Hospital roommates

The relationship one quickly founds with a fellow room-mate in hospital is like no other. Thrown together at random; finding yourself ultimately in close quarters with a complete stranger, stripped not only of one’s clothes, but any need for formalities or small talk. Even before introductions have been made and names exchanged, often the first words are: “what are you in for?” An unexplainable bond is involuntarily made within minutes, and the unwritten unspoken code of survival in hospital for room-mates goes into full action. Each patient looking out for the other, as if about to venture into battle, watching each other’s backs. This new friendship only lasts the entirety of the hospital stay, and all the extreme intimacies and honesty shared freely are not required or welcomed outside of the hospital confines. Having spent much time during my life in hospitals, this is an interesting phenomenon that I have come across time and time again. A touching film “The Bucket List” starring Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson embodies this unusual alliance that can only be formed in such circumstances, all be it with the Hollywood touch, but let’s face it, a film wouldn't be quite as exciting without a little glamour or poetic licence.