Helloo,

I promised last time to share my experience from the favela tour we did with Ollie and Nico while in Rio. We booked the 3 hours tour from out hostel and the purpose was to learn more about the life in Rio de Janeiro, culture and history about the huge social contrast that exists in this beautiful city. Here life is not all about nice beaches and fancy things. That we were about the find out, not that I am after this little tour any expert but just want to share you my experience.

Before starting I also wanted to take part to the conversation if this kind of tours are acceptable on social perspective as we pay to walk around in much more poor neighbourhood but my opinion is that this depends hugely on the part who is organizing the tour and I felt really lucky with our local guide who definately has her own story here and who knew the people to share this all this with us. I'm also happy to hear that they are helping on their own part in the progress and making things better instead of aiming to make money. Now that that is said we can start..



Our guide was really sweet local girl Luci who had grown up in Rio and knew to tell so many things and answer our questions.

Favelas which in other words mean illegally built houses around the city that are not officially a neighborhoods and our guide explained that many people moved to Rio for work when the city started growing but could not afford to live in the city. She said that there are around 1000 favelas just in Rio de Janeiro even in some of the nicest neighborhoods like Ipanema and Copacabana.

We heard many interesting things about how everything started and what is the situation now. Our first stop was Vila Canoas which is one of the favelas that is already taking part in urbanisation project which means that all the streets have been officially named and everyone has official address. Unlike in some other areas.

It was eye opening to see the social contrast as on one side of the street were big beautiful mansions and on the other side little houses built by the habitants themselves. It has to give people in the nice houses some perspective to the social situation living so close to it and hopefully passion to help the progress.

Our guide explained that even if things are moving forward in Vila Canoas there are still areas controlled by the drug traffic and its not possible or safe to access them.

In Vila Canoas we had the highlight of our visit when we had a change to visit and learn about after school project for kids called Parati. It if offering teaching in different subjects to keep children of the street and this way becoming involved with the gangs. The are local and visiting teachers and artist helping and teaching kids every afternoon.

The project is working on volunteer help and foundations and it was great to hear that tour organizers gift 40% of the money they receive to this.  You can read more about the project on their website: http://www.parationg.org/en

It definately made me think about again how much more important things there are in life than earning money and making career when we could be helping other people for common good.



The second stop we did was in Rocinha the biggest favela in all Brazil. We walked around on the main street but it was not really possible to understand the size of the area at this time. Our guide explained that also here the pacification (control taken over by the police) had taken place 4 years earlier but even now the drug traffic and violence is around it is just not possible to see it all around the streets.

The area is called a city in the city and I definately could see why as there were all necessary shops and services. We've seen quite a few police around here and received a lot of interested looks but the feeling was not directly unsafe even if we felt a little out of place.

Next stop Luci made in house were on the 11th floor we could see the view all over Rocinha. When we stepped out to the terrace I was not going to believe my eyes when I started to understand the size of the favela.

It was quite hard to understand when you see it your own eyes even if these are things I have heard about before. Very interesting and also eye opening how it seems that worlds away were I am from we take so many things for granted.

Last little stop we made was on the view spot where local artist sell their painting and crafts. I might have got something for souvenir but I will keep that as a memory for me.

After the tour we were dropped off at Ipanema again and I guess everyone was little speechless and in their own thoughts after this experience. Made me really think about many things and gave so much perspective to make better choices when choosing what to do in the future and what to dream about.

You can book different kind of tours in various places in Rio for example in hostels like we did. The price for 3 hours tour was R$85 (~20€).





If you have any comments or questions I would be happy to hear. Life is not always so black and white and we should all just remember to give something back by helping other people. We are taking so many things for granted that other people pray for. Much love for everyone.

xx