Fri 25 Feb 2005
Well, we have our van now and a few less happy feelings about life here.
It turns out that my default option was getting my car certified, by hook or by crook, and if I didn’t pull the “stop the train” lever quickly it was going to happen. I never make decisions to cause train wrecks in my life quickly, so while I considered my options I ran out of time.
This evening when I picked it up I apologized to my mechanic for having put him in this “awkward situation,” not having known that I had these out-of-compliance issues with my van. He, of course, didn’t feel the least bit awkward and said, “This is how we do it in Hungary.” The thousands of Soviet-era Trabants on the road (just like the ones in the Amazing Race when it went through Hungary) testify to this truth.
If there is any one thing humans are good at, it’s justifying themselves in their own eyes, so I won’t bore you with my own convoluted path to that end. On the other hand, I feel like I need a shower. Good thing I’m forgiven.
The Bribe-Mobile rides again.
February 26th, 2005 at 11:37 am
Sometimes there are bribes that really amount to extortion … if you don’t pay them the work is just not going to get done.
February 26th, 2005 at 11:50 am
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
February 26th, 2005 at 5:18 pm
related story – buddy of mine was taking medical supplies to an orphanage in Mexico. Was stopped by police, they demanded a bribe and some of the supplies.
A Mexican kid, who was travelling with them starting yelling at them in Spanish travelling at 1,345 mph. The kid grabs the rental papers, shoves it in their faces.
The policeman turned around and let them go.
they get in the van and ask the kid – what did you say?
I told them you were friends of the President with signed papers from him. If they tried to bribe you or stop your mission, you were going to have them all arrested and shot by tomorrow morning.
February 26th, 2005 at 6:27 pm
That’s great! What a hoot. I wish my bribe was about extortion rather than evasion. Then I wouldn’t feel so bad about it.
March 4th, 2005 at 8:49 pm
And if it wasn’t clear from reading, no, I don’t think I made the right decision.