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Was in Rio for Carnival with a freind. We decide to walk to one of the Balls instead of taking a taxi. Bad move. The Ball is in the middle of crime ridden slums. As we walk, we notice how run down everything is looking. Then we start hearing whistles from a rooftop. We got really scared, the hair was literally standing on my neck. We see a group of about twenty suddenly emerge down the street from us, walking toward us. We cross the street. They cross the street. As they draw close, I realize they are mostly children, with a dark hungry look on their face.
Suddenly they were upon us. You figure you can fight off children right? But there were dozens of hands on us at once, going through every pocket, tearing at our clothes. I really could have done some damage if I wanted, but the kids were only robbing, not hurting. I was also afraid that if I really started swinging, they would pull out blades- I heard some nasty stories about these gangs.
Anyway, they left as quickly as they came. Got a few bills from my pockets but didn't get the stash we kept in our shoes. Strangest thing was that our clothes were all grimy from their hands.
That was just dumb- we failed to keep our wits about us and could have been much worse off. Acted like we were strolling in suburbia- duh.
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For me there is only the traveling on paths that have heart, on any path that may have heart. There I travel, and the only worthwhile challenge is to traverse its full length. And there I travel, looking, looking, ...breathlessly.
-Carlos Castaneda
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