Through the Looking-Glass

Well, a week later and I'm still not 100%. Nor is Rio...far from it, actually. Now there's a bit of civil unrest: people fed up with paying high real estate taxes while they watch their property value take a dive, due to mushrooming favelas, widespread drug traffic-related crime, and non-responsive city agencies, are actually refusing to pay their bills and putting the money in escrow. Who knows if they have any chance of success; the Mayor's reaction, so far, has been to thumb his nose at the citizenry. The city is indeed suffering from years without a decent administration, both in the municipal and the state spheres. All you need to do is walk around and you'll see what I mean: signs of neglect mar the cityscape everywhere. On top of that, officials seem to be incapable of curbing unlawful activity, from illegal utility connections for water, electricity, and cable, to unlicensed and unregulated transportation. And don't get me started on the number of people living on the streets, parks, and squares. Everything seems to be the reverse of what it should be, if there was someone good running the show! Sad state of affairs...

Meanwhile, Carnaval is fast approaching and there's dancing in the streets everywhere. Music is one of the things that keeps this place from becoming a complete disaster, I think. A couple of weeks ago, I went to hear an all-female band called Orquestra Lunar. Boy, do these ladies rock and, as my friend Ellen says, how cool can they be? Here's a picture taken at their CD release concert. Enjoy!

Photo Credit: Ana Paula Oliveira