Post: #1

Men,

Inspired by some of the recent epic travel threads that are equal part informative and equal part entertaining, I'm going to use this thread as my travel guide to Rio de Janeiro. I set off for Rio in less than two weeks, and while part of me is a bit apprehensive to hitting Rio right now in light of recent events going on, part of me is absolutely excited to be at ground zero of a city leading leading the charge into the 21st century; in a country that is wrestling with its own identity, a country that is rapidly changing, a country that seems explosively full of life and passion. I'll be in Rio for at least a month purely for leisure, before I fall off the radar in the Amazon for a couple of weeks.

The Setup

The common theme I notice about people who are getting everything out of their travel is having a centrally located apartment. As a result, I have followed this theme and picked up an apartment in Ipanema. 2 blocks from the beach, across the street from a popping wine bar, around the corner from a coffee shop with an extensive library and reading section. While the apartment stretches the budget, it's aesthetically pleasing and offers everything I want at my fingertips.

The income is flowing freely, and I have a couple of quick hitting business plays in my mind so I will be able to live my life exactly how I want while I'm there.

The Game

I've begun to pipeline very successfully in Rio. I'd say I have a look that crosses on Vin Diesel meets Scandanavia and from what I've read on this board, and the reception I've gotten from my pipelining, my look will play well there.

I started to learn Portuguese, but I became discouraged incorrectly making pronunciations, and seeing little progress for my efforts. Learning language has always been one thing very challenging for me, and despite relative fluency in Spanish and French it's always been easier for me to read and understand, rather than speak. While I'm down on myself for not grinding on the Portuguese a bit harder, I'm still very optimistic that Rio will be everything I hoped for.

As a result, my game will be focused on Brazilian English speakers, which is fine by me. Yes, it will limit my talent pool considerably but my game matches the type of game B-girls that speak English yearn for. My location, apartment, style, and travel experience can really play up the 'most interesting man in the world' game that most middle-upper class B-girls love.

I've carefully planned where in Ipanema my apartment is, and even though I haven't touched the ground yet I can already envision my first date routine in terms of venue jumps and where my apartment is located in relation to them. My day 1 plan consists of suiting up in some outstanding summer threads, throwing back some drinks, leaving fat tips and making friends with who I need to in those places.

To say I'll be hitting the ground running would be an understatement.

The Lifestyle

As I noted earlier, this trip is for pure leisure. I've worked hard for the past 10 months and a month in Rio, followed by a few weeks exploring deep in the Amazon is the fruit of my labor. I've got a few quick hitting hustle ideas, but by no means am I going to spoil my serenity by scrounging for cents.

My default lifestyle will be about improving my mind and body. A diet of surfing, dancing, lifting weights, reading, and writing is in strong order.

Rather than bang my way through Asia like I did last summer, I'd much rather bang my way through the first week, lock the best ones down and go from there. I'd rather not pay for Rio's ridiculously high cost of nightlife, to wake up with a whipping hangover and half the day wiped away.

The Concerns

I couldn't think of a more fascinating time to explore Brazil, and its cultural capital Rio. I don't go places to bang girls. I bang girls because my life is interesting. Regardless of what chapters are written in my life, one thing I know is that this next month in Rio is going to be interesting, and will certainly make for an interesting chapter in my life.

When I planned this trip, I wasn't aware that a new Pope, and Argentinean Pope, was going to Rio while I would be there. With an expected two million God fearing followers invading my city du jour, will I be able to play God game for some bangs? I'd like a chance at an Argentinean flag while this is going down.

When I planned this trip, I certainly wasn't expecting a cultural revolution. I have no clue how these protests will play into my experience of Rio, and Brazilian culture. How will I get nitty and gritty to play protest game if my preference is to be enjoying the finer things Rio has to offer?

When I planned this trip, I knew 2013 was the time to do Rio. I've always had a weird, if unexplained fascination with Brazil. Reports are coming fast and furious that Brazil is changing, and I fear that 2014 will be a bridge too far for Brazil. As a citizen of the world I am fascinated to take a front seat to a culture in flux. I want to eat, pray, love, surf, drink and fuck Brazil. If that means stepping out of my comfort zone to do it, then I am in and I want you all to experience it with me.

Post: #2

Sounds like a dream brougham! Do it for all of us toiling away in cubicles, biding our time for an escape.

WIA

Post: #3

"I'd rather not pay for Rio's ridiculously high cost of nightlife, to wake up with a whipping hangover and half the day wiped away."

are you saying no night game/club game stories then?

Post: #4

(06-23-2013 08:34 PM)BCZalgyris Wrote:  "I'd rather not pay for Rio's ridiculously high cost of nightlife, to wake up with a whipping hangover and half the day wiped away."

are you saying no night game/club game stories then?

I'm sure he'll be able to fit some good ones in there

Rio nightlife though is pretty limited, kinda lame, and expensive. As of now..sun goes down around 5PM down there so that's another issue.

