I worked in Niteroi Brasil for many years… mayhem to say the least.
Finding a taxi driver who hadn’t had a drink was rare. Got pulled over numerous times by police in such taxis , driver simply opened glove box , produced a beer and 20 real (£5 ISH) for the officer and off we went.
BOPE (hardcore military style police) were a different story, I’ve witnessed similar stops where all the taxi earnings were taken and shared out in full view of the public
I visited Brasil a few times, Rio, Vitória, Macaé and a personal non sanctioned (corporate security) visit to São Paulo. Of my varying work travels Brasil was always the favourite even if the security situation could be uncomfortable. I know of one colleague mugged at gunpoint in Rio and a friend’s wife was car jacked and kidnapped between Niterói and Macaé (a positive outcome after payment etc…).
I spent 8 years there on and off , between 6 weeks and 3 months stints.
Absolutely loved the place, tainted somewhat with the child poverty, begging etc as my kids were young at the time and couldn’t imagine them having to live that way.
Niteroi was fairly safe , I even visited Brazilian workmates houses in the favelas.
Vitoria further north was different, I felt an uncomfortable presence between locals and Gringo oil workers…not a place I’d return too.
Try the South Wales Valleys 
Until recently, we owned an apartment near Miraflores, (for 22 years actually). 
How many pet llamas did you own ?
We didn’t see too many llamas in Spain. 
We love it, first time here on a trip to see my son, his wife and our first grandchild.
We’re hoping to be back in November.
It’s a lovely part of the world. 
Out and about Crete today in off road buggys
, 55km covered with guide.
Church above with some original stonework going back some 1500 BC 
The last picture is of a dear lady named Maria, 83 yrs young who lives in a remote village boasting a population of 10 !
She provided light refreshments bless her.
No chance if it’s soggy wet and windy outside…
Yes, I must have asked her 6 times 
