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One of the great things about travel is that it force you to question a lot of your assumptions.  Everyone you know may look at the world in one way, but on the other side of the globe, or maybe just over the border, they may think quite differently.

1. We think the local culture is rich and quaint - they just want TVs and refrigerators and sport utility vehicles.  You might look at a big cement plant and say "god, what an eyesore", but the local you're talking to thinks it's the greatest thing that ever happened to his town because it brought jobs, money, and a little security.

2. We think the local ecosystem has to be saved - they want more land for crops, and they think we're pretty damn selfish to suggest that they not cut down their trees, after we cut down all ours decades or centuries ago.  Pollution is the same here - they look on pollution as a sign of modernity, and will chuck things out the window.   Funny - before those crying indian commercials, we did the same in the US.   It's a process - as they get rich enough, then they start worrying about the environment.  Right now, they're worried more about feeding everybody.

3. We're appalled when we see ugly factories and stip malls  They're thrilled at the economic progress.