29 JUNE
13:05, Nova Holanda, Maré
Complexo da Maré is one of the biggest favela complexes in Rio. It is composed by 16 favelas. Nova Holanda is one of them.
Maré is located on the north side of the city and it has around 140.000 habitants. Currently it is divided into three factions: Comando Vermelho, 3º Comando and Militias.
The name Nova Holanda (New Holland) was chosen by its habitants as, before the land reclamation, it was located below sea level. Last Monday, 10 people died here due to the conflicts with the BOPE (Batalhão de Operações Especiais – Special Forces).
Vitor took me to the street market in Nova Holanda. We walked around, ate and did some recordings. It’s insane. You can find literally almost anything! I bought cachaça. A cliché, but a very tasty one.
13:35, Avenida Brasil
Avenida Brasil is intersected by over 23 footbridges (passarelas). They allow pedestrians to cross between neighbourhoods. From footbridge 5.5 to footbridge 12 on the right hand side going north, is Complexo da Maré.
After the market, and on the way to the bus, we stopped at the footbridge number 9 (passarela 9) to record Avenida do Brasil from above. To my left, and further in, is Complexo do Alemão and behind me, the city centre.