After the arrival to Rio, the last feeling a guest does not desire is the uncertainty. The taxi driver does not want to go further up the slope of the community/favela. The driver looks so scared. He wanted to leave me at a corner and wait for Thiago's mother.

After the arrival of Vera, Thiago's mom, all fears dissipated.She is a strong woman as she helped me with my luggage up the hill. She greeted me with her smile and ressurance.

The neighborhood is safe, well lit even at night. The real challenge is the walk back to the bed and breakfast. I did run 11 miles one morning covering the beaches of Copacobana and Ipanema but my biggest challenge is the walk up the hill.