Lucia

Lucia is 67 years old and has lived in the favela for 65 years. She arrived with her father his 2 sisters and mother from Santa Teresa. When she arrived there were only about 15 houses in Vidigal  including the one of her father. There was just jungle full of snakes and alligators. There were no lights and no running water. The only food they would buy was pasta because a lot of the land was farm land and her father was able to plant all kinds of things such as peanuts, mangos, cachu and bananas. Of course over time people built up on this land and so much of it was destroyed but there are still some fruit trees left. Her father would kill pigs and chickens, not for sale but to share with everyone. As children they used to bring wet towels with them to the bottom of the hill to clean off their shoes at the bus stop in Leblon because Vidigal was just mud and earth.  There were no roads or trails as water always passed over where they had been and so it was just rock and mud Lucia explains how you would have to test the ground with your feet before you could step so you wouldn't slip.

Lucia loves to dance more than anyone else in the favela. She learnt to dance with her father when she was young. One night there were no lights and her passion for dance began by dancing alone with a little radio. Her father was strict when it came to boys and so she had to dance alone or not dance at all. But even now most men can’t keep up with her, she tires them out! Lucia always dances to the end of the party. Even now her favourite thing to do in Vidigal is to go out and dance. She goes out to forro and pagode parties 3 times every week on Friday Saturday and Sunday. Everything that troubles her leaves when she dances. If she is sick or hurt she can still dance.

Lucia is one of 17 children and there are still 12 living in Vidigal. She has more than 35 nieces and nephews and was married for 15 years. Lucia has had a barraca on Leblon beach, a small beach bar renting out chairs and umbrellas and selling drinks for 28 years.  She loves her work because she is free to talk to people and do as she pleases.

Lucia says she has always felt good about Vidigal and it is one of the best places to live in the world. She would like it to become a bit more commercial but knows it has a lot of potential. She feels totally satisfied, always safe and respected. She says it is only unsafe when you make trouble for other people. Lucia loves her unique view overlooking the ocean with the jungle at her side. Sometimes she even sleeps up on her roof. There are even little monkeys which come to eat out of her hand.

The view from Lucia's roof top.