tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13539920.post113515378487809025..comments2024-03-10T08:13:34.023+02:00Comments on The Muqata: Hitchhikers from HellJameel @ The Muqatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15890095633246557332noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13539920.post-1140128785514598482006-02-17T00:26:00.000+02:002006-02-17T00:26:00.000+02:00tremping tremping trempingthe story of my life(and...tremping tremping tremping<BR/>the story of my life<BR/>(and the extreme worry of my mum that it will also g-d forbid be the story of my ---- )<BR/><BR/>thanks to mr muqata and all of you who let us grace your car with our presence (smelly or otherwise). what i can never get used to, is how matter of fact tremping is in israel. i am so overcome with gratitude every time i get a tremp (whether its 10 minutes or 2 hours..whether its in middle of the night, or middle of the day..whether its freezing cold, boiling hot, or nice weather..and whether we are in 'dangerous' territory or not), yet the drivers are so nonchalant about it. listen, ive been doin this steady for more than a year now and im still ever so grateful but the second i start thankin the driver, they just brush me off. <BR/>its amazing. <BR/><BR/>mi k'amcha goy yisroelthe sabrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07134516234799909775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13539920.post-1135539389225056522005-12-25T21:36:00.000+02:002005-12-25T21:36:00.000+02:00YMedad: Yes, I'm highly familier with the French ...YMedad: Yes, I'm highly familier with the French Hill trempiyada, and you have my sympathies.<BR/><BR/>Keep in mind - those are trempistim going TOWARDS the yishuv and you have no clue who they are.<BR/><BR/>Mine are WAY worse - they are my neighbors and my neighbor's kids and parents. They aren't anonymous trempistim; these are people I see all the time...<BR/><BR/>Luckily, I mostly pass by French Hill's trempiyada in the AM, and go home a different route.Jameel @ The Muqatahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15890095633246557332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13539920.post-1135534544515174682005-12-25T20:15:00.001+02:002005-12-25T20:15:00.001+02:00sorry about the spelling errors in the previous co...sorry about the spelling errors in the previous comment.YMedadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14333122797414935958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13539920.post-1135534504357831232005-12-25T20:15:00.000+02:002005-12-25T20:15:00.000+02:00You stareted simething and as a trempist, I got yo...You stareted simething and as a trempist, I got you but I have loads of stories about the French Hill trempiada and how my feloow hitchhikers can barely qualify for any manners award as for example standing in the road so cars can't come close to the sidewalk so they don't block traffic which then prevents other cars from picking up people; not closing doors after finding out the car is not in their direction; getting off the city bus and then nonchalantly walking in front of everybody who have been patiently waiting for 20 minutes or more; or asking for the destination and then shutting the car door without telling the other 20 people waiting and so 5 people miss their opportunity; etc.YMedadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14333122797414935958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13539920.post-1135513846549578352005-12-25T14:30:00.000+02:002005-12-25T14:30:00.000+02:00Sweettooth120: You were very lucky!The type of tre...Sweettooth120: You were very lucky!<BR/><BR/>The type of trempisitim I take are usually within my yishuv already, so neither they nor the drivers are much of a threat. Its just rude behaviour (and body odor) that makes the ride so awful.Jameel @ The Muqatahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15890095633246557332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13539920.post-1135353581914593342005-12-23T17:59:00.000+02:002005-12-23T17:59:00.000+02:00So it's pronounce tremp? I always thought it was p...So it's pronounce tremp? I always thought it was pronounce tramp, as in tramping. I have a story about my own experience tremping when I was very young and so very naive. Shortly after I moved to Israel when I was 16, I quickly became familiar with the concept of tremping, figuring if everyone does it, it must be safe, even for a 16 yr old girl. We were living up North and my dad allowed me to go to Tiberius for the day by myself. Because I had never been to Israel before or was able to recognize the difference between Arabs and Jews, I almost got myself in serious trouble. When I was leaving the beach, I was tired, I had my stuff with me and it was hot, so I decided instead of walking back to the bus station, I would try out this tremp thing. I got