You know how in New york the whole neighborhood changes in a few blocks? It doesn't come close to this place. There is a cluster of huge malls which are very sleek and modern. Each one has a movie theater, some of which are so grand that nothing at home comes close. Now I'm not a mall person, but they serve a different purpose here. It's a hot city, so indoor air conditioned atmospheres are a big deal.
Right around the corner from those malls is the canal boat which takes you through some very old school areas, yes slums, but colorful slums with very cute old wood houses that have been patched up with ticky tacky. I always love places that remind me of Mortville.
The canal boat cuts through a lot of traffic to get you from one place to another fast.