Thinking About Brazil

[DCNUPE/Eddie]

Sometime within the next 6 months I'm thinking about finally heading down to Brazil. I've heard about it and saw tons of photos, so think I'm gonna take the leap.

Since the family will be away, I just thought I would take an innocent trip. But I need some of you experienced brahs to help this newbie out.

Pack pepper spray/mace and a mini-taser if possible. If confronted by two or more pits, throw your money and run/drop spread eagle.

[LastLion]

Ray, can you explain a little more. What are PITS?

Pit - Pitbull

[LastLion]

WTF! Is there a Pitbull problem in Brasil or what?

LL, a Pitbull is street term used in RJ for young Brazilian men who study and fight JuJitsu. From what I understand this Chinese form of kick fighting is only used in Rio or patented there. You will see these guys walking around Rio de Janeiro, young men in their late teens, 20`s even 30`s, heavily tattooed, t-shirts, baggys and **** "shock" shoes. They have no real job to speak of and no money. In essense, they are waiting to use their craft whenever an opportunity presents itself.

This is just one of the bigger negatives in Rio de Janeiro, the danger in the city itself is getting worse and with President Lula being anti-American, it trickles down to the people. Lulu is "buddies" with Castro and Chavez. Of course, I haven`t even touched on the fact that Americans, mostly Afro-Americans going to Rio, go for one reason, "to get laid the cheapest, quickest way possible", ...and in the process giving me (as a fellow American) a bad name.

[LastLion]

Wow, that really bites! Brasil has not been on my list of places to see, unfortunately it sounds like one of the less gringo friendly places in LAM. Every country has its predators that prey on tourists, it sounds even more prevelant in RIO!

I would rather a country be more indifferent with gringos, but if they outright don't like us. At least that is what I am getting from much of the talk lately, than I would have to pass on visiting a country like that. It is really dissapointing how mongers and lame ass gringos can spoil a place With the gov't leaning towards castro and being anti- american than that just adds more fuel to the fire!


Ray it sounds more and more that Brasil is not a place you recommend anymore? Is that true?

At this point, I`ve decided to take a neutral stand on recommending Rio de Janeiro. I wish I could be more positive but after an accumulation of negative experiences I`ve had, this is the reasoning behind my conclusions. I`ve also instructed my webmaster to remove the Rio For Partiers endorsement we have on the home page of Gringos.com. Unfortunately, I must also request the removal of my quote endorsement from the RFP website. I love Brazil and all things that go with that beautiful country but right now I feel the negatives outweigh the positives. I wish things were different. Hopefully in the near future I can feel better about recommending Rio.

[DCNUPE/Eddie]

Wow.......I was really getting excited before Ray ruined my day. (smile) Oh well can't let my Spanish go to waste....Central America here I come.

[LastLion]

DC go to Panama! It has beautiful beaches and beautiful women! I really have an itch to get back there.