love has now become more like a plague.

It is a new rage here in Malta.  People in love, buy locks put their names or initials and paddock them to structures.  Perhaps, in an age of transitory relationships such locks symbolise a statement of solidity.  Tattoos are a more visual demonstration of affection and harder to eradicate than marriage in some ways.  How many Daves have tattooed ‘I love Mary’ on their chest only to find years later, they cannot stand Mary and would laser her off the planet as they do their unwanted tattoo.  As, I wander around the rusting love tokens in Malta it is plausible that some would now, with the benefit of hindsight, like to take a chainsaw to remove all evidence of their past liaison.  However, there is something sweet about the desire to so visibly proclaim ones love.  It is after all a beautiful spot to visit.

How better to cement a romantic walk than with a lock and physical statement of your closeness. 

Once you return home from holiday you will be able to imagine your token here forever.  Rusted but strong despite the elements.

While rain pours down in northern climes you can picture your lock on the beautiful coastline beside a statue proclaiming LOVE in capitals.  What is more appropriate?

The desire has spread along the coast to one of the loveliest places with a clear view of the medieval city Valetta across the harbour.  In fact, what began as an innocent declaration of love has now become more like a plague.

Official signs warn that such tokens will be removed if they are placed on the sides.  All to no avail.  Lovers fear no such restrictions.  Having bought their lock in suitably thick metal they search for a noble location to claim.  Buying a small lock obviously denotes meanness or a lack of devotion, so the right love token is critical.  Some proclaim full names of both parties, as if in a wedding certificate, other prefer initials, keeping things semi-secret but also half proclaimed. 

In this copycat world once a trend is begun it develops a life of its own.  Officialdom has learned to play a cautious game.  

Too 'Big Brother' in tone creates a reaction that is worse than the first gambit.  Better by far to accommodate the madness and let it blow it’s self out.  Already, placing a lock amidst the hundreds of others has begun to appear just a little pointless.  

Are the couple not just one of many, all with the same dumb idea?  Another depressing thought is how many times have one or more of the partners already placed a lock with an alternative named partner?  Isn’t a lock much cheaper than a bunch of flowers, meal out or even a card?  Then, there is the worrying notion that a ball and chain have long been associated with an unhappy pairing.  Locks and chains have long been bedfellows, who knows what inner symbolism is being conveyed?  It is frightening to confirm the practice is worldwide and spreading faster than an infectious disease.

Prague

Poland

Germany

 Sigh....I will say no more!