Favela Tour

On June 20, our group visited Brazil's largest favela in Rocinha, with an estimated 200,000 inhabitants. 

One of our first stops through the guided walking tour through the winding maze of the urban complex was this art gallery, where students could see and purchase works by local artists. 

Dr. Dan Covell poses with two of the gallery's workers.

Another stop was a bakery, where students could get a snack of a variety of sweet breads.

Here, Tom Cowin takes a bit out of his donut!

Even though Jeremy does not understand Portuguese, he gets a good laugh from this woman who made a comment about waistlines!

Since the favela is situated on a steep hill overlooking Rio, we were dropped off at the top and made our way to the bottom, stopping at various places such as a sundry store, bakery, art gallery, day care center, and souvenir shop.  

This photo is taken from the roof of the day-care center.

Our guide, Marcio Balthazar, is a former lawyer turned favela guide.

This photo gives an indication of the density of these urban dwellings, packed into an area of about one square kilometer (.6 mile).

McKenzie Pezze takes a rest on the steps leading to the day-care center.

Ross Titelbaum, Sarah Babski, Irina Smith, and Mark Martinez deep inside the favela maze.

Western New England University on the move . . . in Brazil!

At the upper elevations, the alleys are quite narrow, but widen at street level, as seen here.

Nearing the end of the favela tour.

Nick Prue scores with his purchase of a Brazilian flag for about $2!

All ten students are present and accounted for as the group completes its tour!