favelas are one of the most sensitive topics of conversation - the subject is difficult to discuss for many locals, and probably is a topic that should not be approached casually by the occasional or uninformed visitor.

when approaching the topic of favelas, one of the best assumptions a visitor can make is that as an outsider he or she knows very little about favelas, no matter the amount of study and research done beforehand - cariocas are profoundly connected to their city, to the mountains, the beaches, their culture, and to the ' asphalt ' as much as the 'hills.'