Heat Relief

[+ Lucky]

The bf and I were able to escape the summer heat wave by going South for the winter! We had delightful weather in Rio and Sao Paolo as temps hit 80 most days. Buenos Aires was only slightly cooler.

 

We realized that the success of our trip was due in no small part to the contributions made here by others who have traveled there, trilingual in particular. In Rio, we relied on our friend Jake and his spectacular family for the latest information. We hired Danilo in Sao Paolo and he proved to be an entertaining and informative guide. There was not a hint of any problems from the gang violence a few days before our arrival, and, in fact, we felt quite safe in Brasil and Buenos Aires.

 

In Buenos Aires, we were at first intimidated by the size of the city, but our guide Roberto did an excellent job of orienting and informing us. He was quite helpful throughout our visit.

 

We are back to the heat and will probably be in a coma for the rest of the summer!

[bigguyinpasadena]

Glad you fellas had a good time-lokking forward to hearing some details :9

[+ Lucky]

The bf actually didn't feel safe in buenos Aires for a few hours as he was the victim of a pickpocket scam. A woman came up to him and told him he had bird shirt on him and she was very helpful to clean it up...why she even had napkins and water with her! Then her friend moved in to "help" as well, but they didn't realize I was with the bf and so the actual pickpocketing didn't happen because I interrupted it.

They were kind enough to use a water-soluble bird-shit!

[Mouth]

I experienced the same scam attempt on me during a recent trip to Buenos Aires. It happened so fast, we didn't have time to react. Good thing I had a local friend with us who understood the scam right away and started yelling at the woman who sprayed us with the "bird shit." She fled into a waiting car and sped off before she could relieve me of my wallet. Let me just say right away that we were in a tourist section of town and I was taking a photograph of a church. The same thing happens all the time in New York, only the last scam like this I heard of involved mustard. I was wearing a new sports jacket and it took two trips to the dry cleaners to get rid of it.

 

I've now been to BA twice, and I have never felt unsafe, even though the B&B I was staying at was in a difficult neighborhood (B&B Bayres, listed as in Palermo in the books, but indeed it is in the ajoining neighborhood called Chacaritas) with a decidely unsavory third world appearance. We simply took cabs in and out of the neighborhood at night. Taking a taxi in BA is a very inexpensive and safe way to go. It's just as dangerous in New York, London or any other place you consider safe. It's when you're not paying attention that things can go awry. Besides, BA has so many delights to offer, that wasting time over what is safe doens't make sense. Enjoy the great restaurants, cultural sights and the good looking guys!

[+ Axiom2001]

...enjoyed the reads by Mouth and the other writer. Also, appreciated what Mouth related about keeping your wits about you when traveling to avoid mishaps and problems.

 

The 'bird shit' situation happened to me while in Rio in the Copa area where I usually stay. While walking back to my hotel, a shoeshine man stopped me and pointed down toward my TSUBO shoes; he cleaned it off and wanted to polish and shine, but I vehemently refused; I didn't want these suede/mesh/ shoes messed up. I tipped him R$10, but he demanded more. I, like a fool, gave him more money. He then had the audacity to point out his rates which he had displayed on the back of this cardboard sign: R$30 plus.

 

The guy went into a slight rage which I ignored; I continued on my journey back to my temporary lodging.

 

 

 

I NEVER carry my wallet in my backpocket: my father gave me this advice many, many, many moons ago!!!

[Traveler North]

Glad you had great time in BA and Rio. Was in both places in April. Lucky to hook up with Roberto. Took me on wonderful walking tour of his area of the city. Also great tips for eating places and shopping. Had Danilo come up to Rio and he was fun guide for days there. Knows great restaurants and sites. Also great having with me at Club 117 to set up time with guys. So know what you are saying about both these people. Will see Danilo again in April in SP and Rio. Can't wait to get back:) :)

[+ Lucky]

"...enjoyed the reads by Mouth and the other writer."

 

Other writer?

[+ Axiom2001]

...plan to return to Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, and Rio in October of this year. Hope to engage the services of both Roberto (in BA) and Danilo while in Sao Paulo. My friend and I plan to hang out with Danilo for a few days. Last year I complimented him highly for his knowing his city quite well at his age. How many Americano young, young adults know their city that well, especially if it's as vast as the world's third largest?

 

Men, trust all of us who've used Roberto's, Danilo's, and Eduardo's services. If you're not bi or trilingual, these men's expertise will definitely be an enhancement to your trip and travels!

