I thought I deserved my own thread. I'll just post some observations about living here and trying to start a business etc. I think everyone could use a different point of view other then the ones of people trying to sell you a tour guide service or an apartment.

After getting my initial mongering out of the way, a strange reality has set in.

I've lived in NY my entire life. I've never been to the statue of liberty, the top of the World Trade Center, the Empire State Building, or just about any of the other major tourist attractions there. My theory: they can wait, I'll get to it eventually.

My previous visits to Rio have been somewhat of an “out for revenge” type of trip. Now that I’m not going anywhere any time soon I’m thinking “What’s the hurry?”

Currency

As discussed in previous threads, the ATM’s by far give the best exchange rate. I spent most of the last 4 days hopping from ATM to ATM trying to pull out as much cash as possible to take advantage of the good rates. I guess it was a smart move on my part to spread a bunch of money out over a few different accounts so I would have more access from ATM’s.

A quick check of the bank statement online revealed some very interesting info. I have an account at Citibank, Paypal, and Key Bank. According to the Citibank receipt I was getting 3.02 from Friday – Monday at the Citibank on NS Copacabana, using my Citibank account. Using the same exact machine I was getting 3.25 from Paypal and Key Bank. Nice to see that Citibank rapes its own customers.

What made this even more interesting, I also pulled money of out HSBC (They’re all over the place) I actually got the 3.25 rate from my Citibank account from there. What the hell? Is it the bank you draw from? The bank you draw on? I’m totally lost on this one.

Keep in mind, the best rate I could find at any of the 10 + Cambios I looked at was 2.72

Another small nightmare

I found what I thought to be the perfect apartment from a guy who advertises on the site “lifestylesbrazil.com”

It had everything I needed. Cable TV, DSL, phone line.. A/C.. the works. I asked if I could have it site unseen just because I wouldn’t have to go through the inevitable nightmare of ordering all that stuff. He even asked me if I could buy him some of the mini-CDRW’s for the Sony digital camera. Well, I get in at noon on Friday, call the guy and set up an appointment to meet him at 4. I wait for an hour, call again and again, leave messages etc. He never shows up. I get an email from him on Saturday saying he wants nothing to do with anyone that knows some guy “Boris” from that web site. I have no idea who this Boris guy is, I just answered his ad. I explain this to him, and he never replies. What a fucking asshole, so now I’m down to square one finding an apartment.

Brazil Rule # 1: Never try to conduct any kind of business in the first five days of the month.

Everyone is paying their bills. The banks are all jammed up (That’s where you pay you bills in Brazil) and nobody is available to do anything because, that’s right, you guess it, everyone is paying their bills. Nobody could show me an apartment until today. How nice.

More to come…

dood,

i met you at monte carlo around the begining of july. they had screwed up your bill and you were with layne in the lobby waiting to take care of it. im about your age. i was there with a guy that was on your flight back to ny. im coming into rio from the 8th to 14th. let me know if you want to meet up and hit a therma. cant believe you made the move buddy.

What's up Tommy. Give me a ring when you get in town 9315-0952

There is a relatively famous -- or infamous -- book entitled "How to Be a CaRIOca" written by American woman expat. One chapter is devoted to "Famous Carioca Lines." Bank lines at the beginning of the month is at the top of the list. Meus Deus. We have a Carioca-in-the-making in our midst and, possibly, a book-in-the-making, as well.

I look forward to hearing about your adventures - Dood. Have fun & keep us posted.

Good Luck Dood...I will be in Rio 8/24 to 9/7, let me know if you'll have a chance, and I'd love to buy you a beer and pick your brain...so this move is permanent or ?

Dood call me at 9863-9962.


kenn

Hope everything works out Dood.

Look forward to your insights.

Solid808

Amigo,

Happy to see you have your very own thread.Let me know if there is anything I can do for you from here. It looks like I won't be down until Nov. or Dec.E-mail me on my personal account.I want updates on everything.

the_artist

Dood. Can you show CopaKing where Frank's is?

Oh I'm sure sure he's well aware.

It's just $800/day for him to take you there

Maybe at $795 if he can include 2 garotas that we can see first, he might be worth it.

Dood. We really hope things go well for you. Make sure you take a parachute if you go on the CopaKing cable car tour at SurgarLoaf, and then only go if he can show you his Insurance Certifate that is good in the USA.

Chau.

CP

Damn, you guys are harsh...lol

Harsh is not the word but imature. Thats ok though! I'm used to being bashed by envious people. My invitation is still open to all of you to meet me for a drink in Rio. Till then some of you need to grow up.

later

jose
9317-5567

Dood grow up...nahhh its why he moved to Rio so he never has to...

Jose. Como alto são você? Talvez você são maior então nós somos. Também, nós queremos mais então chá de gelo.

Jose. How tall are you? Maybe you are bigger then we are. Also, we want more then ice tea.

I am writing in both Portugues, English just to give Jose some help.

CP

aw geez...can we all just get along now? I think he learned his lesson...I hate flame wars...

Rexxx,

It'll take more than just a few imature morons to piss me off. remember that I'm the one living in Rio, the envy of all of them. Anyways, its all good fun I believe!

Canonperdido,

I hope you are not counting on your English translator to help you out here in Brazil cause it sucks and nobody will undrstand you. Just so you know a little something about me: I'm 6'2'', 220 lbs, well travelled in both Europe and North America and currently speak fluently English, Portuguese, Spanish and French. Like Rexxx said why cant we all be civilized and write valuable info instead of this (above) crap.

later

jose

Please see Hombre comment below on Jose's list of web site addresses.

Hey Jose,

I live here too. I'm just busting your balls.

Just provide more info then advertising and everyone will be happy. I'm sure you're business will work out great, and I might even take you up on some stuff for some friends I have coming into town.

By the way everyone, this is my god damn thread, so cut the crap.

Dood

Just think good thoughts about Dood, his lifestyle, and all the plumbing he gets to examine. Then we will all just be jealous of him, and wish we were in his place.

No one else is allowed to advertise here from now on except Dood.

fine by me

jose

I agree with Canonperdido.

This board and certainly this topic should be about GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS.

Dood, how many girls per week? I would imagine that it would be less than when you are visitng but how much?

Have you met any true girlfriends? Tell us my friend, we all want to know the life in paradise.

BT

Dito..if you are going to be bold enough to create your own thread...

Give the poor guy a break. It a few week his plumbing will be stretched to the limits, and he will not know what to do.

At least, we all rise to our own levels of greatness.

Dood, you are there for all of us. Please extend yourself as much as you can.

CO

??ice to finally meet you and Don earlier on this afternoon and remember that all the stuff that goes on on these boards is all clean fun. I'm sure I'll run into you on a regular basis from now on....Good luck on your brazilian ventures!

ciao

jose

so how is it going? im sure the work stuff is changing some things. But your perspective is unique.,

Oh it's going..

I've actually been hanging out with GCL and & mitch for the last 2 days. These guys are out of control.

Did 4x4, Monte Carlo and L'uomo friday, MC, L'uomo, pussycat, Baccara, Franks, La Cicicolina yesterday. I met a great girl at LaCic, and she just left. I can not keep up with these guys. They are truly out for revenge.

Citibank is giving 3.15

Time to get back to work on monday though

Very interesting couple of days here.

I spent most of yesterday looking for a permanent apartment. What a nightmare. Being a gringo is like a first class ticket to getting ripped off. You’re best bet if you ever go down this route is to use the newspaper and avoid the agencies. If you go to an agency, they will see the gringo thing and double the price. At least with the newspaper you know the price upfront, for the ones that mention the price anyway.

