Rivers

I have been thinking of rivers today. There are all kinds of rivers; black rivers, muddy rivers, quiet rivers or rivers fit for rafting. I’ve seen a lot of them and I bet you have too.

Should you ever drive from Munich to Vienna, you will see the mighty Danube of musical fame with many ancient castles perched high on the mountains above. You can stop and visit them if you like. If you should see any signs with the name of the river, the sign will not say, “Danube.” Only the English call it that. Your friends may call it the Donau, Dunaj, Duna, Dunav, Dunarea or Dunay.

The Tiber river that runs through the city of Rome has beautiful bridges spanning its waters. The ancient ones and thus the most beautiful are now mostly pedestrian bridges.

I have seen the shallow waters from high in the Andes mountains cascading down rocky ledges leading to the mighty Amazon river or to the ocean.

Who has not at least heard of the Euphrates and the Tigris. Among other famous facts these rivers join together at the southern point.

And that reminds me of two other rivers that join together. You will of course agree with me that of all these rivers the confluence of the Monongahela and the Cheat rivers are the most memorable of all. Not only do they surpass the others in beauty but they encapsulate our common memories of youth, childhood, and dreams.

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