Rio and SP during Easter

[xxpat]

I've been reading the Brazil related posts for a while and am now convinced that I need to pay a visit. I'm thinking of going for 2 weeks starting April 1 or 2. I have a few questions, which follow:

 

1. Are the saunas, bars and gay scene in general closed for either Good Friday or Easter Sunday? In some countries in Latin America virtually the entire country closes down on these days, the sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited, etc.

 

2. Is there a simple way for me to rent a cell phone for the time I'm in Rio?

 

3. Does anybody have a contact for a good Portuguese tutor who I would be able to meet with daily for an hour or two? I'd like to set this up before my arrival, if possible. I speak Spanish and know the basics of Portuguese.

 

4. I understand that Ernani is no longer providing his specialized tour guide services. Specifically, I am very much interested in finding someone to escort me on a tour of some of the less savory cruising venues, what Ernani called the "nasty" tour. I'm not into courting danger and therefore am looking for a trustworthy, sensible guide/escort who could provide security. Any suggestions?

 

5. Has anybody gone to Gayligola? If so, what's it like? Is it worth a visit? Is there any place like in in SP worth checking out?

 

Thanks.

 

xxpat

[+ Axiom2001]

Because I received superb services from CarloRio, I'd suggest that you email him with your particulars. The rates that he charged me for all of my tours/guides, etc. were indeed reasonable.

 

Cesar has a website; he speaks English fluently; he's hot, too. Although I emailed him a couple of times anticipating getting together with him, this never actuated. Perhaps he could join you on some of the outings to which you alluded. He guides as well as escorts.

 

PS It's too bad that Ernani has tacitly retired; he was a superb guide. If you're game (as I was not) you've traveled around with him on his sexy motorcycle......

[trilingual]

>1. Are the saunas, bars and gay scene in general closed for

>either Good Friday or Easter Sunday? In some countries in

>Latin America virtually the entire country closes down on

>these days, the sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited,

>etc.

 

They should be open. Stores and banks won't be, of course.

 

 

>2. Is there a simple way for me to rent a cell phone for the

>time I'm in Rio?

 

I believe there's cell phone rental at the airport. Probably the most convenient choice for leaving the phone when you return home.

 

 

>3. Does anybody have a contact for a good Portuguese tutor who

>I would be able to meet with daily for an hour or two? I'd

>like to set this up before my arrival, if possible. I speak

>Spanish and know the basics of Portuguese.

 

Contact Carlo Romano, who can arrange for this. A guy named Marcio who's a regular at Corujinha teaches Portuguese to foreigners, but I don't have his phone number. But it would be hard not to run into him at Corujinha. There's an American guy of Puerto Rican background in town who also teaches, I'm told, but I don't have his contact info, either. He also is around Corujinha frequently.

 

>4. I understand that Ernani is no longer providing his

>specialized tour guide services. Specifically, I am very much

>interested in finding someone to escort me on a tour of some

>of the less savory cruising venues, what Ernani called the

>"nasty" tour. I'm not into courting danger and therefore am

>looking for a trustworthy, sensible guide/escort who could

>provide security. Any suggestions?

 

If he's in Brazil, you can try Arthur Brazil (Carlo Cox). Eduardo can also show you some of the spots the Gray Line won't.

 

>5. Has anybody gone to Gayligola? If so, what's it like? Is it

>worth a visit? Is there any place like in in SP worth checking

>out?

 

Mixed reviews on Gayligola. Some love it it, others hate it. You'll probably have to check it out personally to decide for yourself. There's a sex club in SP, too. Sorry, the name escapes me right now, but it's supposedly a hot spot, if you're into that scene.