June 11, 2014
Many of you have heard of the phenomenon that's spreading around the world, and it's been going on for several years. It's when two people put a lock on a bridge and throw the key into the water below. The idea is that they're "pledging eternal love" to each other. Although we've seen at least a dozen bridges that have these "Love Locks" on them, the most famous one in Paris is Pont des Artes, shown in these pictures.
The standing couple is Ryan and Caroline who spoke with me about this. They'd just flown in from Florida (via New York and Iceland), and it became apparent that they were both suffering jet lag.
Caroline thinks it's "pretty, artistic and beautiful that so many people are in love."
Practical Ryan calls it "a waste of brass and doesn't want to think of all the fish with keys in their bellies." Ah, but they brought a combination lock (no key) -- but it's still in their suitcase at the hotel.
So many locks had been attached to this bridge, and to other locks,
that one eight-foot section broke off and fell into the Seine River. It's been replaced with plywood, and now that plywood section is also receiving a lot of attention.
Other couples were seen writing their names on the lock and then
taking pictures. Of course, there were also opportunist vendors selling over-priced locks, just in case you forgot to bring one with you.
In case you think I'm a cynic -- I'm not. I just think that vandalizing a bridge to "prove your love" is pretty selfless. Ann what are you going to do when you break up? Here's what I think a bridge should look like:
Yes, there are a few locks on that section, but you can still see the historic Seine River.
What you think? Should tourists be allowed to vandalize a bridge for their own vanity?
Do let me know.
Au revoir!
Stuart
stuart@stuartgustafson.com
www.stuartgustafson.com
stuart-gustafson.blogspot.com
The standing couple is Ryan and Caroline who spoke with me about this. They'd just flown in from Florida (via New York and Iceland), and it became apparent that they were both suffering jet lag.Caroline thinks it's "pretty, artistic and beautiful that so many people are in love."
Practical Ryan calls it "a waste of brass and doesn't want to think of all the fish with keys in their bellies." Ah, but they brought a combination lock (no key) -- but it's still in their suitcase at the hotel.
So many locks had been attached to this bridge, and to other locks, that one eight-foot section broke off and fell into the Seine River. It's been replaced with plywood, and now that plywood section is also receiving a lot of attention.Other couples were seen writing their names on the lock and then taking pictures. Of course, there were also opportunist vendors selling over-priced locks, just in case you forgot to bring one with you.
In case you think I'm a cynic -- I'm not. I just think that vandalizing a bridge to "prove your love" is pretty selfless. Ann what are you going to do when you break up? Here's what I think a bridge should look like:
What you think? Should tourists be allowed to vandalize a bridge for their own vanity?
Do let me know.
Au revoir!
Stuart
stuart@stuartgustafson.com
www.stuartgustafson.com
stuart-gustafson.blogspot.com
No comments:
Post a Comment