"We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars."

Congratulations! You are reading the random thoughts and idle ideas of an Englishman in Tanzania.

Monday, 31 May 2010

I fought the law and the law won.

Today will go down in history as one in which the world witnessed scenes of murdering aggression in international waters towards a "freedom flotilla". I note that in London hundreds have marched on Downing St. and the Israeli embassy, already, and had I been in the UK right now I think I would have been inclined to join them!

Today will also be marked, in my personal history at least, as the day I fought off my own internationally condemned aggressor (no matter which country you visit); The Police.

As I have mentioned before any names you read here and any photos you see, of individuals, have been changed to protect the innocent but, even with this being the case, I am unable to mention the nature of my brush with the law at present. Let's just say money changed hands and I think I came off rather badly from the whole affair. I don't know what inspired the title for The Clashs' memorable song about their meeting with the rozzers but, what I do know is that putting up a fight is often futile and always *expensive.

So, armed with this knowledge, I thought I would forgo the fighting and futility and move straight on to the expense. I have been well schooled in bribery techniques for East Africa and it it's not the first continent I have paid additional "tax" in but, the fact remains, it is still a very tricky and unpredictable situation and a certain amount of trepidation occupies the psyche when you reach for your wallet to "help out" the local constable.

Of course everything worked out and I am not writing this from a cell but, I can't help feeling hard done by or, even more galling, wipe the memory of the grinning copper as he pocketed my cash.


 I think next time I am taking the other advice I have been given; Punch and run.





O yes.... here's a picture of a mountain and an orphanage.


*Please refer to my younger brother for more info (hi Dan).
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4 comments:

  1. Anonymous1 June 2010 at 03:23

    Please don't take the second option!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Unknown1 June 2010 at 15:21

    bad luck Dame and just as you were beginning to like the place.. Oh well, you can never trust the law as dan and i both know. keep up the good work. I have busy week this week, have done two whole days in the office. chin chin Ben

    ReplyDelete
  3. Roo7 June 2010 at 09:35

    Never mind Dame, just think of it as a slightly minging aperitif in the great cocktail of life. Suck it up and move on to the next.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Unknown17 June 2010 at 01:27

    Human nature shows it's true colours when you put a uniform on it, especially in developing countries. Don't let the bastards get you down!

    ReplyDelete

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