favelas are one of the most sensitive topics of conversation, yet many visitors feel the need to touch on the topic - the subject is difficult to discuss for many locals, and definitely it is not a theme that should 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 one 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.'

they are proud and protective of their land and tend to have strong views about what makes their city unique and wonderful, and what specific attributes could be improved upon - people may have grown up or lived in favelas, or at least have families and friends who did, so their emotional connection tends to be personal as well as conceptual.