Hello from the Other Side - Snap Judgment

Summary

Snap Judgment – "Hello from the Other Side" Summary

Release Date: April 24, 2025
Host/Author: Snap Judgment and PRX
Description: Snap Judgment blends real-life stories with compelling beats to craft cinematic and dramatic radio experiences. Their raw, musical storytelling invites listeners to view the world from diverse perspectives, delivering storytelling with a beat.

Introduction: A Mysterious Encounter in Oakland

The episode opens with a captivating narrative set in downtown Oakland. The narrator describes an eerie, deserted City Hall area where a group of friends—four women and three men—find themselves seeking refuge. As they navigate the boarded-up streets, the unexpected sound of bagpipes breaks the silence, leading them to an enchanting scene bathed in warm light amidst dark buildings.

Notable Quote:
"And with the four women, three guys, friends walking huddled close for safety, head on a swivel, don't want no funny business." ([00:02])

Upon investigating, they discover a vibrant gathering labeled "Bulgaria at Night." The atmosphere is festive, filled with people of all ages enjoying music, dance, and traditional Balkan moonshine called "raka." The narrator describes the vivid experience of cultural immersion, highlighting scenes of dancing grandmothers, hearty food, and spontaneous camaraderie.

However, upon returning the next night, the scene vanishes without a trace. The friends are left bewildered, unable to find any information about "Bulgaria at Night" online or elsewhere. This mysterious event leaves a lasting impression, blurring the lines between reality and illusion.

Notable Quote:
"50 brand new best friends. And I know exactly where I'm spending every weekend for the rest of my life with my people, the Bulgarians." ([04:45])

Transition to Spooked: Intriguing Tales from India

The narrative seamlessly transitions to introducing the episode's featured story from the sister show, Spooked. Sponsored by Progressive Insurance, the host briefly mentions Progressive’s "name your price" tool before delving into the main story.

Main Story: "Hello from the Other Side" – A Paranormal Journey

The central narrative is delivered by a storyteller recounting a chilling experience in a remote Indian village. The story begins with a group of friends seeking solitude by a serene lakeside, only to encounter mysterious and supernatural elements that turn their getaway into a nightmare.

Setting the Scene: Arrival and Initial Peace

The storyteller describes their arrival at a secluded spot with a picturesque lake, tents, and a bonfire area. The initial days are peaceful, filled with bonding activities like fishing, barbecuing, and enjoying the natural surroundings.

Notable Quote:
"We are joking, we are laughing. We there by 11:12 during the day. This was right in the middle of nowhere." ([07:18])

First Encounter: A Shadowy Figure and Cursed Legends

One evening, while taking a smoke break by the riverside, the storyteller encounters a silhouetted man who warns them about being on the "wrong side" of the river—a side cursed by an angry deity. The cook, who assists them, repeatedly calls the storyteller to return, intensifying the sense of unease.

Notable Quote:
"There's one side of the river that's completely fine to go to, and the other side of the river is where you're not supposed to step into. It's said to be a very haunted place." ([10:30])

Initially dismissing the encounter as a prank, the storyteller later learns from a friend that local legends speak of the cursed side, where crossing over ensures one never returns. This revelation casts doubt on the earlier interaction, blending skepticism with emerging fear.

Escalation: Unexplained Phenomena and Fear Takes Hold

As the night progresses, strange occurrences heighten the tension. A friend experiences a terrifying sensation of being touched, leading to screams that the storyteller does not recall initially. Confusion and fear mount as they grapple with the possibility of supernatural forces at play.

Notable Quote:
"We never know the reality of anything. Could be that the guy who says, you are on the wrong side, he was on the wrong side." ([24:04])

The mysterious cook's identity becomes increasingly ambiguous. When confronted in the morning, discrepancies arise—mentions of the cook vanish, leaving the group questioning their reality. The storyteller reflects on the elusive nature of truth and the thin veil between the known and the unknown.

Conclusion: Lingering Questions and Unresolved Mysteries

The story concludes without definitive answers, leaving listeners to ponder the nature of the events. The storyteller speculates on the possible identities of the cook and the shadowy man, suggesting that supernatural entities may be manipulating perceptions and realities.

