The Favelas of Rio

There are 3 million people in Rio De Janeiro living in the small shanty houses of the favelas. I thought it would be interesting  to visit one of them, so we booked ourselves onto the favela tour with Be-A-Local tour company, boarded a motorbike and set off to one of the biggest favelas in Rio, where a massive 85% of buisness is illegal.

As we quietly tip-toed around the narrow alleyways of the favela, carefully trying to stay out of everyones way, the locals politely greeted us as gringos-the tourists. Children ran around the maze-like streets care-free and wearing a smile, and the adults walked around care-free and wearing guns. I was surprised at how big the favela was and how self contained it is with small markets, shops, a day care centre and many many bars. There is no need for people to leave the favela and I imagine many of the children never have.

The favela is surrounded by beautiful mountains and overlooks Ipanema beach where the rich and glamourous live in their high rise apartments. Just another reminder that this a city of extreme contrasts.

The government have recently built a school, sports centre and samba school on the outskirts of the favela as an incentive for parents to encourage their children to go to school rather than work or beg for money. We were lucky enough to experience  some of the children practicing samba in the streets of the favela using tins and wooden sticks. The most impressive part of this 5-man band is the 3 year old child samba dancing. Check out the video: