Favela - Rocinha & Vila Canoas

Dav and I took a favela tour. Rocinha has 160,000 residents! Vila Canoas is known for having NO drugs (demanded by the drug lords of Rocinha to stop competition). I'm glad we did the tour not because of danger, but because the guide knew the places and could show us way more than what we'd find on our own. My favorite was walking between the houses in narrow alleys that went up/down/left/right. I'd be lost in a second. The place was built haphazardly since the law is that if someone lives on land for 5 years and it's unchallenged, then they own it. The favelas continue to grow this way. In one sense, they have great views since they build up in the hills. But since the government doesn't build roads for them, the folks way up high have to walk the whole way - and it's a town in itself, so some have to walk over 30 minutes uphill from the main street. The government recently decided to provide a minimum of electricity and water...but the outskirts of the favelas have to "steal" from their neighbors who "steal" from their neighbors etc. all the way down to the legit lines. Since many construction workers live in favelas, the houses are actually decently built. We even saw a "middle class" apartment complex, and apparently the drug lords even have pools! But it's one of those tightly knit communities where even if someone becomes middle class - income-wise - they may choose to stay within the favela because that's where they have all their social connections. It'll be interesting to see the future...where these very well-organized and well-established communities take Brazil's cities...

The tour included stopping by a non-profit school where they teach various things from English to Judo.

I absolutely didn't feel any danger at all (or in Rio anywhere at anytime, for that matter). The favela felt like any other poor city that is doing the best it can, and is full of life and creativity. For business reasons, the drug lords keep the favelas in strict order. If you steal or hurt someone, you are out (as in out of this world), so in reality, the favelas are quite safe. If we had more time, I would have walked around with Dav more.

Dav and I each bought paintings by locals that are now hanging in our SF home. That's cool :)