upcoming trip rio/ba nov 14

[gulliver]

after a month or two of reading this thread (especially tri's very informative postings) i am leaving next week for a short trip. Was originally going to spend all seven nights in rio but after getting a fee quote of $390. for rt flight and two nights at Alvear will end up in BA before returning to nyc. Been studying portugeuse using a cd course and ordered some currency - all thanks to your tips.

 

There is literally so much info on this site that it sometimes gets confusing. I'd like to run my "general" plans by you other posters to see what you think.

 

When i arrive, i think i am best advised to buy a coupon and take a taxi service into the city. Correct? I have enough reals to pay the fare. Question - how much Brazilian currency should I allot for if igo the saunas daily (use the services of a few boys), use taxis for all trips, and eat and drink (hosting companions)? Could someone give me a daily amount that i should exchange? I will have my amex, visa, and mastercard with me and a bank card but i would like to bring enough cash for my five days. What cards do I bring to the sauna?

 

In general, I am a very early riser. Anything special to do from 6 to 8 am.I kind of assume from everything i have read that during the day one takes tours or goes to the beach. I am staying at the Luxor Copacabana. Other than not bringing valuables to the beach and walking in areas where safety might be suspect, does anyone have any tips? Does one eat lunch right on the beach? Does one avoid produce, fruit, water to any extent? Are there companies where one buys various day tours? Or does one engage boys you meet at the sauna to take you around? Is november beach season?

 

I kind of gather that the usual arrival time at the saunas is sometimes after opening (3PM) and one spends some time there and then

has a main meal later. Is this correct? What would be an ideal time fro a first timer to go on weekend or during the week and is there an ideal sauna for specific nights of the week?

 

I am a little unclear about the saunas. Do i take a taxi and give them the address of the sauna? How do i get back - does the sauna call for a cab or are the nighttime eating establishments safely close by. if so are their cabs to return to my hotel after eating?

 

About the saunas themselves - what happens after you walk in the door?

I there a check in window with someone who speaks some English. What is the check in procedure? Could someone explain what happens after you walk in the door and what happens if you find a boy you would like to engage? is there a tab kept by the establishment? Do you keep the same cabin for the whole night?

 

In BA i am going to use Roberto to engage boys to come to my room at the alvear and he is going to give me some sort of a familiarization tour. since i will be there for only two days - does anyone have any tips for a short term visit? does ba have saunas with rent boys?

 

about services the boys render - do most kiss? I enjoy rimming, oral, and not much penetration. do you need to discuss all of the details in advance? I hope not - my cd's dont go that far!!

 

i know that this is all basic - and this thread covers so much but being a first timer i'd like to really enjoy this trip.

 

anyone who wants to meet to compare experiences - ill be in rio from 15th to 19th and BA till 21st of nov.

[xchris]

Hi, Gulliver

I'm in Rio from day 9th to 18th, coming from three days in BA. So, maybe this give us the possibilitiy to discuss my experiences in BA. I have the help of Roberto as well. Hope this will be useful.

Stay in touch.

Ciao

Chris

[+ Axiom2001]

Gulliver, I was a newbie in Brazil (Rio) earlier last month. If I had continued my entire (fairly well-planned) trip, I would have been leaving Sao Paulo tonight in my return to the U.S. and to San Francisco via Miami. When I was there, I enjoyed what I did, but there were other issues which I had difficulty in resolving at that time and which I do not wish to discuss here. I DO PLAN TO RETURN next fall--2003 in April--May.

 

From a neophyte's point of view, I'll attempt to answer some of the questions which you alluded to in your thread although many of them have been answered in pages 2-7 of this particular forum.

 

Taxi from airport-- Get your ticket from someone behind one of the designated counters (It's set up and is similar to car rentals at some airports in the U.S.) Politely IGNORE all of the single men in grey outfits who approach you to engage their services for a taxi. A woman from behind the booth called out to me; I went over and paid her R$34 or R$43, I cannot remember; she escorted me to the taxi where a cute man spoke to me in English, opened the door, and off the woman driver and I went. You might want to have name of hotel and address written, for my driver spoke very limited English; she made an error in where to take me, but that was due to the hotels having almost similar names-- I stayed at the Hotel ATLANTICO Copacabana not the ATLANTICA which is almost similar in name. Both of us took it in stride; I did give her a nice tip.

 

Saunas-- I have limited experiences but plan to indulge extensively (but not daily) when I return. Two of the saunas were in walking distance from my hotel, so I walked to and from them. I also walked along Av. Atlantica-- (a major thoroughfare-- 24 hrs except Sunday.).

I blended in for the most part, but next time I am wearing older looking tennis shoes which are nice looking, yet they have some rough edges.

 

I went to Estacao on a Thursday night, for I had wanted to see the twins. They never showed up. I went about 10 pm by choice; there were lots of guys who were available. I had a threeway, so my sexual appetite had been satisfied. Paid using MC. Take two cc's and currency with you to the saunas; take Visa and MC.

On the day of my leaving which was on a Monday, I went to Estacao at about 3:15 PM; it was just opening, and there were no guys. I changed, ordered a drink, water, and observed every guy who entered. Three or four of the guys came over to me, but I continued to observe/cruise/reflect, etc. until I saw the persons I had wanted to be with. To me, this was fun, but in my doing it again, I should have gone around 5 or 5:30 pm or later.

