Researching and writing this article I realized how much I have taken bridges for granted. In Japan we can now cross rivers just about everywhere, and they are rarely washed away. Even after powerful earthquakes most bridges somehow manage to survive these days.
It is a special occasion when a river becomes a true barrier obstructing our movements.
I only experienced how important bridges are when I covered the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami in Indonesia, and the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan.
In Pakistan my team got stuck at an isolated mountain village for many days after a heavy rainstorm washed away the nearby bridge which was weakened by the quake. Eventually, my guide and I decided to leave the car and driver behind, climbed down and up the steep river side, and walked out of the mountains.
The driver managed to get out about two weeks later after the Pakistani military built a temporary emergency bridge.
Researching and writing this article I realized how much I have taken bridges for granted. In Japan we can now cross rivers just about everywhere, and they are rarely washed away. Even after powerful earthquakes most bridges somehow manage to survive these days.
It is a special occasion when a river becomes a true barrier obstructing our movements.
I only experienced how important bridges are when I covered the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami in Indonesia, and the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan.
In Pakistan my team got stuck at an isolated mountain village for many days after a heavy rainstorm washed away the nearby bridge which was weakened by the quake. Eventually, my guide and I decided to leave the car and driver behind, climbed down and up the steep river side, and walked out of the mountains.
The driver managed to get out about two weeks later after the Pakistani military built a temporary emergency bridge.
So beautiful. Amid all the dreary news, your article made me wander into bygone times (which were actually harsher...)