Arching Above A Chasm

"Bridge" is an important word in many, if not most, human languages. A highly practical structure, bridges have become ubiquitous. Loaded with metaphorical possibilities and steeped in symbolism, they are also popular in arts and literature. There are, at least, 431 books and, likely, thousands of movies sporting "bridge(s)" in their title, Richard Bach's "The Bridge Across Forever" and Robert James Waller's "The Bridges of Madison Country" among the most prominent of those. Arts and symbolism in general are infectious and, therefore, good at catching one's imagination, while ubiquity is easy to overlook. Those crossing a bridge or two during their daily commute to and from the office might cast a fleeting glance at the glistening water below but hardly pay the area much more attention than that. As a result, art afficionados and, likely, many other people are more emotionally invested in imaginary bridges than real iron-and-concrete structures - unless/until they find themselves near the object known as Arouca 516 Suspension Bridge (on the cover picture).

Built in 2020, Arouca 516 is a pedestrian bridge that nobody crosses because they have something important to do on the other side. In fact, everyone who does cross it, returns after a short (5 to 10 minutes) break - and even to step on the bridge, one needs to buy a ticket and then wait for a safety instructor

whose short introduction explains what exactly makes the experience worthwhile. There are two main reasons, the number attached to the name of the bridge being one of them. 516 isn't a random combination of digits encoding the meaning of life (like 42), nor is it the numerical order in which the Arouca bridge was built. As it happens, the number indicates the length of the structure - and 516 meters from end to end turn it into the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world! As for the second reason, it's a rare exception case when pictures might be as helpless as words - or even more so. That's because typical pictures, such as this 

or this

or even this

gloss over the vastness of the void below. Perhaps, a picture taken from a helicopter could give a true idea of how gorgeous the pedestrian wonder is - literally so because it spreads over a huge gorge! And yet, it's quite safe. To be precise, solid foundation, high guardrails, meticulous maintenance and such additional measures as closing the bridge if there is even a hint at inclement weather, make the experience objectively safe. It's just that objectivity does not necessarily guide the human species through and through.

In all fairness, it does guide some. Several families, kids included, were happily chatting away, taking pictures and almost capering - as if they were in an amusement park. There were opposite examples, too, as a few adult individuals walked 15-20 meters and turned around. "Not much fun", one of them remarked, an embarrassed smile dancing on his lips. Even so, the bridge presents an opportunity to face one's personal demons by stepping on and moving steadily forward. Staring straight ahead and keeping desperate hands away from the rails might not account for the happiest and most relaxed 20 or so minutes in one's life but they are likely to provide memories worthy of being proud of. The challenge is safe but the doubt (and possibly fear) can be very real, notwithstanding - and it is the discrepancy between the objective safety and perceived danger multiplied by a chance to overcome the nagging doubt and remember the victory, small as it might be, that turns Arouca 516 into a real wonder.