May 23, 2005
The Flying Doctor
Today one of our neighbours was carried off in an ambulance. The Amsterdam way. Its not only an ambulance and paramedics who attend these calls but also a firetruck and six burly fireman. The patient, you see, has to come out a window.
The stairs in most Amsterdam buildings are far too steep and narrow to manouver a stretcher around them. This still fascinates me but then I'm Australian, what do I know about steep, narrow staircases?
I didn't take any photos, it doesn't seem fair to invade someone's privacy at a time when they are ill or injured and strapped to a stretcher hanging from a gable above a pavement full of gawking strangers. But I did stop what I was doing and hang out the window with all the other neighbours, giving the patient a cheery wave as they hurtled past clutching their dignity.
Because patient-extraction IS a spectator sport in Amsterdam.
Posted by Faith | TrackBack