Facing realities

In my opinion, Brazil is the most diverse country in the world, in relation to it's people. How can it not be when during its colonization, various countries imprinted their mark on Brazil - the portuguese, the dutch and the french, as well as the african slaves that were brought in to do their dirty work. So today, Brazil is a rich mix of all types of backgrounds. There isn't a stereotypical Brazilian as anyone who is dark, blonde, ginger, white, tanned can be brazilian!

Bahia is made up of 80% Afro-Brazilians and 20% White-Brazilians. The descendants of these african slaves are a majority, yet they are the ones who suffer the most. When you walk around the city, you don't see a white boy up to his eyeballs on crack, you see a tiny afro-brazilian boy. When you go to cidade baixa, where the tall, beautiful colonial houses have been left to rot and are illegal to inhibit, you don't see white folk pouring their money into saving these buildings, but afro-brazilian women prostituting themselves and crack addicts sheltering in these broken down houses. The distribution of wealth in this city is so un-just yet no-one complains, no-one wants to make a difference. Everyone accepts that's the way it should be.

When I see a tiny boy or girl, begging for 20p to be able to go and get some crack, my heart breaks. Instead of giving them money, if I have food I offer them that. Most of the time they're grateful but sometimes, they would rather the money.

Walking the streets of Salvador you have to be on your guard the whole time. You don't know who's good and who could come up to you with a gun in your face demanding your money.

This country isn't ruled by politics. It's ruled by money for drugs. It's corrupt and it's dirty. No wonder the dwellers of the favela enjoy living there. As long as they obey the gang leader's rule, they are protected. Far more protection they'll get within their favela, then on the streets with the police.

The harsh realities of Bahian life that I have seen so far, make me so utterly grateful for where I come from. I am so lucky.

Your biggest fan,

Beijos