Good morning!
It’s Friday, and for today’s Respitopia refill we’ve crossed the Atlantic to admire what humans can accomplish when they put their minds to it. We’re standing on one of the cast-iron footbridges crossing the Canal Saint-Martin.
Back in the 19th century, engineers were tasked with creating a navigable waterway to bring fresh water, grain, and building materials into Paris. The resulting network of interconnecting canals—of which this is one—spanned 81 miles and, thanks to a series of locks and swing bridges, successfully negotiated a 161-foot elevation change.*
It’s a welcome reminder that where there’s a will (and a lock or two), there will always be a way.
“We have more possibilities available in each moment than we realize.”
—Thich Nhat Hanh
Respiteers, won’t you join me for a quiet moment in the imaginary pavilion this afternoon? As always, check your inbox right before 2pm EST.
Onwards,
Clara
* The Erie Canal is four times as long with five times the elevation change, but I haven’t visited there lately. So, Paris it is.
