Poem

It has a reputation for being beautiful but deadly
The world cup was around the corner
And the soccer fanatics were showing up
The Police were always ever present
My first few nights I managed to find a reasonably priced hostel
Where I met a girl who used to live in a favela
We had dinner there with her friends
I felt safe there
Hostel prices were getting high
I decided to live up in the favelas
I lived here
They are beautiful in their own way
Another world grown out of necessity
Away from the tourists
I caught up with an old friend
And made some new ones along the way
Climbed mountains
And saw the tourist attractions

As for the world cup
It was kind of surreal being part of it
Rio was awash with foreigners and money
I remember one night walking around alone
Drunk tourists everywhere
Peddlers selling drinks, sex and drugs
The police just watching
But what struck me was a homeless man tirelessly
Cleaning up the mess left behind
And after the party is done
The world moves on
The less fortunate left to pick up the tab
That bothered me
Rio was a such a contrast to New York
Brazilians really enjoy life
They are upbeat,
laid back
and have a swagger when they walk
They are open minded
Embracing their cultural roots while mixing it with others
Creating their own unique style
Being Black, White or Mixed is all secondary to be being Bazilian
In 100 years time the world will look like them
That is something to celebrate

Thoughts

My travels in Rio just before the start of the world cup. I had just quite my job and embarked on a 10 month travel around the world. The amount of police presence was insane, and I felt quite safe. I live in a favella that I found on Air BnB because hostel prices were reaching $100 a night for 10 bedroom dorm.

The thing that left the impression on me in Rio was on my last night there, where I just walked around among the tourists and locals. All drunk and merry after the end of the game. With the police looking making sure everything was safe. There were quite a few street vendors selling booze and food to the tourists. But what was struck me was a middle aged man who seemed quite poor and homeless. He was picking up all the rubbish left behind, hoping to recycle the material for some cash just to feed himself.

That scene stuck with me and it reflected the state of what I saw happening in Brazil. While world the comes, parties, and have their time here, and move on. The locals are left to pick up and clean the mess. With the Olympics around the corner and the Brazilian government and economy in turmoil, I expect this time round things will be much worse.