Rio
08/25/09 12:16 AM Filed in: Me
I recently returned from a trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I was there for a symposium on the co-evolution of massive black holes and their host galaxies. The symposium was part of the International Astronomical Union’s (IAU) General Assembly. These are the same people who decided 3 years ago that Pluto is no longer a planet (yes!!).
Rio was an interesting place to visit. I realize that most of the international traveling I have done has been to fairly wealthy countries, where I have visited cities like London, Paris, Milan, Tel Aviv. Brazil is still a developing country, and Rio has a lot of poverty. Whenever I told anyone I was going to Rio, the typical response was: “Oh, isn’t it dangerous there?” Well, yes, there is a lot of crime, but I had no problems. The airport is in the northern part of the city and there are a lot of favelas (slums) in that part of the city, so that was our first view of Rio. The wealthy live in the southern part. Our driver, Roger, tried to make it sound like it's not so bad. He pointed out that while the houses and buildings in the slums are ugly, they are built out of concrete and brick. That is better, I suppose, than flimsy wooden structures. After a tour of the slums, we went through a tunnel, and when we came out, it was as if we were in a different city. It was much nicer. But, in general, the city is dirty, and there are plenty of poor people even in the southern section. There were people sleeping out on the sidewalk, and beggars would come up to you asking for money. People would also walk near -or even on- the beach trying to sell various items, such as purses made out of soda can tabs. They were all very persistent, but harmless. Perhaps, I sound a little snobbish, but I’m just reporting on what I saw. I’m glad that I had the opportunity to go and see what it’s like there. It makes me appreciate more all that we have here in the US. Even the police cars there looked old and rundown, which is very different than the brand new Dodge Chargers that the Gainesville police have.
The scenery in and around Rio is beautiful, though. It’s interesting to have a city of 6 million people in such a beautiful location. I like the combination of mountains and beach in the same place. I really liked the virgin islands for that reason, especially Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. I have posted pictures here.
Rio was an interesting place to visit. I realize that most of the international traveling I have done has been to fairly wealthy countries, where I have visited cities like London, Paris, Milan, Tel Aviv. Brazil is still a developing country, and Rio has a lot of poverty. Whenever I told anyone I was going to Rio, the typical response was: “Oh, isn’t it dangerous there?” Well, yes, there is a lot of crime, but I had no problems. The airport is in the northern part of the city and there are a lot of favelas (slums) in that part of the city, so that was our first view of Rio. The wealthy live in the southern part. Our driver, Roger, tried to make it sound like it's not so bad. He pointed out that while the houses and buildings in the slums are ugly, they are built out of concrete and brick. That is better, I suppose, than flimsy wooden structures. After a tour of the slums, we went through a tunnel, and when we came out, it was as if we were in a different city. It was much nicer. But, in general, the city is dirty, and there are plenty of poor people even in the southern section. There were people sleeping out on the sidewalk, and beggars would come up to you asking for money. People would also walk near -or even on- the beach trying to sell various items, such as purses made out of soda can tabs. They were all very persistent, but harmless. Perhaps, I sound a little snobbish, but I’m just reporting on what I saw. I’m glad that I had the opportunity to go and see what it’s like there. It makes me appreciate more all that we have here in the US. Even the police cars there looked old and rundown, which is very different than the brand new Dodge Chargers that the Gainesville police have.
The scenery in and around Rio is beautiful, though. It’s interesting to have a city of 6 million people in such a beautiful location. I like the combination of mountains and beach in the same place. I really liked the virgin islands for that reason, especially Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. I have posted pictures here.
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