Post: #5

(06-23-2013 08:34 PM)BCZalgyris Wrote:  "I'd rather not pay for Rio's ridiculously high cost of nightlife, to wake up with a whipping hangover and half the day wiped away."

are you saying no night game/club game stories then?

No. I'll be out plenty, but....

I'd rather not spend $200 to tell a story. I try not to get blackout drunk in foreign countries.

Don't worry, something will happen while I'm there, who am I kidding.

Post: #6

I'm stoked to hear about this trip. I'm worried that I'll miss the real Rio also.

Post: #7

Been waiting to see how this plays since the time you told me the game plan in New York. Brazil has been on my map forever so it's good hear someone going for a longer while. Hen's last report was just for a real short stay from what I remember.

Post: #8

About a week until the adventure begins. A couple of questions that are popping up:

What is the most affordable gym in Ipanema? Are all gyms $150/month there? That is absolutely ridiculous.

If staying near the posto 10 side of Ipanema, is it feasible to walk to Leblon?

Post: #9

This gym has decent prices (about 30 USD a month):

http://www.smartfit.com.br/unidades/ipanema

Post: #10

(06-29-2013 09:25 PM)Ramone Wrote:  This gym has decent prices (about 30 USD a month):

http://www.smartfit.com.br/unidades/ipanema

From what I read, only for one year subcribtions, and you have also to pay a 200 RS membership fee plus a 100 RS annual levy.

Furthermore, I personally would be circumspect with a gym in this area. It's WAY too close to the "Gay Farme" (all the area around rua Farme de Amoedo). Watch your ass (literally) in this part of Ipanema.

Post: #11

(06-29-2013 07:34 PM)MaleDefined Wrote:  If staying near the posto 10 side of Ipanema, is it feasible to walk to Leblon?

Yes, it will take 15-20 minutes. Its about 1/2 mile between posts in Rio.

Post: #12

(06-29-2013 09:25 PM)Ramone Wrote:  This gym has decent prices (about 30 USD a month):

http://www.smartfit.com.br/unidades/ipanema

I can recomend the gym at the Jewish Federation of Rio de Janeiro, N.S. Copacabana Avenue 680, Copacabana. I remember (some months ago they had a 50 reales week pass, and the monthly asociation cost was 100 reales.

Post: #13

(06-30-2013 02:55 AM)Prosal Wrote:  

(06-29-2013 09:25 PM)Ramone Wrote:  This gym has decent prices (about 30 USD a month):

http://www.smartfit.com.br/unidades/ipanema

From what I read, only for one year subcribtions, and you have also to pay a 200 RS membership fee plus a 100 RS annual levy.

Furthermore, I personally would be circumspect with a gym in this area. It's WAY too close to the "Gay Farme" (all the area around rua Farme de Amoedo). Watch your ass (literally) in this part of Ipanema.

I workout in a gym from this chain, thats the best cost/benefit could find.

About these one being close to Farme de Amoedo: yes, theres probably going to be some queers around, but it's not a probblem, unless you drop the soap.

Post: #14

^

Thanks! Will check all of them out on my day 1 gander around the neighborhood.

Where in Ipanema can I go to pick up a TIM sim card? I would lean towards a data plan (paid either daily or monthly) but don't have the CPF number. Is TIM so bad that I should go in another direction?

Post: #15

How long will you be in Brazil again? In Rio specifically?

You can try asking the store to help unlock the CPF number data plan within the store.

If you are staying in Rio for weeks, then you will likely be referred to a Banco do Brasil location where you would go through the process. There's a chance you could get the CPF in the same day or have to wait 2-3 more days before picking it up.

In order to get a CPF number though, you're going to have to give the address of your lodging accommodation and phone number. Hopefully Mekorig's strategy of getting the CPF for data at the Tim Store works for ya via borrowing.

I was satisfied with Tim during my 10 day stay beginning of this month

Post: #16

I'll be there about a month. I'd prefer not to waste precious time obtaining this CPF number, so game it will be.

If anyone would be willing to lend me their number, a dinner and drinks await you.

Post: #17

(06-29-2013 09:25 PM)Ramone Wrote:  This gym has decent prices (about 30 USD a month):

http://www.smartfit.com.br/unidades/ipanema

Got me curious now - how do Cariocas say that name out loud?

Smartch fitch?

Smartch fitchee?

Post: #18

(06-30-2013 10:06 PM)MaleDefined Wrote:  I'll be there about a month. I'd prefer not to waste precious time obtaining this CPF number, so game it will be.

If anyone would be willing to lend me their number, a dinner and drinks await you.

It might be worth it to get a CPF number if you want to buy event, bus, or plane tickets online while in Brazil.

