Today’s Bridge on Bridges on Sundays is probably a bit more widely known then my regular pick.
This is, of course, London’s famous Tower Bridge.
I have been to England only once, which I regret very much, because I liked both London and Bristol – and in fact, looking out the window on the train ride between the two made me want to get off at about every stop, especially Bath. I felt travelling there to be very different from the places I usually travel to. The best description I can come up with is that I found England wholesome. Intact, if you will. Which may be nothing but a sign for the fact that I haven’t spent enough time there yet to discover its inconsistencies, its struggles and dark sides.
However, I think Tower Bridge supports this notion in its architecture, and here’s why: The prominent thing about Tower Bridge is not the part where people cross it. What catches everyone’s eye instead are the two impressive and beautiful towers. There is a dominance of the vertical when bridges usually put focus to the horizontal. It is as though here there’s not so much need for sketching, bridging, piecing together parts – but looking above and ahead, reaching for more, for the skies. I found myself in that, too. When we see eye to eye and the connection works, we should try to put our powers together and reach the next highest level. Most of the time, the sky is the limit.
If you have read My Mission statement, you know why I love bridges. To me they are the most universal symbol of connection, of bringing people together and overcoming anything that may seperate us. I want to present to you pictures of bridges that I really love in places that I really love on my blog every Sunday. If you have a picture of a bridge that you would like to share with my readers as a guest post, feel free to contact me!
Mai 6, 2013 at 2:02 pm
Definitely an iconic one and I love your description of the vertical aspects in the towers!
Mai 7, 2013 at 1:43 pm
Thanks, Alex! I thought that was quite special about the Tower Bridge. Which just teaches us that iconic isn’t just mainstream and boring, but really worth the hassle more often than not 🙂
Mai 8, 2013 at 9:49 am
I loved the Tower Bridge! Although you’ve seen it in photos and movies uncountable times before, it still looks and feels entirely different when you’re finally there! Sure, it’s touristy, but it definitely deserves the hype — because of the reasons you explained here!
Mai 15, 2013 at 11:15 am
Oh yes, seeing something in real life never quite compares to having seen it in the media or read about it in books. Even though there is also the familiar feeling of it being somewhat different than imagined – I thought the White House was tiny and quite unimpressive, for example 🙂 – it is still special to actually set foot in a place that feels so familiar.