TOKYO BIKES, HIROO

Posted on April 8, 2015 by michaelweening

Millions, if not 10s of millions of bikes. This one got a ticket – how they knew who to make it out to is beyond me? Not broadly known, but there is no identification system in Tokyo (i.e. Social Insurance number).

As a testament to the Japanese and their honor/honesty – without a name – one can expect that the owner of the bike will go to the police station and pay the fine, despite being anonymous because that is what the culture dictates.

Rules make this city of 40M the most unique in the world.

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PROTECTING YOUR PARKING SPOT, BEIJING

Posted on October 31, 2014 by michaelweening

At first I thought that the owner of this bike was simply having a tough time letting go, the way that it is locked to the office chair.

Our guide explained that the bike owner was using the two items to protect their parking spot. Cones simply don’t do it.

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Colored balloons marking the local health care center.

My final posted shot on Beijing, at the market.

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A great place to explore (just make sure you bring a polarizing filter to cut through the haze).

A FEW JAPAN OBSERVATIONS

Posted on December 6, 2013 by michaelweening

From around town.

“The quality sleep”. Japan has a different definition of what constitutes a quality mattress than North America.

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I was grabbing a bottle of Sake at a local shop and this wine advertisement (among others) caught my eye for the unique use of English in the marketing – specifically the “desire for being drunk” phrase. Quite the sales pitch.

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I am glad this guy caught up with my taxi. Look closely … (from my iPhone). He is in the rain, holding an umbrella, in a suit, riding a bike, with no helmet while talking on the phone. I don’t understand why no one wears a helmet …

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Another interesting use of English in the ANA line at Narita. I laughed at the sign giving us an update on when we will board.

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Living in Japan is a little like a Monty Python movie. There are some obvious things that make you laugh, but the best laughs require that you pay close attention or you will miss them.