There is an urban legend in NYC that a giant alligator lives in the sewer system under the streets. I don't know how true this is but every time I walk by a manhole cover, I think of the alligator. But seriously, manhole covers do not pose any danger to pedastrians except during heat waves or underground fires. They cause the underground pressure to build up so quickly that the manhole covers pop up into the air and land on someone/something.
So do you have an urban legend to share?
18 comments:
Associating a manhole with a myth or legend...that's so weird :O
Actually this manhole pix you took do resemble the scales of an alligator.
In Vannes, we have an alligator (3 meters from the nose to the tail) in the public aquarium and do you guess where he has been found? In Paris sewer ah ah!So, Ming, mind the manhole covers, who knows who lives underground? Bon weekend!
Well, when I was first married to my husband he told me that in case there was a terrible urban disaster, people were supposed to pull up the manhole covers and climb inside the sewers. And I believed him--and told other people. And they laughed at me and thought me a boob. He was playing a trick on me.
Sounds like one of those horror movies Ming! I think I saw one once about a giant snake or weird dinosaur looking thing living in the sewers - eeeeeeeeek!
Do the manhole covers often pop up?
Alice just advised that obviously there could be a danger here in Paris also! I thought of rats and other small nice creatures only, but now...
And what about snakes? No, I'd better stop thinking about all this, if not I will stop walking around!
Very interesting, Ming :o) who knows? I believe ANYTHING is possible.
I've heard that legend too. That would hurt if you had one of those hitting you.
Today I posted the Auction Barn.
I like seeing your shoes there, it gives a funny tip to the photo!
And interesting post.. in madrid we had a ghostly building that was closed for many years. People said you can hear ghost inside and watch weird things... hmm... the building has been iopen recently again. I could go for a couple of photos when I had the time!
Funny idea to think of a monster under it. A beautifully decorated manhole cover, btw.
Wait, wait, how high does the sewer cover pop up?
High enough to land on people?
Is that another urban legend?
The pic is beautiful.
A 60cm alligator was found in Sydney's sewage system a couple of years ago. How long before legend makes it 3 metres long???
Hahahaha - just read your comment on my blog about washing your laundry in cold water...sorry! :o( But seriously, I use only cold water for all my laundry and it all smells yummy and fresh.
Hope you're still enjoying warm, if not hot, showers at least! ;o)
We don’t have alligators; only crows, and a legend about the two crows on Lisbon’s coat of arms. In July 19, 711, when Rodrigo lost the battle of Guadalete and the Moors occupied most of Iberia, the Christians of Valencia wanted to save the body of martyr St. Vincent. They sailed to sea but were forced to disembark in Algarve, where they built a temple and gave his name to a cape near Sagres. Meanwhile, they lost their boat and liberty. Many years later, the first Portuguese King Afonso Henriques was informed that captive Christians were among the prisoners made in a battle against the Moors. One of the prisoners asked the king to rescue the body of St. Vincent, but died without showing the burial place of the saint. However, near the ruins of the old temple, he sighted crows flying around. His men excavated and found the tomb. They brought the body of S. Vincent by boat to Lisbon but during the trip were always followed by two crows. The crows seen in Lisbon descend from those two...
I like this photo! Looking to it I remember that many times ago, at a poor neighborhood in São Paulo, during a great storm, the cover of the manhole opens and a little child fallen in it and nobody can find the body. It was a real tragedy, unfortunately not an urban legend.
its a cute manhole!..at times I also like to take photos of manhole:)
Nice shoes!
Yes, I'll share a Hawaiian urban legend which many will swear is true: on a Full Moon night, the Night Marchers walk, and if they see ya spying on them, you're a gonner!
I can not think of an Urban Legend for Sequim...but now that you have ask, I am definately going to inquire.
Actually, every once in a while, an alligator or crocodille DOES show up in the sewers. Really!
The theory is that the critters are purchased by New Yorkers vacationing in Florida, who bring the "cute" babies home with them. When they tire of the little gators, the owners flush 'em.
On another note, back in the 1960s or '70s, there was an underground comic book about an alligator from the sewers who became a political revolutionary (along the lines of the Black Panthers and other radical groups of that era). It was called something like "Rufus the Radical Reptile."
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