CONTEXT: One of the most famous and scenic bridges in the world and a foremost sight of Prague, where we spent a single day en route from Vienna to Berlin. Its famous collection of statuary was accumulated over generations, but its fortified towers at each end are near-original, and common features of Medieval bridges. Such crossings were difficult and costly to build and maintain, so were placed at points of great strategic or commercial importance. They often also served a defensive purpose, with fortifications like this gate tower at either end to repel invaders who might cross them to attack any city in which they were located. Old London Bridge, built in the Twelfth Century, had similar construction.

Here is the fortification at the other end of this bridge, nearer the Old Town. Its roadway is now only for pedestrians, and was very lively even on a chilly day in October. On a fair day in June, it must be as crowded as St. Mark’s Square in Venice.

I’m glad so many people can now travel, a privilege once limited by poor transport and expense, although such democratization can change an ambiance drastically. Lovely and evocative of distant ages as places like this are, it is hard to contemplate the sweep of passing time when forcefully reminded of the here and now by jostling groups chattering in many languages. But personally, I am willing to accept a diminished individual experience for the benefits of living at a time when ordinary people can have the luxury of travel. That is, are not considered their leisure-class betters’ mere workhorses, who have no business expecting any of the good things of life, and who rarely get them.

Moreover: Travel enables us to learn about both the cultural variations and fraternal similarities of our neighbors on this planet. For example, the many Chinese visitors I saw in Prague probably knew very little about the place, yet some of them appeared to be on the verge of tears of joy at what fantastic, exotic sights they were seeing. That was something that I – their fellow non-Czech – could fully share with them.

Some of us may like to study in advance to understand at a deeper level what we will see in our journey. But “Wonder” is a universal language; it needs no translation or practice.