Favela Tour

By far one of the best things that I have done here and one of the most beneficial sights for me to see. This had cost me no money, and it was an experience I will never forget. I don't think I fully had grasped what a favela was until we went into a favela. Favelas are known to be dangerous, so it is not something you can just visit whenever you please. We had made friends with some Brazilian people who live here and they had invited us to see this favela.This was not through any tourist program; it was just through people who knew the place. Out of all the favelas we could have seen, this was probably one of the safer ones considering Michael Jackson made it well known with his music video. There is a statue of Michael Jackson and a tile art of him at the top.I am literally at a loss of words trying to think of words to describe what I had seen. There was no structure; it was stairs leading in different places with absolutely no space to walk. It was a suffocating feeling, while walking around poop piles from dogs as well as trash scattered everywhere. There were small alleys with trash and random cave like structures with water that smelled horrible. The smell walking through the favelas was not a pleasant one. This was probably the first time in Brazil that I felt uneasy. It was great to get a tour with these Brazilians that we met because they spoke Portuguese and they knew the place as well as lots of infomration that you wouldn't learn from a guide. They had instructed us to wear our most grungy of clothes and to not bring any valuables. I brought a cell phone, a small amount of cash, and the key to get into my house. The guys brought a camera though, so I got plenty of pictures to share.

There was a soccer court in the favela that we visited and ended up playing soccer with some Brazilian kids. One of the most fun times I have had playing soccer here even under all the circumstances. Dennis, another volunteer, always carries a soccer ball around in his bag, so these kids got to play with a soccer ball that had air in it. When we were walking up to the court these kids were playing soccer with a flat ball. As soon as the game was done we left that area because the people around us seemed dangerous. The Brazilians we were with just told us it was time to go. They did not tell us much more than that, but they said that the guys around us smoking pot were not safe people. We went to the top of the favela and the view was absolutely amazing. the view of the Christ was unbelievable because it was so close as well as the entire view of the city of Rio. As everyone was talking, Dennis and I just stood up at the top observing the view and the life taking place in the favela. We were silent. He did not have to say anything and I knew what he was thinking. What I was thinking. All I can say is that I hope people can see this someday and realize how much people take for granted. We were watching these kids make kites from what resources they have and running around the roofs of the favelas playing with the kites. How are these people happy?! Dennis and I stood there in amazement as we were watching these kids enjoying every bit of their lives and the people surrounding them. they were all happy. They literally have barely anything and they are happier than people I know at home who could buy anything they want. I never believed in the quote that 'money does not give you happiness' because I believed that people proved to me that to be happy money was going to get you there. I have found people who have proved me wrong. I just had to leave America to see it.

At the end of the day we all agreed on one thing... that was probably the most rewarding thing we experienced and something we all will never forget.

The Michael Jackson video showing clips of the Favela we visitied: