- Relativity
- Blue, blue skies
- PAUSE
- Neighbors
- Tipsy
- Bridge crossing
- Fulfillment
- Hi, mom.
- Steps
- Takeaways
- It’s been a year
I always enjoy long walks. In the last few weeks, these outings on foot allowed me momentary sense of freedom and reminded me of the existence of others. On Easter Sunday, my friend Dave and I decided to walk across George Washington Bridge.
Bridges are Manhattan’s only connections to the outside world by land. Most people cross these bridges for work, for exercise and, from time to time, for sightseeing. Brooklyn Bridge is the most pedestrian-friendly and, therefore, the most popular choice for the locals and tourists alike. George Washington Bridge is the one closest to my home. A grand double-decked suspension bridge over Hudson River, GWB connects Fort Lee, New Jersey and Washington Heights of New York.[1] The bridge itself is a sight to be revered. On one side, New Jersey Palisade cliffs stretch out for miles. [2] On the other side, clouds of mid-rise apartment buildings of Upper Manhattan counterpoise the natural beauty.
As much as I admire the bridge, I usually try to avoid being part of its heavy traffic load. Cars are either zooming pass as fast as possible or releasing exhaust fume in a traffic jam. Although there are pedestrian and bicycle passes on both sides of the upper level, the north side has been closed for years.
Yet, on this beautiful sunny day, traffic was light. There were plenty people walking or jogging to and from either direction, smiling and nodding politely while trying to avoid contact. Cyclists, perhaps suffering from cabin fever, seemed more aggressive than usual.
Except for a few slow-moving barges, the river was calm. New leaves just started coming out from treetops. Palisade cliffs, deprived of any natural covering, were stunningly edgy. Downtown Manhattan appeared dreaming from a distance. The northern tip of the island quietly struggled to wake up from the previous night. If not for the sirens and ambulances rushing by, everything seemed perfectly pleasant.
The sereneness of that morning, contrasting to the darkness of reality surrounding us, continues to haunt me.
[1] George_Washington_Bridge_Wiki
[2] The_Palisades_(Hudson_River)_Wiki