A friend asked if this book is depressing. The unfairness, injustice, corruption, poverty, illness, incompetence, racism, classism, and confusion that these people live with on a daily basis is depressing.

Following the ins and outs of daily life in a swampy slum that sits in the shadow of five-star hotels was fascinating, because I kept wondering how an individual continues to make the choice to keep living (not all do, actually), and not only that, keep innovating, working hard, and looking for more opportunities. So in that regard, it's fiercely inspiring. The amount of privilege I have been born in to, and the fact that every one of my problems qualifies as a #firstworldproblem, is ridiculous. The human spirit is beautiful and amazing.

I never felt like the author was patronizing or showing off (unlike 3 Cups of Tea *barf*). In the afterward, she talks about how that was a priority for her. I also believe that since she actually had cross-cultural and multi-classed team members working with her during 3 years of reporting, that helped keep her away from the "look at the poor starving children" POV.

Oh, and the audiobook narrator was perfect.