Spaced in

We noted in our last post the pragmatic generosity with which Brazilians share their public spaces. Paradoxically, private spaces are tighter than pants after a holiday. If you drive through pretty much any residential neighborhood in Brazil, you will see rows of walls and fences. You will not see cars parked on the streets at night and you will rarely see a front door. This is true in high-crime areas and in low-crime areas, in cities and in towns. We have heard different explanations. There are theories about Portuguese architectural influence and Brazil's agricultural roots. A trusted friend told us that locking something up is simply a sign of ownership, like putting a collar on your dog. Whatever the reason, the walls lend themselves to the street art, which is absolutely fantastic, and, as a happy bonus, the chickens like to sit on them.