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Photo Essay: CET Brazil

Photos by Alexis Maciel, (American University) Student Correspondent CET Brazil, Fall 2018

Views from Copacabana beach! Although it rained most of the days we were in Rio, the sun did make an appearance, allowing everyone to hit the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema.
Visiting Christ the Redeemer is a must when in Rio! Here’s my basic tourist picture. I had to!
Christ the Redeemer receives more than 600,000 visitors a year. Makes sense, look at this!

I had seen so many pictures and movies about Christ the Redeemer, but to physically be there was surreal. This is the view from the top.

On our last night in Rio, we went to the infamous “Garota de Ipanema” (Girl from Ipanema) restaurant and bar. We got to sit at the exact table where Tom & Vinicius wrote the hit song!
Escadaria Selarón, also known as the ‘Selaron Steps’, is a set of world-famous steps in Rio. Here I am with my great friends Ariadne (left) and Patricia (right).

Returning from Rio we had the opportunity to attend a samba school and see them practice for Carnaval 2019. It was SO much fun. Felt like we were actually at Carnaval!

Getting to spend a weekend at a Guarani village, was truly an experience I will never forget. Unfortunately, the Brazilian government still ignores the immense diversity of the indigenous communities that are within Brazil. With the recent election of far right-wing candidate Jair Bolsonaro, the rights of all indigenous communities are at stake. Here we are preparing a traditional Guarani breakfast our first morning there.
Throughout our stay we were able to talk with members of the Guarani community, discussing their long and ongoing fight to insure that their voices are heard and rights protected. During one of our discussions we also made some traditional bracelets and necklaces.
Even though the village is only about 45 min away from the city of São Paulo, it felt as though we were worlds away. This is the greenery that was surrounding us during our hike!
Part of what made the experience so rewarding was due to the relationships we created with those who received us in their homes and especially the children of the Guarani community. Me and five-year-old Aidora became instant friends. Here we are smiling our way through the hike.

I finished off the month attending a professional soccer game with some friends. If there is one takeaway from this game, it’s that Brazilians take their soccer very, VERY seriously.

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