Photographer Jan Hilario is somewhere in South East Asia. Before heading over the Pacific ocean, Hilario wrapped up her time in the Americas by hitting the beaches and streets of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

These pictures are meant to highlight polar opposite aspects of Brazil that make up one of the most diverse countries in the world.

Hilario says she ended up staying for two nights in Copacabana because she was feeling somewhat disoriented after a long bus ride. Although she recommends the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, she challenged herself, and now others, to get off the beaten track.

“If you want to experience all sides of Rio, stay in Santa Teresa,” says Hilario. “You can actually walk down the street and hear Portuguese instead of people ordering caipirinhas in English on every street corner.”

This led Hilario to the streets of Brazil to try and capture the true essence of a country that is quickly becoming a thriving economic engine, while at the same time continues to deal with immense poverty.

The picture of the two Brazilian children was taken at favela Rocinha. Favela is a common Brazilian term meaning “shanty town”. Hilario says that this was her favourite day in Rio, Brazil. She says that favela Rocinha is the biggest favela with an estimated 70,000 people, the size of a small town.

“In the midst of the clustered houses, there’s a main street which runs to the centre and is actually commercialized. There’s even a McDonalds on it!” says Hilario.

Diversity at every step.

The Source STAFF

 

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Pictures by Jan Hilario

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