So – sitting on the coach riding down to Sao Paulo I have time to reflect and jot down my thoughts about Rio.
Contrasts, Contradictions, Paradoxes – any of these could describe Rio de Janeiro.
Mountain and beach in close proximity.
Extravagant wealth and desperate poverty in close proximity.
The poor live in the 'suburbs' – the wealthy live downtown.
The poor live high above the city and enjoy the best views.
In
many places all that separates the fabulous houses of the rich and the
tumbledown shacks of the poor in the Flavella, is the width of a street.
I
came to Rio with great expectations. I guess it is on the list of
everyones 'dream destinations'. In some respects it didn't impress me.
Maybe it is a great 'party town' – you'd have to be careful where they
are though. I think this side is perhaps a little oversold.
The
'Cariaocas' are warm friendly people – except those wanting to rob or
shoot you. I met some good people – language was a barrier. A constant
awareness is required – even in daylight. Many places are no-go areas,
at any time.
This is also contrasted with the magnificent views
from say, Sugrloaf Mountain – or the charm of riding the tram from
downtown up to the cobbled streets of Santa Theresa. Or stand-up eating
at any one of thousands of foodstands with the locals.
To
experience the Flavella and it's people is still hard to put into words
– hopefully the pictures help convey some of the desperation of the
people there.
So the difference in culture, it's people and the
sights are stunning. I bet it's even better during carnival time. Six
days was enough time there for me.
I resisted booking organised
tours because I wanted to try and get my own feel for the place. If I
did it again – I'd take a tour to the Maracana Stadium and probably a
'nightlife tour'. These are difficult to do alone or even say a couple,
if both are strangers.
Maybe some of this negativity is me. It's
my first destination – I'm traveling alone – and had to figure a lot
out 'on the ground' so to speak. Also my first time in a South American
city. Things ARE different here – a much different culture to us
Europeans.
So all in all, a very enlightening first week.
I've heard Sao Paulo is even more dangerous. Oh goody...
Previous comments:
steve Cadd:
September 16, 2008
Sounds a little like our nights out in Los Boliches Amigo.....
Hey were all thinking of ya ... glad ya didnt take ya sax now eh?
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