Well I got "pulled over" again. Not for the suspicion of drugs but for drum-roll please....
JAYWALKING!
Yep I got stopped by the Israeli police for jaywalking. Here is the story....
I was walking home from school like I normally do and I started crossing this very small one-way street (when I say very small I mean the crossing could not be more than 10 ft long). All of a sudden, I heard a man starting yelling at me. I knew right away what had happened. The little man was red and that I had crossed the street, I had just jaywalked.
I decided that I would forget all the Hebrew, I knew and act like a dumb American. The police officer started yelling more at me and I just looked at him blankly, telling him that I don't speak any Hebrew. I wasn't the only jaywalking culprit, the police officer also "pulled over" a young orthodox family. The police officer asked us for our IDs in Hebrew, and I continued to act dumb and say I don't understand. He finally said ID to me in English, so I gave it to him.
After the Orthodox family was given a 100 Shekel fine (about 30 dollars), the Police Officer started talking to me. He asked me if I knew what I had done. I said no. He then told me that the little man was red and that I wasn't following the rules of the road. I acted surprised and was profusely apologetic, telling him that in NYC where I come from, everybody just walks across the street.
After our short discussion, he called his supervisor. After a two minute conversation he handed back my ID and in a thick Israeli accent said... "Ethan, be careful."
As I continued to walk away, relieved that I did not get a ticket, I saw the police officer grab 3 more people for jaywalking.
I couldn't believe it was a Jaywalking "speed" trap.
Next time you are in Israel. Make sure to look both ways before cross the street, the drivers are crazy but the jaywalk traps are even crazier.
Peace,
ERBP
PS: I still Jaywalk
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