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Published: June 29th 2017
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Geo: -22.9035, -43.2096
Whilst we're staying in comfort by the beach, today we ventured out to "Favela da Rochina" to explore the other side of Brazillian lifestyle and culture. There are many Favelas spread out around the city of Rio. Essentially, a favela is a densely populated urban slum. Today we'd visit the largest of them all. We'd head off by open jeep, by tour at around 9am. There were 9 of us in total, including a couple from Luxembourg, Leicester, Scotland and Germany.
What an experience it was. We wandered along the streets, through narrow alleys, staircases and marketplaces. Being a Sunday, people filled the streets, buying and selling, drinking beer, pushing wheelbarrows, pumping out urban beats, watching the world go by, chatting with friends or going about their daily business. Suffice to say that generally, housing and electricity quality wasnt of a high standard. Electrical wiring lined the streets in the most erratic and haphazard fashion. According to our guide, electrical wiring is never updated, replaced or removed even when it becomes obsolette or stops working. Instead, they just add wires and connections (legitimately and illegitimately) where required. Mail is picked up from a cardboard box in the doorway of a
pharmacy. Garbage is chucked over the fence at the end of the street in a designated spot. Apparently its common here for people to have 20-25 children.. The population of Brazil has gone from 80 million in the 1970s to over 220 million today. The quickest population growth is in favelas.
We were invited into the home of some locals, for lemongrass & orange juice. Whilst their home was small and simple, what a spectacular view they had. Their balcony area overlooked the entire mountainside of the favela, homes stacked onto homes, with a view of the city and beach behind.We continued on through the streets and alleys, via a few more marketplaces before being picked up at the bottom of the hill. What a fascinating place. Simple lives and humble circumstances aside, the people here seemed contended & friendly. That can be said about my entire experience with Brazillian people thus far. They seem relaxed, friendly, open and optimistic. Its not Brazillian nature to complain or be negative.
Once wed left the favela we continued on for a drive through the mountains and the Tijuca forest, allegedly the largest urban forest in the world. We stopped off at the Chinese Overlook
Pagola for spectacular, albeit slightly hazey, views of Rio. We wound our way back through the mountains to our hotel. We'd spend the rest of the afternoon down by Copacabana beach. Our swim here was super refreshing, the surf producing large waves just metres from the shoreline. The beach was densely populated enough without dozens of merchants prowling up and back flogging their wares; from bathers and hats to watermelon and cocktails. We snoozed under an umbrella before strolling down the beach for a couple mohitos and a cheeseburger to share.Not to be critical or too judgemental, but in my opinion, Brazillian food is among the plainest and least enjoyable Ive had anywhere in the world. Weve been to a fair few restaraunts, all highly recommended, local, touristy, cafes, pizza and pasta and all have dissappointed. Highlights included a fried egg, deep fried in a pastry.. and some cheese related pastry. Cheese is my favourite Brazillian food ingredient. I know now why Ive never heard of any Brazillian beers before..
A huge tour awaits tomorrow, a full day to Cristo, Sugarloaf and a city tour. Im hoping the weather holds as its drizzled this evening and lightning has cracked above.In other
news, I have an emergency dentist appointment here tomorrow.. after trying a traditional "Guarana" drink here yesterday.. I suffered a striking sharp pain in a tooth which hasnt subsided.. Ill head there at 6pm after our tour. Not an exciting, but neccessary prospect but Im sure the tour will be memorable.
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