From time to time, I catch things in the corner of my eye which serve to remind me that I'm not in Kansas anymore. (Full disclosure, I can't recall if I've ever actually been in Kansas, and from the news stateside, it's entirely possible that even Kansas isn't Kansas anymore. Sic transit gloria mundi -- possibly ad astra.) At any rate, I was walking to the German hypermarket for groceries, when a constabulary car drove past with its siren sounding and lights flashing. Apparently, they were dealing with a fellow at the bus stop who was shouting. I walked quickly past, but about 15 yards away, past an intersection, I turned to look at the event. And one of the constables turned and looked at me -- entirely unthreatening, just as much dispassion and curiosity as I suppose I was showing. Fair enough, I thought, and then walked another 15 yards or so, crossed another street, and then turned to take in the long view. And the fellow turned again and stood there looking at me--totally neutral, not threatening, just as curious as I was. I suppose I stick out a bit, clearly a foreign tourist, so perhaps it was just curiosity about the fellow who looked a bit out of place. Quite a few people about; busy area.
Later that evening I saw the aftermath of a car accident from a distance. After about 10 minutes, the constabulary arrived, and within a minute or so, the small crowd that had gathered to watch was completely gone.
Anodyne events, nothing objectionable, but it does serve to remind that this is a strange world, perhaps with unpredictable social mores and lessons. I'll stick to the officers mess (the desk in the rooms is sufficient mess), the coffeehouses, and the balconies of the theatres.