16/03/2019
A bridge over a river is a very common sight; not just in the mountains but also in urban areas. We invariably almost every day come across monstrous bridges over huge but calm rivers. Vehicles and pedestrians both use such bridges to cross overJwever, some people opt for various ferry services in the likes of launch, steamer as the rivers in cities are not intimidating. But, in the wilderness, where river always roars, crossing a tiny mountain stream becomes a tough task. I actually did cross a few like that barefooted, icy cold water kept my feet numb for long. For crossing bigger rivers, however, I couldn’t but resort to bridges. And I love walking on such simple narrow wooden bridges. With each foot step the log trembles and the entire bridge vibrates. When heavier creatures like yaks and horses cross such wooden bridges even shake. In most cases, like this bridge in the picture there is nothing your hands can hold on to and the space is too narrow for multiple people at one go. Only one can cross at a time…much like life, isn’t it? Crossing is mandatory but taking people along is a scary option.
I personally enjoy walking on this type of bridges. Being a trekker, I get such opportunity only once in a blue moon. But locals have to rely on these fragile structures all year long. Sometimes in the thick of monsoon the river swells and takes these weak bridges to pieces. And that causes a lot of troubles for villagers. They start building it again, this time a tighter, stronger one. Again, much like life, isn’t it? When you lose the bond you have built with so much of love and care you either get disheartened, fret at its torn pieces or you put in effort to build again. Just like a wooden bridge on a gushing river in a hilly village, human bonds are also indispensible. And, such bonds also wither away due to ignorance, mistrust, lack of care and love, affection and warmth. What actually bridges two souls? Similarity of interest, candid conversations, mutual respect and proper understanding of each other’s strength and limitations – these aspects bridge two souls and ensure that they exist as one.
This is why, when I see a bridge like this, I think of its purpose and how it can be related to our lives. These deeper implications might sound far-fetched but that’s how imagination runs, wild and wilder and smarter than the way than our brain can reason out things and events and people. A bridge, thus symbolizes a lot of things. Hope, assurance, security and most importantly certainty as it leads to the other side overcoming the impossible, helps us reach our desired destinations effortlessly and focus more on our paths rather than dealing with depths and wading though treacherous waves. Again, lot like life, isn’t it?
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