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RE: Traffic Koans [Day 28]

My God, it's like your describing the beggars in Bucharest. The last time I was there, which was ten years ago now, my parents and I were walking down the street. Eastern Europe, much like the rest of the world that's much older than the automobile, was designed for pedestrian traffic, and we always walked when we went over there. I'll never forget one woman in particular that we passed.

From her appearance, I'd say she was a Roma woman in her 60's, dressed in all black (typical attire following a death in the family). Whether or not she was actually mourning someone is something no one will know, but I handed her a coin out of my pocket and set it in her outstretched hand. Not only did she throw it back at me, she spit on the ground as we walked past. Now if that isn't a picky beggar, I dunno what is!

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There are beggars in Bucharest? Of course there are. I didn't know you trace your ancestry back to Eastern Europe. That's so cool!

Was she a gypsy? Maybe she wasn't a beggar at all and she threw it back because she was insulted haha! Spat on the ground? Oh man, were you... were you cursed? Are you cursed? Tell me now, man. I swear to God. Tell me now.

Yup! 100% Romanian, boss. And if she cursed me....well, I've yet to see it. I chalk up misfortune to poor planning and making less optimal decisions. But who knows? Perhaps I am cursed by a gypsy. -goes to find some wood to knock on-

Could it be that curses are really just psychological, and that poor decision making stems from that psychological distress? Hmm...