One thing that I've learned from traveling is that everyone has a hustle (making money). If you are a farmer, you better be a great seller, and negotiator in order to get your produce to the masses. All the streets are packed with people trying to sell goods to local citizens or foreigners. It's a way of living. If you've ever seen the movie “slum dog millionaire” you will get a good understanding of the hustle that I am referring to. If you are a seasoned traveler, you will understand what I am referring to.
Streets are filled with moms displaying their kids to foreigners in order to get pocket change, hoping that the kids make the foreigners feel guilty about what they are seeing. Meat is being sold on every corner on a grill, or meat on a stick. As you walk up random streets to Kabwa you will notice, people on the side of the road with ice boxes, selling beer and other drinks. Fruit stands are everywhere, people are balancing water, meat, soda, cell phones, on their head. It's a balancing skill that they've developed and mastered since being a kid. Passed down from family member to family member.
Kids on motorbikes are providing rides to locals and foreigners alike for a few US dollars. One thing I've learned is at night, in busy areas, it better to take a motorbike than it is to get in a taxi. Of course this changes by location but from what I've seen, you travel faster through motorbikes because they can escape the traffic.
When your stopped at the traffic light some old man or young person is trying to clean your car window or knocking at the door hoping to get some loose change to help them make it through the day.
But one of the downfalls of that hustle to maintain is prostitution, young females/males, either by choice or by threats, are thrown into this dangerous world. Giving up their body to make a few dollars. Money either goes to a pimp or to serve their family. By the time they are in their late thirties, they've been with hundreds and sometimes thousands of customers. Its a never ending cycle, you will find prostitution, especially the illegal ones, in almost every corner of the globe. Because its a huge money maker, I seriously doubt it will ever end.
One thing I implore you is to recognize when you are being hustled yourself. Take precautions to protect yourself and enjoy your next trip.
