Ipads in Public... in Rio de Janeiro?!

Ipads on the Subway in Rio de Janeiro? Times are changing...

Would you use your ipad on mass transit in Rio?

Do I Feel Safe in Rio de Janeiro?

"Why can't I carry the ipad to the car?"

"Because we live in Rio de Janeiro and it could get stolen. Sorry sweety, just a fact of life."

That was a little conversation I had with my 5 yr old this weekend. He really wanted to leave the restaurant carrying the ipad. I'm sure it would have been fine but I just don't like to even hint at attracting attention or unwanted action.

It got me thinking. Am I afraid? Wow, talk about a loaded question.

I never ever admit it outright but yes I am sometimes afraid. I have actually stopped reading or watching the news here because of it.

There really are a lot of horrible things happening here! There are also a lot of people who were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. That scares the shit out of me. I'm constantly cruising around with my boys and what if we were passing by when there was a random shooting with the police at one of their little kiosky points? What if I was driving with the kids and got carjacked. Would the guy give me enough time to get either or both of my kids out of their seats? (fyi, I have taught my 5 yr old how to get out just in case.) And if I am on my own and stealing just isn't enough, what then?

Honestly, I could go on but I won't. These thoughts sit there in a dark back corner of my mind. I make them stay there. I refuse to live daily playing the 'what if' game. It's just way too real down here to manage that without losing your sanity.

So I decide to not be afraid because, let's be honest, there isn't that good of a chance that it'll happen in my area. *knock on wood*

Generally I don't even think about that dark corner of my brain. I cruise around everywhere, take mass-transit, and *gasp* use my cellphone in public. I live here. I decided a long time ago that if I was going to live here that I would really do it.

That means that I take my obviously American gangly white ass out wherever it needs to go. I take the kids, I listen to my mp3 player, ipod, or whatever and I live my life while sticking to well populated areas *wink wink*.

How about you? Any city ever make you nervous? 

Girl Shot on Flamengo Beach

Last night a 25 yr old University student was shot while waiting for a bus on Praia de Flamengo (Flamengo beach). This is a scary fact of life here, many criminals carry guns.

From what Globo says, a man got out of a black Peugeot and tried to steal her purse. She ran and he shot her in the back. The shot exited through her abdomen. Jéssica Fabiano Barros is currently in the hospital under observation.

People, if you are in Rio de Janeiro and someone tries to steal your purse, give it to them. Actually, if someone tries to steal your purse anywhere you just give it to them. Whatever you have in there is not worth getting shot, stabbed, or attacked. Yes, even Grandma would understand if you gave over her old diamonds.

None-the-less, an innocent girl is in the hospital because she was at the wrong place at the wrong time.

The article also states that another woman was robbed by the same pair before Jessica. Everything has been reported to the police.

A friend and I were discussing how this kind of thing happens in all big citites but in Rio de Janeiro it is international news. Of course with the games coming, the entire world is watching what is happening down here. But I wonder if the reaction to Rio de Janeiro crime would be different if it were reported internationally every time someone was shot in Baltimore or New York City for example.

Don't get me wrong, I am not defending the behavior of these criminals. This is horribly sad and those men need to be punished! But this does bring to mind some tips for avoiding situations like this.

1. Don't wait in isolated areas for buses at night. Jessica was on Praia de Flamengo at 9pm. While not necessarily empty and isolated, it's an area without significant pedestrian traffic at night. Unfortunately, it is also one of the best place to get quick buses to certain areas of the city. Being a well let area with plenty of buses going buy, most wouldn't think twice about waiting there.

2. Hand over your stuff. Screw the passport, money, credit cards, and photos of nieces and nephews. Don't even ask them to have a private moment to say goodbye to your iphone, just hand it over.

3. If you should get robbed, report it to the police. While it may not lead to anything, it is an important step in the process of raising the level of security in Rio.

4. When in doubt take a cab. Again, not easy on the pocketbook but sometimes that's just what one needs to do.

5. Travel in groups. Find someone going the same way as you or at least also catching a bus. That way you don't have to wait alone.

That's all the tips pouring out of my head at the moment. What would you add?

And Jessica, I wish you a speedy recovery! 

60,000 Murders in Rio de Janeiro

New Years in Rio: Yes those are people

Rio de Janeiro has 60,000 unsolved murders from the past 10 years. This for North Americans and Europeans is SHOCKING! That's why I wasn't surprised by this article saying that we need some CSI down here. Fair enough.

