2020 Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage, Rio de Janiero, Day 2, Part 1 of 3

This morning I wore up to the sounds of an all-night party… They selected a location right next to the ship for one of their block parties…  Great fun was being had by all….  Nice way to start the day.  Today, the focus was going to be the Favelas.  Rio de Janeiro is home to a number of neighborhoods known as Favelas, which is a low and middle income and unregulated type of slum. It is a group of poorly built homes of mud, wood and recycled materials high above the city with some of the best views in Rio de Janeiro. Cathy and I were met at the pier by our tour guide Aline and finally were able to get a taxi to take us Saint Theresa neighborhood and the Favela known as Larangeiras. We were met by a local tour guide Raniere to help us explore the tangled alleys and understand the complicated history of his neighborhood that for many years didn't receive city services like running water. In addition, Raniere is a founding member of the Morrinho Project based in the Larangeiras Favela. This project began as a simple childhood game to escape from the realities of violence and corruption that surrounded the teens and their community. Art imitates life as you explore the Morrinho Project...a miniature but expansive model of the favela built by the local youths in 1997 as their playground. The Morrinho model has been recognized by the art world as an expression of contemporary art. Smaller scale replicas of the Morrinho model have been exhibited throughout Brazil and Europe. Morrinho aims to bring positive change to the local community, as well as challenge the popular perception of Brazil’s favelas being merely dominated by drug trafficking and violence. The wall drawings inside the favela are spectacular examples of really well-done art works. We had a wonderful tour...we have toured other slums around the world and always come to the same conclusion...Hard working people part of a community doing the best they can with the resources available! We returned to the port area and decided to walk around to take in the fabulous wall art... quite near the terminal was the Rio Star, an observation wheel so we went for a ride. On our walk back to the ship we happened upon a number of floats returning from the Sambadrome Parade. The Rio carnival is the biggest carnival event of its kind in the world and there are thousands of people in the streets, dressed for the occasion and in the spirit... ergo, the thousands of carnival goers partying on the streets outside the ship all night long...wherever you turn there is a block party...what an atmosphere...Two great days in Rio!  This evening, we were privileged to see some local entertainers, Brazilian Roots, playing music and dancing…  they were a great finish for our Rio adventure….