Won't You Give Me A Sign?
Seeing as I exposed my life-long passion for signs a couple of posts ago, it is perhaps not shocking to you that I tend to notice (and enjoy photographing) odd signs from the various places I have been. I will warn you that a couple of these signs are perhaps only funny to me (in particular #3 - maybe you had to be there and/or be slightly mentally disturbed) - proceed at your own risk.
So, without further ado, my Favourite Seven Signs Around the World (in ascending order). Why seven? Because those were all the really good ones I could remember.
7) The "helpful" North End Boston road signs - as I mentioned before, the Big Dig isn't quite done up there, and as a result there are a couple of "detours" (to put it mildly). Perfectly clear, particularly when you're driving by at 50km/h.
6) Close to Hana, Maui - the funny/terrifying part here is that there were about 50 people swimming as you walked down to the beach. Apparently scare tactics in Hawaii are not that effective.
5) Hilo central park on the Big Island, Hawaii - a very worthy sign, no doubt, it would definitely hurt.
4) New York City (last weekend) - perhaps the most futile sign I have ever seen. I think my favourite part is thinking about what happens if the cops actually catch someone violating this law... the sirens go on, which I'm sure is MUCH quieter than the honking, keeping the streets of NYC a quiet and serene place for generations to come.
3) OK, here's the one you might have difficulty finding the humour in. This is actually a tale of two signs - the first one was seen at the entrance to a hiking trail close to Hana, Maui leading to a Hawaiian heiau, the central worship site of the Polynesian people. The second one was at the exit to the heiau trail:
Collectively, here's what I think these signs direct you to do: sacrifice the child accompanying you on the walk to the heiau and walk back by yourself. Makes sense, no? Yes, I know what you're thinking... why on earth would I notice that? Good question. My brain works in mysterious ways.
2) Apparently molten lava prefers to drive on the autoban - 2 miles away from an active lava flow, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Big Island
Ten years ago, this speed limit sign was on the road connecting the two ends of the Volcano Park - however, the volcano had other ideas and buried the road in approximately seven feet of molten lava. They haven't even bothered replacing the road yet because the lava flows are still coming.
1) Brussels, Belgium - the clear-cut #1 on my list - but you have to look for it:
Yes, that is a "No Waffles" sign. Actually, in the context, it makes a bit of sense... the tacky souvenir shop owner next door to the waffle counter didn't want people blocking his entrance. The even more ironic part about this photo was that, in order to take it, I had to stand in front of his shop while eating my waffle.
Honorable mention: the Hawaiian Airlines sign which showed you the maximum dimensions of your carry-on luggage AND your carry-on surfboard.
