Talk me off the ledge (Brazil's World Cup related)

[SoCalDem]

My oldest & youngest sons are going to Brazil for World Cup, and I keep seeing all kinds of scary videos on tv about how unprepared Brazil is for this event

They are both world travelers, but I am afraid for their safety.

They are renting a house for 3 weeks and will be on their own.

I will be very happy when they are both back on US soil..

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/21/brazil-subway-video_n_5367487.html

[Warpy]

1. Dunno, Brazil is a complex country

but your sons will be kept away from the really scary stuff. The lack of preparation is probably more for the spectators than the players and most of the really scary people will be home watching footie on their TV sets. Leftist governments have run basic services like electricity, water and sewage to the slums.

The worst part for you is that they'll probably discover feijoada and expect you to prepare it.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/jamie-oliver/feijoada-traditional-brasilian-stew-recipe.html

[SoCalDem]

2. I love feijoada

and I'm sure they will too.. they are both old enough to have their wives cook for them

[Brickbat]

3. How old are they?

[SoCalDem]

5. 40 & 35

I know .. I should not be worried,...but once a Mom, always a Mom

[Capt. Obvious]

4. I had the opportunity to go to the World Cup this year

but it involved hostels and really long bus rides.

Terrifies me.

[tkmorris]

6. If I were going...

I'd take some care where I stayed. There are areas that are policed, and are relatively safe, and there are areas which just aren't. An obvious foreigner in such areas would be a prime target for crime. There is also no way in HELL I'd get on public transportation. A great number of the muggings,kidnappings, etc. happen on public transportation. In any case if you do get mugged in Brazil it is considered wise to just give up whatever they want with no fuss. Thieves in Brazil are apparently abnormally quick to get violent if their demands are not met.

If they are experienced travelers they surely know all of this. Furthermore with the World Cup the police there are trying VERY hard to keep the areas tourists will be as crime-free as possible. As long as they stick to the secure areas (which they will I'm sure) they'll be fine.

[SoCalDem]

7. They are renting a private home a block from CopaCabana

and I think they will be okay..but most of their travel has been to very civilized places.. Oldest goes to Singapore on business a lot, and youngest went to college in Florence Italy and went all over Europe.. I know they will be careful, but mob scenes are foreign to both of them..

[Blue_Tires]

8. They'll be fine as long as they have a little common sense

If they're the overly adventurous types who throw caution to the wind and go looking for trouble, they will find it instantly...

[Blue_Tires]

9. I know it's late notice, but

I don't suppose your sons know about a decent room I can rent in Rio? I'm trying to get down there and running out of options...

Just PM me if you know of something...Thanks in advance

[SoCalDem]

10. They rented their house months ago.

I'll ask my close-by son if he has some numbers you might try.