Ran out of time

[jackhammer91406]

Hey guys,

It's a little over 15 weeks until the October soiree and I have run out of time. I have had a couple of things come up and I won't be able to make it after all. I am bummed about it, but I'm sucking it up and planning for the next time (maybe April). I still have the suite reserved, so somebody let me know who wants it so that I can change the arrangements with the Atlantico. I'll be there with you guys in spirit and of course look forward to the pics.

 

:-(

[sf traveler]

Send an email to Gulliver since I believe that he, as the prior host, would be the best occupant for the party. You and he can co-ordinate things with the hotel. If he doesn't want the suite, I certainly do. Sorry you can't make it, but it's really nice of you to make sure it goes to the best party boy. SF Traveler

[+ Axiom2001]

Jackhammer- while scrolling southward, I just read this and am indeed sorry that you'll be unable to join us. Perhaps we'll meet stateside when I venture to LA during the months to come! Axiom2001.

[gulliver]

jackhammer, sorry you will not be with us. tomcal told me he had dinner with you and had a great time. he will be here with me in NYC this coming weekend. I will take the suite over from you if it is still available. Let me know. I am presently reserved to arrive at the atlantico on Oct 24 and depart oct 31. mike (gulliver)

[Guest Alaska14k]

I've reviewed the posts, but have not come across the date for the party in October. This is my second trip to Rio, staying at the Atlantico--thanks to Tri and the m4m message board. This trip I arrive on October 30 and depart on November 9. Would like to connect with other posters for day trips--is everyone useing Carlos? Hope my arrival is prior to the party.

[sf traveler]

Unfortunately Alaska, the party is scheduled for Monday Oct 27, but at least you'll overlap with us a couple of days. I'm leaving Nov. 1 and Tomcal Nov. 2 but Tri will be their during your stay and I'm sure others. We do the parties on Monday since one of the big saunas, Club 117, is closed that day so those boys at least feel better about coming since they're not missing their regular work. Looking forward to meeting you. SF Traveler

[+ Axiom2001]

>I've reviewed the posts, but have not come across the date

>for the party in October. This is my second trip to Rio,

>staying at the Atlantico--thanks to Tri and the m4m message

>board. This trip I arrive on October 30 and depart on November

>9. Would like to connect with other posters for day trips--is

>everyone useing Carlos? Hope my arrival is prior to the

>party.

>

 

 

 

 

:9 I don't know about "everyone" using Carlo R's travel services, but I know that I plan to do so for much of my trip in his country. AX2001:-) :-) :-)

[trilingual]

I can assure you that Carlo will knock himself out to ensure that you have an enjoyable experience in Brazil, and he can provide all kinds of useful services. Just ask!

 

In all fairness, I want to mention that personal friends used Mike (of Miketur) for escorted tours of Rio focusing on art and architecture, in which Mike has a strong personal interest. My friends were very pleased with their experience, so let's not forget Mike as a resource, as well. However, don't ask Mike to make reservations for you at the Atlântico. He's got a "thing" about it! Have Carlo do that for, instead!

[Guest Tomcal_]

I think this thread has gotten "highjacked". It was about Jackhammer having to cancel his trip in October! now it's about promoting various travel agents. that should be taken to it's own thread Tri!

Jackhammer was really looking forward to his First trip to Rio and I feel really bad that he won't be able to go. We have had dinner together and I know he was very excited about going. He is a great guy and I know he would have fit in with the other M4M's really well'

[trilingual]

I'm sorry Jackhammer won't be able to make it in October, too. But I hope to meet him in L.A. when I get down there in the next few weeks. I'm sure that when he finally gets to Brazil he will rapidly become a member of the M4M Brazil Nuts!

[jackhammer91406]

RE: Ran out of excuses

 

Well,

I spent some time on the phone with the resident Brazil poet, Gringo. In addition to offering words of comfort, he also offered options on how I could make the trip at less cost. I have decided then to put the trip back on the front burner. I will need to arrange with one of you B Nuts to maybe exchange room reservations so that I can cut back on the expenses. I will also be looking to beat the current posted airfare of about $1,000. I have already begun a new savings fund and I look forward to seeing you guys...hopefully.

Thanks for the kind words. Someone needs to let me know what my party favor assignment is.

