Magda’s Place

 There is no other river, that is so quintessentially Polish than the Vistula.

With its source in Barania Góra in the South West corner of the country, close to the border to the Czech Republic, this stream of water connects Krakow, Warsaw, Bydgoszcz and a number of other Polish cities, before its waters flow into the Baltic Sea at the Bay of Gdansk.

It had just gone past 6 o’clock in the morning, when I woke up and looking out of the window, I could follow Zajęcza Street all the way down to Swiętokrzyski Bridge, which like a double sided white harp span the width of the river.

You couldn’t stay more central in Warsaw then at this house, which was one of the few buildings that had survived the air raids and the destruction of the Second World War.

Once again I was enjoying the hospitality of Magdalena and Robert, who had made this place their home.

This time however, I was in for a real treat : taking a look at Magdalena’s new clinic !

Just around the corner from their flat, Robert had identified the former branch of a local bank as an ideal site for  a much needed veterinary clinic.

Once the lease had been agreed, work had resumed immediately and following a few months of hard labour, the new place had opened just over a month ago.

Unsurprisingly, it had been a flying start….due to Magda’s reputation as one of Europe’s leading veterinary nephrologists, the appointment book was full from day one and over a thousand appointments were recorded just in the first four weeks. Apparently there was already a two months waiting list for new clients….

Honestly, I wasn’t surprised….

Following an excellent breakfast at a local bakery just down the road, we entered the Vistula Vet Clinic just after 9 o’clock, while the team of fifteen vets and nurses were already looking after the first patients.

 Despite the fact that we were in the centre of a European Capital city, the whole place had the feel of a family run practice, where everyone greeted each other and Magdalena seemed to know every client and patient we came across as if they were old friends.

All the consulting rooms were functional and flooded with light due to floor to ceiling windows. The windowless rooms at the other side of the building were sensibly used for diagnostic imaging with a high-end ultrasound machine that was running all the time.

Following the stylish corridor, there were separate seating areas for canine and feline patients and in addition to this, purpose build shelves allowed the placement of cats in their carrier boxes in a more relaxed environment.

A lot of thought had been given here to every little detail and this went from the tasteful combination of the colourful spotted tiled floor, the indirectly illuminated, welcoming logo and the occasional wood panelling, which gave the place a more homely feel, to water bowls for thirsty canine visitors and even to a good selection of female sanitary items at the clients’ restroom.

Despite the central location in the city, there was ample space for inpatients and the clinical area featured a brand new and functional designed operating theatre.

While the treatment of patients was in full flow on the ground floor, a group of builders under the watchful eye of Robert was preparing further rooms, including a small lecturing room in the basement.

I have to say, that I was envious…not only to have a place like this to work at, but also for having a practice like this to bring my own pets to….

Magda’s Place – the new Vistula Vet Clinic – was certainly worth the journey and staying an extra night in Warsaw !