Yes Officer

As it comes with all trips there is a time when you say to yourself, "This should be fun."

The simple U-Turn seemed harmless enough as the Honda Civic sped around the corner pressing all 6 passengers to the windows. I was about to recite one of my mother's famous scoldings yet contained myself as we saw him. Standing in all black in the middle of the day he must have been dying, but, with that ominous sash screaming 'Policia' we couldn't help avoiding him. Yep, we had been caught, let's hope that the gringos aren't sent to Jail today . . .

My friend and driver Tulio mustered the courage to talk to the officer, then, as he returned to the car quickly told me to "Get Out! Talk to him!"

"Why me, i'm just the foreigner, can't i just play the ignorant gringo roll today . . . . let's just drive away . . . ." this statement went running though my mind as I slowly opened the door and walked towards the officer.

It happened so fast that I barely caught it, the debate of which laws had been broken, what fines would be paid and who was at fault quickly came and went. Then without any consent from me I was deliberately introduced to the said upholder of the law and became the focal point of conversation.

It just seemed so strange hearing him ask about the weather, people, politics, my travels; he sounded more like a new friend rather than a police officer. He even chuckled a bit as we talked and as we parted ways I was blown away. The major charges had been dropped and we only had to pay a slight "infraction fee" - more of a bribe the way I see it. Either way, the gringos are here to live another day and now if I ever get stopped again I can just say, "I know officer Tavarez!"