By Reza Ganjavi
Not wanting to expose oneself to pulsed microwave radiation in a world which is so full of it makes finding places to stay a challenge. As I travel to find the right place, I have to check the map of cell towers, and it's a very complicated process to find a place to stay.
Many people who are in the same shoes as me are finding it increasingly difficult to find a place to live, not just for a visit but to live.
In one of the many sojourns, I was in Slovenia, which is a lovely country, and the next destination was Bosnia, which I wanted to check out, but I didn't like the air pollution, so I came back, and I was heading north when a friend said, “Don't sleep in the camper I will find a place for you.”
She called a friend of hers in Slovenia and, long story short, I went and met him. First thing I did, obviously, was to measure the radiation level and it was good, thank God. The place was his son's, who was spending the winter working in Switzerland because of the higher salaries. So I stayed there for some time -- and really enjoyed the country but mostly worked on my computer with wired internet, which was a blessing to have, and went for long walks in the beautiful forest behind the house, and played guitar and did yoga and worked as a human helper and helped save a suicidal person.
I had a very good first impression of Slovenia some years ago when I took a train, which arrived late night in Ljubljana, and I asked a man on the train where I could get change to pay for the hostel, and he said all the change offices are closed, but he gave me some local money. Just like that as a gift, and he was very generous and kind about it and would not take my money. I have had a very similar experience in most of my interactions with Slovenian people and I find them to be very generous. Very kind-hearted and authentic.
Very similar to Iranians. Who are extremely generous and hospitable. For example, I went to a mechanic in Slovenia, and after he spent time working on the car, he wouldn't take money. I had to insist on him taking the money. And he was absolutely sincere about it.
So, that one contact with a friend while I was driving to go camp, ended up in a beautiful place with zero radiation, and wired internet. Leaving the place, I kind of left it to the last minute to decide about the next accommodation.
He was arriving by 5:30 p.m. I had cleaned the place already and packed, but until 4:30 p.m. I had not booked the next spot. In a way, I can do it like this because I have a camper, but nevertheless, when it's cold it's better to have a proper roof.
So, I started the search including the cell tower map, and landed in one place which was perfect, or at least seemed perfect, until I actually went there to check it out. Some places are far from antennas on the map, but if they are on a hill antennas radiate them. It’s best to be in a valley. Radiation doesn't go down but it goes up.
I found another house which was only available the next day. I packed the car and was about ready to leave to go to the same region, which was in a beautiful forest, and camp there, and move into the next place the next day. At that time the host arrived and he said he's sleeping somewhere else tonight and I could be there tonight, so it works out perfectly, so keeping it till the last minute paid off.
One thing that really disturbed me in Slovenia was when, while walking with a friend, a car came into the forest with two young gypsy men. About half an hour later, they flew out of the forest at high speed, with their car bouncing off of the ditches.
Behind their car, there was this huge electric cable which my friend said they had stolen. The car and it did not have a license plate. But I remembered the car exactly. And I know where they went.
Next day, after doing a bit of research, I went to the railroad behind the forest and saw that they had cut down an entire wooden electric power pole, and cut the cables because of the copper. Some gypsies reportedly like metals which they steal and sell. But that behavior is very unethical and damaging to the society. I was quite disturbed and wanted to report this crime, but my friends said that this is normal and it happens all the time, but nevertheless, I went to the police office and he said, “Wait out there for a criminal investigator to come and take your report.” I waited, and waited, and waited, and he said, “Two more minutes.” And I waited, and waited, and I just left. I took their email address, so I can send the pictures, but the policeman told me it happens every day and when they are caught the judge usually gives them a probation.
I do not know the subject in any depth to accurately and fairly comment on it, but what is sad is that these two young men could have received education and training instead and gotten a job, and earned their living in a respectful ethical way. I've heard that stealing is part of the gypsy culture but I cannot accept it. I also know many gypsies in Slovenia do not steal and are integrated into the society and contribute the positive aspects of their culture to the society.
I have a good friend in France of gypsy heritage with two degrees from Sorbonne and a very respectable pedagogic position with one of the best private schools in the world.