Goings-On in the Neighborhood

We have had numerous conversations that typically go something like this:
"So, where do you live in Amsterdam?"
"We live in Old South...kind of close to the Olympic Stadium."
"Ooooo, that's a really good place to live. It's very nice!"

OR

"Ooooo, very nice. That's a great place to live. Lots of families. And it's very quiet."

Thus far, we have found our neighborhood to be very nice. There are lots of families, and we're close to pretty much any store we could want. Our apartment is quite spacious and homey. However, after today, we're not sure how quiet the neighborhood is.

After getting back from her meeting with the head of the counseling ministry at church (which was very productive and encouraging, by the way), Erin decided to eat some lunch. She was enjoying her leftover pasta from last night, reading - well, trying to read - some ads that came in the mail printed in Dutch, when explosively loud noises began issuing from what sounded like the apartment one building over. Now, there has been quite a bit of noise recently because of some construction going on further down the apartment building, so Erin didn't think too much of this at first. As she began listening more carefully, she realized the noises were much closer, perhaps only a couple walls over. It sounded like someone was banging the concrete wall with a hammer, followed by loud crashes, glass shattering, and shouting (in Dutch of course so she didn't know what was being yelled). After so many counseling experiences with victims of domestic violence, Erin's heart started beating a little faster. There was more loud banging, breaking glass, and yelling. However, Erin could hear only one voice yelling. Then the only yelling and banging to be heard was coming once again from the construction workers further down the building. Even if she had wanted to call 911 she couldn't as she did not know the number. (We made sure to look that up this afternoon: 112, in case anyone's interested.)

About 20 minutes later, Erin got her things together and went downstairs to ride her bike to the Super de Boer to do some grocery shopping. Upon exiting the staircase onto the sidewalk, Erin looked up to see an ambulance parked in the street, surrounded by about three police cars. Several medics were walking around the sidewalk, and in front of the building next to ours a man was crouching on the ground draped in a sheet. OK. A bit strange. What were obviously the man's clothes were in a pile next to him on the sidewalk. One of the medics picked up the clothes and shoes and carried them to the ambulance.

Erin went across the street to unlock her bike, wondering if it was even safe to be hanging around. There were clusters of 5-8 people up and down the street, staring, talking on their cell phones, and whispering to each other. (In Dutch again, of course!) She was standing with her bike contemplating whether to go ahead to the store with all this commotion or return to the apartment. She thought returning to the apartment might be more dangerous since she'd have to walk past the mysterious scene again. Just then, Erin looked up to see a man, stark naked, running like the wind down the sidewalk, followed closely by two policemen. One of the policemen quickly returned to his car, backed it all the way down the street since the ambulance was blocking the road ahead, then zoomed back up the other side in pursuit of the run-away naked man. Erin didn't see much injury to the man other than a couple cuts and some taped up places on his arm and back. Soon a few other police cars joined the chase with lights flashing and sirens roaring. About this time, Erin saw someone riding their bike down the street and figured it was at least safe to be on her way. Besides, everyone was talking to each other in Dutch and she figured she wasn't going to learn much more about this crazy incident. She did put two and two together and decided the shouting, crashing, banging, and breaking glass next door must have something to do with the naked man running down the street. ("What exactly?" you might ask. Hmmm. Erin is not quite sure. Strange noises followed by a strange naked man on the street followed by strange actions, like running away from the police with no clothes on? Must be related somehow. John hopes one of his coworkers might see something about this on the Dutch news tonight and update us tomorrow.)

Unfortunately, Erin ran into the naked man yet again. No, not literally! A couple blocks down, the police had caught up with the man. When Erin rode by on her bike, she glimpsed the man, face down, spread eagle on the pavement in front of another apartment building surrounded by several police officers. Once again several clusters of people had gathered to witness the bizarre occurrence.

And let's hope this is indeed a bizarre occurrence rather than the regular goings-on of our neighborhood!

Maybe this has something to do with that "coffeeshop" just down the street.

Or maybe Erin is destined to be surrounded by psychotic, mentally ill people the rest of her life. (Which is OK at work, but not preferable at home!)

We'll keep you updated.