After looking at about half a dozen apartments, I found a place I could call home. It’s located dead center of “ground zero”. I’m not going to give any more details until I sign the papers though. This place is perfect, it’s my absolute dream apartment, and I don’t want anyone to swipe it from me before it’s final. :-)

To get a good apartment here at a good price you need what’s called a “fiador”. That’s a Brazilian citizen, with a job, owns land and has established ties to the city/country. It doesn’t matter if you’re a millionaire, they still want a fiador. It’s a completely retarded concept to me. I can understand the concept of a co-signer, but no matter how much money you have, and how good your job is, there is little chance of you getting a good apartment, at a good price without a fiador. For the place I want, I showed all kinds of documentation that I have all kinds of money, still have a job in the US, and get this, I’ll pay 1 year of rent in advance in cash, and nope.. doesn’t matter, they want the fiador. I really feel bad for this country. The country who’s motto is “Order and Progress” does very little to live up to it. Thank god I have someone who will be a fiador for me.

Just as an example, a few apartments in Rio advertise “sem fiador” which is, without fiador. You see one of those, expect to pay a lot. One I looked at wasn’t bad, it has a nice prestigious address of Avenida Atlantica, 3 blocks south of Alcazar, beautiful ocean view, 3 bedrooms, absolutely huge place, too big for me, but it was sem fiador. They wanted R$2500/month plus R$350 condo fees. Where else in the world are going to get a huge 3 bedroom oceanfront apartment for about US$900 a month? Nowhere, but the place I’m looking at is better, and half the price - com fiador.

I spent most of today going through the first part of getting my CPF#. For those who don’t know, a CPF# is the equivalent of a social security number in the US. You can not do jack shit here without one. You can’t get a phone, and internet account (Except AOL Brasil) a non-prepay cell phone, Cable, rent an apartment, open a bank account, start a business, or own property.. etc. Basically, you can’t do anything but visit and fuck, although that’s not such a horrible thing.

The process is pretty simple, but very time consuming. You go to the Banco do Brasil with your passport, and an address for them to mail the card. Go upstairs, then wait in line forever. By some miracle, I only had to wait 20 minutes, and the guy I dealt with spoke English. Rhonda did this a few weeks ago and had to wait 3 hours. After you give them all your info, they give you a piece of paper and you have to go downstairs and wait in the teller line to pay the R$4.50. The line was 20 deep when I got down there, and there was one teller. 90 minutes later I made the 30 second transaction and was done.. for today. Thank god I brought a book.

Tomorrow, I have to go to the federal building in Ipanema and wait in another line with my receipt from the bank to get the actual number. I can use the number right away, but I won’t get the card for a few weeks. As soon as I get the number, I can then rent the apartment after filling out 2 dozen forms in Portuguese. Wow. I can’t wait….

Other then that, the weather is perfect. A little windy at night, but bright, sunny and hovering in the mid to low 70’s, and I haven’t been to a terma in 4 days.

Lol...poor Dood, seems like no matter where you try to settle, real life eventually catches up to you...is there any benefit for a monger, and projected regular visitor, to get a CPF#? Or is it strictly if you live there? Glad to hear the weather is nice, it's actually been overcast and drizzly the last few days in LA if you can believe that...3 more days til I wake up in Brazil...WOOHOO!!!

No benefit Rexx unless you plan on living here. See you saturday.

Dood,

Just to understand better. If one were interested in purchasing a condo on Avenida Atlantica to part time sublet and the balance use as ground zero for mongering. Would a CPF# be required? Hypothetically speaking of course.

BT

Purchasing? Yes. Long term rental? yes.

