On this peregrination, I've tried to keep to the capitals and the tourist cities -- this is about travelling and studying while still within (a certain species of) European culture. This isn't an Indiana Jones journey, in other words.
That said, the southern parts of the peninsula can be a bit rough, as I discovered over the winter -- even in the larger/tourist cities. There was a point of decision in January/February: I would either go out and buy some khakis and head into the dirty areas, or increase the amount of time at the kitchen table reading -- opted for the latter.
I'm in one of the more decent parts of this city here, but there are still some rough edges and inconveniences, just from the nature of the place. Far from what the locals have to go through, I'm sure, but it is a salutary reminder to stay as close to the pools of light as possible when travelling in this manner. And there's always the table to read at.