Notable Quote:
"We never know the reality of anything. Could be that the guy who says, you are on the wrong side, he was on the wrong side. Maybe the cook was my savior." ([24:04])

Closing Remarks: Embracing the Unknown

The episode wraps up with a reflection on the collective awakening to unseen phenomena and the importance of sharing personal encounters. The host encourages listeners to contribute their own stories, fostering a community that acknowledges and explores the mysteries beyond the ordinary.

Notable Quote:
"We need to know. Let me know. Spookedampjudgment.org because there's nothing better than a spooked story from a spooked listener." ([24:04])

Production Credits:

Original Scores by Nicholas Marx
Produced by Anne Ford

Additional Information:

Spooked Podcast available on all major platforms.
Special thanks to contributors and the creative team behind the storytelling.

This episode of Snap Judgment masterfully intertwines atmospheric narration with a gripping paranormal tale, inviting listeners to explore the enigmatic boundaries between reality and the supernatural. Through vivid storytelling and evocative quotes, "Hello from the Other Side" delivers a memorable experience that lingers long after the final note.

Transcript

Narrator (0:02)

SNAP studios. Late Friday I get off the bar train and the bad old days. Downtown Oakland near City hall is deserted. Nothing but boarded up windows, locked doors. And with the four women, three guys, friends walking huddled close for safety, head on a swivel, don't want no funny business. And then, like from a fairy story, we hear the peals of a bagpipe. What? Who knows? Maybe there's some underground Scottish thing going on. Let's maybe check it out. This music pied pipers us along. And there, between two dark buildings, warm light spills onto the sidewalk. An open door. And there are people. Old people, young people, mothers holding babies, men hugging. Old friends laughing, shouting, singing grandmothers dancing to the bagpiper, throwing back tiny glasses of something that looks alcoholic. In the window, a small handwritten sign reads Bulgaria at night. We peek in like wild eyed refugees and for greeted with smiles, with slaps on the back. Hey man, what's going on with the bagpipes? There's some kind of Scottish. There are bagpipes. Our Bulgarians don't you know. Scott stole the bagpipe from Bulgaria. It's our national instrument. Then he's pressing the cups of something called raka into our hands. One sip and I almost go blind. Some kind of crazy Balkan moonshine. They laugh as I stagger, pour another. There's food. Thick blood red sausages. A woman shoves spiced beef into my mouth. Cabbage rolls and cubes of cheese that don't come from a cow. In the corner, couple sing operatic accompaniment to the bagpiper. A guy hands me a baby to hold while he dances. More moonshine. Hey, tell a story. Alcohol gives me courage. My tail makes him laugh and pour more moonshine. At a table, an old man slams my buddy's wrist down an arm, wrestling. Everybody else is dancing, dancing, dancing, eating, dancing, dancing, laughing, drinking, dancing, spinning. We finally stagger away from Eastern Europe, back onto the streets of Oakland. Four in the morning. Smiles on our faces, songs in our heart. 50 brand new best friends. And I know exactly where I'm spending every weekend for the rest of my life with my people, the Bulgarians. When I return the next night, there's no warm light, no sign, no bagpipes, nothing. And I know it was right here. I know it. My friends. Over days we give search empty. I even look online. Bulgaria at night. Scarce brief mentions, a few broken links. What? And this was years ago. Every once in a while I see one of us who walked into the light that night, One of us who was there. We looked at each other in the Eyes. That happened right? We were there, right? Right. Here's the thing. Every once in a while I still go by that spot. I'm still looking for that sign. Believe me, this time if I hear bagpipes, I don't know if I'm coming back. Spook Star Snap Judgment is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Do you ever find yourself playing the budgeting game? Well, with the name your price tool from Progressive, you can find options that fit your budget and potentially lower your bills. Try it@progressive.com Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates Price and coverage match limited by state law. Not available in all states. Today on Snap Judgment, we're featuring stories of mystery and wonder from our sister show Spooked. And our first storyteller comes to us from India about a year ago, he wanted to just get some space to himself in Mumbai. He thought he'd find some peace and quiet down by the riverside. But what he discovered instead, he's still trying to figure out Snap Judgment.