An Experience It Was...

Remember this post?  Remember how desperate and frustrated I sound?  I was equally desperate and frustrated when I got a letter in the mail stating I have to go to court for this incident.

Are you serious?  Court, for apparent trash on the street...

I've done my fair share of mischief.  Unfortunately, I've done some not so intelligent things, I've been in trouble, and I've dealt with the consequences.  There, I said it...

This, is not that... I did nothing wrong and therefor should have no consequences to deal with.  Case closed... in my head at least.

This week, on Monday, I made my appearance in court.  Court is not such a joyful experience in general.  Court in Germany?  It made my stomach churn the entire day.  Thankfully, a friend from work accompanied me in hopes that I wouldn't totally lose it.

When I walk in the door of the court room, I come face to face with my two old neighbors.  So they are the reason I'm here today???  I BAKED YOU GINGERBREAD COOKIES FOR CHRISTMAS LAST YEAR!  And this is how you repay me?!

I had to sit alone in a row, while the judge spoke, asking me questions about who I was and where I was from.  Being in a room with other people while they talk about you in a foreign language is something so unnerving, I really can't explain.  The judge then went on to say something, I can only think was about my rights and the law that I "apparently" broke.  He then asked me a question and asked if I understood.

Of course not.

I desperately turned to my friend, only to find that I couldn't understand what it was they were asking or wanted to say.  The judge, naturally, got frustrated, as did I... and that's when the tears began...

Thankfully, my friends knew the situation and clearly explained my point of view.  I was asked to approach "the bench" and look at the picture of the trash and explain what was mine and what wasn't.  None of it was mine.  While looking at the picture, a tear drop fell from my eye onto the judges desk.  That may have been the kicker right there.  He knew how ridiculous this was.

After my neighbor testified against me, he was asked to leave, and that's when the judge rolled his eyes and said that this was stupid and there are a lot worse things than leaving trash on the street.  Also, he went on to say that I really have no reason to lie, and that I do not have to pay any money.

JUSTICE!!!!!!!!!

I am as happy as a clam.  Thankfully the judge realized the situation, and saw how crazy this all was.  Some people honestly have nothing better to do than to sit at their windows and find things that others are doing wrong.

In the end, all is good and I can write this off as an experience... certainly one that I never thought I would have to do.