Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Uno, Dos, Tres

Unlike the people who send videos to America's Funniest Videos, I never have a camera when I should. One October evening in Garmish-Partenkirchen, Germany we took a stroll after dinner and ended up sitting on a bench in the town square. People were out for an evening walk. Some licking Eis cones, some with dogs or children. The atmosphere was relaxed. The evening warm. Screeching around a corner came a Fire Rescue truck with strobe lights flashing. It was going so fast it outran the sound of the siren. In close proximity five other fire trucks followed each with a wailing siren. These were big trucks including a hook and ladder company. I have never seen a response quite like that--bunched together, that unique European siren and strobing lights. You could only sit and watch mesmerized and be glad you were not in the middle of the street. In a moment they were all gone. That night we watched the local news (in German of course) and I think they were going to a fire at a hotel. No doubt they threw everything at it to protect lives.
Our second incident was observed while we were on a water-taxi in Venice. There are canals instead of roads. Again we looked when we heard a siren. There was a boat filled with firemen in full regalia plowing ahead full steam. I suppose they were going to a fire. Who knows, maybe they just do that for the tourists. It seemed funny to me to go to a fire in a boat. No camera ready for that either.
Today, episode three: We were at an intersection waiting for a green light when we heard a siren. An ambulance crossed in front of us. Then it pulled over to let a police car with lights flashing and siren wailing proceed. I have never seen an ambulance pull over for an emergency vehicle before and probably won't again. Just a juxtaposition of circumstances.

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