Up early to leave with Jana as she went to work. Headed to my regular cafe, Bi Ka Fe, for a coffee, but stopped for a spinach and cheese pastry en route. Got talking to a Japanese girl that walked past, so we went for a coffee together. She seems super smart, doing a masters in biology in Tokyo. She also seemed pretty cool and to be a passionate traveler. We visited a museum together and then she had to fly to Japan. I went back to the cafe to write.
Later on I went to the square to watch the people go by. The weather seems to always be perfect in Slovenia. And Ljubljana's square is a sweet place to chill with great buskers and a safe atmosphere. I relaxed on a bench in the sun while a guy from California played a strange stringed instrument which I'd never seen, but really loved. And suddenly the nice atmosphere all changed. A thick-chested, brown-skinned man with a beard started shouting. I'd noticed him just before moving quickly through the crowds while pushing a baby's pram. And a woman, he seemed to be with was also quickly walking around, looking very uncomfortable. He shouted "A child, a child. Have you seen a child. A boy, a little boy. Blue sweater, red hat". The man's English was good and I couldn't place his accent (Italian?), but his voice was scary, perhaps because of the panic. Everyone in the whole square silenced and watched him. He kept shouting and shouting while running to and fro. It all seemed very unreal, and I was aware of the slim possibility of a scam to have people "help" him and leave their bags unattended. "Someone call the police", he yelled, "The police, the police. Please!" I started packing my stuff into my bag with the idea of looking for the kid, but mostly I was a victim of the bystander effect. Two English lads near me called him over and said they had seen his son a few minutes ago chasing the pigeons. They all ran down a street. Then another guy pulled up on a BMX saying he had found the boy. And then it was all ok. But the atmosphere was ruined and the guy from California took a long time to start playing his instrument again.
It was a very unusual situation because so many people were there and so few helping. I've read about this bystander effect in psychology books, but never thought I would experience it. I wonder if anyone called the police. I didn't, even though I could have. I hope I never lose my kids like that.
I spent the evening back at home with Jana and her housemate Inis. We chilled and drank a little and talked and ordered pizza when we got the munchies. Inis had some topical breakout of chicken pox, so I texted home to be sure I had it as a kid. I did, so I'll be ok. Inis said it can be critical for adults. What?
Later on I went to the square to watch the people go by. The weather seems to always be perfect in Slovenia. And Ljubljana's square is a sweet place to chill with great buskers and a safe atmosphere. I relaxed on a bench in the sun while a guy from California played a strange stringed instrument which I'd never seen, but really loved. And suddenly the nice atmosphere all changed. A thick-chested, brown-skinned man with a beard started shouting. I'd noticed him just before moving quickly through the crowds while pushing a baby's pram. And a woman, he seemed to be with was also quickly walking around, looking very uncomfortable. He shouted "A child, a child. Have you seen a child. A boy, a little boy. Blue sweater, red hat". The man's English was good and I couldn't place his accent (Italian?), but his voice was scary, perhaps because of the panic. Everyone in the whole square silenced and watched him. He kept shouting and shouting while running to and fro. It all seemed very unreal, and I was aware of the slim possibility of a scam to have people "help" him and leave their bags unattended. "Someone call the police", he yelled, "The police, the police. Please!" I started packing my stuff into my bag with the idea of looking for the kid, but mostly I was a victim of the bystander effect. Two English lads near me called him over and said they had seen his son a few minutes ago chasing the pigeons. They all ran down a street. Then another guy pulled up on a BMX saying he had found the boy. And then it was all ok. But the atmosphere was ruined and the guy from California took a long time to start playing his instrument again.
It was a very unusual situation because so many people were there and so few helping. I've read about this bystander effect in psychology books, but never thought I would experience it. I wonder if anyone called the police. I didn't, even though I could have. I hope I never lose my kids like that.
I spent the evening back at home with Jana and her housemate Inis. We chilled and drank a little and talked and ordered pizza when we got the munchies. Inis had some topical breakout of chicken pox, so I texted home to be sure I had it as a kid. I did, so I'll be ok. Inis said it can be critical for adults. What?
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