Poor Brazil; Lucky us

[CT Dick]

The Brazilian real started out at par to the US dollar a few years ago.

 

Today, according to Yahoo Finance, the real dipped below 30¢.

 

That makes a 50 reais session with a sauna boy US$14.90.

 

Dick

[+ Lucky]

In order to enjoy our luck, we have to be in Brazil! Stupid me, I let that cheap airfare pass until it was too late.

[+ Axiom2001]

What value is the publishing of this fact? It is unfortunate that the country is undergoing a massive recession similarly to Argentina; I suspect Parag... will be in the same predicament if it isn't already there. Yes, we are fortunate that our dollar can buy more here, but in Europe the euro is almost even if it hasn't already gotten there.

 

What was your initial intent for writing this thread? I'm curious, for those men in Brasil and the rest of the world can read this; I wonder what is their "take" on the latter part of your message!

[Boston Guy]

Lucky:

 

As of 5 minutes ago, Continental was offering a $643.00 fare from NYC to Rio (GIG) for travel in the middle of October.

 

BG

[Guest Jake]

Check out http://www.brazil.com/menu/deals/499 from Miami html I got a fare from Tampa to Rio with a separate trip from Rio to Sao Paulo and back to Rio for $698. The best yet. They use Varig/American and are most helpful. I'm going Oct 10 to 28 and will do the "Spring tour report" on my return.

If you have any problem with that link, it's Yes Travel at 800 487-8010.

[trilingual]

"What value is the publishing of this fact? "

 

For the traveler who minds his pennies, this is important information. (US$1 = R$3.35 today.) Brazilians are perfectly aware of the value of their money. They also understand that when their currency is cheap it attracts a lot more tourists. That's important to those who make their livings from tourism, which the escorts do, at least in part. As far as I know, the guys are happy for the extra business the cheap real brings in.

 

Keep in mind that in spite of the drop in the value of the real, inflation in Brazil is still reasonably under control, so prices haven't been skyrocketing hourly, the way they did during hyperinflation. Most of the escorts' business is with local clients, so pricing is based on what the local market will bear. For local clients, whose incomes haven't changed that much (unless for the worse) R$50 is a significant sum.

 

And that's all I want to say about this here. We had a long and tiresome thread on the same subject; if you're interested in all the arguments and counterarguments, just browse around until you find it. It was in the threads about overpaying.

[LAShowbiz]

>What value is the publishing of this fact? It is

>unfortunate that the country is undergoing a massive

>recession similarly to Argentina;

 

Good lord... and I thought "coolguy" was uptight. The original poster was just stating some facts. I would think travelers would appreciate the info (esp. the ones traveling to Brazil VERY soon).

[+ Lucky]

The day I went into the hospital the fare was $388, (485 with taxes) It went up before I got out, but right now, the thought of getting sick in a foreign city where I know nobody is not appealing. It already happened to me once this year!

Anybody have any experience getting sick in RIo?

[+ Axiom2001]

Tri, thanks for sharing some light on this topic. You clarified my perplexity; I think I misread CT's intent. Obrigado!

 

PS By the way I did read that previous thread; it became montonous and quite, quite heated! No, I hope this does not repeat itself... AX

[+ Axiom2001]

No, dear, I am far from being "uptight"! I merely misconstrued CT's intent, thus I asked my questions and responded. I definitely do not want a bitch session based on my query!

 

READ Tri's reponse and my response to his. CT, I hope you were not "put off" by my initial interest or question!!

[LAShowbiz]

I did READ your post... but if you noticed, my post was written HOURS before yours... it's just that my posts are moderated.

[CT Dick]

> CT, I hope you

>were not "put off" by my initial interest or question!!

 

Not at all. I haven't gotten my knickers in a knot on this site since Regulation was shown the door.

 

Dick

[trilingual]

Today the real reached a new low: R$3.57 = US$1.00

 

Partly this is due to the drop in the markets worldwide, partly it's due to pre-election jitters in Brazil (overseas investors are worried that the left-wing candidate, Lula, is leading in the race for president by a wide margin and could win an outright victory in the first round, to be held in October).

 

Possibly things will settle down again after the elections, but if Lula wins they may not. When it comes to currency fluctuations, only time can tell. However, if the real stays at this price, it would be virtually equal in value to the Argentine peso, which is at A$3.61 = US$1.00.

 

Time to travel, guys, and help the economies in both countries while having a fantastic time yourselves!

[trilingual]

And today the real dropped to R$3.78 = US$1.00. I just can't believe this will last for long; at this price the real is worth less than the Argentine peso! The Brazilian presidential election is October 6; there's a good chance Lula could win outright. Once the election is over and the new economic policies become more clear the real may settle down.

[LAShowbiz]

That may be great that the reais is dropping for us Americans, but if you can't find a decent pair of designer shoes or General Tso's Chicken, then what's the point? The reais can quadruple for all I care, I'm shit out of luck.... LOLx(