Monday, May 30, 2011

Locks of Love

Today was our first official day of classes.  Needless to say, the students probably could do without this part of their trip.  However, we are trying to make it as painless as possible and integrate as much of Florence into our classes as we can.  Unfortunately, that's much easier to do with English or Architecture than Principles of Management.  But, we try nonetheless.

Some followers have commented that my last post was a cynical comment on love.  So, today I will redeem myself .  

One of the interesting and unique sites in Florence are the "locks of love."  Lovers visit Florence to "secure" their love along the structures near the Arno River.  Everywhere you look, you will see padlocks.  Many have names handwritten with markers or engraved with the two names like this one.  The story goes that if two lovers lock their padlock together then throw their key into the Arno River, their love will last forever.  There are literally thousands of these locks along the river.  Unfortunately, the Florence officials don't particularly care for this practice since they've discovered that all the keys tossed into the river are not particularly environmentally safe.  They periodically use bolt cutters to clean the areas only to have them "re-locked" within a matter of days.  Regardless, in this instance, it does appear that love conquers all.  And to all my critics who accused me of being cynical,  I truly believe that Jennifer and Adam are out there somewhere living happily ever after.

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