DAILY DIRT: The largest cities in the world offer some strange challenges

Daily Dirt for Wednesday, June 18, 2025

I would imagine those vending machines in Tokyo are rather interesting … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,318 of The Daily Dirt.

1. Here are the largest cities in the world with some crazy background about each:

Tokyo, Japan: 37 million. Tokyo is so crowded there are “pushers” at many train stops to literally push as many people as possible into the train cars. The city has vending machines that sell just about everything, including fresh eggs. Tokyo is also home to Shibuya Crossing, the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world there thousands cross the street(s) at once.

Shanghai, China: 27 million. The city is sinking because of how heavy it is becoming, causing all sorts of problems with holes and breakups in roadways. But, on a positive note, Shanghai has the world’s fastest train in the Maglev, with a speed of 268 mph.

Sao Paulo, Brazil: 22 million. The largest city in South America, Sao Paulo has entire neighborhoods where the only language spoken is … Japanese. Go figure.

Mexico City, Mexico: 22 million. Interestingly, much of the city was built on a lake and, like Shanghai, is slowly sinking. Mexico City has more museums than any other city in the world, about 150.

Dhaka, Bangladesh: 21 million. Dhaka’s people live in one of the most crowded cities on earth, and also one of the most polluted. Its waterways are a disaster with floating garbage everywhere.  

Cairo, Egypt: 21 million. Cairo sits next to the ancient pyramids of Giza and is famous for its “city of the dead” where people live in old tombs and cemeteries.

Mumbai, India: 21 million. The city is the country’s financial capital — and also has its largest slum.

Osaka Japan: 19 million. It’s called “Japan’s kitchen” and is famous because of its “amazing food scene”. It’s most well known for its takoyaki (octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (savory pancakes). 

2. Did you know (Part 399)

• That the longest animal pregnancies are: 22 months for elephants, 17 months for an Orca whale, 15-16 months for a Black Rhinoceros, 15 months for a giraffe and 13-15 months for a camel.
• That the woman on the infamous “I Spit On Your Grave” movie poster in 1978 was none other than a young Demi Moore.
• That the person who did all the music for the “Princess Bride” soundtrack was none other than legendary Dire Straits guitarist Mark Knopfler.
• That the time machine in the “Back to the Future” movie was not originally going to be that classic DeLorean automobile, but rather a refrigerator. The fridge idea was scrapped when filmmaker Steven Spielberg became afraid some kids would see the movie and try to recreate it by shutting themselves in an empty fridge.
• That the average lifespan is 76 years, meaning middle age is not 50 … but rather, 38.

3. On Tuesday night the New York Yankees, with a $290 million payroll, were shut out for the third consecutive game.

The Yankees have struck out 33 times in those three games. They’re the first team in American League HISTORY to strike out 10-plus times while getting shut out in three straight games. They are also the only team since at least 1901 to have any three-game span with: 0 runs, 33-plus strikeouts and 24-plus men left on base.

It’s a good thing George Steinbrenner is no longer in charge.

Steve Thought O’ The Day – What did one cannibal say to the other cannibal when they were eating a clown? “Does this taste funny?”

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. I’d pay folding money to watch him try octopus balls.