View From a Bridge by Chipka
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Description
Since my return to Chicago, bridges have become a major part of my awareness; I see them everywhere, I photograph them almost obsessively. I reach their midpoints—on foot—and spit, Gypsy fasion, into the river. It keeps the Devil from following, according to some Roma superstitions and well…though I don’t believe in superstitions, I like the fact that at least one of them gives you a convenient excuse to pucker up and spit rather impressively into a river. People accept this behavior, and it’s surprising how many will mimic it, spontaneously, and then embrace it wholeheartedly, once they learn of the old wive’s-tale imported from a country that a zillion Americans can’t even find on a map.
As I crossed the Michigan Avenue Bridge with Corey, I didn’t spit. I was walking face-on into a gaggle of tourists. They didn’t look friendly. There were so many of them I doubt that I could have gotten to the railing of the bridge to lean over the railing and pucker. The Devil, I think, would have had a hard time following me anyway. There were too many tourists, and well…at times, they’re an impenetrable mass.
We were northbound, in search of things to capture. I’d photographed Nathan Hale the week before and was anxious to see him in daylight. Corey hadn’t seen him at all—at least not with his camera—and so it seemed reasonable to seek him out. On the way, we saw other things, and I was fascinated by the way the buildings along Michigan Avenue caught the light and shadows of the west-bound sun. I saw brass ornamentation on that day and thought of doorways to places like Agara and Ükür and other Eastern Fringes; I heard the voices of future characters in my head and endeavored to remember what they were saying. I eventually saw Nathan Hale in daylight, and as expected, he looked the same. A bit faded around the edges, but that’s just because copper patina needs proper light in order to reveal its verdant splendor. The light surrounding the statue of Mr. Hale was less than splendid. But sufficient.
I’m sure I’ll cross the Michigan Avenue bridge again. It’s almost an inevitability. I’m sure that when I do, there will be tourists. I’ll make sure to walk against their flow. I’ll make sure to walk near the river-facing rail, and at the midpoint of that bridge, I’ll lean over the rail, pucker and spit. And if anyone says anything, I’ll just look at them and explain (in the accent of Ükür or Agara) that I’m a gypsy and that any good gypsy will spit midway across a bridge…to keep the Devil from following.
***
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you've all had a great weekend.
Comments (35)
MrsRatbag
I love the story, and the image is eerie in some indefinable way; maybe it's the presence of the devil?
jmb007
superbe photo!!
helanker
I am chuckling reading your story :-)) It is Excellent and so is the capture. :^)
Charberry
Wonderful image.
CoreyBlack
I remember this day about two months ago. Tourists up the hoo-haw. That's what we do in big cities these days now that all the manufacturing jobs have been shipped overseas, we play host to tourists. Now I have nothing against tourists mind you, and Chicago is a nice place to visit, but they make it hard to move. But I digress... This is a great shot and I have been wondering why you keep spitting in rivers. I assumed it was some kind of sinus thing. Great shot.
KatesFriend
Interesting story about the Roma anti-curse, I hope you tested the wind first - snicker. I like the antique look of this photo. Colour photos from the 40's seem to have and unusual and stronger contrast than today's images. The emulsions were likely less refined, less accurate in those days. Then again, maybe the air was cleaner too. In this scene one have expects to see a hunter green and white Chicago PCC trundling down the centre lane in this scene.
bmac62
Ah, bridges. Love them all. But I only have been on the fringe of knowing about keeping the devil from following me across a bridge. This is very enlightening. But since I am an inveterate car driver who doesn't walk half enough, what do I do driving across a bridge to keep the devil off my tail? Could it be that he is relentlessly pursuing me because of ignorance on my part? Since I am not superstitious either, I haven't been worrying about this detail... But now I'll have to rethink the whole issue:-))) Like the old-look of this photo. I know you are enjoying your postwork and we are enjoying more tales by you. Please keep them coming.
Bothellite
And what.. another weekend is almost upon us - time so short. I take a moment and read your adventures and at least there's that... to slow down the pace that IT works light speed on.
MrsLubner
This is heavy with the feeling of the city... a really dynamic shot of realism and truth.
whaleman
I think we need a shot of you expectorating and a sound clip of that accent, great fun!
beachzz
This looks familiar--did I cross this bridge at some point as well? I didn't know about the spitting, hope I didn't jinx anything!! Another of your wonderful city shots--and the story---of course it just ROCKS!!
auntietk
Starting at the top of the image, scrolling down, I thought, "no matter what he says, nothing is going to top this photograph." Man, that is one excellent image! Your postwork choices rock! Wow. Nathan Hale has a camera? I did not know that. LOL! I love the vision of you on bridges, spitting to keep the devil away. :)
Hendesse
Fantastic colors and POV. Excellent and very interesting shot!
zulaan
I like the style of your pictures. It's a mix between a retro atmosphere and that of a dream ... Wonderful !
kgb224
Stunning view and capture my friend.
Ilona-Krijgsman
wow, what a gorgeous view this is, really impressive...love the post work as well....
lucindawind
fabulous capture .. .great depth and POV
romanceworks
Wow - what a great shot. I think spitting not only keeps the devil away, but lets one feel human in the shadow of such concrete monsters. CC
Meisiekind
OMG Chip! I took an image on that very same bridge from the very same POV!!! I just couldn't see the buildings because the fog was too thick and too low! Most wonderful image indeed!
anaber
That is a great VIEW!!! However, I feel your capture like if i were very far away from that reality! The humans make a great contrast among all that giants buildings...and at the same time, you let me see that all fits perfectely and with such beauty in the end...it is life...nowadays! Thank you for that reality!
thecytron
Great shot!
durleybeachbum
A fabuloso image...but I can't STAND spitting and I don't care what the excuse is!! A great read though!
sandra46
spectacular image!!! i love the apocalyptic mood of the sky, and all together the picture reminds me of the last moments before the end of the world in Ghostbusters. before the unlikely heroes win... possibly because of the style of the building...
tennesseecowgirl
Stunning building and sky behind it really makes this dramatic. Spitting off bridges for luck? thats a new one, I have never heard that before, throwing salf over my shoulder I have done though, its suppose to bring good luck and blind the devil so they say. Nice work! You live in such an amazing city I would be walking around all the time with my camera I did when I was there, never walked so much in my life, my legs were tired for a week after I got home. :)
Alex_Antonov
Wow!
myrrhluz
"some kind of sinus thing" LOL! Wonderful capture and postwork! Such drama in the dark clouds and heavily shadowed buildings. Then when I see the cars and tourists, I feel like I'm in some alternative universe, where the clouds press into the heavily shadowed buildings and tourists swarm and pick over the bones of residents. OK, not totally alternative, but seen very dramatically here. I see one tourist is guarding the rail to foil any attempts to banish the Devil. There is a shadow beyond his right shoulder that is quite creepy. Satan? SPIT!
flavia49
very beautiful!! magnificent POV and the sky is awesome!!
ShadowsNTime
Wow doesn't do this justice! I love this wonderful moody work and the POV is terrific! Even tho its modern the postwork you did gives it a retro feel to me. I love your story, gave me a good giggle and I can just imagine what people think when they see you spit, the image and story brings to mind 'If you could read my mind love, what a tale my thoughts could tell' (Gordon Lightfoot) and the darkness of the shadows seem to be retreating from the light, a brilliant work! Thank you so much for sharing your superb writing skills and your unique perspective of your city! This lends itself to dreaming, generally I don't care much for city scenes because I much prefer the old world architecture but this really is beautiful!
watapki66
Excellent!
praep
WOW- a great vie of the city. Well done shot.