Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being a radio operator in Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht is like riding a rollercoaster blindfolded. So, I wake up, right? Sun’s shining, birds chirping, and I’m like, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Spoiler alert: it was NOT chill.
First off, I grab my coffee from that little café on de Linde. You know the one? The barista there, she’s got the best latte art. I mean, I don’t even care about the taste; I just wanna see a heart in my cup. But today? No heart. Just a sad blob. I’m like, “C’mon, man! I need my caffeine fix!”
So, I head to the radio station on de Houtdijk. Traffic was a mess. Like, seriously, who taught these drivers how to drive? I swear, I saw a guy on a bike almost get taken out by a car. I was ready to jump outta my seat and yell, “Yo! Watch where you’re going!” But, ya know, I just kept it cool.
Finally, I get to the station, and it’s chaos. My buddy Jan is already on the mic, and he’s like, “Dude, you won’t believe what just happened!” Apparently, there was a huge commotion at the Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht shopping center. Some dude tried to steal a bike right in front of the police station! Like, really? You couldn’t pick a better spot?
I’m trying to keep up with all the chatter on the radio. It’s like a game of telephone, but everyone’s yelling. I’m getting info from all over: “There’s a crowd at de Kromme Zandweg!” “Someone’s lost a dog on de Dijk!” “A cat stuck in a tree on de Wetering!” I’m like, “What is this, a pet rescue mission?”
Then, outta nowhere, I get a call about a fire at the old factory near de Waal. My heart drops. I’m thinking, “This is not good.” I can hear the sirens in the distance, and I’m just praying everyone’s okay. I’m on the radio, trying to coordinate with the fire department, and my hands are shaking.
But then, I hear this kid on the radio. He’s like, “I saw the whole thing! The fire started when someone tried to cook a hot dog!” I’m like, “A hot dog? Really? That’s how we’re going out?” I can’t help but laugh. I mean, it’s tragic, but c’mon!
After the fire’s under control, I’m feeling a mix of relief and exhaustion. I step outside for a breather, and the sun’s setting over the water. It’s beautiful, ya know? I take a moment to appreciate it. Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht can be a wild place, but it’s home.
Then, I get a call about a street party on de Korte Dijk. I’m like, “Heck yeah! Let’s go!” I grab my gear and head over. The vibe is electric. People are dancing, music’s blasting, and there’s food everywhere. I’m talking fries, poffertjes, you name it.
I grab a plate of fries, and I’m just enjoying life. I see some friends, and we’re laughing about the day’s craziness. I’m like, “You won’t believe the hot dog fire!” They’re cracking up, and I’m just happy to be surrounded by good people.
As the night goes on, I realize that even on the craziest days, it’s the little moments that matter. The laughter, the community, the fries. Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht, you’ve got my heart.
So, yeah, that was my day. Full of surprises, chaos, and a whole lotta love for this quirky little town. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!