ESCADARIA SELARÓN

For years now, I have always wanted to visit the infamous staircase known for its vivaciously colored tiles. I had never known what it was, why it existed, or ever where it was. All I knew was that it was beautiful and one day in my life, I was going to see it for myself and walk up each and every single step.

The steps were Escadaria Selarón in Rio de Janiero, and this week I was able to make that long dream of mine come true.

I have also been blessed enough to learn more about the history and making of the steps, which made the experience all the more thrilling. Selarón was a Chilean artist who moved to Rio and simply fell in love with the city. Living next to the now-infamous steps, he began a project of covering the steps in tiles that he would collect. It became his entire passion and reason for being, and he was famous for his creation

It is a collection of tiles now from all over the world, with all different types of tiles, colors, and designs. Here is my favorite, a reminder of the movie Lion King, my all-time favorite movie .

Tourists (like me) from all over the world would come to see them. There were many people there taking pictures and simply enjoying the atmosphere. There were also two beautiful ballet dancers having a photo shoot on the steps that were simply too beautiful to ignore:

The overall impression of this place was simply that it is and forever will be a part of Rio’s identity. For that reason alone, tourism has been impacted significantly and I myself am so grateful that I was able to see it during a free early morning. And of course, I had to step on each and every step as the younger me promised that I always would. After a very tiresome climb, I made it to the top!