Definition ( my own) - a marshuka is something between a 15 passenger van and a small bus... they can vary! It is probably the most popular form of public transport here... cheap and they go basically everywhere.
Since having moved into an apartment, I have to take a Marshuka into work (the base) every morning. Let me tell you about it.
I leave my apartment at 9:20am, I want to be at the base by 10:00 or close to it. I walk out to the road past the first bus stop down to the corner where the gas station is because from here there are 3 different marshuka options as opposed to just 2.
I stand their and wait and wait... and wait. Oh there's one and my hand goes out to flag it down and it keeps driving and as it passes I can see that it is already PACKED full. When I say packed I really do mean PACKED! For not only is every seat taken but every possible space where you could cram a body whether standing or leaning on something is taken as well...
Finally one comes along that is not so full and there is actually a space for me to sit... YEAH! I get comfortable in my spot and on we go... there is one spot I dread as there is usually a lot of people who get on and today was no exception. I counted and 15 people got on... and then the driver stopped at the next stop and let more people squish on!
Sitting in a seat is such a blessing for when you have to stand it is a while other story...but it can be fun to watch others... as they are almost thrown from one side to the other at times because of the driving... which is hard to explain as you really just need to experience it... few rules are followed!!
Then it is time to get off... I get off before the main part of the city... so here I am sitting in a seat near the back with a whole lot of people standing between me and the door so I starting and squeezing through all while he is driving... there is nothing graceful about this process... I am learning that I just have to do it... the Russians are quite use to it and do not mind and will do they same thing back.
It is the North American personal space coming out as this violates it many times over...
Finally I am at the door, paid, gotten my change and off the marshuka... I take a deep breath and start walking toward the base. By the time I get there I check my watch and see that it is 10: 30 OOPS!
Tomorrow I will have to leave earlier!!
bye for now
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