What did annoy me was this little comment:

"Why is this a big deal? Other than the fact it’s more than slightly disturbing that tens of thousands are being killed by the drug cartels that control the impoverished city, Rio is set to host the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016...They’re going to need an army to handle millions of unsuspecting drunk tourists there to enjoy the events"

My initial reaction was that the writer had never heard of Carnival before. But, thankfully, he did mention that we successfully hold the massive party each year. Of course he had to mention:

"However this year 129 people were killed in over 2,000 car accidents in the first three days of the weeklong party. And that’s an event that happens every year. Now imagine the insanity of having the World Cup in Brazil"

Now as someone who actually lives here, let me explain a few little things. First off, Brazil has the highest rate of car accident deaths in the Americas. Car accidents claim over 35,000 lives a year in this country. Many roads suck and the drivers on them suck more. Not to mention that most cars are not kept up to the care that they should be and people don't wear seat belts. Don't like this fact, don't drive or take a cab. We do have an excellent metro system for the gringo safe areas. 

As for the safety, unless Athletes decide to change careers and start smuggling drugs and/or living near the dealers, they will be fine. If tourists do not attempt to screw with the government or make enemies with the police, they will be fine.  And if someone decides to go try to score some coke or party where they think "locals" party, it's at your own risk. 

Rio de Janeiro as a city is quite separated by socio-economic class. Even the neighborhoods within zones are divided. It is highly unlikely that something will happen to the tourists or athletes. While disorganized, there is nothing Cariocas like more than a good sporting event or a party. 

Just go to New Years on Copacabana beach with the other 3 million people and see how peaceful it is. Well, not peaceful but not violent. My first and lasting impression of New Years in Copacabana was that if it were in the US there'd be drunken fights, police beatings, and someone would have gotten shot. Here people know how to be in close quarters with a gazillion other people without getting offended that someone accidently gave them a flat-tire. I'm actually concerned with the unwanted fights drunken Gringos will cause. 

Besides all this, the politics behind murder in Rio de Janeiro is something no foreigner can truly understand without a long period of time living here. This is such a uniquely crazy ass place that you can't even begin to get it. That being said, I do not walk the streets thinking I'm going to get murdered. It just doesn't go down like that, at least not in my neighborhood. 

And FYI, it may be the cops/government/corruption and not the drug cartels controlling the city and killing the people. For many down here, the jury is still out on that one. 

How Safe is Rio de Janeiro?

Photo by: Discovery channel

The first thing everyone asks me is: Is Rio de Janeiro really that dangerous?

This is a tricky question. Personally, I have rarely felt threatened in this city and all of those times have been in the last couple of years. Either the city is changing or having children has thinned my thick skin.

Normally you will find two opinions: 1. the foreigner saying that the city is super safe. Ironically, they say the city when it's unlikely they have ventured outside of the Zona Sul (south zone) more than going to Barra in the Zona Oeste (west zone). 2. The Brazilian who grew up here and knows the real story. Of course they are normally overly cautious when it comes to foreigners as they see them as a target.

The thing is, Rio de Janeiro's danger is spontaneous and generally unpredictable. It is quite possible to find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time even if you were being careful. Of course there are areas where you should generally be more aware, for example Lapa, centro, and Botafogo and Copacabana on the emptier streets at night.  Also be warned that there's more snatching of bags in Leblon/Ipanema as that is the tourist zone, but it is not all that prevalent.

What I tell my friends who come to visit is that you don't get to be stupid but you don't have to be scared. You are visiting a city with a diverse economic background. Do not flaunt.

Finally, here are my personal rules:

1. Do not walk in dark empty streets, take a cab. Hell people, I even follow this rule in the states (unless in Coronado)
2. No diamonds on the street (not that I have any)
3. Know where I'm going. This one is easy now that I know Rio but when I didn't I'd do a little research so I didn't get too lost.
4. No prolonged digging around in my purse
5. No talking in English on my cell in centro loudly or for long periods of time
6. Do not leave anything I would not want stolen unattended in public places
7. Enjoy yourself
8. Use cabs with the name on the side. Those cabs work for posts and you are less likely to be taken advantage of.
9. When it's late, do not hesitate to take a cab instead of mass transit. This isn't always necessary, for example if you are going from Ipanema to Leblon. Sometimes though, it is best, like when you are going to Lapa late and the bus would drop you far from your destination.

It comes down to this, the actual real dangerous moments are in places where you will never go as a foreigner. It's just a fact. The other dangers are random and more or less avoidable by paying attention to your surroundings. No, that does not mean in a paranoid way. Just know where you are and what is going on around you.

And if you should find yourself in a bad situation, stay calm. Hand over your things slowly and do not panic.

What tips do you guys have? What is your feeling on Rio de Janeiro safety?