Another comparison: The top photo was taken a year ago in a back alley of the town of Anjongni, Korea. The bottom photo was taken weekend before last in a back alley of Kyoto, Japan. Striking difference? Well, maybe it's not exactly fair. Anjongni is a shithole little town next to a big US Army base, while Kyoto is the jewel of Japan. Still, I've seen alleys like the one in Anjongni in every town I've visited in Korea. But Kyoto... well, I think it's probably just a little nicer than most places in Japan. If I'm wrong, then I guess the comparison is valid.