…We read on the interweb that the generals have officially admitted that what is going on is a coup d’etat. A 10 PM curfew is in effect, apparently, and Thailand’s elected leaders have been cordially invited, by the generals, to report to an army barracks at their convenience. All over Thailand tourists are freaking out:…
…I am woken by crunching gravel. I blink into the blinding beam of a powerful flashlight. Oh, sorry mate. Didn’t realise you were sleeping in there, says a nervous young voice. The flashlight beam moves off my face, and I see an embarrassed looking young cop, with his hand still hovering over his gun holster……
…It sounds like your car is having many problems, says Horst. Yeah, I love her but she’s a fuckin’ piece of shit, says the driver, and cracks open another beer on the dashboard. Couldn’t get her through rego’ last time. So if you see any coppers, fuckin’ let me know. Bastards busted me driving without…
…There’s a policeman nearby who does not look happy. Before he can order us out of there, I launch into my ‘location scouting’ routine. I’ve used this gimmick a few times, and it often works. “Hi! We’re looking for locations for a film! Is it OK if we leave the car here for…
Guido picks us up in the Aosta Valley, in far north-west Italy. Guido is 33, tall, lean and has a winning smile. He is the sheriff of his small village. The name of Guido’s village is Brusson, which means “gold mine”, but all the gold ran out centuries ago. As we wind along the…
Hitching on the highway in Normandy, France. The Gendarmes arrive, lights flashing, and inform us seriously that hitchhiking on highways is illegal in France, but we may hitch at round-abouts or on-ramps. Naturally we apologise politely and shoulder our bags to walk back to the on-ramp. The officer winds down his window and beckons me…
…”I’m not scared of you cunt! ” he barks “I’ll fucking beat the shit out of you!” The lady librarian sticks her head into the Spike Milligan Room. “Excuse me, you cant use language like that in the library. Come on, you’ll have to go outside sir.” “I’m fucking out of here you bitch” he…
…The driver still has the joint in his hand! He is holding it just below the edge of the window, so the cop can’t see it, but the smoke is curling up around his face, and the cab stinks like bong water in carpet. ‘I am going to prison’ I think to myself… …