I don't know why my SE Asia and China comment is generating so much controversy. I live in this part of the world, so naturally I do most of my cycling here. People have posted in the past about hoards of kids living in poverty in rural Tibet asking cyclists for pens (of all things) and throwing rocks when refused. Laos and Burma are among the poorest countries in the world and I have bicycle toured in both of these countries. I have also toured in Thailand and Malaysia. The kids in these countries were on their best behaviour. I have never toured in Tibet so I can't confirm the stories. I have driven through Tibet but I did not see any kids near the road at any time.