Rio is a city of diversity, extremes and mixtures with big, incredibly terrible traffic jams and many wonderful beaches.

August 9 was a day off for the Armenian Olympic team and we decided to visit the place which is usually prohibited for visits, we went to favelas. It would be unforgivable to be in Brazil, in Rio and not to see the real Brazilian corner.

Our trip to favelas began in the morning because we were warned in advance that the tour to favelas is very long. Besides, we also wanted to visit Rio's and why not, Brazil's symbol, the statue of Christ the Redeemer. First we reached the favela which was on the opposite site of the city, rather far from our hotel. We were being accompanied by Pedro and Ana who organize tours for tourists to favelas. We overcame half of the road leading to the peak of the mountain by motos and walked the second half. It was very tough and tiring but the view was worth doing it once more. Under your feet, on the height of bird flight you can see Copacabana and Ipanema beaches.

From above you can see the biggest favela where 200 thousand people live. Maybe, you'll think that it is an extraordinary large number but it isn't so. The favela we visited was a usual slam where people walk barefoot, the houses are built on each other, in a word, as we usually see in movies. But the most impressive is the smell of favelas; it's unbearable.

However, two boxers of the Brazilian Olympic team were born here and practiced boxing in the local spots school. These days they are fighting for Olympic medals proving that residents of favelas have ''a place under the sun'', too. 

We saw street artworks on many walls on our way. At first glance it seems beautiful but then you understand that it has a larger context; it's means of self-expression.

We finished the tour at Mrs. Noise's small cafeteria where an indescribable view of the ocean opened before us. The residents of the favela probably have one of the most beautiful views of the world but their conditions are miserable. Of course, that favela wasn't very dangerous but one thing was clear for us; its residents don't have living conditions, even pure water but they are happy with what they have. They rejoice at the smallest success and always move forward. The examples of it are two members of the Brazilian Olympic team, Patrick Lorenzo and Michael Borges. 

The last stop of our tour was the statue of Christ the Redeemer, simple powerful and inspiring.

Varvara Hayrapetyan

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The official website of the NOC Armenia doesn't take responsibility for the notes of the ''BLOG-diary''.

The articles of the ''BLOG-diary'' cannot be re-published.