I intend to visit Brazil for vacation before my retirement. That begs two questions to be answered: 

1. Why Brazil?

2. Why not after retirement?

The answer to the first: I think of its beautiful carnival dancers in bikinis and Brazil’s breathtaking beaches to soak in.

To answer the second: Please see the answer to the first.

But I didn’t realize that until recently (mid 1990s) the crime rate in Brazil was very high. Watching the movie City of God changed my view of the country. If it is not safe enough for the local residents, how would it be for the visiting tourists? I am sure you will agree that it is not a good idea to get shot and come back in a coffin after a memorable vacation. Imagine you won’t be around to answer the question, “How was your vacation?”

I am not exaggerating. Some of us Canadians had that privilege extended to us as part of the package tour, when we visited Mexico three/four years ago. To this day, they are investigating the cases to figure out the answer to the classic / cliché question, “who dun it?” When Mexico tourism promotes itself as “Mexico, beyond your expectation,” it is probably true to its words.

Meanwhile it is reassuring to note (as this article points out) that Brazil’s crime rate has fallen considerably. Hopefully by that time I visit, it has fallen so low, that it will be like I am in my city Toronto. Apart from the deliberate actions of the community of Brazil, its police and change in demographics, I think one other reason for the fall in crime rate could be its rising middle class and Brazil’s improving economy.

Some of my readers who have firsthand experience may contradict whatever I said here. Before I could agree/disagree with them I want to find out for myself. An unexplored life is not worth living, what do you say?