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recent
The second largest economy in the world and they can't afford a city planner.
Twice this week I am amazed and annoyed at how Tokyo is organized. Of course it is an old city and I don't expect them to move all the buildings and make new roads in nice square blocks. But how about a sign or two?
The other day I was riding my bike down a major road that came to a three way fork. No sign telling me which fork was the continuation of this major road so I take the obvious choice, the big one. You probably know the outcome.
Last night I was riding my bike along in the bike lane on the side of the road. Just as I come to the darkest place, hidden by tree shadows from the street lamps, SHAZAM! right in the middle of the bike path —and I mean smack in the middle with half a meter on each side— is a black concrete pole. It sure wasn't a lamp post, and I didn't see any sign on it (not sup rising given the apparent fear of helpful —as opposed to advertising— signs here). The only thing I know is that it was black, in the middle of a shadow, and in the middle of the bike path. I am pretty sure that if they put a pole in the middle of the road they would at least have a man about 40 meters up the road waving a light stick... but no such curtesy for bike riders.
Anyway, my bike is dead now. My arm hurts. I am actually lucky to be alive considering that when I crashed into the pole, I was swerving in the direction of the road, and landed right in the middle of oncoming traffic (remember the nearest street lamp is covered with foliage). The second I hit the ground I was rolling out of the road, but even so, if a car had been coming I would be flat.
A naked dog
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