Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
February 17, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker on Facebook
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Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
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A hospital without doctors


Straight out, I am alright after yesterday's car accident. We were on our way back from a kayak trip in the mangroves – where we saw parrotfishes, flamingos and a stray barracuda - when we were rammed by a sand loaded truck. Bang! The car is a total loss and I bumped the left side of my head. After the collision the truck driver, shouting, explained that the breaks and the horn of the truck didn't work and then he went on raging after it in Papiamento. We waited for an hour under the blazing sun before we were picked up and taken to the infirmary for treatment. We waited a long time before we realized that there was no doctor there nor at the nearby outpatient emergency centre. So we were taken to a family doctor where we also waited for a long time and then he could only speak Spanish or Papiamento. Finally, three hours after the accident we were standing in the street with a prescription for pills that are good for people with rheumatism, pregnant women and for people with swellings or headaches. Well, that was nice! So I was told to take things easy and to come back if I felt sick or still had a headache in a few days. But I already feel better so I am not too worried and I'll just relax watching a movie aboard Guppy... It was a shock but I still have my head on, I am not squinting and I don't see double. So a word of advice to the people planning a visit to Bonaire, don't get in a car accident and don't have one at midday …and if you feel like having a heart attack do it on a Thursday because that is the only day of the week there is a cardiologist in Bonaire.

Bon dia! Laura