RIO

Looking out over a favela in Rio

Rio was our final stop in Brazil, and it was very different from each of the first two stops.  As we drove into the city, we could see the favelas looming over the highways -- 20% of the population lives in the slums, and the favelas are integrated into the wealthiest parts of town. There is a big police pacification movement (UPP) going on to try to reduce the amount of drugs, gangs, and violence in Rio since the World Cup and Olympics will be bringing in so many tourists in the upcoming years.  We did a favela tour while we were there, and it reminded me a lot of the neighborhood I lived in in Nicaragua.  I think the best message from the favela experience was that the people who live there are POOR, but they're not in misery! The favelas are communities, people live there with their families, there are banks, schools, taxis...the people are just poor.

Our hotel was a block in from Copacabana beach, and we were just a couple miles down from Ipanema. Outside of class meetings, we had plenty of time to explore markets, hang out at the beach, and see the iconic touristy sights

We didn't do such a good job of abiding
by the "do not feed the animals" sign

...including THE Cristo,
and we took the cable car up to Sugarloaf Mountain.

Sugarloaf

Some of us also took the tram up to Santa Tereza and stopped for the traditional Saturday meal, feijoada (rice and beans and pork). On a scary note, about an hour after the four of us who went to Santa Tereza came back down on the tram, one of the cars on the track had its breaks go out.  When the car came to a sharp turn, it flipped over, killing 5 people and injuring at least another 35.  Scary.

Sunday, we went to Ipanema, just like the rest of the town.  It was amazing to see how EVERYONE was at the beach.  People were playing volleyball and futevolley (a combination of soccer and volleyball), running, biking, flying kites, laying on the beach, selling food, drinks, and hats....the beach is where life happens and people make friends in Rio.  It was a nice way to end our trip and relax for a bit before dodging the hurricane and making it back to NYC!