Sunday's picture and a song - I Will Always Love You

Pledges of eternal love - love locks on the Pont de l'Archevêché in Paris


Edit: I was going to leave this post free of words but after listening to "I Will Always Love You" and being reminded of how this song and others by Whitney Houston provided the soundtrack for some of my best memories from the 1980s and 90s, I just wanted to say - 
Thanks for the music, Whitney! 

Comments

  1. and now they're adding ribbons to the locks? Horrible. I so don't approve of this. I remember seeing this on the Pont de Vecchio in Florence and thought, not good. I hate that it moved to Paris.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I thought about writing something about the locks and how they've become a problem for the city of Paris (and the residents whose money goes to remove them) but decided to go with a text free post today in memory of Whitney Houston. I have to admit that I put a lock on the Pont des Arts for my sister when she renewed her wedding vows shortly after I first moved here but wouldn't do it again. And you're right - the ribbons are a real eyesore. It is, however, romantic that so many people pledge their eternal love to each other in Paris. I just wish that they would find a different way of expressing it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love the locks. : ) I put mine over at Pont de Solférino, my favorite bridge in Paris. Anyway...c'est juste mon avis.

    But the news of Whitney Houston...wow. I can't say I'm terribly surprised but it's sad nonetheless...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love what the locks represent -- LOVE! And I'm happy that love is alive and well in Paris! I just didn't realize before what a big deal it is for the city to have to continuously remove them.

      I wasn't terribly surprised by Whitney Houston's death either - but I am sad. It's such a waste. She (or her voice) accompanied Stephane and me on so many trips in the 80s and 90s. As did Michael Jackson. Thank goodness that Madonna is in such great shape!

      Delete
    2. The locks on the bridge remind me of Serge Gainsbourg's house over in the 7th. The neighbors have given up on keeping it clean. No matter how many times they repaint it, it will be tagged over by fans. It's a tradition that doesn't seem to be going anywhere, even 20 years after his death..and it seems as if the locks are here to stay whether we like it or not.

      I do feel bad for the city workers who have to clip these hundreds of locks. But as for me, I try not to judge what happens in Paris too much because at the end of the day, it's not my hometown, I'm not French and like every other city, it is going to evolve.

      I'm just an expat lucky enough to be planting down some roots here. :)

      Delete
  4. Those lock photos are totally putrid and disrespectful. Just the thought of love being symbolized by a lock is a horrible and devastating thought.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My understanding is that couples declare their "eternal" love for each other by putting a lock on the bridge, much as married couples do by wearing a wedding ring. It symbolizes eternity. I should have been more specific in my previous comment.

      Delete
  5. Sad but not surprised that Whitney is gone. She, like many before her essentially committed suicide so it's hard for me to be sympathetic. I do feel badly for the family that she left behind however. May she finally be able to find the peace in death that she could not find in life.

    As for the love locks, the idea is very romantic, but wondering if those who use combination locks are uncertain that their love is everlasting? Seems to me that there is not the same committment as those who toss a key into the Seine.

    nancyb

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The combination locks always give me a good chuckle - it's as if the couple wants to give themselves an out - just in case. With my poor memory, it wouldn't matter if I used a padlock or a combination lock because there's no way that I would remember the combination of numbers. The lock would be stuck on the bridge forever...or until one of the city workers cut it off! ;)

      Delete
  6. A beautiful tribute, Mary Kay!

    What a shame someone so beautiful and talented could squander her life like she did:(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Duchesse! I have to admit that I didn't set out to make this post a tribute to Whitney Houston, but "I'll Always Love You" is the first song that popped into my mind when I was trying to think of a song to go with the love locks on the bridges. It really is a shame that her life ended much too early.

      Delete
  7. Looking for a simple ringtone cutter tool. RingTone Cutter software is most useful online now

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment