The motivation for mentioning my mugging is not to elicit sympathy but hoping to prevent a similar occurrence to someone else. My attackers were nasty, viscous looking and I suspect capable of anything.
I do not subscribe to the “it could happen anywhere “ school of thought. I might add this argument is often used when people report their crime related experiences. Brazil has its own special problems.
Having said that I am booked for my 10th visit to Brazil, this time São Paulo only, and looking forward to it very much.