 

TomCal presented us with protocal last month. Here it is: Go inside sauna; the receptionist will ask for your name, give you a key and towel, etc., depending on the sauna-- you go and change in the "locker room" and politely ward off the eager ones who approach you on the spot. Hunky and handsome Carlos, the "house" masseur at Roger's greeted me in the reception area. Later on that evening he asked if I wanted a massage. "Stupid me" declined. Now I wish I had said a very eager YES. There will be another time, I hope.

Read Tom's response. I also think others will answer many of your queries.

 

Drink bottled water only. (suggested by guide book) The only fruit that I ate was at breakfast at the hotel. The fruit was plentiful; there was variety. I did not get sick. (Usually when I have traveled--Cuba, Russia, Thailand, Mexico, I have never purchased food items off the street; I am being cautious not paranoid.) I'll let others respond.

 

I hope that this has helped. Man, enjoy your venture. I applaud you for learning some Portuguese; I presume I will go this route within a month or so. Obrigado!

[trilingual]

The full routine about what to expect at the saunas is described in detail in the semi-world-famous "Brazilian Saunas" review in "Escort Reviews" under "Mexico and South America." It's the very first review, which kind of started this avalanche!

 

You won't need taxis to Roger's or Estação; they should be within walking distance of your hotel. You can take the metro to Club 117 (follow explicit directions in the "Brazilian Saunas" review). If you wish, you can catch a taxi back to your hotel when you leave after dark, or if you've stayed after the metro's closing time. Within Copacabana, most things are within walking distance. A few things may be a bit far, depending on where you are, but will only be a cheap cab ride away.

 

Club 117 is CLOSED ON MONDAYS, so visit Roger's or Estação, which operate 7 days a week. Don't arrive at opening time. You'll be bored. Wait until around 5:00 p.m., when many guys will start arriving and you'll have more choice. Admission is about R$15 - 20, depending on day/sauna. "Cabine" rentals run about the same. Refreshments are cheap, figure no more than R$10 - 15 for yourself, unless you have a lot of mixed drinks. Figure on R$50 per encounter with the guys, with R$10 - 20 extra for a tip if service was exceptional. DON'T pay extra to a guy just for cuming, unless you're clear UP FRONT that this is part of the deal. Otherwise, just be firm, and complain to the management if some deceptive little hustler suddenly announces an extra charge and tries to make a scene. Tip the towel boy and barman R$5 (once, not for each towel/drink/snack). Except for the services of the guys, everything else will go on your tab (credited to your locker key number) and you pay your total bill upon leaving. Save your cash and pay with Visa or MasterCard.

 

Most restaurants/shops/services take credit cards, so your other cash expenses will be limited. Metro fare is R$1,50 or so (it went up recently so I don't know the exact amount). A cab from Copacabana to Club 117 or downtown should run about R$15.

 

Food is safe. There are any number of places to have lunch, but if you're at the Copacabana gay beach, Maxim's is a good bet and certainly the most convenient. (November certainly should be beach weather.) See other threads here for comments on restaurants/food. Tap water is safe to brush your teeth with, but it's not especially good-tasting. People universally drink bottled water, which is available cheaply absolutely everywhere, as are beer, soft drinks, and fresh fruit juices. Your hotel stay will include a generous buffet breakfast; load up on whatever is there and you may not even want much for lunch!

 

If you're an early riser, have breakfast and then go get your exercise by taking a long walk up and down the "calçadão" (the beachfront sidewalk). It'll be too early for much of anything else. Most shops and other businesses won't be open that early. Then put in some morning beach time, after which you can have lunch, do some afternoon sightseeing, then head for the saunas.

 

Tours should be available through the front desk of your hotel, if you want to do the half-day city tour kind of thing. If you want to go on your own, you certainly can try to arrange for one of the guys from the saunas to accompany you. Of course, there may be a language barrier, but they can show you how to use the buses, steer you away from bad areas, etc.

 

Buenos Aires: There are no saunas with boys, only the regular kind. If you are planning on having guys to your room, the same advice about being careful with your valuables applies as does in Brazil. You may want to think twice about inviting guys to the Alvear. It's an extremely grand and formal hotel and it could be uncomfortable. Ask Roberto about gay-friendly hotels-by-the-hour ("albergues") where you can have a satisfying tryst without risking embarassment or worse.

 

As to what the boys do, and terminology not found in your phrase books, browse these threads; there are some with helpful vocabulary hints for Portuguese. In Argentine Spanish, "joder" is "to fuck", "besar" is "to kiss," "beso negro" is "rimming," "mamar/chupar" is "to suck." "Pija" is "cock." "Poronga" is a big cock. "Pompis" are "buns/butt." "Culo" is "ass."

 

Don't sweat things. You'll have a good time!

[CT Dick]

And in Portuguese:

 

top = ativo (AH-cheevo)

 

bottom = passivo (PAH-seevo)

 

versatile = dois (DOUGH-eesh - the number 2)

 

to cum = gozar

 

Do you cum? = Voce gozo? (VO-say gozo?)

 

Everything else can be done with hand signals or pencil and paper.

 

Also, when you enter a sauna, you don't need to give a real name. ( In fact, lots of English names are hard to pronounce. Make up an easy one like Lucas, Bill (Beel), Mark, Eric, Chris, etc.) Everything is done my key number except the check-out.

 

Dick