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Rio+ in 2014

I saw Rio in 2014, preparations for the Summer Olympics already started. Yet, to me, the most intensive impulse was the connection between the city and the seashore – they are one. Add to this the presence of Favelas, shanty towns. Working people live there, serving Rio, in structures that are neither planned nor authorised or architecturally solid. A heavy rain can destroy them. Yet, the inhabitants are many and so are the favelas themselves. Vigidal is a remarkable favela: it is walking distance from Leblon, one of (if not The) most upmarket areas of Rio. Although the rich do not drive (well, drove in 2014) cars that are half as flashy as those in European cities, one can touch the inequality. Yet, the seashore connects this all. Leaving the beach-goers of Copacabana and Ipanema to that of Leblon (old an young, active or just chilling) one ascends from among middle class (“normal”) people to among the more wealthy. Looking up from Leblon beach, one sees eye to eye Vigidal and vice versa. Going up to it (it was possible then), one met police officers armed with machine guns. Even then, walking alone was not a clearly good idea.

But life is vibrant and sensual throughout Rio, even more so in the less rich neighbourhoods that are nevertheless not favelas. (Also for this, I have processed these photos more vibrant than usual.) This is everywhere: the physical structures have it, locals have it and many tourists too. This is difficult to find in Europe.

Going out of Rio, to the south, opposite of Angra Dos Reis, the town where the semi-wealthy store their yachts, there is Ilha Grande, the island without roads. Once there (after a boat trip of 0.5-1.5 hours, depending on the boat), if one avoids the tourist-filled east part, the untamed nature provides stark contrast to the vibrant city of Rio. On the south-west part of the island, the dwelling of Provetá is separated by at half-one hour of boat trip or walking even from the other side of the island. The happiness and freedom of children there is rooted in this separation.