I was telling gator recently that his trip has reawakened my dormant yearnings... Having spent 32 years living and travelling in The East I would infinitely prefer to live there than in the first world.
No disrespect to Dark Knight's opinion, which others will surely share - but I think living with the creature comforts of the first world can shorten your life!
(Having said which, if there is one of god's creatures I would gladly see exterminated it is the mosquito!)
What I find intriguing is that there seem to be quite a few boardies - yourself included Dark Knight? - with broadly similar experience of the east....ah me...
No disrespect taken at all (thumbs u I appreciate your views and opinions as well as others. When I was a baby till about 12ish, I was living in a third world country (Philippines). I enjoyed my years there learning the culture and seeing how the poor were treated. I felt bad everytime they go to one car after another begging for money in busy streets. Also seeing how the government is corrupt is what probably made the country the way it is.
On the bright side, whether you are rich or you are poor there, I get the feeling that everyone gets along and is happy with their lifestyle for the most part. I see people living in the squatters singing, spending time with their family, helping each other with daily duties and routines, etc.
And yep those darn mosquitoes!!!! Especially the ones carrying the dengue disease in which killed a lot of people in the Philippines including my cousin's supposed to be husband who died before they got married .