I have, and continue to travel in many 3rd world countries, and shanty towns around airports are very common. Also I have been on aircraft escorted at night many times, though this maybe more security related eg Nairobi. The comment about education, and as to why they think they can get away with doing this may well be Hollywood inspired. However having recently had a conversation with a guy cooking an omlette for me in Tanzania, which went along the lines of that he had been told that when in Nairobi it was possible to see the lights of London in the northern sky, hence he thought London was only a weeks days drive away, you start to understand the problem. Geography not his strong point, but food was good before you all ask.