According to this website: http://www.liveinbrazil.org/getting-cpf/

It should only take you one day to get a CPF number with your A) passport , B) Tourist Visa, C) Address of your lodging accomodations, and D) Cell Phone Number acquired from a Tim Store first on hand at say Banco do Brasil:

Quote:So in essence, you will need a CPF for everything and to be honest, it is not as hard as you would think to get one. You can get a temporary or permanent CPF depending on if you are:

A tourist in Brazil (1 day)
A resident in Brazil (3-4 weeks)
A non-domiciled tourist*

The reason I didn't finish my CPF number process while in Belo Horizonte was because it was already mid-afternoon Friday & had to sort some things out with my landlord via my Airbnb rental. In order to activate my phone, my landlord just put his info (CPF and Address) into my web browser so he could activate my data plan.

Here's another good site of simple steps - http://www.visahunter.com/visa/brazil/ho...pf-number/

They say you should go to a Post Office, but a safe bet first as locals say is just going to the nearest Banco do Brasil.

Let us know how it goes, haha.

Post: #19

(06-30-2013 10:44 PM)Tigre Wrote:  

(06-29-2013 09:25 PM)Ramone Wrote:  This gym has decent prices (about 30 USD a month):

http://www.smartfit.com.br/unidades/ipanema

Got me curious now - how do Cariocas say that name out loud?

Smartch fitch?

Smartch fitchee?

With regards to English spelling and pronunciation, it should sound like (for all Brazilians including Cariocas):

Smartch-ee fitch-ee

If you're from Curitiba and some parts of Parana state, it would sound like Smartt-ee Fitt-ee because they don't unstress the consonants of "t"s or "d"s if a vowel "e" follows it. Turrible accent, haha.

Post: #20

If I understand correctly, all I need is the number and I'm set.

So I could just open a girl's wallet, find the number, type it in, and I'm set. Would she even know if I did this?

Post: #21

So here's how the process of getting a phone activated worked out for me as of late May 2013.

1) I buy a Tim Card from Sim. The ladies up front help me install it.

2) Upon walking out of the Tim store, I had phone/texting capabilities.

3) When I tried enabling my internet, I came across a screen similar to this asking for A) CPF number and B) Mailing Address affiliated with that CPF number. (The CPF and Mailing Address have to match each other to enable internet) :



4) After a messed up first day dealing with Banco do Brasil and then landlord issues, my landlord caved in and entered his CPF number along with his corresponding address into my phone.

5) After that, my internet was working

6) Gotta be careful walking around Rio with a smart phone, but I think the most useful function is the maps, which worked out great for me in Belo Horizonte and Curitiba

Post: #22

Jetting out today.

Special thanks to: Hencredible, Qwest, YB13, Freddy 1, and Roosh for providing me a wealth of information, whether through a book as in Roosh's case, extensive data sheets, PMs, or discussing Brazil in person. I'm sure I missed some other members that provided me with valuable insight.

Post: #23

Good luck out there will be keeping an eye on this thread.

Post: #24

Down on the ground in Brazil. Too tired to be out anymore after a long flight and little sleep, but I'll throw some very initial thoughts on a page.

The trip from GIG to Zona Sul, is an eye-opener. I knew Brazil had their fare share of social problems, but they're more pronounced and more in your face than take for example a ride out of BKK, or PEK, or really any third world meets first world juxtaposition.

But don't let that fool you, Ipanema is fucking amazing. Clean, classy, and stunningly beautiful on a sunny day. I took a two hour jaunt through town getting my bearings and basics bought. My apartment is exactly what I thought it would be and more. Right in the middle of the action. Very happy about this.

I was warned, and stupidly I did not practice enough Portuguese. The pace of Rio is not quite NYC, but things are moving fast here. I was a little intimidated to even walk into the juice bar and order acai today with the way things were being screamed out across the place.

I picked up Vivo service for my cell phone. Though noone could speak English, the process was rather painless. It seems to work, and I did not need to get a CPF number. I inquired about the internet, and the girl hinted that it will work. I recieved a text message a few minutes later that said something about the internet free for 10 days. I'll have to investigate this further. I've got a girl supposedly coming, so she'll translate the data package info and hopefully I'll unlock the Brazilian bang in the first 24 hours.

If you'll excuse me, I need a freakin nap.

Post: #25

Absolutely poured here last night. 2 girls cancelled because of the rain, and I can't blame them because it was coming down torrentially at points. Let's see how tonight goes in that regard.

Instead of unlocking my 24 hour bang, I ran up the block to sign up for the gym at a ridiculous $R405/month. The body tech I signed up for is nice and all, including the 18 year old girl at the front desk I fell in love with who signed me up, but not $R405 nice. There are personal trainers walking all around he gym helping you. They load the weight, spot you, clean up, wipe down the machines, etc. It's nice and all, but completely unnecessary.

On a side note, it seems I have a data plan on my phone after signing up for Vivo. I did this without the CPF number.