Understood. I was never a tourist or a privileged guest. (What indication do you have that I ever was, I am curious?) I respect your opinions, please respect mine and do not stereotype me based on what you do not know about me. No, I was not born there, does that mean I am ignorant; just that fact alone? And the fact that you were born there, that fact alone means you are an expert of every aspect of life there and can criticize anyone who speaks about life there even if you do not know anything about them? I was born in the US, I cannot say I am an expert of every facet of life here.
Not to move too far off base, but have you ever heard of Helen Keller? Based on your logic she should be known to none of us, because she could never see it with her own eyes or hear it with her own ears. (life, that is) I have issues with your logic, post hoc ergo proctor hoc, etc., most respectfully.
All foreigners I've ever saw or heard about while there were either privileged guests [foreign students, diplomats and the like] or tourists. But if you were on an undercover assignment and did live the regular life as a part of your cover - my hat's off to you.