Rocinha is unlike anyplace on earth, it is a very special amazing place! While white knuckle gripping the back bar of a mototaxi weaving in and out of traffic, busses, and delivery trucks on extremely small streets I felt alive! It was one of the most exciting things I think I have ever done. These mototaxis travel at break neck speeds and seem to fear nothing as they weave in between busses and delivery trucks on some of the most intense, winding, narrow streets ever! I am very happy that I was able to experience this, it was amazing! My friend Wark was kind enough to take time out of his busy schedule and invite me to photograph and talk with him in Rocinha. Wark is a great person and is making a positive impact on the youth of Rochina. Wark teaches art and graffiti to the youth of Rocinha. He is a positive role model that the youth of Rocinha can look up to and learn from. He gives them something positive and constructive to do with their time. I am very happy my friend Wark took time out if his busy schedule to take us around. Thank you Wark! I was able to see pipa flying kids at the top of Rocinha with one of the most amazing views that I have ever seen in my life!
While walking the narrow paths and steps there is a mixture of fluids, sand, and mud among other things which make it very slippery. Unfortunately I slipped and fell and my Fuji 6x9 popped open and the pressure plate popped out. I instinctively closed the back of the camera immediately hoping that the images that I photographed from the day were not completely exposed and gone. I picked up the pressure plate and kept on walking. I was not hurt and I am very thankful for that because that could have been a bad situation. This happened at the end of our time in Rocinha. I was just hoping that my camera was okay so that I could still work. We got home and I took my camera to a family owned camera shop here in Copacabana where the film was removed in a light safe film bag. I Hope I have some usable images from this roll because I got some shots that made me happy. We will see.
