0
0
When I posted to social media a picture of the Tibetan bridge that we saw crossing an Austrian highway on Sunday, I tagged it “Footbridge in the sky #nofuckingway #holyshit #travel #austria#seriouslynofuckingway“. Soon I received challenges to do it. This morning, I decided Screw it, what else do I have to do today (besides die)? And so my husband drove me to the bridge to witness the spectacle while our daughter was safely in ski school.
As I looked up from below, I asked, “Is that a grated floor?”
We paid admission (8E each) and began the trek up the mountain to the castle and bridge.
As we entered the castle grounds, we were greeted by a sign.
Another sign informed us that we were on the longest Tibet-style pedestrian suspension bridge in the world, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.
As we stepped onto the bridge, I was not thrilled to see that it was SWAYING. With the wind, with each person’s footsteps–just swaying in the breeze.
Since at the hotel I am unable to upload the one single video I took, I will give you the entire 4-second transcript: “Um, it’s swaying in the wind–I’m definitely going to die today.”
I could not understand what was going through the minds of the people who weren’t holding on to the bridge as they crossed. Why weren’t they scared? It’s a miracle I was willing to let go of the bridge in order to snap some photos.
As I timidly crossed the bridge, rarely letting go, Paul just nonchalantly strolled across the death trap like it was terra firma.
Soon we came to the middle of the bridge, above the highway. Where after you plummet, you can be run over by a semi.
At the top of my list of people I hate: Angelika & Michael, Baesli & Mausi, and every other yahoo couple who thinks it’s a great idea to add weight to a bridge suspended in the air.
Once we reached the other side, I informed Paul that I would not be returning with him, could he please send a helicopter.
The views from the vista point were beautiful. Not, like, “I’d risk my life crossing a suspension bridge to see that view!” beautiful, but beautiful.
As we prepared to cross back over, Paul and I had this conversation:
Paul: Do you want me to take a picture of you on the bridge?
Me: ALONE?
Paul: Yes.
Me: Well…at least Sequoia won’t be parentless [when I die alone].
On my return trip, I walked faster, arm crossing over arm, having already cheated death once. I was under the illusion that I was walking fast; Paul assured me that I was only walking fast-er.
As I crossed back, Paul and I had this exchange:
Paul: What good does it do to hold onto the bridge if we go plummeting to the ground?
Kari: Uh, I’m going to swing until I can jump off before smashing into the cliff face. Duh.
Paul: At least you have a plan.
Kari: If you think I haven’t been thinking this whole time about what I’m going to do in that scenario, you’re crazy.
When we neared the end of our return, I passed a woman and her young daughter. The little girl nervously asked her mother in German, “Why aren’t you holding my hand?” and, quite frankly, I wanted to know why her mother wasn’t holding my hand.
Once we were back at the castle ruins, Paul walked up to explore. When he returned, he informed me that it was an icy death trap. Kind of like the trail back down to the car, where we both slipped on ice multiple times, me completely wiping out once. It was awesome.
On the way back to the hotel, my husband was sure to inform me: “You did not die.”
I so wanted to do this on our last trip to the Alps, but my husband and oldest son have a fear of heights, so I begrudgingly drove on by LOL
It was nuts.
There is something wrong with you. That is all.
Don’t I know it.