I have already shared with you that I think driving in Israel is a cross between Nascar and the game of Chicken. But I need to add another dimension: Obstacle Course.
I find that Israelis drive WAAAAAY too fast for the road conditions. And they tailgate. And honking is their second, if not first, language.
Take for instance the street on which I live. It is a one way street, 100% residential. I believe the speeds, if not posted, are as follows---40 kph in residential areas, 50 kph in commercial areas, 60+ kph on the wider highways and 100+kph on the Freeways.
My one way street has parking on ONLY the right hand side. But never mind. The neighbors ALSO park half up on the sidewalk on the left hand side of the street, which is already very narrow to begin with. Now it's made even narrower with the cars ILLEGALLY parked half on the sidewalk. OK. Common sense would tell you (at least it does me) that one should not drive fast in these conditions. 40 kph is TOO fast for my street. Yet drivers are constantly going 50-60 kph on it!! In a NEIGHBORHOOD!! Filled with children and mothers with strollers and car doors opening suddenly from the right AND the left!! With cars backing out of driveways where the drivers cannot see the traffic because of all the cars that are parked like sardines!!
When I drive in the city, some motorcycles are actually riding in the opposite direction, BUT IN MY LANE!! Or they will pass me on my left and drive in the oncoming traffic lane! It's like they have a death wish! I thought the motorcyclists in the USA were risk takers! It's nothing compared to these guys!! And when they are actually riding with the traffic, I watch as they
B-A-R-E-L-Y sneak between two cars with nary a half inch on either side. All it takes is one driver to realize, "Ooops!! I am supposed to be in the left turn lane!" and without a blinker or a hand signal, turn his steering wheel to the left and BAM! Down goes the motorcyclist.
The signal lights in Israel are interesting. There is NO TURN ON RED. PERIOD. Just remember that "Green is King" (Thank you Uri!!). If you have a green light, you have a protected left turn. (Make sure that you are at an intersection where left turns are permissible!).
So straight or left on green. The green light flashes 3-4 times when it is going to change to yellow. Depending on your speed and proximity to the intersection, you have a couple of seconds to decide to stop or proceed. If it's yellow before the crosswalk, STOP!!
Then again, when the red light is going to change to green, it will hold a red and yellow for a second or two. Note to yourselves: Start rolling forward on the red/yellow unless you want to hear a barrage of horns honking at you!! The Israelis are soooooo impatient!! Even at times when the traffic comes to a halt for some unknown reason, they all start honking. Why? I can't see why the cars ahead of me aren't moving, but there has to be a logical reason. The driver behind me can't see why I may be stopped (crosswalk, animal, road obstruction, etc). But even if there is no reason, there is the law of physics at work: I cannot drive forward until the car in front of me moves! Why do I feel like I am the only one here who gets that?!??!?!
I don't drive a car like I'm at Daytona. No jackrabbit starts or slamming on the breaks. Steady and gentle, that's how I like to drive. Conserving gas and my nerves. Why "race" to the next red light? Seems so silly. But if an Israeli can gain even half a car length from one signal to the next, oh my, he is elated.
Oh, and I have never seen a 4 way stop here....they are all "kikkars". Which I believe means square, but it's actually a circle. The traffic circle. Roundabout. Cars IN the circle have the right of way, and you are to enter when it's safe to do so. Well, that's the idea. However, here in Israel, as long as you don't make eye contact with the driver of the car in the kikkar who has the right of way, then apparently that gives you the "right" to enter. (Is my sarcasm coming through loud and clear?) :)
It's usually an E ticket, White Knuckler ride every time I get behind the wheel. If I had one shekel for every near miss I have personally witnessed, I'd already be a wealthy woman.
Ali
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
A Day In The Life...Of An Olah Chadasha: The Autobus.
Almost anywhere you need to go in Israel, the bus system can get you there. It may not always be quick or easy, it may take more than one bus, but it is fairly priced and runs like clockwork.
From the Central Bus Station in Tel Aviv, the bus to Jerusalem takes about 45-55 minutes, if I remember correctly. (Traffic cooperating). Seems there is one departing every 20 minutes or so.
Some schedules are more in demand than others....you may have a route that operates from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem from 05:30 to midnight, while the bus to Eilat might only be twice a day. You need to check and see which bus compan-y (-ies) serve your destination. I am familiar with three companies, Kavim, Egged, and Dan.
