June 13, 2017 · Tamatave, Brazil
Getting Personal at Earth Personally
The highlight of my travels are the people I meet, and not so much the monuments, (man or nature made), or history. I enjoy the cultures, foods, environment of places visited and the people who make it, as it is.
This year is my reunion year to visit places I scampered through last year, in visiting 34 countries. My first stop was a Favela/Slum in Rio, that I had toured when I was here for the Olympics with my son Evin Leland and friend from Paraguay Pedro Martinez.
Prior to departure I contacted people I had met in Rio to let them know I was coming, Bruno Pazos, Damila Oliveira, larisssa, Suellen, Ricardo Bexiga and Lusia Santos
Lusia Santos, was a lady who helped my son, friend and I not to be lost, as we searched for the Olympic Ticket Center. She was kind enough to offer for me to stay with her at her home. But I politely declined for it was my desired to stay in the Flavela/Slum to get the full experience.
She then wrote me back to inform me, she lived in that exact Flavela/Slum and I was welcome to stay with her there.
Coincidence sure is nice.
She then sent me her address, and description of her place. I looked at in google, and it looked to be in a labyrinth, with multiple stairs, and a good distance from where I could be let off with luggage etc. She agreed that to be the case, but I was welcome if I wanted to be. Oh and that is was just one room and she had no bed, so she hoped I would not mind sleeping on the floor.
I then looked for the nearest paid accommodation, and tallied up the cost. It was not in the Favela, and would not give me the desired experience. I then contacted Lusia and asked her how much it would cost for her to upgrade to another apartment with easier access, so as not to strain my sprained ankle any more than necessary. About a week later she said she had found a two bedroom place, with much easier access, only about 30 steps, and no gyrations, for 100 Real more a month, which is $30. I asked if she was willing to move, if I picked up the difference for a year. She liked that Idea. Apartments there are not furnished, so I asked her to get a price on two beds, and a dining table. Within a few weeks, she now had a bed to sleep in and I had place to explore from.
As life happens, tragedy occurred. Lusia contacted me and informed me she had lost her job at the grocery store where she stocked shelves and worked the register. She would not be able to afford to stay. She had lost her job. To which I responded, ‘Okay then you have a job’. To which she responded ‘You do not understand me, I have no job. And I said, ‘You do not understand me, you have a job. You are now working for me. Based on my calculations, it will cost me about the same to pay for you bills, as it would for me to have an interpreter and guide for a few hours a day, and I would have you full time.’ Being silent for a time, as she absorbed her turnaround in fortune, she responded, ‘I don’t speak English.’ To which I responded, ‘I don’t speak Portuguese, we will figure it out.’
Upon arrival, I handed Lusia her business cards, with her ‘Correspondent’ job title for Earth Personally. Nothing to boost one’s self-esteem like their first ever business cards.
So, we did, with google translate, we began our adventure of discovering her Favela/Slum. I handed, her my camera, which I thought she would use for selfies, as that was her mode of operation to date, but instead she took pictures of me and the world around her. I would normally not want my photo taken, I am not a poser, but her enthusiasm, needed to be encouraged. She even did nice photography on my story of getting a close shave in the Favela. During those two weeks, we had lots of fun with our different styles of photography. And we even came up with some angles that provided a good reflection of the Favela through sunglasses. By end of my time with Lusia, I equipped her with a laptop, Camera and reflective sunglasses, with the hope, she can be her own boss and not lose her job again, by becoming a tourist photographer, helping them to reflect upon the Favela through the sunglasses I supplied her with. She will now be taking English, Computer and Business, classes. And her expenses are covered through August, hopefully enough time for her to start earning an income.
Here is the link to get new page to start her business.
https://www.facebook.com/Lusia-santos-Fotografia-1936954856541132/
Lusia is the 15 and last child in her family, and the only one unmarried. She was born near Reicife Brazil and moved to Rio, 10 years ago. Work has been off and on in those 10 years with her longest job lasting about 6 months. She had been sleeping on the concrete floor for almost two years. She is now 48-years-old, but has the energy of a 14-year-old, and the looks of a much younger woman. She is very dedicated to her God, making postings of scripture and her church daily. The pursed lips aka kiss, is one way Brazilian’s say hello, like the wave in my culture.
She now has a bed to sleep in, and I hope she can make something of her photographic talents. I would ask any of you who plan to go to Brazil, or know of someone who is, about how Lusia would be happy to catch their reflection.
