Ghetto Heaven

A view of the Favella
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So, we arrived back in Rio and headed straight back to the same hotel we had stayed in previously in Ipenema, in fact, even the same room! I was feeling a bit worse for wear, so we ordered an indian takeaway and stayed in.  The next day we were booked on a tour of the infamous favellas (slums) which we had heard was fantastic, and perfectly safe.  I´ve got to say, it was probably one of the most interesting yet! We were taken to the heart of the favellas, where the Druglords hang out, and where there are watchers on every corner who basically keep an eye out for police and alert the Druglords if there are any around.  On one occasion we heard loud bangs in the distance within the favellas, to which the guide promptly assured us were not gunshots, but firecrackers which the watchers use to alert the Druglords of danger ( i.e. police).  We were walked along the streets of the favellas, and even into the favellas themselves and the tiny alleyways between them.  It was truely fascinating to see how people live. Within the favella communities, they´ve actually got proper shops, bars and even banks! You wouldn´t think it from looking from afar!

Even closer.....check out the electrics!
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Apparently there´s never any robberies. muggings etc within the favellas themselves as they are unofficially governed by the gangs, ADA in this case, and muggers or robbers are punished and sometimes killed by them for these crimes.  We were also told how the police are apparently extremely corrupt, and although police don`t really enter the favella areas, there is actually a "police station" in the heart of it all.  However, the police manning this are paid to turn the other way, and sit and watch TV all day.  In addition, you won´t believe this, but last year, the police apparently tried to rob one of the two banks set up in the favellas, but the Druglords arrived in time to stop it!!!  Unbelievable!!  Don´t get me wrong, the Druglords aren`t the good guys here, they quite often recruit youngsters to run their errands, delivering drugs etc, and introduce them to a life of drugs.

A close up....
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The locals in Rio are pretty scared/embarrased about the favellas in their city, and with all the bad press they see, they tell all kinds of horror stories... It was good to see over the other side of the fence.