Blazing Minds

It is said that Brazil is South America’s most dangerous countries and among the most dangerous in the world. The question is what measures have been used in order to make such claims. Is it the quality of crime that has built up that reputation or just the quantity? When it comes to figures, Brazil leads the homicide category as well as the number of murders committed by youths.

I’ve been to Brazil various times and I haven’t had any great bad experience so far, although I have met many people who have been ripped off, mugged, robbed and a few that have even been beaten up or kidnapped. My gut feeling is that apart from a few ones being very unlucky, in most cases the ones involved in those events did not do enough to protect themselves. In other words they were not proactive enough or they just didn’t know in what reality they were into.

Photography: Modek from Brighton Models

On the other hand being too cautious may result in constant paranoia so you won’t really have a good time. Being precautious should make the trick and find a good balance between the two extremes.  Nevertheless, if worse comes to the worse and you are in a situation that seems threatening, all you need to do is to cooperate and hand over all you have, or at least what they ask you for. Once they get what they want they will go away.

In general, if you follow the next tips you shouldn’t have any problems and you will have an amazing time. If, however, you think that all that is too much for you then simply don’t make the effort to visit Brazil. Go to Switzerland or Luxemburg instead or stay at home.

Top-10 tips

1. It is strongly advisable to leave all your valuable at your hotel/room. Also, don’t carry your rucksack all around because that will make you look like a tourist. If you need to be carrying anything with you just use a plastic bag so you won’t be noticed carrying that camera. Forget about your gadgets and keep them to a minimum. If you’re planning to go to Brazil and carry on wondering around with your i-phone and other gadgets on full display then you’d be better off staying back home.
2. Avoid being dressed up in a fancy way and avoid clothes that will make you stand out. Look at how the locals are dressed and do the same which means keep it simple. The weather is so hot that you won’t need anything more than a t-shirt, shorts and flip flops.
3. If you need to have a mobile phone, take with you an old one or buy a second hand one. Keep it always in your pocket and make sure it’s in the silence. If you need to make a phone call don’t do it from the street but walk into a shop and you’ll be fine.
4. Don’t wear any jewellery, cheap or expensive. What you really don’t want is to attract some attention by those who’re looking for potential targets.
5. Don’t carry a lot of money with you and always keep your money split into two different places e.g. some in your pocket and some more in your bra or underwear. Although it sounds weird, that’s what most Brazilians do!  In case you get robbed you want to make sure that they will go away quickly and that you will still be left with some money. Also, the idea of not carrying any money or just having a tiny bit is not a good one because if you piss them off things can turn out to be very violent.
6. Avoid withdrawing money in the night or when there’s no one around. Chances are that soon you will have some company. Do it during the day when it is busy and safe.
7. Do not make photos in quiet places or during the night. Also, don’t do it in very busy places.
8. Whenever you are distracted by passer-bys, street kids, vendors and beggars never but never leave your valuables out of your sight. What usually happens is that while you’re looking at them, their partner is taking your valuables away.
9. If travelling by bus, keep your rucksack with all your valuables on you and don’t leave it unattended as you won’t find it later.
10. Avoid wondering around in places you’ve never been before, particularly in the night. Use local transport rather than walk in the night. Cabs are a bit risky too and you should avoid them unless you speak some Portuguese. Either you will end up paying too much money or you don’t know where you will end up. Personally, I prefer buses to cabs as most Brazilians do.

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