Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Went to Rocinha, Rio's largest favela, home to over 100,000 people and only has one official road. Also went to another smaller one that never ever had a drug problem. Rocinha has been pacified. This means the police/army raid the favela and literally force drug dealers out of the neighborhood. There is a significant police presence with a special police unit known as UPP set up to raid the favelas and then make sure the drug dealers don't come back. Not very publicized but the problem has shifted to other areas now. The guide says 80-90% of the staff in hotels/restaurants, etc. come from favelas. Most are good people and live there because it is too expensive to live elsewhere. The communities also tend to be very close (ubuntu) and neighbors help each other. Very similar to SA in that poor and rich live in close proximity to each other. Interestingly, favelas tend to have the best views since they are mostly on the mountain sides.
- comments