quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
The flight landed an hour and a half ago. Where's Dave?

Maybe he’s having trouble with the pod bay doors.

Hahaha nice reference

A definite answer to prayer.

I am so happy and relieved this saga has come to a positive conclusion. I think I have crossed T&C off my vacation wish list.

Home sweet home. Had no issue in customs but it took a long, long time for baggage to come through. Got in around 10 last night and played with my dogs, had a glass of wine and went to sleep. Such a strange feeling to wake up in my own bed. Spent this morning just trying to create a to do list of stuff I have missed, people I need to reach out to, scheduling at work, and of course handling some guns. Missed them too Been a heck of a couple of months.

Btw, I often looked out on the water wondering when the submarine was coming.

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Originally posted by jhe888:

quote:

Originally posted by oddball:

quote:

Originally posted by dave7378:
Between attorney, rent, food and transportation I am north of $100k. So when she stated the fine it seemed like nothing. At least I will be getting the $40k in bail back

Thanks for posting this Dave- it is eye-opening and a reminder of justice in a foreign country.

I don't think it would have been a lot different in the U.S., except you would be able to live in your own house, of course, saving the room and board costs.

The amount of the fine is within reasonable expectations, given that country's choices about firearms. It is their country, and while we don't agree with the policy, it is their perogative. Imposing a fine, even if the act was the result of a genuine mistake encourages compliance by people in the future, and discourages bad actors from attempting to excuse genuine crimes by claiming "mistake."

I am very glad you are free, Dave. What a mess.

Yes, a mess made out of my carelessness. I thought the fine was beyond fair as was the Judge. My only problem was how long it took but my lawyer thought it was going to take longer. Very slow down there. Ultimately I am home so I am going to just try and appreciate that.

When I have more time in the next few days I am going to get into more detail of what happened, the conditions, the threats, the corruption, the people that helped me, the friends I made etc. I kind of have to go through the whole thing again in my head.

quote:

Originally posted by dave7378:

Yes, a mess made out of my carelessness. I thought the fine was beyond fair as was the Judge. My only problem was how long it took but my lawyer thought it was going to take longer. Very slow down there. Ultimately I am home so I am going to just try and appreciate that.

When I have more time in the next few days I am going to get into more detail of what happened, the conditions, the threats, the corruption, the people that helped me, the friends I made etc. I kind of have to go through the whole thing again in my head.

My fiasco in Korea took 90 days, the system plus COVID slow downs at the time for what ended up being a 1000$ fine.

Pure silliness.

ETA: Glad you're home Dave.

Glad to hear you're home safe and sound Dave.

I will be interested to hear "the rest of the story" when you have settled in.

Welcome home Dave…..you have quite the story now….good to see you made it back State side!

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Originally posted by dave7378:
Home sweet home.

Welcome home, Dave!

Welcome home Dave.

If you haven’t been keeping a log, consider writing it all down now while it’s still fresh in your mind.

Welcome home!!!

quote:

originally posted by dave7378:
Yes, a mess made out of my carelessness. I thought the fine was beyond fair as was the Judge. My only problem was how long it took but my lawyer thought it was going to take longer. Very slow down there. Ultimately I am home so I am going to just try and appreciate that.

When I have more time in the next few days I am going to get into more detail of what happened, the conditions, the threats, the corruption, the people that helped me, the friends I made etc. I kind of have to go through the whole thing again in my head.

Humbled and penitent after your ordeal. Very admirable. Hope your life returns to some semblance to “normal” very quickly. I’m happy for you that it’s over.
T

I'm glad to hear from you, Dave.

I'm sure I speak for everyone who has participated in this thread that we are glad we could be a source of moral support and entertainment for you.

I've no doubt that all who have read this thread have imagined themselves in a situation such as yours and realize that to have a lifeline to a supportive group of people who, though outside one's circle of friends and family, would serve as a conduit to a community at large, to bolster one's spirit and stave off the inevitable boredom of purgatory.

Needless to say, you've now entered the annals- I SAID ANNALS- of SIGforum lore stretching back more than two decades.

quote:

Originally posted by dave7378:

When I have more time in the next few days I am going to get into more detail of what happened, the conditions, the threats, the corruption, the people that helped me, the friends I made etc.

Sounds like the makings of a good documentary or even better a mini-series.

Welcome back!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: smschulz,

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by dave7378:

When I have more time in the next few days I am going to get into more detail of what happened, the conditions, the threats, the corruption, the people that helped me, the friends I made etc.
[/QUE]OT

Sounds like the makings of a good documentary or even better a mini-series.

Welcome back!

National Geographic has an entire series called Locked Up Abroad. Watch some of those, Dave got off easy compared to those people in legit 3rd world countries.

So glad to hear you're finally home. I hate to use the word stress because it's so overused but I can't imagine the mental stress you've been through. Imprisoned for a couple months even though you weren't "locked up" the entire time. Worrying about the what if had to be hell. Now it's mostly behind you and you can work on getting caught up and back to normal life.

I'm so glad to see that you are back on US soil, and sleeping in your own bed.

Welcome home Dave!

Very happy to hear that you are home safe, Dave! That's a terrible thing to have to go through, but thankfully it ended with you home safe, and now you have a truly unique experience that you'll be able to tell stories about for the rest of your life. I hope you have some time to rest, reflect, and recover before having to jump back into day-to-day life!