Why do peolpe visiting countries such as Brazil or Argentina want to go to favelas o villas miserias?

Question

What is is that they want to find in there? I really don't underestand and besides I feel is like insulting for the people living there. Is not like a zoo. I don't get it.

Answer 1

I am from the US, but have a great love for Brazil.  I went with a tour to see Rocinha, the largest favela in Rio de Janeiro.  My reasons for wanting to see it were:

1. I like to do things that put me more in touch with people or culture as opposed to museums, churches and other tourist attractions.  

2. The tour I took was quite respectful of people.  We never gawked.  I never got the sense that the people we interacted with were offended by us.

3. The tour I went on gave 50% of the profits to a center dedicated to helping kids learn, e.g.,  computer skills.

4. As much as I love brazil, I cannot deny that 20% of Rio lives in such conditions.  So it is a significant portion of the "culture" in Brazil.

Answer 2

I dont get it either. I really so no reason to gawk at the poor and their lives. If one can do something to help them in a constructive way that would be different but to go just to stare at them is so rude.

Answer 3

My friend: if you grow up in America you may think that "poverty" means old cars or old houses. The favelas show the absolut misery to which people are submitted. Tourists like to experience a thrill, a sense of danger with a certainty that they'll be out of there so they visit these places where human beings suffer, starve, and are absolutely unable to get out of. Taking a picture (and being on it) register the "educational experience" that tourists thing they acquire by spending a little time where human misery is created at the benefit of others. In a way it also helps reinforce the tourist's own understanding how privileged he or she is. Unfortunately it is more likely that a tourist from a rich country donates or spends money on dogs than on helping starving children from the favelas to get food or move out of there.

Answer 4

its because favelas have more of that county's culture. you're experiancing the real lives of the people, not some globalized, sugarcoated version of it. the food is generaly better also, as i've experienced.

Answer 5

It makes no sense but if they wanna go there and get kidnapped shot or robbed it's their choice.