 

Back to the Pimsleur tapes

[robbguy]

RE: Ran out of excuses

 

Hey, Jackhammer,

Glad to hear that you may be able to get to Rio in October. I'm really looking forward to meeting you and sharing some fun times with the gang. I've been looking for affordable airfares, too. They seem to be pretty high right now. The way I figure it, the more I save on airfare, the more I can spend on the boys. I'll be bringing another suitcase filled with t-shirts, baseball caps, designer underwear, cologne, etc. It's amazing how word gets around and how popular you become when they know that you have little gifts for them. Gotta do something to keep up with Tomcal. He gets all the cute boys, so I hear. I figure bribery gets you everywhere. Take care. Robbguy

[trilingual]

RE: Ran out of excuses

 

Oh, good grief! DON'T pay $1000 for a plane ticket. You should be able to get to Brazil from L.A. for much less! Please search this board using "ethnic travel agency" as terms; I'm pretty sure I posted the names and contacts for a number of them. If you can't find them, just go to any Brazilian restaurant in L.A. (like the one on Santa Monica in WeHo just west of the Ramada) and pick up a local Brazilian community newspaper. It'll be full of ads for local travel agencies that cater to the community, and they'll have all kinds of unpublished low fares. You should be able to get to Rio for anywhere from $450 - $650. There's also the redoubtable BACC in NY, that pioneered low fares to Brazil. Try searching the board for "BACC" because I think I also posted their info here. (I'm away from home, so I don't have their info with me.) A San Francisco agency I use regularly is Paulo's Travel, at (415) 863-2556. They can do it all for you by phone and mail you the tickets if the trip can't be done using an e-ticket.

 

Regular room rates at the Atlântico, if you reserve through Carlo, should be about R$140, or about US$50 a night. Even the standard rooms are nice sized and comfortable. The room rate also includes an extensive breakfast buffet. So this doesn't have to be an expensive venture if you don't want it to be!

 

BTW, I don't know how much time you have, but when you check ticket prices you might look into flying into Rio and with your return from São Paulo. Then you can just buy an inexpensive shuttle flight between the two, spend a couple of days in SP (also not expensive) checking out the scene there, and catch your flight home.

 

Let us know what you decide, and how much you end up saving!

[Guest Gringo]

RE: Ran out of excuses

 

Nice to talk with you Hammer. I've used BACC and they do have some good fares. Remember to check that the airport taxes to and from are included. The address for BACC is http://www.brazilianvacation.com

 

Sorry I won't be able to join the gang in October. My plan is to arrive in early December and stay through Carnavale.:+

[Driver]

RE: Ran out of excuses

 

Hope Robbguy is going to wrap ALL those gifts. How does the gift distribution work on party night? Do you eek them out slowly to your favourate guy or raffle them off? It wasn't mentioned in previous posts on the subject. Or is there one big table groaning under the weight?

 

What about little pretty bows? :+

[+ Axiom2001]

RE: Ran out of excuses

 

Jackhammer- ...glad you perhaps will join us after all. I'll send u a private email regarding discount plane tickets which are valid.

 

For the party I'll bring some type of gifts, but the major item I will be carrying will be wonderful small gift bags for the guys' gifts, so Robb if you don't wish to wrap them-- just bring some green and some yellow tissue paper to stuff inside of the gift bags along with the goodies. I'd already run the former suggestion by Tom, and he concurred sometime back in early summer.

 

Lastly-- I do hope that there will be ample guys to be shared! Tom will just have to curtail his proclivities this time around since there apparently will be loads, almost tons of men from M4M who will be making the October trek! :)

[+ Axiom2001]

RE: Ran out of excuses

 

I will be flying from SF--Miami--SP, spend at least four or five days there before journeying to others parts of the country. My final destination will be Rio and Parati (rough guide's spelling) then homeward. As always, Tri's suggestions are superb-- Jackhammer.

 

...looking forward to meeting and hooking up with u guys with whom I've been cyber-coversant for almost two years. axiom

[+ Axiom2001]

RE: Ran out of excuses

 

Let your queries be somewhat of a surprise as to logistics. My suggestion is to arrive before the party begins to see how this venture will work. My curiosity is very peaked right now, and I as a first-time party goer to this event want to be "as a child who sees the adventure open" I have entered the room where the gifts and the fun await. Just visualize your experience at your first Christmas or special event!

[Driver]

RE: Ran out of excuses

 

Hmm if its like the ealiest christmas I can remember then I will be wearing a batman costume.

[+ Axiom2001]

RE: Ran out of excuses

 

>Hmm if its like the ealiest christmas I can remember then I

>will be wearing a batman costume.

 

 

 

lol, Driver-- I really like this. Thanks for not ripping into me!:-) :-)

[trilingual]

RE: Ran out of excuses

 

>The address for BACC is http://www.brazilianvacation.com

 

Thanks, Gringo! I wasn't sure BACC had a website; this info will be VERY helpful to a lot of travelers. BACC has been around, as their site says, for 25 years and they usually have good rates. However, they aren't the only sources for good fares to Brazil, so check around in your own areas, too, for ethnic travel agencies that offer cheap fares!