Hey guys...been away from the boards for the last couple months focusing on real life...work has been a bitch as I'm sure most of you can sympathize with in our current economy...anyway, I still owe everyone a trip report from my first visit to Rio in late August/ early September, which I hope to put up this weekend...

I'm working on my second trip as we speak, looks like it will be from 12/6-12/14 with (give or take) 3 friends who will be visiting for their first time (I think I've singlehandedly convinced half the single men in North America to join me on my mongering adventures in Rio, heh). Anyway, just hoping to get a bit of insight on a few things...

1) in just skimming the boards here and at wsa after a long time away, I seem to be reading even more about crime and violence POST-election than before. For those that have visited since Lula's win (and those select few that are currently living in Rio full time) have you noticed a significant rise in either? Should I feel less safe/ more concerned than I was during my first trip in August? I've got three newbies in tow and I really want them to have a good time, not constantly fret about their safety.

2) I've put the feelers out to the regular sources (Donald, John Thompson, Kenn) in looking for an apartment for us 4 travellers. Does anyone have any insight on a good size apartment, preferably penthouse with all the bells and whistles, close to the beach in Copa or Ipanema? I'm hoping that with 4 of us pooling our resources, we can find somewhere really nice for our stay.

3) How has the dollar been holding up over there? On paper, the exchange rate is better than when I was there last (it was trading for about 3.12 Reals to the dollar) but I'm curious if inflation has impacted the garotas in anyone's experience. I'm more of a termas guy than a Help Disco guy, but I'm trying to be more budget conscious this trip than last. I also plan on doing some extensive shopping at Rio Sul and the like and want to make sure I'm still getting some bang for my buck.

Thanks in advance for the help as ever...time to start brushing up on the ol' Pimsleur once again, heh...

Rexxx.. what you couldn't get 3-6 of the most beautiful women per day to have sex with you all at the same time in LA? what's wrong with you, what do you want to go to Rio for?

lol...you got me ampm, that's actually why I've been away from the boards so long...

I know what (garota) you mean (garota)very (garota asses) hard to (garota asses rotating) concentrate (asses moving to samba)on anything here (3-sums)in LA (4-sums)after RIO.

Yeah but luckily (Camilla) work has kept me (Debra) pretty busy, so (Vida) I can pretty much (Tuanya) block it out (Sarah)...

hey Rexxx what are your dates that you are in Rio again, because me and Sakebomb are suppose to go to Sao Palo during Dec. perhaps you'd like to swing over and see what city girls are like in Brazil.. or perhaps we will swing into Rio.. That penthouse that you were thinking of renting sounds good..just don't steal my chicks with all your charm...

lol...ninja please...the only charm i got comes in a box with a leprechaun on it...heh...i'm planning on returning 12/6-12/14 and if you guys are going to SP, I'd love to buddy up for a couple days...I'm gonna have 2 or three newbies in tow, but they should be fine to roll with Don if I bail for a bit...lemme' know...it'd be good to see you guys again (and lord knows, as picky as you bastards are, I would have no shortage of tasty throwaways to weed thru, lol...)

hey rexxx, i'm going to be in asia for 3 weeks, but i will be back on the 3rd of Dec.. and will plan to be in Brazil(somewhere) a week from then.. e-mail me at ampm101@hotmail.com. If I go to Rio I would like to get penthouse type lodging also( that accepts chicas..very important) also I'll get you the info for San Paolo so you can swing over its only a 45 min flight...youl'll like it trust me..

I'm in bud...means our trips will only overlap for a few days (I fly back the 14th...) but if you're "in country" around the 10th or so, maybe you/we can do sao paolo for a couple days before you/we swing back to rio so I can hit a few more termas/ beaches and then roll home...I'll email you...

Rexxx,
I'm going to be in Rio from 12/5 to 12/9 (I had to get my 50K miles before year end!), and it would be great to hook up with others that know the ropes. This is my first time in Rio, but I'm fairly experienced in hobbyist pursuits. Email me at ITV_Developer@Yahoo.com if we can hook up. I don't yet have a place to stay, but most likely an apartment in the Copacabana/Leme area, near Ave. Princesa Isabel

just shot you an email...let's try to hook up at some point...I will have 2 first-timer buddies in tow, and will likely be rolling with Don again...

your going to miss her birthday!!! bad rexxx

lol, you promised you would put my name on the card...bastard!