Let's just say...

You have been traveling for almost 24 hours. First by bus. Then plane. Squeezed into narrow seats in confined spaces for a long time. Overnight in fact.

You arrive at London Heathrow stiff and cranky. Then take the Express train into Paddington Station in the center of the city.

You desperately need sunlight, air, coffee.

You jump off the train, swing your backpack onto your shoulder and head for the exit to find all three. Quickly.

Street level. Morning light. A breeze. Almost there.

Your eyes scan for a coffee shop. Must have coffee. Turn right and walk to corner.

You look down at your feet at the curb. And notice painted on the street in big white capital letters: LOOK RIGHT.

You see these words, but they don't fully register. Your synapses are firing slowly. Electronic impulses in your system are barely detectable. Your brain is processing information with the speed of chilled molasses.

But it is this very state of semi-suspended animation that you are in that actually functions to save your life.

Because it takes you a very long second to put your right foot out to begin crossing the intersection.

When all of a sudden...

WHOOSH!!!

A red double-decker bus blows by you a scant six inches from your face.

From the right.

You pull your foot back and stand there. Stunned.

But you are fully awake and definitely aware now.

You are thankfully alive. And can now proceed to the coffee place. And then free to embark on your hike in the Welsh countryside.

After looking right, of course.