Hello from the Other Side

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.

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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])

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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.

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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]

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 [e-mail] 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.

[Storyteller]

I went on this trip with three of my friends because we were bored. Just a weekend getaway. We started early. We left our city. We took a long drive towards the countryside. We are joking, we are laughing. We there by 11:12 during the day. This was right in the middle of nowhere. A remote village kind of a place. And I could see a very small, beautiful lake out there. And over this side we have just a small trailer where we can get our food. Also there were small tents to sleep on and a small bonfire place. That's it. Nothing much. I was like, that's fine. I can spend two days here very comfortably. The host wasn't available that day. There was only the cook who would just help us out in whatever we need. We went down to the lake, sat on the rocks, put our feet in the water and just sat around listening to the sound of water crashing the rocks. Very silent. It was a peaceful place. Took some pictures, came back up, had some tea. And then we lost the daylight and you can hear the night. Some animal sounds, some bird sounds. We knew that the biggest animal here could be a fox. So nothing much to worry about. My friends prepared our chicken in the bonfire, helping the cook do the barbecue. You basically hang it over the fire and I want you to take a smoke break. Across the lake is some mountains. And on my right hand side there is a small river. I went to that spot by the riverside. It's not very far, like what, 15, 20 steps. They could see me from the tent. It's. It's that close. I light up a Smoke. It's very dark. There was birds, noises. I could hear the sound of water and puffing in the cigarette. All of a sudden, I hear a slight sound of someone's presence there. I turn to my right. I see a man standing on the other side of the river. Not very far. It's just a small jump and you're on the other side. I cannot see his actual face because it's dark, but I can see a silhouette of him. He just looked like a normal guy to me. He says, hi. I say, hi. I was like, how is this place? I'm here for the first time. He's like, oh, so you don't know much about this place? I'm like, okay, enlighten me. This cook interrupted me saying, sir, please come up. I don't know why he was calling me, but I just ignored him and I continued my conversation. The guy who was talking to me is like, so the thing is, probably you are on the wrong side. I'm like, what do you mean by wrong side? And he goes, something really bad happened very, very, very long ago. There was an angry God who cut that land into half and passed a river through it. Because that side is banished and that side is cursed. The story of this place is that 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. Now that you are here, be very careful. The first reaction that I had was a random person is trying to bully me. You're trying to scare me. Okay, fine. I'm not going to buy. I was like, okay, it's nice meeting you. I need to go back now. And I left. While I walked, I'm like, look at this place. What do I have to worry about here in such a nice place? I walk back up to the tent and just sit back with my friends and start chilling again. Listening to music, having barbecue, talk about random things. Chicken is delicious. I did not mention to anyone that I met someone. It just slipped my mind. I'm talking to my friend who came along with us. He's the guy who always researches on everything. And he tells me this place has a story to it. I'm like, yeah, what's the story? Very seriously, he tells us there is a side of the river that is cursed. You're not supposed to go there. If you go towards that side, you'll never come back. Before I could utter a word, he goes on and Saying, if you hear anybody from that side, you're not supposed to respond. I'm like, okay, what happens if I respond? And he goes, the story goes, someone tries to call you on his side. Then the moment you jump the riverbank and go towards that side is the time that you're not coming back. And now a little fear does come into me. What is happening? Why is someone telling me something like this? I kept on thinking in the back of my head, am I on the wrong side? Are they on the wrong side? I tried to go back to my tent and take a small nap. One hour passed. I cannot fall asleep. I was like, you know what? Let me just go back to the riverbank and see if I can see someone again. And I go back to the riverside again. Now, when we were kids, the thing that we were told about paranormal things or ghosts and stuff was, light up any sort of fire. The ghost will never come near. So I am lighting a cigarette because I know I have fire in my hand. Nothing's gonna go wrong. I'm standing there listening to the silence of the river. And then I again hear silence, someone's presence. And I see a silhouette again, the guy is sitting there. I can see his back this time. I'm a little scared. And I'm also very curious. I want answers now. So I say, can I continue the conversation with you? Last time you were saying something about me being on the wrong side. I'm a little curious because the information I am coming with says that I am on the right side, and the side that you are on is the side that is cursed. He's like, I am not meaning to scare you, but your side is really small. There are not good stories of people coming back from that side. All of a sudden, my cook comes and calls me and he's like, sir, what are you doing? Come up. Can. Can please just come up? And I'm like, I'm having a cigarette. Why is this guy calling me up at 4 o'clock in the night? Every time I come down, this guy calls me up. And suddenly my friend in the tent screams at the top of her voice. I run back. I'm like, what happened to you? And she said, I thought something came and touched me. I tried to calm her down. She was.