Currently, the bus fare is running me 6.60 shekels (currently $1.80 ish) each way on Kavim. Their lines are the most direct for my transportation needs at the moment.
You enter the bus with either cash or a bus card. I do not have a card (yet), but I have watched the process. Your card is loaded with a certain value. Every time you enter the bus, you put your card on a reader near the bus driver. It takes about 1.5 seconds until you hear the "beep" that it is accepted. Then you go on to your seat. If your account is getting close to zero, a receipt will print out showing you your balance and that you need to reload the card. I've been told to do it at the Central Bus Station, but I am not sure if that is the only place it can be done.
If you are using cash, the Bus Drivers are great. They never complain about large bills. They ALWAYS have had change (unlike some supermarkets in Israel!!). You will get a receipt and you are supposed to keep it with you during your travel. Occasionally, and I believe it has only happened to me twice, officials will board the bus to make sure that everyone on board is a PAYING customer.
The bus ride. Most bus drivers are very good drivers. But in Israel, ALL driving is a challenge. I applaud these drivers for their safety and courtesy for the most part. It must be a stressful job. Sometimes there are no available seats, and the passengers need to stand and hold onto the straps or poles. Sometimes the driver starts to drive before all of the passengers have paid. This used to scare me, but somehow, it's never caused on accident. Then it's a little tricky walking to find a seat while the bus is moving. But again, this is normal for Israel. You just get used to it.
When you read, see, or hear your stop coming, you just push the button that alerts the driver. Exit thru the doors in the middle of the bus. Best to have gathered your things a minute or two prior so that you can get right off....they waste no time, and if you're not quick, you will miss your stop. I like to gather my things at the stop before mine, and then move closer to the exit doors so I can get out quickly. I know this sounds like common sense, but people visiting Israel for the first time might think they have more time. You don't. :)
So all in all, I have no complaints about the bus system here.
Nesia Tova!
= (Bon Voyage; Good Journey)
Ali
From the Central Bus Station in Tel Aviv, the bus to Jerusalem takes about 45-55 minutes, if I remember correctly. (Traffic cooperating). Seems there is one departing every 20 minutes or so.
Some schedules are more in demand than others....you may have a route that operates from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem from 05:30 to midnight, while the bus to Eilat might only be twice a day. You need to check and see which bus compan-y (-ies) serve your destination. I am familiar with three companies, Kavim, Egged, and Dan.
Currently, the bus fare is running me 6.60 shekels (currently $1.80 ish) each way on Kavim. Their lines are the most direct for my transportation needs at the moment.
You enter the bus with either cash or a bus card. I do not have a card (yet), but I have watched the process. Your card is loaded with a certain value. Every time you enter the bus, you put your card on a reader near the bus driver. It takes about 1.5 seconds until you hear the "beep" that it is accepted. Then you go on to your seat. If your account is getting close to zero, a receipt will print out showing you your balance and that you need to reload the card. I've been told to do it at the Central Bus Station, but I am not sure if that is the only place it can be done.
If you are using cash, the Bus Drivers are great. They never complain about large bills. They ALWAYS have had change (unlike some supermarkets in Israel!!). You will get a receipt and you are supposed to keep it with you during your travel. Occasionally, and I believe it has only happened to me twice, officials will board the bus to make sure that everyone on board is a PAYING customer.
The bus ride. Most bus drivers are very good drivers. But in Israel, ALL driving is a challenge. I applaud these drivers for their safety and courtesy for the most part. It must be a stressful job. Sometimes there are no available seats, and the passengers need to stand and hold onto the straps or poles. Sometimes the driver starts to drive before all of the passengers have paid. This used to scare me, but somehow, it's never caused on accident. Then it's a little tricky walking to find a seat while the bus is moving. But again, this is normal for Israel. You just get used to it.
When you read, see, or hear your stop coming, you just push the button that alerts the driver. Exit thru the doors in the middle of the bus. Best to have gathered your things a minute or two prior so that you can get right off....they waste no time, and if you're not quick, you will miss your stop. I like to gather my things at the stop before mine, and then move closer to the exit doors so I can get out quickly. I know this sounds like common sense, but people visiting Israel for the first time might think they have more time. You don't. :)
So all in all, I have no complaints about the bus system here.
Nesia Tova!
= (Bon Voyage; Good Journey)
Ali
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