Post: #26

That's bizzare and interesting Locksmith, keep us updated with what happens.

Post: #27

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-15710719

Post: #28

Post: #29

Guys, I've got some updates here:

The slums of Rocinha and Vidigal were taken and occupied in only two hours without a single shot being fired. The only act of resistance worth mentioning by the "destitute" and fleeing gansgters is that they dropped a lot of oil on the main roads, which meant that initially only the heavy tanks (those without tires) could move straight to their strategic targets. Except for that, all went really smooth.

Some interesting details which are less likely to appear in the international press:

The girls:

- local girls already started complaining that they fear a decrease in the quality and quantity of debauched nightlife.

- the high-class girls who enjoyed dating gansgters posted in FB a black tag with the word "luto" (mourning) which means they feel they became sort of "widows". "Were are the sexy gangsters we used to bang? This is a tragedy!"

Alpha male reinforcements may be needed.

Drivers: plenty of people complaining they will not be able to drive motorcycles anymore because now they will actually need helmets and driver's licenses in the slum.... the most compelling complaint came from a 15 y.o. girl.

Utilities: besides the colorful army of sales people of internet providers, cable TV etc, the utilities (water and electricity) said they will start formalizing services i.e. charging money already from today on. Probably, there will be "social tariffs" (subsidized) for a while but this won't happen for ever.

One of the great attractions (besides the colorful armies of sales people offering cable TV a.o. services up to the actual military invasion) was the Chinese correspondent of the Xinhua news agency. He was there all dressed up in heavy armour and, since not a single shot was fired, the local neighbors spontaneously came to him, curious to talk to the stranger. The chinese reporter said, very amused, that never before he was the one being interviewed by everybody around.

This is quite interesting, on a second thought. When the "Complexo do Alemão" (another big collection of slums in the northern part of Rio) was taken over by the state authorities, one of the first sights they had were a couple of Yakisoba (Asian-style noddle) restaurants hidden in alleys of the slum. This sort of confirms that Rocinha and Vidigal, where a visible number of Westerners live, haven't yet received a noticeable asian immigration. The sushi restaurant in Rocinha is run by a brazilian immigrant from the north-east, by the way.

Finally some news about the Fallen King:

This guy, Nem, is indeed smart. He was full of appraisal for the security secretary of the state of Rio, who was "one of the most intelligent and capable men he ever saw". He was convinced that things were going to get better with all these changes. He also kissed ass of former president Lula, whom he considers a hero. He also declared that he had more policemen "as good friends" than as mere collaborators on his payroll (he promised to cooperate to name the corrupt officials). Nem also called his family only to stress that his children must attend school, no matter what, because education is all that matters. (he wants them to become gooood citizens).

It wouldn't surprise me if this guy would enter politics or start some charitable institution (something like the "Nem's Foundation for a Better World") after he is eventually released from prison for good behavior. Bizarre thought, but theoretically possible.

Post: #30

Just one last detail I forgot to mention:

Since during the last offensives to control slums the police forces stole a lot of goods from the local population (gold, electronic devices, watches, cash, etc etc), this time they were forbidden to carry rucksacks!

Instead, they had to carry tracking/monitoring devices which enabled the commanders to know exatcly where they were at all times. Teams of state prosecutors were also sent to accompany the troops so that the local population could immediately report theft and abuse.

This was, if not a sad, at least a most unprofitable day for part of of the city's proud police force.

Post: #31

I'd be interested to know what things are like this weekend in the Rochina, let me know if the music is still blaring and the bars and clubs still kicking.

Roosh, the favela you lived in was it similar to Rochina that it had loads of great bars and clubs?

Post: #32

Great post indeed!
I live in Rio as well, but have never read it so clearly and interestingly as Locksmith put it. Kudos!

Post: #33

Great thread. Super interesting. Only wish I could have actually made it to Rio already so I could have experienced Rocinha before all of these changes. Gotta make sure to get to Cuba before the borders are open to us Americans.

I'm curious to know how daily life and crime will play out now that the police are in charge. I am under the impression that the police in Brazil are not trustworthy and are very corrupt. Is that true?

Post: #34

Post: #35

Just met some insiders from Rocinha and read the press:

- I was told Gigante and about 40 people from Nem's security aparatus were hiding in a cave in the Pedra da Gavea. Pedra da Gavea, a majestic rock formation, has a series of hideouts and caves inside the mountain. Despite great plans, nobody thought about toilets and basic comfort so their stay was rather short. Everybody eventually fled through the forest. This is something you won't find in the press.

- Music is still going on, although at some point some licences will have to be produced. 90% of Rocinha's business never had any papers.

