Just had a recent tour with the Beethoven Orchester Bonn.  While there were plenty of musical highlights, probably the most lasting memory is one that had nothing to do with the concerts.  After the performance at Shanghai's Oriental Arts Center, a couple of us went out for dinner nearby.  As the main courses arrived after the appetizers, the female chef came out of the kitchen, passed out and collapsed onto the floor!  Neither her husband nor the manager could get her to wake up completely, and all they kept saying was, "Come on, it's OK.  You're fine, you're fine."

At this point, we all got up from our table, (being the only patrons left) and went over to try and help.  The woman was clearly not OK, unable to utter a word and displaying flashes of painful grimaces.  Luckily, one of our companions from the Bonn Cultural Affairs Office was with us, and he had had many years of training as a paramedic.  He took her pulse, which barely registered, raised her legs, and asked her to answer some questions.  We wrapped her up and tried to give her some liquid.  While we made it abundantly clear to the manager that they must call an ambulance because she was very likely suffering from a stroke or something on par in its severity, they initially resisted without saying why.  Eventually, one was called, and it came and took her to the hospital.

By now, none of us had much of an appetite left.  The table was still covered with food getting cold, and yet, I just wanted to go back to my hotel room and forget about the real life drama after a tough concert.