If you’ve been to Paris before June of 2015 you, most likely, saw this scene on the Pont des Arts (Bridge of Arts)…tangible expressions of love that many people, mostly tourists, love to become a part of by attaching their own lock. There were even lock vendors waiting to pounce on the honeymooners and lovers excited to leave a piece of themselves and become part of Paris. I have to admit, it looked pretty cool & colorful, and it was fun reading all the names and places of those who had partaken of the love-fest.
Unfortunately, what they didn’t know is that the bridge was buckling under all that weight…even having to close for a bit in 2014 due to damage. So, what to do? The Deputy Mayor of Paris decided back in 2015 that, for safety reasons, the padlocks would all have to be removed…and replaced with plexiglass panels, thus restoring the beautiful view of the Seine and the ├Äle de la Cit├® beyond. I think the native Parisians, for the most part were happy. But what would become of all those locks? Will they just throw them in the local dump or melt them down to be recycled?
Nope…they’re going to auction them off…and you can get in on the action! The auction takes place this Saturday, May 13th and here’s a link to the website if you want to own a little piece of Paris love. They’ll be sold in little bunches affixed to cobblestones or wood bases…or buy a whole panel, although that shipping charge would be sky-high!
…and the real bonus?…all the proceeds will go to organizations supporting refugees. ”All these benefits will be entirely devoted to actions of solidarity and support for refugees that we welcome on the Parisian territory,” said Bruno Julliard, the Deputy Mayor. It’s a win-win! You get a little piece of history, while helping those in need. Let the bidding begin!
I’m usually ready to get back to my home and sleeping in my bed when I return from my travels, but there’s one thing that totally bums me out when I get back to Orange County….cars! I actually like long car rides to a destination, but I hate that I get in my car to go to the store, to work, to anywhere. Okay, sure I could walk to work or the grocery store, but let’s face it, nobody does and it’s not as interesting as doing the same in Paris or New York.
It was time to hop back on the 8:20 train and were were home by 9:15. So, from start to finish it was about six & a half hours, but it seemed like so much longer…and what a fun week-day/school-night adventure! I can’t wait to do it again! I’m thinking of just taking the train some morning down there to have breakfast and check out those shops that were closed…just because I can.
”A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to it’s old dimensions”…Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
The secret to having it all is knowing that you already do!