picked up immediately by a kid in a white covered truck and stupidly I got in. He had a friend in the back of the truck and I soon realized they were speaking arabic. He asked me if he could make one quick stop by his friend's apt before taking me to the bus station. I didn't want to be rude, so I said ok. So we go upstairs to the apt, and we are hanging out a bit, and then he tried to kiss me. I stopped it immediately and told him I wasn't interested and to please bring me to the bus station. So we left the apt, and stupidly I got back into the truck. Thank g-d, he kept his word, and drove me directly there without any harm. I don't think I ever told my dad what happen. Considering myself lucky wouldn't even come close to describing it. <BR/><BR/>(as a side-note, let it not be misunderstood that the same scenerio couldn't happen with an Israeli guy, but because they were arabs, I felt even more on guard.)... Is the Window to Our Soulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04510255608269038123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13539920.post-1135351541266683742005-12-23T17:25:00.000+02:002005-12-23T17:25:00.000+02:00whoops...Elchonon...I meant tzomet Netanya but u n...whoops...Elchonon...I meant tzomet Netanya but u never mentioned that though I thought u did. Anyhow, i feel ur pain, man.<BR/><BR/>Gush Katif--NEVER AGAIN!!!Eitan Ha'ahzarihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17112407136416885944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13539920.post-1135268975514451362005-12-22T18:29:00.000+02:002005-12-22T18:29:00.000+02:00Elchonon...just one question to which the answer b...Elchonon...just one question to which the answer both u and i know: what exactly were u doing at tzomet Ashkelon? u know, we might actually know each other since i used to take part in those kinds of things. <BR/><BR/>hoping to get accepted by the army-at least for miluim-i can't say i've been too interested in political activity lately(blog not included):)<BR/><BR/>Chag Sameach Le'kulanu!Eitan Ha'ahzarihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17112407136416885944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13539920.post-1135258811031399292005-12-22T15:40:00.000+02:002005-12-22T15:40:00.000+02:00It's crazy how people complain when you're doing t...It's crazy how people complain when you're doing them a favor. Talk about chutzpah! <BR/><BR/> Alas, Israeli men do have a reputation for shunning soap and water. Jokes abound about Shabbos guests -- if it's an Israeli guy, burn the sheets afterwards, you'll never get the stench out. (Sorry, that's mean!)Mirtyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06512649365613304513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13539920.post-1135254036063333962005-12-22T14:20:00.001+02:002005-12-22T14:20:00.001+02:00Yitz: Yeah, but R' Shlomo didn't hug them (the dru...Yitz: Yeah, but R' Shlomo didn't hug them (the drunks and smelly ones) for an hour straight...maybe he did hug the women that long, don't know.<BR/><BR/>Being in the car with him for over an hour was pretty awful.Jameel @ The Muqatahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15890095633246557332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13539920.post-1135254017672055022005-12-22T14:20:00.000+02:002005-12-22T14:20:00.000+02:00Sorry 'bout that. Apparently, in my impatience I c...Sorry 'bout that. Apparently, in my impatience I clicked too many times, so my previous comment appeared thrice. I deleted the first two...<BR/><BR/>:))yitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08523302947845887661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13539920.post-1135253672801946862005-12-22T14:14:00.001+02:002005-12-22T14:14:00.001+02:00Hey Jameel,I'm quite surprised that as someone who...Hey Jameel,<BR/><BR/>I'm quite surprised that as someone who appreciates Reb Shlomo Carlebach z'l that you didn't cite his dealing with 'smelly' people. For example:<BR/><BR/>"He was about six feet two, white as a sheet, and had stringy blond hair cascading down to his shoulders. His rumpled, torn and dirty clothes emitted a DANK AND SOUR ODOR. Yet only moments before, SEEMINGLY OBLIVIOUS TO THE OFFENSIVE SMELL, Shlomo Carlebach had led the young man proudly to my side, his arm draped warmly around his shoulder, exclaiming cheerfully, "Sister Anne will gladly help you!" Shlomo whispered into my ear, "Plesae give him as much food as he wants to eat."<BR/><BR/>[skipping to the end of the story]: "I really don't know what I would have done if your Rabbi hadn't come by," the blond Texan said slowly. "I'll tell you honestly, this is the first meal I've eaten in three days. When he walked up to me & asked, 'Brother, do you need a meal?' I said to myself, this here man is surely an angel from G-d."<BR/><BR/>["Holy Brother," pp. 83-84; EMPHASES MINE].