Recent Inquiries & Responses: 3

This is part of a new series in which I am posting excerpts from reader emails and my responses in hopes of helping more people who may have the same questions or concerns.

I received an email from a Brazilian living in Canada recently:

Question:

I will be on my way to Rio, to visit family, next month. I'm going with my spouse ... and I am kind of freaking out. I have been here for so long, I am terrified of all the violence, and high rate of car accidents and things like that. It's all just so different here! I actually don't think twice about going out with my digital camera, iPod and cell phone... whereas I wouldn't dream of doing it in Brazil (granted I haven't been there in nearly 3 years... but still).

Now I am sure I am amping it all up... I did live there for 20 years and was never even mugged... but still! Heh. I was just wondering if you had any thoughts on that, as a foreigner in Rio. I can't talk to my relatives or friends about that as they just wouldn't understand why I'm so scared. So yeah...

My Response:

I just flew back to Rio from Canada myself. I understand how you feel, and had a lot of the same feelings myself coming back this time, especially with having a daughter now, but I think when you arrive you will feel okay. I understand not wanting to talk to your relatives/family about it as they could take it the wrong way.  Just be sure to take precautions - and walk around like you own the place - I think body language is a huge thing! Also remember that much of the violence is segregated into the favelas, which is not the case withgang violence in other cities! You have to remember that things can happen no matter where you are in the world, so we always need to be careful but to try to live without too much fear.  I hope this helps?

Comments

[Aaron Marinari]

Not sure why the obsession with public urination. Maybe it doesn't exist in Canada.

Go to New York, San Francisco, New Orleans or many other major cities in the U.S. and you will see someone publicly urinating. Travel throughout Europe you will see it. Travel throughout Central America and you will see it.

I have traveled and or lived in all of these places as well as Rio and it is no different.

[Daily Rio Life]

You know you might be onto something, maybe it's too cold in Canada. Yes, occasionally you DO see yellow snow, but... ok in all seriousness, I think the fact that someone ELSE had this as their FB status and several people from a variety of cities in the US and Europe were those weighing in demonstrates that I am not the only one who thinks there is an inordinate amount of public urination in Rio. This is even a topic that has been written about in the mainstream media.