El Puente de las Américas

When crossing from Sopocachi to the medical district, there is a bridge with two lanes for traffic and sidewalks on either side for pedestrians. It is called the bridge of the Americas and it’s unremarkable. Except when you fix your gaze on the ground, you notice that every other sidewalk block has a bible passage, painted on the concrete. And even this is not surprising. Bolivia is a very Catholic country, every single taxi driver has a crucifix in his car along with bumper stickers that say things like: Jesus Es Mi Pastor, Jesus Te Ama, Jesus Me Guia, etc. Not that it makes me feel safe when he’s doing 90 on a mountainous slope. I digress. The bible passages on the bridge are very beautiful, full of inspiring words about God’s love and the beauty of human life. Out of plain curiosity I asked Arminda about the bridge. She told me that the bridge is cursed. What? The city installed guards, wire grating, and bible passages to prevent suicides. The bridge is located near the discotecas and apparently when guys get drunk and are dumped by their girlfriend or whatever, they jump. There are about 2 jumps a month. The bridge is located over a busy highway and the lucky ones fall to their death. The unlucky ones survive the fall. I asked Pamela about it at the thank you dinner and she said it’s true. I couldn’t believe it. The response to this problem is uniquely South American. I like that they put bible passages on the bridge and it made me think about how sterile our society has become. If this bridge were in Cleveland, death itself could not bring God into the discussion. And how do we know it doesn’t work? Maybe there was someone who needed something more than a fence to stop him. This unremarkable bridge may connect more than we give it credit for.