Another Overview.

Extreme poverty, very loud, dirty, squalor actually, the stores are small, understocked and are very gloomy. We wondered where people shop for basics, but all the sidewalk/magazine type stall really are the stores. One will sell belts, one wil sell shoes, another t-shirts and boxers. It's all open air, and people just mill about and socialize. Barber shops and beauty salons are also just out in the open, often a woman will be sitting on a milk crate and someone will be behind her, braiding her hair.

The guide books all say that fresh fruit and water is readily available, but it's all sold from these stall, often the water bottles have been opening and filled with tap water, and the fruit is sometimes injected with water to make it seem heavier. We are told by the hotels to not even drink their tap water, so I am sure not going to chance drinking from these little stalls.

The ciity is not what we envisioned, unless you have been here before, nothing can prepare you, not the books, travel shows or listening to other people's stories. We truely though we were prepared, but we were not.

There is nothing bright and cheery about this place, other than the womens clothes and their marvelous smiles, I have never seen people who have so little, yet are so content with the little that they have. But before you think we are not enjoyiing it here, let me mention that we do see some amazing and luxurious things, and we are becoming acclimated to this country. Even after these few days we are finding it an amazing and addicting place, and I really think it's because of the people.(it sure isn't the weather...you could never sit outside in this heat. Never. You'd have heatstroke in a minute.) And we think maybe Nicole did, a little.