Education is the top priority for the young. In fact, all children are required to learn English in pre-school. Amazingly, every one of my cab drivers could communicate with me in proper English. A particular emphasis is placed on math skills at all levels of education and the workforce is young and intelligent. They all seem to be drawn to one of the many rotaries that connect the crowded streets.
Motor bikes zigzag in and out of traffic and are a nuisance.
As we drove along, we passed hundreds of small shops dotting the streets where people bargain for goods. Brand names such as Nike, Fila and Reebok appear in all the shops. There was no evidence of homelessness or impoverished residents although we were told that petty theft is a major problem. I did have one small child, who was no older than 4, follow me for six or seven blocks trying to sell me postcards. He was so persistent that I ended up giving him the equivalent of about 1 US Dollar.