[+ Axiom2001]

>"...enjoyed the reads by Mouth and the other writer."

>

>Other writer?

 

 

Lucky, I, personally, wish to THANK YOU very much for writing the thread and sharing the experience (although not 100% positive). I definitely do not discount what you presented and became mixed up as to whom the others were who wrote before I did! Sorry! And thanks again! axiom

[Guest dreynsol]

Lucky,

 

Glad you and your bf had a great time at all of your destinations.

 

- Drey

[Mouth]

Let me also reiterate what has been said about Roberto on this site many times over. He is an outstanding resource when visiting Buenos Aires. Roberto is mature, highly cultured, and a well-informed resource on just about anything to do with Buenos Aires. By all means, hire him to familiarize yourself with the many pleasures this wonderful city has to offer, and make sure you invite him to join you for lunch or dinner. Roberto is a seriously sophisticated and worldly man. You won't easily run out of things to talk about. Want to take a tango class? Ask Roberto. He can help you find the right kind of bar or restaurant, or cooking school, or a factory that will custom-make you the leather jacket of your dreams and cost you less than the already bargain-priced alternatives in the local shops.

 

Roberto recently helped me out with my desire to meet an escort there who spoke no English (and let me just as quickly add that Roberto is not involved in the escort scene in BA whatsoever. Because of the language barrier, I asked him to merely act as translator). Roberto graciously handled the details, including asking him his price. Once I agreed, Roberto gave the escort directions to my hotel and that was it. The escort arrrived and with his non-existent English and my non-existent Spanish, we managed to have a really good time, until it came time to settle finances. This guy wanted way above the agreed-upon price. I didn't get mad, but I made it clear that we needed Roberto to help settle this. Reluctantly, I called Roberto who got on the phone with the escort after I explained the situation. He gave the guy bloody hell about his greed, and we renegotiated the price back to nearly the original price. The guy was nice about the whole thing. I guess he thought, "what the hell, let's see what I can get from this?" We parted amicably, but it was upsetting that such a hot guy who ought to be reviewed, pulled this kind of stunt. His name is Ale and he's on the Soy Tuyo site. Use him only if you can speak Spanish. More importantly I hated pulling Roberto into this argument. Roberto was gracious and very helpful. Amazing when you consider he was not being paid for acting as mediator.

 

I did hire Roberto for a very pleasurable Sunday excursion into the San Telmo district for a visit to their wonderful flea market and exploration of surrounding antique shops. We had a fine lunch in a French bistro in the area. Through two visits to BA and two by Roberto to New York, we have become friends. Having someone to help you navigate your way through an unfamiliar city makes a difference, and Roberto's help was the principal reason that I fell in love with this vibrant and exciting city, and why I'm always going to return.

[+ Axiom2001]

Applause go out to you, Mouth. When I read about your most positive experiences with "Our Man in Buenos Aires," Roberto, my memories of his expertise and kindness came to mind.

 

Last October I spent three days (five hours per day) with Roberto. He came to my hotel, and we walked to Recoleta on my first tour. On the other days, he made sure that I was getting what I sought. He and I spent some very valuable and "quality" time together, and I truly, truly appreciate that he cordially availed himself to help me enjoy the city, the culture, and my time while in "the Paris of the South."

 

My future anticipation being with "Ale" dropped tremendously when I read about your negative encounter which transpired at the end of your session. A friend of mine saw "Ale" last year and stated that he, "Ale," was definitely a "clock watcher" or timekeeper during their session in spite of the "hot" time that they had had. My friend spent a little more money than he'd anticipated.

 

Ale at one time had one review at this site, but it has since been removed. I'd presume by Ale. Well, with so many other hunky and very well-hung guys available for us at http://www.soytuyo.com, I will NOT be seeing "Ale" this October.

 

Again, tremendous thanks for writing what you did, and men-- Roberto is a gem, and I wholeheartedly concur with everything and more that Mouth cited in his response here!!!! :-)

[bigguyinpasadena]

Ale turned out to be bad news for me as well.

I was the one who wrote a review of him.I also offered to introduce him to some porn producers if he ever made it to LA?

Well for some reason Ale thought he should get some cash out of the review site :o .and then pestered me for cash via email.

Hot guy-huge cock,but too much trouble for me to ever consider seeing again.YMMV

[+ Lucky]

It's enough to bring tears to my eyes.

