Favela and Falls - Brazil

---

In most cities I´ve been to the rich areas always occupy prime locations with all the best views, but in Rio it is different. High on the hills above Rio is precariously perched Favela Rochina with its mish mash of houses stacked on top of each other.

If you´ve ever seen the movie ´City of God´ then you´ll know what a Favela is. For those who haven´t it´s a very poor shanty town ruled by drugs lords and Brazil has many Favelas. As a tourist it´s the last place you´d venture alone, but it´s possible to do a guided tour. Some would argue it´s tourism gone one step too far when people want to go and gawp at poor people, but I don´t see anything wrong with going to see how people live - especially when half the money is going to a Favela school.

Our guide, a Brazilian but not a Favela resident, said that the film´City of God´ is actually a very accurate account of Favela life. Surprisingly she told us that the Favela has no crime apart from drugs - simply because the drugs lord doesn't need any additional headaches. Also surprising was how happy everyone looked and the number of services they have - bank, internet, shop and even a police station. We were told that the police have three functions - watch tv, read magazines and make personal phone calls. Since some corrupt police robbed the Favela bank - and the drugs lord killed them and distributed parts of their hacked-up bodies around the Favela - they cannot leave the station.

After a few days in Rio marveling at how small the thongs are on Copacabana beach and how big the Christ is on Corcovado it was time to meet up with my tour group. I´d happily signed up for the tour not realising it´s 80% camping, so I tried to mask my surprise at the initial meeting. Mental note to self - read the small print in future.

The next day me and my twelve companions boarded our luminous orange truck - nicked named ´The Turtle´ and began our journey down Brazil´s Emerald coast. First camp was at Parati, the most beautiful town with white washed colonial buildings and cobbled streets that are flooded when the tide comes in. Pity it did nothing but rain. Next was a three day - 10 hr - drives to Iguazu Falls - upon arrival everyone was in a vegetable state and not exactly in a party mood. But the falls made up for it, words or pictures cannot describe how vast and impressive it is.

Tomorrow we leave for Argentina.

---

Photos

Iguazu
Iguazu

Favela Rocinha, Rio
Favela Rocinha, Rio

Me and the Turtle
Me and the Turtle

Parity
Parity

Comments

[Nathalie (Olis sister)]

Hi Iona! It has only taken 3 months for Oli to give me your blog address! Just wanted to say I have really enjoyed reading it. I love your pics too! (well done for getting Oli to look normal in a photo!) It sounds like you are having a wicked time and I cant wait to hear all about it when you get back to not-so-sunny UK! x

[Dawn]

'Los pantalones azules'
Hi Iona, I see you're still wearing those blue trousers (thats what the title means!) they must be wearing thin now. Watch out for those latinos and if they hassle you just tell them 'Soy en realidad un hombre', that means 'I'm actually a man!!' That should put them off. xx