salzburg :: true love locks (or something like that)

You've likely seen or at least read about the locks of love that fill the railings and fences of bridges across Europe. (Have you seen it in the States, too?) As mundane as they have become, the ubiquitous locks continue to draw me in for closer inspection. This time the two eight-year-old girls were drawn to them, too. I love how children have a way of making everything new and fresh again.

Richard explained the locks, includingthe fact that after a couple professes their "true love forever" they throw the key into the river, likely sealing it with a big sloppy kiss. Ewwwww! After inspecting several of the locks that span the length of the foot bridge across the Salzach River, the girls were very concerned about the permanence of the locks. "Do they look for the key at the bottom of the river if the couple breaks up? How do they find the key?"

 

"Look! I found one with no key needed. Perfect. " So much for true love forever.

 

And then she found these...

Each evenly-spaced lock of love is inscribed (with Sharpie) with the name of "Rusche," each followed by a different female name: Anna, Maria, Helga, and so on. I have a feeling that our boy Rusche is using his locks a bit differently than a symbol of his "true love forever." More like his "true love last night." Or maybe he just keeps getting dumped and can't find the key at the bottom of the river?