learning how to ride a
sherutz!
*The names and numbers in this story have been changed. If you come to stay with us we’ll tell you the real ones so you too can ride a sherutz!
Unfortunately for me and my thin tires the cracks in the sidewalks are the same size as my tires so they easily slip into the holes, and the transition from sidewalk to street to sidewalk is not smooth. Think of driving your car through a maze of potholes the size of your tires, and going over massive speed bumps (humps) every block. It will be much easier to do which a mountain bike, so I'll have to save my road bike for longer rides outside of the city. In fact! - I just met someone last night who does a 50k ride on the weekends! And! I think she is going to split a triathlon with Paul and I in the Spring! I'll bike, Paul will swim and she will run! Yeah!!!! :)