[Narrator]

The mystery continues right after this break. Stay tuned. Welcome back to Snap Judgment, the hello from the Other side episode. Today we're bringing you stories of the shadow from our evil twin podcast, Spooked. We return down by the riverside. And we are not alone. No, we are not alone. Spooked.

[Storyteller]

All of a sudden my cook comes and calls me and he's like, sir, what are you doing? Come up. Can, can please just come up? And I'm like, why is this guy calling me up at 4 o'clock in the night? Every time I come down, this guy calls me up. And suddenly my friend in the tent screams at the top of her voice. I run back, I'm like, what happened to you? And she said, I thought something came and touched me. I tried to calm her down, she was okay. I get inside my tent, I take a small nap, get up in the morning, 7, 8 o'clock. I get out of my tent and I tell my friend, why did you scream last night? And she says, when did I scream? Like last night, I was smoking on the riverbank. You screamed at the top of your voice. You said that you felt like something touched you. She like, no, I don't remember screaming. I'm like, okay, you must have forgotten. We said we leave around 10, 10:30, 11:00 in the morning. And in that two, three hours, we again took a small bath in the river, took some pictures, packed our stuff. I'm like, you want to just tell the cook we are leaving? He's like, what cook are you trying to talk about? I'm like, the guy who was making the chicken barbecue for us on the bonfire. He's like, yeah, I did it. I'm like, okay, I saw you there, but there was a cook there. Both of them are looking at me with surprises. Are you trying to mess with us early in the morning? We haven't had our coffees yet. Now there's a small shiver in me. I have goosebumps and I'm a little scared. I'm like, guys, please do not mess with me. We had a cook. I spoke to him. Every time I would go to the riverbank for having a cigarette, he would call me and I would tell him, I'm coming, I'm coming, I'm coming. One of my friend told me, listen, guys, let's get out of this place. Let's just get out of here. Let's start walking back to our car. There was silence for some time until we hit the main road, highway. The moment we hit the highway, we started talking about it again. Now I'm like, guys, I saw the cook. I spoke to the cook. I saw you helping him do the barbecue. It's like there was no cook there. And then he says, you know what else was weird? Every time you're going on the riverside we hear you talking to someone. Why were you talking out loud to yourself? I was like, I'm not talking out loud to myself. I was talking to someone on the other side. And he's like, all we know is we would overhear you talking out loud. Why were you shouting, I'm coming, I'm coming again and again. I was like, that cook was calling me. They're like, there was no cook. So the stories left to a big question mark. Who was this cook, what side I was at, and who was the guy I spoke to on the other side? 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. Maybe the guy was my savior. I can tell you for sure something was trying to get me on the other side.

[Narrator]

Big thanks to our storyteller for coming back to tell his tale. The original scores by Nicholas Marx was produced by Anne Ford. Know this. Not only is the Spook podcast available each and every week, wherever you get your podcast now, you can see the magic yourself, get spooked on YouTube and peep behind the shadow, the mystical, magical, monstrous Spooked Podcast. I don't know if you've noticed, but there's an awakening happening right now. Things that people were reluctant to utter just a few years ago, a few months ago, are now finding a receptive audience. Like, we're starting to collectively realize that there exists far more than meets the eye. And if you have a story, an encounter, an ability that you think the world needs to know about, you are right. The world does need to know. We need to know. Let me know. Spookedampjudgment.org because there's nothing better than a spooked story from a spooked listener. We want to hear it. We want to share it with the spooked world. Spooked is brought to you by the team that loves to first warm their hands by the fire. Time for Mark Ristich. He likes the first warm his other side. There's Davey Kim, Zoe Ferrigno, Ann Ford, Eric Yanez, Teo Dicott, Marisa Dodge, Miles Lassie, Doug Stewart, Paulina Creaky, Elizabeth Z. Pardue, Aditya Matu, Lulu Jemima. The spook theme song is by Pat Mesiti Miller. My name is Glenn Washington and I went to yoga class and the beautiful yoga instructor told me to stand up straight, then reach down without bending my knees and put my hands under my feet. What? I'm lucky to touch my knees much less my toes and I felt hot shame as everyone looked at me and laughed but I tried and I tried again the next day and the next and I noticed something my toes aren't getting any closer now but I look around and no one's laughing not my beautiful teacher not the beautiful people know they're smiling they never laugh this is all in my head like when I stop drinking for a while and I think people will see and point and ask me what's wrong what's going on but people don't don't care and if they do they don't call me out they give me love like the monster opened its maw and it grins Blessings sometimes wear shadow as their disguise and I wonder how many I've missed how many blessings I've rejected because of my fear I cannot afford to waste blessings anymore so my strategy going forward from here on out I will never ever ever never never ever never ever never.