Valentines Day seems to come around every year (that's a joke people!) so of course 2014 is no different. Valentines Day again. For this year we marked our love with a 'love lock', something we haven't done before but seen plenty of on our travels. For me I've always thought, 'Why put a lock on a bridge in some city that has no particular relevance to us...why?'
But this year is different, our second year in Berlin, a second Valentines Day here where our love has grown and our ties to the city have also strengthened. Now is time for a 'love lock'.
So where to put this lock? It's got to be a meaningful location right? I instantly thought of the Oberbaumbrücke
Why? Well we pass over this bridge very frequently as its our best link between our district of Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg (where we do most of our recreating), it's a beautiful bridge that spans over the River Spree, and the U1 U-Bahn travels across it.
Moreso, meaningfully, this used to be a dividing point between East and West Berlin in the times of the Berlin wall - there was a checkpoint here. Now that they wall is down, the bridge is a symbol of Berlin, not only for its impressive architecture but as a symbol of German unity.
Unity and relevance, sounds like a good place for a love lock. :)
But this year is different, our second year in Berlin, a second Valentines Day here where our love has grown and our ties to the city have also strengthened. Now is time for a 'love lock'.
So where to put this lock? It's got to be a meaningful location right? I instantly thought of the Oberbaumbrücke
Why? Well we pass over this bridge very frequently as its our best link between our district of Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg (where we do most of our recreating), it's a beautiful bridge that spans over the River Spree, and the U1 U-Bahn travels across it.
Moreso, meaningfully, this used to be a dividing point between East and West Berlin in the times of the Berlin wall - there was a checkpoint here. Now that they wall is down, the bridge is a symbol of Berlin, not only for its impressive architecture but as a symbol of German unity.
Unity and relevance, sounds like a good place for a love lock. :)
So we stuck it on, and yes it is engraved, just marked over again in black pen for the occasion. When/if the pen weathers away the engraving will still show :)
Once locked onto the bridge, it's customary to throw the key away to seal your love, and so we threw the key into the Spree...
And now our lock is tethered to this bridge and we can visit it on our many trips back and forth :)
Funny thing is though, the lock came with three keys. Two keys sounds sensible, but three? I wasn't going to throw three keys into the river (one key = symbolism, three keys = littering!), so we keep one each. Mine is taking residence on my necklace next to another love token...
Always there as a reminder, next to my heart - and insurance in case things go sour :P so romantic.
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