- The prices of the houses in Rocinha rose with 50% in less than a week. The state will give them official land titles and will invest hundreds of millions of dollars in infrastructure. A cable car will be also built, connecting them directly to the subway, which should be ready before the olympics.

- Major banks have suddenly decided to open offices in Rocinha, they want to borrow money to the locals.

- The place is now teeming with tourists. I read an interview with some Finish and Dutch people who actually filmed the whole police take over while staying in some hostel in the area.

- Two years ago I wanted to buy a house in Vidigal with a majestic view of the sea. I thought about it for a couple of weeks before going back there. When I finally got there, a German hippie opened the door. He obviously arrived first:

"Man, I have girls here, I smoke joints in the veranda, I have no winters anymore and I have this horizon all year round. The rest of the space I will use to make a hostel and rent it out to foreigners."

I have no idea what this dude did in the end, but he was on a picture, behind the authorites who came to inspect the area.

Post: #36

...end of an era, for good or for worse.

I've had good times in Vidigal, hope that the intimate and homely feeling doesn't go away with a touristy invasion, or a coorporate invasion of sorts.

My guess is that parties will get even better!

Post: #37

Quote:- Major banks have suddenly decided to open offices in Rocinha, they want to borrow money to the locals.

- The place is now teeming with tourists. I read an interview with some Finish and Dutch people who actually filmed the whole police take over while staying in some hostel in the area.

There were 3 banks in Rochina on the main street last time I was there. There used to be a McDonalds. There were always tourists, tours all day every day and hundreds of foreigners living in the favella. Pretty sure there was a hostel for a while too.

Post: #38

(11-18-2011 02:10 PM)KingofScotland Wrote:  

Quote:- Major banks have suddenly decided to open offices in Rocinha, they want to borrow money to the locals.

- The place is now teeming with tourists. I read an interview with some Finish and Dutch people who actually filmed the whole police take over while staying in some hostel in the area.

There were 3 banks in Rochina on the main street last time I was there. There used to be a McDonalds. There were always tourists, tours all day every day and hundreds of foreigners living in the favella. Pretty sure there was a hostel for a while too.

All quite true, but the country's biggest bank "Banco do Brasil" only now decided to go. The popular Caixa Economica Federal CEF offices, where you typically collect pensions/social security and pay bills, was also too scared to settle there until now. Also, Vidigal had nothing of the sort and they will start there too now.

Keep in mind there will be, arguably, a significant INCREASE of everything you mention (foreign residents, companies moving in, formal restaurants etc etc).

Post: #39

I Wonder if there is some hot gringas living(foreigna girls) in Rio as well or just horny dudes from all over the world chasing cariocas and caipirinhas?

Post: #40

King of Scotland: By the way, your post made me reflect about something. By far, at least from what I could tell, the majority of tourists going to these slums are foreigners.

Now, for the first time, I actually saw brazilian tourists going there in large numbers. I'm afraid I can't quantify or statistically prove this, but my impression is that large sections of the brazilian middle and higher classes are prejudiced and/or just too afraid to go to these places. The increase of tourism will be probably also due to local (even Carioca local) tourism, as ironic as this may sound. It is now not only "safe" but also increasingly fashionable to set foot in Vidigal/Rocinha. I wonder how some of these people will react when they actually see that a cheap house there can have a far nicer view of the ocean than their million dollar dwellings...

Mr.GM: Good question! I suspect this will go both ways, gringos chasing local pussy and foreign pussy chasing multiple slum orgasms. I know this guy in Vidigal, a painter, who informally started renting out a guestroom in his atelier. He told me he has screwed almost every foreign girl who has stayed there so far (I believe he mentioned 4 or 5). I even got the impression he only hosts girls, to whom he offers his special "room service".... He doesn't even have to leave his office to get women!

Post: #41

(11-18-2011 04:24 PM)Locksmith Wrote:  Now, for the first time, I actually saw brazilian tourists going there in large numbers. I'm afraid I can't quantify or statistically prove this, but my impression is that large sections of the brazilian middle and higher classes are prejudiced and/or just too afraid to go to these places. The increase of tourism will be probably also due to local (even Carioca local) tourism, as ironic as this may sound. It is now not only "safe" but also increasingly fashionable to set foot in Vidigal/Rocinha. I wonder how some of these people will react when they actually see that a little house there can have a far nicer view of the ocean than their million dollar dwellings...

Generations were thaught from a young age that these are dangerous places that should be avoided; thus there is this unconscious fear of going to these places. It took me lots of guts to first hop in such a place after growing up being told by all sides that such places should be avoided because they are "dangerous". Many have a reflex reaction of fear when confronted with the idea of going to such places.