[Mouth]

It's interesting to see others have had a problem with Ale. Frankly, I thought my escort expereince was very flaky this trip. Unlike my first several years ago where everything went very smoothly, this year things were different. I also scheduled a session with Julian, who never showed up. He too couldn't speak much English, and another guest at my B&B, was gracious enough to do translation duties for me. He didn't respond to phone messages or an e-mail.

 

I was staying at the B&B Bayres, which now has a policy forbidding visitors in guest's rooms. This inconvenience occurred because a previous guest had invited someone back to the B&B with him and was robbed. I don't blame the B&B and think the guest was an idiot. There are no safes in the rooms of this modest B&B. There is a sex hotel around the corner which is clean, well equipped and safe. The B&B should have told me in advance about this policy. I wouldn't have stayed there. Worse, the B&B is listed as being in the Palermo district in such guides as TimeOut Buenos Aires and Lonely Planet (I've already written to TimeOut), when it fact it is in the the ajoining and less savory Chacaritas district.

 

I selected this B&B because I wanted to live in a neighborhood rather than the bustling downtown tourist/business district I stayed in on a previous visit. I thought the Palermo area was very cool with its many good looking restaurnts serving outstanding food, attractive boutiques, handsome two-story homes and its neighborhood feel. Their website is very attractive, but reality was a bit different. This place was closer to a hostel experience rather than a B&B. It also could use a coat of paint, a change of shower curtains in the bathrooms (plastic shower curtains are cheap to replace and the one in my room was really well past its sell date) and more attention to maintenance. The staff was friendly and responsive and perhaps it's more appropriate for a younger traveler who doesn't care about these amenities. One last small item. Why a B&B in Buenos Aires serves instant coffee is astounding to me. This one did.

 

Prices have climbed up, which is to be expected in an economy on the rise. Prices overall in BA are up over the past few years. While the exchange rate is the same as it was a few years ago, prices in restaurants and in hotels had risen. And so have the escorts. I'm not complaining, the average cost is still far below what you can expect to pay in New York, London or Los Angeles. Many South American escorts are working the more profitable cities in North America and Europe, and are demanding more at home. Clearly Ale had an unspecified menu that he only shared after the session was over. And BigGuyinPasadena was right. Ale was a clock watcher.

 

Because many of these guys don't speak much English (even when the information on their websites says otherwise), they don't respond to e-mails (as others have noted here). My advice is to be even more selective when making your choices, or make sure you're travelling with someone who can speak the language. I didn't indulge as much as I had on previous trips because of my B&B's policy. I had never used a sex hotel before. As I said, it was clean, well-equipped, but atmospherically did little to enhance the experience. They do, however, work in a pinch.

 

Never, never, never pick up a "taxi boy" in any of the bars and bring him back to your hotel. Take them to a sex hotel. Otherwise, you are just asking for problems.

 

Please do not misunderstand the purpose of this post. Buenos Aries is a must-see destination for anyone who loves to travel. This should underline the need to be well-prepared whenever you plan a visit to another country.

[+ Axiom2001]

It's indeed a beautiful, beautiful day here on the coast in Monterey, CA, but where am I, in my study at the computer and looking out of a recently clean window at the biggest of oak/pine trees which graces the front of my living quarters.

 

Yes, "Buenos Aires" is a must see place..." It's dubbed "the Paris of the South" and abounds in beauty and a calming beat throughout its many barrios.

 

In October a friend and I will be there for six or seven days;he and I will be staying somewhere in Recoleta at I HOPE a gay-friendly hotel. I gave in to my friend's wishes and desires (which is definitely all right with me) and decided to stay in this type of lodging. Since I was there last September and took walking tours with Guillermo on three occasions and Roberto on three, I feel comfortable in conquering and reexperiencing what awaits us.

 

In terms of escorts, I saw three: Bruno, Nacho Rugbier, and another guy who didn't send chills up and down my spine in spite of his oral skills.

The rates for all three were not unreasonable; this year I've already contacted three of the guys via email. I used a translator and got the answers that I desired. I want to see Ronaldo and Niko from http://www.soytuyo.com. Both charge $50 per hour, not bad at all. A couple want to charge $100 per hour.

 

Although my list has about 15 names thus far, I'll probably limit this to about six. I'd like to see a guy a day but not at $100 a fling! If all goes as desired, I'd luv to see Carmilo and Ivo in a 3way!!!!!

 

I look forward to October!

 

Salud- eduardo/axiom