Early morning family run along Copa Cabana beach to start the day. Bustling with people jogging, paddling and beach volleyball in action.
After a bit of research which was quite reassuring we took the children on a walking tour through a favela.
We went to Rochina which is the biggest and safest Favela. Our guide, Luiz, was a 26 year old drama student who had been born and brought up in the favela. We started off at one of the highest points and made ourselves down. Favelas started off as the dwellings in the mountains where the runaway slaves hid and slowly expanded to all the poor people. The drug cartels rule the place but have laws in place which allow no crimes (other than drugs). Luiz seemed quite matter of fact in stating that all crime was dealt by death, there is no other form of punishment. This has lead him to feel very safe in the favela while he finds the downtown area more threatening.
We walked a short way on the Main Street before meandering through narrow alleys and stairwells. The view of the sky overhead was covered by the mangled wires. Due to the crazy network of lines lots of people siphon free electricity. The other problem is poor sewage which leads to rodents which is kept under control by the hoards of cats roaming the lanes (have to step over their droppings).
There are 5 schools and as schooling is mandatory with free food provided as incentive, all the children attend it. Luiz attended school here but now goes to college in the city and now has friends outside the favela. As per him the older generation are very proud of being from the favela but the younger ones are not as it impacts their job opportunities due to the classism that is rife in their society.
We walked through the community area where free haircuts were being provided by apprentices and older men and were playing blackjack.
Last stop was the church built hundred years ago which led to the place being a recognised zone. The painting outside was one of the last supper but with Pele in the centre and children of the favela around him.
We left the favela enriched with history and a lot more aware of our privileges.
After a rest we headed to watch a samba band. We arrived quite early so explored Lapad, the aqueducts and the Selaron stairs. When we got to the bar hosting the show we had fun watching the band members prepping. The drum player was one of the happiest people, eating popcorn, drinking and constantly grinning while the man next to him on the keyboards was the exact opposite. Going on Carioca (local people of Rio) time they started quite late so we didn’t stay too long. I was happy to have fulfilled my wish of dancing in Rio as we all danced together. The place was bustling by the time we left, the night was still young but so are our kids.
The city was dazzling with all the lights as we drove back, tired but fulfilled.
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