A New "G'mach" and Another Great Tremp Story

A g'mach is "free loan" society or a special low price "charity store."  It can be anything from donated wedding gowns, rented at under market cost, a clothing "store" with "symbolic" no profit prices, all sorts of equipment, such as medical or baby supplies, crutches or no-interest financial loans.  And I just discovered a new one, not far from Shiloh. 



The sign I'm holding is from a sign g'mach at the check-point outside of the Pisgat Ze'ev neighborhood of Jerusalem where there are bus stops and people also get "tremps," rides.  When I'd pass people holding the signs, I just figured that they were very well organized.  Then I found out that a few weeks ago, somebody delivered the signs and set up a basket in the bus stop.  So, today, after my friend dropped me off, I took a sign, and a nice young lady preferred taking my picture than posing with a sign.  I have no idea who the girl is, but, yes, that's another example of how nice people are here.

Eventually, she called me over to ask if I wanted a ride to Ofra.  I got in, squashed in the backseat between a baby's carseat and a different young woman.  No complaints.  I'm glad I'm not the weight I was two years ago. 

Well, we didn't get very far.  We were in one of those traffic circles so popular nowadays with city planners, and the driver's GPS said:

"Take the exit out of the city."

Well, there is no sign saying "exit."  The poor guy seemed terribly confused.  I quickly said:

"Left," and he gratefully turned left, and we were on our way.

But I knew that soon I'd have to explain how to maneuver the Adam Junction.  The wrong turn could take us to Ramalla.  I gave directions, there, too, since his GPS wasn't at all helpful.  I suggested that he complain to the company. 

And I knew why I had to wait just there for a ride until he came.  That guy would still be going around the traffic circle if he hadn't had help.