Foreigners, on the other hand, didn't have the same upbringing and weren't cultured from a young age to fear and avoid such places, thus they being more open not only to visit it, but to set residence over there.

Post: #42

Yeah the middle class Brazilians from Rio and elsewhere in Brazil thought I was absolutely crazy to visit slums even on an organised tour let alone go their partying with locals. I tried to explain it was safe but they are so used to the horror stories they were convinced you could easily be shot dead just for not being a resident.

Post: #43

(11-18-2011 06:25 PM)KingofScotland Wrote:  Yeah the middle class Brazilians from Rio and elsewhere in Brazil thought I was absolutely crazy to visit slums even on an organised tour let alone go their partying with locals. I tried to explain it was safe but they are so used to the horror stories they were convinced you could easily be shot dead just for not being a resident.

The only thing I truly fear nowadays about going to a favela (disclaimer: there are favelas and there are favelas, they can vary greatly) is getting run by a motorcycle, as that is the main form of transportation usually, and it can get quite erratic.

Post: #44

(11-18-2011 06:25 PM)KingofScotland Wrote:  Yeah the middle class Brazilians from Rio and elsewhere in Brazil thought I was absolutely crazy to visit slums even on an organised tour let alone go their partying with locals. I tried to explain it was safe but they are so used to the horror stories they were convinced you could easily be shot dead just for not being a resident.

I have two friends (chicks) that were recently in Rio. One is from Rio and the other is from Peru. I tried to get the grl from Peru to go to a funk party(she was down) but the other girl (brazilian) told her how dangerous and crazy the idea was and convinced her not to go even after telling her how common it was and showing her the vids / sites to promote it.

Im amazed at how all middle - upper class are so paranoid of favelas and think its like a death sentence to enter one.

Post: #45

It's because we grow up here listening to stories of gruesome violence on TV everyday, many of us actually had someone close that suffered violence / was killed /kidnapped etc. Brazil is a violente country, lets not be naive.That can explain a little.The foreign visitor does not have this baggage so he will see the favela as an exotic, fun place (hehe I see it more that way too, but I'm not your regular middle-class morgage/marriage guy ...anyway this is what make us members of this forum right?)


The fear will froze most people here and they will tend to stick in the confort zone, not very different from the tipical middle-class behaviour in other countries in my opinion...

Post: #46

Another funny thing here is that I know some folks here in SP(also a "dangerous" city) who are afraid of going to Rio, and keep saying that I'm crazy for going there by car and using bus metro etc in Rio.They think that the whole Rio is a war zone.

Post: #47

(11-18-2011 09:10 PM)Mr.GM Wrote:  Another funny thing here is that I know some folks here in SP(also a "dangerous" city) who are afraid of going to Rio, and keep saying that I'm crazy for going there by car and using bus metro etc in Rio.They think that the whole Rio is a war zone.

Paulistas are quite something...

Post: #48

"Another funny thing here is that I know some folks here in SP(also a "dangerous" city) who are afraid of going to Rio, and keep saying that I'm crazy for going there by car and using bus metro etc in Rio.They think that the whole Rio is a war zone."

I heard this all the time from paulistas when I was living in Sao Paulo. Also I got the impression that middle to upper class people are ashamed of the favelas and they don't like when people think that Brazil and favelas go hand in hand. This is just something I noticed from hanging out with middle to upper class paulistas.

Post: #49

I had a few Cariocas tell me to avoid Sao Paulo because it was dangerous. Whenever I tried to talk to middle class Brazilians about the Brazilian cinema I'd seen (City of God, Elite Squad, Lower City etc) they'd say they hated those films as they paint Brazil in a bad light and everyone thinks all of Brazil is like that. When I told them it was films like those that made me want to visit Brazil they couldn't understand it. I suppose it is quite strange.

Post: #50

That's indeed quite remarkable, Paulistas may warn you Rio is dangerous while Cariocas may warn you Sao Paulo is dangerous. I don't know how widespread this "I'm on the safer side" myth is but I've certainly heard it. Perhaps it has to do with knowing your way somewhere, which can be essential to avoid getting in trouble.

Today I went to Vidigal, a lot less motorcicles speeding up and down and thus not blocking the way anymore. There was a junkyard, well, sort of an open air garage where they would repair vans, that's gone too. A long line of little shack-boxes selling crap was also closed. It looked a lot cleaner to me, not at all unpleasant. The bars were open and women in miniskirts were drinking beer within sight of the elite squad policemen. Now the armed gansgters are gone, perhaps the cops will fill in the gap.

About the movies: Would these people decide to travel somewhere, let's say, to Austria because of a friendly the movie like "The Sound of Music"? Just teasing.