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20050409

I left home at nearly 9:30 a.m. I usually regret leaving late because as it gets later, some places get more congested.

On the final leg of the ride, I approached three young, slightly funky, in black clothing (visiting NTT across the street?) walking around Osaka castle on a sidewalk, oblivious to the fact that the sidewalk is just big enough for the three of them walking abreast. I rang my bell about 20 meters behind them but they remained completely unaware of the fact that cyclists, runners and faster walkers also use this sidewalk. Not until I nearly came to a stop and poked my front bicycle tire between them to inform them that they should move over did they finally allow enough space for myself and another cyclist through their blocade.

I still can't get used to the inability of Japanese to merely look over their shoulder and consider others who are sharing the same space. Alas, It'll be 11 years in Japan in 6 days and I'm not yet used to this and related social behaviors.