So today I got called out by a cop walking back from work (yeah it was my first day but I'll talk about that later, maybe). What the hell were you doing, kid?!?
I get what you're thinking. I must have been doing something pretty horrible to be talked to by a Romanian police officer. Knowing me I was probably kicking babies or smoking crack right there on the sidewalk, maybe causing some light property damage. The usual things. However, this time was different.
You see I was jaywalking or pseudo jaywalking anyway. I (along with thousands of Romanians) do this on a regular basis but today I was informed by a very pleasant lady cop that not only should I pay attention to the red and green lights at the crosswalks for my safety but that also I would get a fine if she caught me doing it again.
Now normally I wouldn't be so happy about being warned by a cop but this instance was unique for me. It reminded me of the time when the Albanian Border guards pulled a guy off the bus to Greece because he wasn't related to the minor he was traveling with and they wanted to make sure he wasn't doing anything shady. It was an instance of cops doing there normal jobs in a region where, to the outside world anyway, cops aren't seen as competent or trustworthy. These were nice moments of normalcy in places not known for it.
These countries aren't the wild west or the European backwater. They're great places full of great people. I just wish more people around the world would see them that way instead of the way they are portrayed in Hollywood.
In other news, I visited some muddy volcanoes this weekend.
Burp!
It's nice to read about people doing their jobs correctly and pleasantly! Nice volcano photos!
ReplyDelete