Rio de Janeiro: Being a Tourist

Touring in Rio de Janeiro on my own was intimidating and enjoyable too. The city is know for so much crime that it is difficult to know when you are walking around looking for recommended sights if you are taking a wrong turn. You are unable to wander aimlessly like in other cities, where you can later worry about how to get home once you have had ample explore time. Nevertheless I did see some wonderful sights.

I spent the afternoon in Santa Teresa which is the up-and-coming artist and bohemian dig with lots of studios, cafes and restaurants. The buildings are either falling apart or have been revived for modern day use. As you walk the streets you can see this process taking place.


To get back to the city, I walked to a plaza where I waited for the famous 1896-inaugurated street car to take me down the hill upon which Santa Teresa is situation to the Municipal Cathedral. I sat and waited, sat and waited looking at many yellow posters of a tram with a tear drop posted everywhere in sight. I figured it was a band or something that was coming through until I then noticed that there were cars parked over the tram line. I was starting to realize that the tram might not be working today. When I finally asked some other tourists visiting from Italy, they said the tram hasn't been working for two years since it got derailed and 5 people died while another 57 were badly injured. I laughed when I realized I was waiting for a street car that would never come.




In Lapa, a neighbourhood of Rio, there is a famous outdoor staircase that an eccentric Chilean artist (see photo below) has adopted as his artistic work which he has spent years covering with tiles. The staircase was very impressive though at times overly ego-centric - there were many reminders that is was Selaron's staircase and the artist was even there outside his studio located half-way up the climb, boasting about his work. Wearing an all read jumper outfit with his trademark mustache and a beard, he looked creepy. I went into his studio to learn more about his art, and there discovered that he has an obsession with pregnancy, which you could thereafter easily recognize in the imagery of the staircase. His goal was to produce as many pregnant women designs as possible in one day and he has peaked at 365. The whole experience is still worth a visit.

One of the most impressive sights I visited in Rio de Janeiro was the Christ the Redeemer statue. Known as one of the 7 Modern Wonders of the World as of 2007, it deserves its title. It is the fifth largest statue of Jesus in the world and sits atop the highest peak overlooking the city. The veiws from the top are breath-taking and awe-inspiring, while the statue itself is truly a wonder. From the city streets you can see it at all hours of the day. It is a constant to counter the everchanging nature of the city.