Hypothetically speaking of course. Save 2 mornings/afternoons to get it done

Guys, I had a great time hanging out with Dood. At one point in our journey we went to Don Juan's (Near Baccara and Pussycats)and one member of our group took a 90 pound pixie who just turned 18 to the corner of a bar and had sex with her. I cannot say it compared to the floor show at Franks because the corner was dark and he did not have the common courtesy of switching positions so we could observe the pixie better. But it was funny as hell, especially when we moved from front of the stage to go sit on the bench beside them (and we did the 'Wave"). This girl was a true gem. I considered taking a turn with her myself since she was going for only the equivalent of $28, until I learned she was a little...er..."ripe" downstairs. The 'guilty' party is welcome to out himself here....

By the way, on the way to this particular club, one of the street hawkers followed us to the door and began to claim to the managers that he 'brought' us there so as to collect a commission (which would have resulted in higher prices for us). I was grateful to have Don of Riotrips with us because he saw the scam immediately and got everything straightened out with the management. That is just one example of many where having Don around saved me $$. My point is, if you go alone and do not speak good Portuguese be on the lookout for this sort of scam and if it happens you might be better served to just leave and return later.

Dood--although I am envious, I dont know if you are lucky or not cause if I lived at the pace we kept up in my 2 nights there I wouldnt last long. I think I did 10 or 11 sessions.

Dood,

Now that you have a cpf#, could you be my fiador? Hypothetically speaking?

BT

no.. becuase I don't own any property.

If you are buying, you don't need a fiador, only if you are LT renting.

Dood, what are you going to do for a living down there?

I'm opening an internet cafe.

Dood,

I'm loving the day to day stuff (how well I remember the beaurocratic hell of getting the cpf#), but I want to know how living there effects the sexual aspects. Are you gravitating toward the non-pros or are you sticking with the terma girls...getting a steady thing or casting a wide net? Inquiring minds want to know.
Congratulations on the apartment...hope it all works out...can't wait to see it.

Well.. so far it really hasn't affected anything. I guess the advantage to living here is that I can go to a terma whenever I want. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be happening that often. I've pretty much relegated myself to going on Fridays and Saturdays.

The biggest difference is that I’m not here on vacation. When ever I came here before, the goal was to hit as many termas as possible. Right now the concentration is on finding a place to live and get the business going. I’m sure once things calm down, I’ll get back into the swing.

Don just took someone to 4x4. Saying no to tag along was like saying no to Christmas.

HEY go a deal for ya Dood...if your apt is that nice...trade room for terma trip/day!!!!

lol...Dood, if you get a sec, email me again...I think I lost your email addy and I want to know how to get in touch with you when I land...I just got my cell phone # from Don, so maybe we can hit a termas this weekend or something (it is your day off remember, lol)...hell, drinks are on me either saturday or sunday, take your pick...

/prays the jet lag won't be bad...

maidenvoyage@hotmail.com

Layne: As tempting as that sounds, I don't want your skank ass bitches in my apartment.
I saw camilla at help last night, drunk off her ass. No joke.

Rexx, don't worry. You'll be seeing me. I hang out with Don and Rhonda daily.

Dood,

I gotta ask. Have you seen my sweetheard Ana around Help lately?

BT

Nope. Haven't seen, but then again, I'm not over there much. I like to do a quick walk-by every night, but I don't stick around long. There's a lot of italians in town right now.

I assume from your posts that the apartment deal went through. Congratulations. I guess this means we will be neighbors of a sort. Keep an eye out for attractive realestate.I may be interested in some more if we can find the right place. Do you have any info on the new spots like Pussycat? Sorry to hear about the Italians.

Damn...Italians and then the oil barons...i really hope these jackasses don't ruin my trip...

Agreeing with Dood that there are way too many Italians in towm right now. The reason being that Most of Western Europe tend to take collective vacation around this time of year. Guess whats the best time to travel to Europe?
Life here in Rio tags along quite well despite the nice weather and the best looking girls on the planet.......you know I'm kidding.Today we had a great day on the beach check out the pics. Tomorrow we're off to Buzios with some "gatinhas". Come on down and share the good times with us.

tchau from Rio

jose

Hombre: Photos in the process of relocation

Jose: It's called cheap charter flights