Favelas

So, It's been a while so I figured that while I have very few readers- okay only 1 faithful reader (3 if you count my parents only AFTER I let them know I have a new post) - I would write a new one.

So, this is basically for you, Kell.

On Saturday I went with Rapha to a reinauguration of a Wizard school that he re-sold in Itapecerica da Serra (I have a REALLY hard time saying that!!!) Its about an hour and a half or so from Campinas and like 20 min. from the city of São Paulo. It's considered a "periphery" (is that right???) city of São Paulo. Meaning that its close enough to commute to São Paulo, but not actually PART of São Paulo. Its pretty much a ghetto. Well, the areas around it are at least. The city itself isn't horrid. It could actually be a really nice city seeing as it is located in the high hills surrounding São Paulo. But it's old and not well taken care of. At least the parts I saw. I am sure there are some wealthy, well taken care of parts. But they are few and fare to come by.

The scenery would have been great if it weren't for the slums. For about 15 minutes straight, all I saw were FAVELAS - slums, thrown up on the sides of steep hills. Houses semi-finished made of stole bricks. Roofless 5-story houses. The just keep building out as far as they can and then up ...and never stop.

Ironic was the only word I could think of as we passed a huge favela and then like 20 feet away was a closed condominium of MANSIONS being built. Seriously HUGE beautiful houses. And the rich people complain when they get assaulted or robbed? Let's think. I'm poor. RIDICULOUSLY POOR. I get up at 3 am to walk to my bus stop on the highway (20 -30 minute walk?) I take a bus into the CITY of São Paulo (which with the traffic and depending on where I am going, could take hours). Then I work for 10-12 hours. Then I go home, which takes a couple hours. I do this 6 or even 7 days a week and I make about 380 reais for the month. Then one day I see HUGE mansions being built. I may or may not be a thief at heart. But suddenly it HITS me! I could get rich by robbing this place! Why not? I'll feed my family, move to a better neighborhood. Etc. OR maybe I am just a PUNK who lives in the favela, and am pissed off that I was born into a poor family, living in the favela, and didn't go to school, or whatever. And so I go and take my anger out on my rich neighbor. Whatever the case. Building a HUGE mansion next to a HUGE slum- NOT a good idea!!! Its actually just PURE stupidity! So, I don't feel that sorry for you when you get robbed. Sorry!

VS