Sunday was a warm and sunny day here in Sevilla and, since my allergies seem to be easing up a bit, I am back to taking long meanders all around town.
In the afternoon I decided to see if I could locate the Andalusia Center for Contemporary Art, which I learned on Google Maps is just across the river on the Island of Cartuja. It looked like a bit of a hike, but it turned out to be much closer than I thought — another great destination less than 15 minutes from home. It’s a contemporary property developed within an old ceramics factory. A fascinating blending of buildings, old and new. Something else to explore and blog about one of these days.
As I headed across the bridge to the island, I came upon a bunch of teenagers in bathing suits running toward me. All along the island side of the river is a park with jogging and bike paths, places for picnics and sunbathing, and opportunities for swimming. A lot of kids were having a ball jumping off a modern boardwalk/pier into the river. But the gang that I saw approaching looked like they intended to jump off the bridge. Three of them did. The rest malingered, talked big, and walked back down to sit on the grass.
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| CATCHING ONE DAREDEVIL MID-JUMP. |
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| THIS POOR GUY WANTED TO JUMP, BUT COULD NEVER SUMMON THE NERVE. |
I have been a risk-taker for a long time — usually choosing to shake things up and embrace change while sacrificing financial security and quite often, temporarily, emotional stability. So, I have been jumping off bridges my entire life — but only figuratively. Jerry is the same way. I’m sure we’ll keep jumping, but we won’t be joining the kids on the bridge.
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| I TRIED HARD TO CATCH THE ACTION. BUT I JUST COULDN’T KEEP UP. |
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| DOWN BELOW. SWIMMERS. NOT JUMPERS. |
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| AFTER HIS THIRD JUMP, HE CALLED TO HIS FRIEND WHO CONTINUOUSLY HESITATED, “NO, I ALREADY TOLD YOU, THERE ARE NO FISH. THEY’RE MORE SCARED THAN YOU ARE.” |
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| THE VIEW NORTH OF THE BRIDGE. MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM IN BACKGROUND. |
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| IT’S SEVILLA. THERE WAS BOUND TO BE SOMEONE WHO COULD WALK ON WATER. (HE HAD JUST JUMPED OFF THE LOW RAILING.) |
I read somewhere that you don’t need a parachute to skydive.
You only need a parachute to skydive twice.
I just saw a picture of friends of mine walking on a catwalk across the New River (West Va)… they had a safety belt (or tether?)… about made me faint! Then I see your post of those daredevil kids… what's with everyone? Why aren't they afraid of heights like I am?
The Odd Essay:
I could do the tether, but I also wonder what's with everyone. I have absolutely no fear of heights… just of the idea of falling from them.
I knew it wouldn't take long for you to find the local watering hole…lol
Looks like fun…and the eye candy is good too…now…you do it…lol
saludos,
raulito
Raulito:
One guy tried to convince me I would enjoy it. I said, "Yes, but then who would take the pictures?"
Wow, Sevilla has amazing things to see. I'm amazed by the scenery in every one of your posts. Can't wait to visit you there!
Carole:
Of course, I try to share all the best.
I love the shot of the riverfront! The water in the river looks really clean compared to the muddy Mississippi. Happy exploring!
Ms. Sparrow:
I don't know the quality of the water. Although there doesn't appear to be any industry dumping into it and I regularly see people fishing, and there are always kayaks, and — yesterday — lots of swimmers. It just surprised me yesterday that this was all right in my neighborhood.
Ah, Ms. Sparrow and I are both from Minnesota, and I second her notation that it certainly isn't the muddy miss-i-sip.
I did a bit of jumping in my youth.
DID.
🙂
Pearl
Pearl:
You have my admiration! I'll bet this water is a lot warmer then the Mighty Mississippi, too!
I liked the hottie in the third picture wearing the tight purple shorts. Woof!!
Buddy Bear:
He was the one who tried to convince me to jump…
Ah Youth, when you were brave and thoughtless and could anything !
Ur-spo:
I was never that young or that brave!
Reminds me of this saying: all mushrooms are edible. Once.
Walt the Fourth:
And so much more succinct. I like it.
Next to the municipal swimmingpool, here in Amsterdam, there's a waterway. Kids jump of the bridge crossing it when the weather is hot, saving the money they would have to pay for the pool. The water is muddy, but clean, you just have to watch out for the freighters.
I myself would never do such a foolish thing, has to do with hights.
Peter:
Yes. Heights and FREIGHTERS!
Feel the fear and do it anyway! It's never the height that kills, it's the sudden lack of height at the bottom …
The Owl Wood:
And that (the sudden lack of height at the bottom) is the only part that concerns me. Otherwise, I'd be out there right now.
Very refreshing post Mitch! I needed this on a very overcast grey Monday here in Nova Scotia. Thanks.
Photos are superb! I have tended to 'jump off bridges' too as long as Ron was right behind me!! lol
Have a great week.
Jim:
And yet another hot and sunny day here in Sevilla. I may have to find out how clean that river really is.
We used to jump off the Old Fair Oaks bridge when i was a kid. It was high but it wasn't THAT high!
Bob:
Well, you're still braver than I am!
I was a high-diver back in school. Yet that bridge looks a little higher than we had at the pool.
Hit the water wrong and it's going to leave a mark for a few days. And send you home crying.
Stew:
Yes. One guy did hit it wrong the other day. There was a loud empathetic yowl from all his friends down below. I was relieved to see him laughing as he climbed onto the boardwalk. He was back on the bridge a few minutes later, so I guess it wasn't as bad as it looked.
That last picture was so weird to look at…I kept staring wondering how it was done….those guys have guts I guess…those were the days my friend…..!
Ron:
In that last photo, I just happened to catch the guy at the perfect moment. To the naked eye, it never looked like he was walking on water, just jumping in from the upper rail. I was surprised when I saw the image.
I never had the kind of guts those high-jumpers/divers have!