I may pass on the dried fish.
Poverty tourism, interesting term, certainly humbling.
Thanks again for another great share Rachel.I can experience some of the worlds corners vicariously through your eyes.
Happy travels!
K

I don’t think the issue is really that people are embarrassed or ashamed of their poverty. It’s that we privileged world travelers come and stare at them and take pictures of their homes, as if they are animals in a game park. I know a lot of travelers would say “Yes, but I try to meet locals and interact with them,” but I generally wonder how superficial such a short-lived interaction must be. On the other hand, we do spend money in such places, which the locals want, so perhaps this is the price they have to pay…

Yes, I was in the Peace Corps in Malawi, and you’re right, I was both gawker and gawkee. People stared at me wherever I went except the big cities where there were other whites. In villages small children were terrified of me and bigger children would want to touch me to see if the white would rub off. Certainly within my own school community (I was a teacher at a secondary school.) I did attain a measure of belonging (though never entirely) because I was just one of the teachers. But if you don’t settle in a place and stay for a long time, you never belong. You’re always a tourist, i.e. the gawker.

Yes, it is! Thanks for commenting, Lyn!

You could do both in one day quite easily. There are buses between them, but take the cable car in one direction or the other!

I enjoy both. Popular sightseeing spots like Victoria Peak are usually popular for a reason. But, yes, I like to get a look at where the “real people” live too!