Quote:
Originally Posted by SparkStalker
When I got back home, I just couldn't even begin to explain the level of poverty to people. If you haven't seen it, you just can't understand it.
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True. That's a part of why I take some of these photos.
I've been a few other places in the world outside of the US. Until you actually go, and not to the "tourist-ey" places, it's hard to understand true povery.
It's also very disturbing to not be able to improve bad situations here. It's impossible. At times I give small amounts of money but what good does that do? Not much.
Instead I try to learn more about poverty and the options for people here. Many time I wander into places that would not normally be considered safe. I want to see the dirt. To get a better understanding of the macro and the micro.
I've found that there are dangerous people in terrible poverty but there are surely good honest people too.
In the US, if you eff up very badly you might end up in poverty over time. Here, it's not that way.
On another idea....
Since there is so much travel time to get here and it's so far out of the way, if you can research and plan your next trip before you arrive that would surely increase your appreciation of the beautiful and interesting things to do and see here.
There are tons of travel agencies and other travel groups that can assist you. I'd also help you out with information and photos/background of things that you may wish to do here.
The more people that come to visit the better. Tourism is big revenue here.
That reminds me ( I'm rambling again), what was your opinion of the Shangri-la in Makati?