I was just looking at the CNN Latin America website to see what news was happening below the Rio Grande and I was taken aback by all of the violence in Mexico.
I have been to Mexico a few times in my travels and there are a lot of parallels to Brazil. Colonization(in Mexico's case was the Spaniards), the gap between the have and the have nots, weather, tourism, beaches, the carefree attitude of the people.
When I mention Brazil to my friends here, the first thing that they ask me is if Brazil is as violent as it is depicted in the news. Brazil has its social problems, and the consequences of these problems is an increase in corruption, theft and violence. Lately, Brazil is experiencing a huge economic boom. The economic plan drafted in 1994 is coming to fruition and the standard of living has increased(along with the prices of things....) Employment is up, wages have increased. Brazil is hosting the next World Cup and Rio de Janeiro will have the Olympics in 2016. Petroleum reserves off the coast of Brazil are immense. It's Brazil's moment..NOW!
Between spending a week at an all-inclusive in Mexico and a trip to the beaches of Brazil, I take Brazil any day!! I think that it is a lot safer!!!!!!!
2 comments:
I agree and tell people this ALL the time. Yet they feel safer going to Mexico still... in 2 yrs here I have never heard of a tourist being killed. Can't say the same about Mexico!
I'm very surprised about this comment.
I've traveled by car on my own in Mexico and did 3500km. I wasn't near the USA boarder and in Mexico city. I haven't felt danger even once. It was really safe and people were super friendly. Just one very important thing is to try to speak spanish as they generally don't appreciate Americans because of spring breakers.
I've just lived 3 weeks in Salvador da Bahia. My dream was to go to Brazil. I loved it but one thing on what doubt is moving there. Just because of this constant feeling of danger. I was considered as the Gringa, even with my havaianas and my jeans shorts.
It's a pity I couldn't feel safer.
Also, Salvador isn't ready at all for tourism. And as I work in tourism, I think I can say I know what I'm talking about.
I still love Brazil.
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