alex cutler was raised by a doctor dad and a stay at home mom. one point during his travels, he met a cute girl in the miami airport who told him she was from brazil. so he came to rio looking for others like her. >> just a crazy bend of this hot blood, you know? that's why the chicks are so hot. >> while pursuing a certain variety of female companionship, he fell in love with the city itself. >> she got a gringo for a cell. >> there were no police. it's crazy. >> he moved into what's called a favella. one of scores of shanty towns that dot this city, run by violent drug lords. here on the streets, he learned how to speak portuguese. >> what do your parents think? >> [ bleep ] it's totally left field. but it is what it is. >> have your parents come to your home? >> my mom came here and visited me. we went into a pharmacy on the corner and the [ bleep ] pharmacy got held up literally with my mom in it. you've got to be kidding me. >> reporter: but cutler adored the people who lived in rio and he also adored their distinctive art form, funk music.