Stairway to heaven?

Favelas reach down like fingers into nearly every part of Rio’s south zone, which includes Ipanema and Copacabana, the iconic names most people associate with the city – or did, until perhaps media coverage in the run-up to the World Cup expanded the image. This stairway of around 170 steps leads to one side of the favela (or community, the preferred term these days) that extends over the hill at the top of our road to another, two streets over. There, a paved road leads up to it and a fleet of Kombis stand by to ferry those who are prepared to pay the fare. Otherwise, it’s Shank’s pony up these or other steep steps and paths.
 
Gym, the market, and then chores took up the morning and most of the afternoon. Choir in the evening was a pleasant break and we were all so happy to welcome back the much-loved couple who lost their granddaughter just 10 days ago. They are deeply religious and this has helped them cope with the tragedy as well as anyone can under such circumstances.