Favelas...quite interesting to discuss about this topic...In many places in the World people when they think about FAVELA IN BRAZIL they quickly connect VIOLENCE, DEEP POVERTY, CRIME and all sort of problems that we always hear when we think about the Third World....
Wait a minute....THIRD WORLD???? No way...a long time ago Brazil left the line of total misery and desorganization and we are such a fast growing country that thanks God makes the country absolutely famous in the World.
Nowadays we know that there is poverty everywhere...big cities in the World suffer the same problem, and we are all looking for smart solutions. In poor communities here there are a lot of social programs going on.
Favelas in Rio are changing its sad stigma...THERE IS LIFE AND LOTS OF JOY IN THE FAVELAS, and yes...we can stroll around in very unique and interesting areas of Rio where people in the low classes always go to have fun and believe me, they really know how to have fun!!!
THE ONLY THING YOU HAVE TO BEAR IN MIND...forget about protocols and social rules, all you have to carry with you is a lot of respect and for sure you will be respected!
I AM NOT SO HAPPY WITH THE CONCEPT OF FAVELA TOUR IN RIO...but I do admire people who provide social work to help people.
SO I WAS PLANING A VERY DIFFERENT TOUR THAT JUST HAPPENS ON SUNDAY, IT IS ONLY POSSIBLE TO HAVE THIS TOUR EVERY SYNDAY.
MORNING - A VISIT TO THE VEGGIE MARKET OF ROCINHA...amazing big space where all people go to buy fresh vegetables, typical northen food and you will be walking in one of the biggest favelas in RIO...ROCINHA.
Sandi, my friend from Missouri experienced one very funny morning in Rocinha and we could eat PASTEL DE CARNE (pastries) with CALDO DE CANA (Sugar Cane Juice).
AFTERNOON - GOING NORTH - Very recently, Marcone and I decided to take our friend from Canada, Vanessa and my cousin Carminha to go to a public swimming pool (which they also call it as PRAIA) in the middle of a Favela in the north part of Rio, this place is called Ramos.
THAT IS THE FAMOUS PISCINÃO DE RAMOS!!!
It is specially great to go there on sundays because there is always somethign going on like music events, people get together with their families to swim and have lunch in the so many restaurants in front of the sand line. Thje space is very democratic, people are friendly and the environment is quite family oriented.
You will see many different things and you will be in touch with another side of Rio's society!!!
This is something that a single tourist would never do in Rio, this is something that a traveller like you would certainly do.
Talk to me and I will give you all the details, we can easily go there by car. But this is a special tour, we must think about going there with a lot of adventure, but I am telling you....IT IS A FANTASTIC EXPERIENCE!!!
Rafael Torres Lopes
Tour Guide and Travel Planner
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