<BR/><BR/>Whenever I complain to a friend of mine of how Reb Shlomo would hug women, he would always remind me that he would also hug drunks and all kinds of people who were 'VERY SMELLY' etc...<BR/><BR/>So, you never know!!!yitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08523302947845887661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13539920.post-1135253671388817692005-12-22T14:14:00.000+02:002005-12-22T14:14:00.000+02:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.yitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08523302947845887661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13539920.post-1135253628170032182005-12-22T14:13:00.000+02:002005-12-22T14:13:00.000+02:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.yitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08523302947845887661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13539920.post-1135249882079700362005-12-22T13:11:00.000+02:002005-12-22T13:11:00.000+02:00jameel,re: oderising "trees" - correct, note how I...jameel,<BR/><BR/>re: oderising "trees" - correct, note how I described the aroma ["like a 'urinal cake', just a bit less biting"]; my point was to give the odourmeister a 'hint'...<BR/><BR/>re: airsick bags: well, you can put some 'party favours' in the bag, so if the passenger is "good" [ie, doesn't yak] they have some neat parting gifts...<BR/><BR/>re: Hummer: a Hummer is just conspicuous consumption, and I think the modified Zelda would cost less in the long run due to lower maintenance costs [and anyhow, buy "blue-and-white", son, you're supposed to be a Zionist!!!]<BR/><BR/>Finally, it was obvious that you aren't anti-hitchhiker, I was just trying to help you and them enhance their experience, 8-)<BR/><BR/><B>Truth.</B>Truthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10418387285462718534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13539920.post-1135246946245551702005-12-22T12:22:00.000+02:002005-12-22T12:22:00.000+02:00Truth: Thanks for your suggestions!A few comments;...Truth: Thanks for your suggestions!<BR/><BR/>A few comments; <BR/><BR/>-The oderizing "trees" smell almost as bad (sometimes worse) than some of the passengers.<BR/><BR/>-I do collect airsickness bags from my flights to the US, exactly for this reason to keep them in my car. People don't always know which end to use.<BR/><BR/>-APC: If anyone wants to donate a Hummer to the Muqata security squad, we'd greatly appreciate it. (My kids would go bonkers too - they drool everytime they see an IDF Hummer and ask when I'm going to buy one).<BR/><BR/><BR/>Lastly, I would to stress that I'm not anti-hithchiker, and there are lots of them I actually enjoy taking. (and even wait if they're late)Jameel @ The Muqatahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15890095633246557332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13539920.post-1135245735625403422005-12-22T12:02:00.000+02:002005-12-22T12:02:00.000+02:00jameel,1) cure for 'stinkrider': you know those li...jameel,<BR/><BR/>1) cure for 'stinkrider': you know those little 'trees' that you can hang from the mirror (with the powerful odour, kind of like a 'urinal cake', just a bit less biting?) You ought to keep a stock of them in your vehicle; when the 'stinkrider' climbs aboard and you get a whiff of that aroma, just break out one of those trees, take it out of the plastic, and make 'stinkrider' hold it - when they get out at the end of the ride, tell them, 'Keep it, it's a souvenir I give to special guests'.<BR/><BR/>2) 'The seasick landlubber' - the proper way to deal with this is to stock up on [unused] airsickness bags on one of your many flights. Then, you hand them out to all passengers when they come aboard, and if they try to protest, you say, 'Hold on to that, just in case. Otherwise, ride with someone else'. When the ride is over, take the bag back [if it hasn't been used], for the next session.<BR/><BR/>3) 'the yapper' - there's a 'cellphone jammer' you can aquire, the only problem is how to localise it to the passenger phones [so you can still use yours]. Maybe you ought to use the 'jammer' anyways, and just pay attention to the road... ;-)<BR/><BR/>4) 'the security problem/helmet & flackjacket' - maybe you ought to get ahold of a 'surplus' Zelda (closed APC) and convert its turbo-diesel engine to be able to use 'biodiesel' (ie, used french-fry/felaffel frier oil and such) [to make fueling it economical]. Then, you drop the rear hatch to load passengers, close it up, and you [the driver] have your own compartment, so it doesn't matter what they smell like, if they smoke [as long as you don't have any volatile explosives back there], and their cellphone won't work because of the armour. Finally, as an added bonus, if some clown barfs back there, you just make them hose it down at the end of the ride.<BR/><BR/>Hope you find these suggestions useful.<BR/><BR/>Truth.