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Joao Pedro Assumpcao Bastos | profile | all galleries >> Several Locations in Brazil >> Rio de Janeiro; Favela da Rocinha guided by Denzel Washington (Feb. 2015) tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Rio de Janeiro; Favela da Rocinha guided by Denzel Washington (Feb. 2015)

Rio de Janeiro is a wonderful town in many ways: carnival, samba, football (soccer) and a gorgeous nature. However, there are also several troubles: favelas (slums), pollution, drug traffic, transit traffic, etc... The situation has been slowly improved. Several favelas are now 'cleaned' from the drug dealers (it is obvioulsy controversial) but the police 'occupies' them and it is possible to visit them with an autorized guide. The name 'favela' comes from a bush common in the Rio de Janeiro hills. In the late years of the 19th century, poor people coming from the northeasten states of Brazil, when arriving to Rio, could only build their simple houses on the hills, among the 'favela' bushes. This phenomenon was strongly intensified in the 20th century and when the Brazil capital moved from Rio de Janeiro to Brasília (1961), the situation got worse (money moved out as well). The number of favelas and their surfaces became immense, as well as their population. As said, now some of them are 'pacified' and tour companies propose a 'Favela Tour'. Rocinha Favela is the biggest slum in Latin America. About 250 thousand people live there. There would be much more to talk about this subject but I prefer to stop it here. I have been always interested on visiting such places and, now, it was possible. Except me, all the other visitors were from foreign countries. I am happy about taking this tour and, finally, I could photograph the favelas from inside. For the photos I used my Olympus Stylus 1, which is small and discreet and allows good quality pictures. Consider some pictures (particularly of people) as simple snapshots, since they were taken in a short 2 hours tour. With more time, I think they could be better.
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Rocinha Favela view.
Rocinha Favela view.
Rocinha Tour started at this location.
Rocinha Tour started at this location.
Rocinha Favela view; São Conrado area (buildings) on the background.
Rocinha Favela view; São Conrado area (buildings) on the background.
Rocinha Favela view.
Rocinha Favela view.
Inside the favela: beauty saloon is mandatory.
Inside the favela: beauty saloon is mandatory.
Rocinha Favela view.
Rocinha Favela view.
Rocinha Favela view.
Rocinha Favela view.
Rocinha Favela view; several houses have water tank on the way they won't be on trouble with lack of water.
Rocinha Favela view; several houses have water tank on the way they won't be on trouble with lack of water.
Rocinha Favela view; several houses have water tank on the way they won't be on trouble with water.
Rocinha Favela view; several houses have water tank on the way they won't be on trouble with water.
Rocinha favela view.
Rocinha favela view.
Rocinha Favela view; collecting cans allows little money.
Rocinha Favela view; collecting cans allows little money.
Narrow 'streets' are, obviously, common in Rocinha.
Narrow 'streets' are, obviously, common in Rocinha.
Narrow 'streets' are common in Rocinha.
Narrow 'streets' are common in Rocinha.
Narrow stairs are also common in Rocinha.
Narrow stairs are also common in Rocinha.
Rocinha path.
Rocinha path.
Electrical wires are messy; however, our guide Fernando told us that people know precisely which one belongs to them.
Electrical wires are messy; however, our guide Fernando told us that people know precisely which one belongs to them.
Pipes are also messy, but ..... it works.
Pipes are also messy, but ..... it works.
Beauty salon and barber shop.
Beauty salon and barber shop.
Rocinha favela people (and dogs).
Rocinha favela people (and dogs).
Rocinha Favela people.
Rocinha Favela people.
Commercial shops in favelas are exactly as in town.
Commercial shops in favelas are exactly as in town.
In the tour, there is a percursion show, performed by young boys.
In the tour, there is a percursion show, performed by young boys.
Percursion performers.
Percursion performers.
Rocinha Favela people.
Rocinha Favela people.
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