<BR/><BR/>PS - One of these days I'll have to post my own 'Proper Etiquette for Hitchhiking* in Arab Vehicles' article.<BR/><BR/>* - this word is used here in the 'commandeering' sense, rather than as in the more usual usage.Truthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10418387285462718534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13539920.post-1135245344582962842005-12-22T11:55:00.000+02:002005-12-22T11:55:00.000+02:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Truthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10418387285462718534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13539920.post-1135235373806877762005-12-22T09:09:00.000+02:002005-12-22T09:09:00.000+02:00LabRab: The Muqata Mystique - A small, crowded tr...LabRab: The Muqata Mystique - A small, crowded trailer atop a wind-blown hilltop amidst the mountains of the Shomron. I could write about it :-)<BR/><BR/>Actually - all that is 5 minutes from my home. I think what was most amazing to Amshinover when he visited last week was, "This place is SO normal!" (his words, not mine ;-)<BR/><BR/>MCAryeh: I stopped driving with the helment and flak jacket about 3 years ago. And for the record, I get along with most hitchhikers -- its those exceptional ones which make me crazy.Jameel @ The Muqatahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15890095633246557332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13539920.post-1135234884502782902005-12-22T09:01:00.000+02:002005-12-22T09:01:00.000+02:00As a frequent tremper while living near Efrat, I w...As a frequent tremper while living near Efrat, I was always amazed by, and had tremendous hakarat hatov for those drivers who would stop. Many trempers were very rude or inconsiderate if the driver would not take them where they wanted to go. <BR/><BR/>As a passenger, the most disconcerting thing was sitting there with just pants and a shirt next to a driver in a flak jacket and helmet!MC Aryehhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15391548803569665725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13539920.post-1135232702218026552005-12-22T08:25:00.000+02:002005-12-22T08:25:00.000+02:00Nearly 30 comments. You're approaching a record.Nearly 30 comments. You're approaching a record.JoeSettlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01232647820807408898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13539920.post-1135231972186026692005-12-22T08:12:00.000+02:002005-12-22T08:12:00.000+02:00Oh, forget it. If I start, I'll never stop. Suffic...Oh, forget it. If I start, I'll never stop. Suffice it to say that hitches included some of the most interesting, inspiring, fun, scary, and sick portions of my life. Awesome. :)Ezziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12494592434522239195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13539920.post-1135227370636191912005-12-22T06:56:00.000+02:002005-12-22T06:56:00.000+02:00LabRab: Baruch Hashem, our yishuv isn't so small t...<B>LabRab: Baruch Hashem, our yishuv isn't so small that I know everyone.</B><BR/><BR/>Somehow I had imagined you living on a hilltop outpost living in some ramshackle caravans with a few other diehard idealists ... the type of place that only a few families would be crazy enough to live in.<BR/><BR/>Yes, this despite the recent picture of your house with the flag. When you call your home the Muqata, some initial mental images just linger ...Lab Rabhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16548235776787443321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13539920.post-1135219234593316032005-12-22T04:40:00.000+02:002005-12-22T04:40:00.000+02:00I used to hitch almost daily to and from Jerusalem...I used to hitch almost daily to and from Jerusalem. Oh, the stories...! I gotta run, you've got me excited! :)Ezziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12494592434522239195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13539920.post-1135199207422506012005-12-21T23:06:00.000+02:002005-12-21T23:06:00.000+02:00Still rule all: It would be my pleasure. Problem i...Still rule all: It would be my pleasure. Problem is, I don't often go that direction, but I'll have you in mind. By the way -- you were the first commenter of all time to comment at the muqata blogsite. Thanks!<BR/><BR/>ZSTA: I have no clue what the "right" stuff is. But whatever that guy was wearing today was definitely awful.<BR/><BR/><BR/>LabRab: Baruch Hashem, our yishuv isn't so small that I know everyone. The only way to really pre-screen everyone is to have a proper-nosed female take a whiff of each person before they get in. Otherwise, it would be too late.<BR/><BR/>It would probably cost me way too much for someone to do that. (Any volunteers? I think not...)Jameel @ The Muqatahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15890095633246557332noreply@blogger.com