Just returned from a great trip to Rio.

My previous two excursions to Rio were during Thanksgiving 1997 and in March a few weeks after Carnaval in 1998-so called shoulder seasons. These were my first two major monger trips. I fell in love with Rio and the people and Rio has been number 1 in my book ever since. Eventhough I have made somewhere around 40 trips to Costa Rica since then-I was making money going there-eventhough some of my friends nicknamed me "Costaricardo" and I use that name as my internet persona, my heart has always been in Rio. It was with great anticipation that I returned and I was not disappointed. Even better than I remembered.

Will try to post a complete trip report in the next few days, but thought I should write some of my impressions while the thoughts are fresh in my mind.

The weather was hot and humid, much more so than the times of the year I had previously visited. My daytime activities were pretty much confined to sleeping or the termas so not that much of a factor during the day. Nights were filled with sitting in front of Help at Terrazo Atlantica and were quite enjoyable when there was a nice breeze off the water, almost unbearable on two nights when it was dead calm.

I was firmly in the Help camp as I really like the people watching, talking to the girls, etc. Not just inside of Help, which in my opinion is only a small part of the scene, but the action outside at the cafe. Although I am still of the opinion that if I could only be in one place in this world I would want to be in front of Help, some friends influence caused me to reevaluate my thoughts on the termas and I definitely had a great time experiencing all that they had to offer.

Although what little Portuquese I had learned preparing for and during previous trips I had long forgotten, my kindergarten level mastery of Spanish and the similarities between the two languages made my trip immensly more enjoyable. Only real problem I had was when a girl told me that she thought she was too thin. I told her I love "flacas." She responded that she went to the gym every day and was in no way a flaca, even flexed her arm. I again let her know that I liked her because she was a flaca. It wasn't until her friend jumped into the conversation and explained to me that in Portuguese the word fraca, which they thought I was saying meant weak, that I realised why she was getting so upset when I was giving her a compliment. My only other Spanish/Portuguese problem was that it took until the last day for me to quit saying gracias and start using obrigado. Having silver/gray hair also seemed to help me fit in as quite a few times I was mistaken for a Brasilero-even the stewardess's on the flight back. Of course as soon as I opened my mouth and spoke the first word, this illusion was shattered, but at least I felt like I blended in-which is a worthy accomplishment in itself.

The best looking and therefore the ones I tended to want to talk to were almost all from Sao Paulo and to a lesser degree Curitiba. Maybe it was just a coincidence, but I can only remember really having much to do with all but one girl that wasn't from either of those places, at least around the Help scene. Termas were different as most from Rio or surrounding cities. Seemed almost like the invasion of Colombiana that took place several years ago at the Blue Marlin in San Jose, Costa Rica. Big difference is that to a girl, all told me that as much as they liked Rio, they were there for a limited period of time and would be going home shortly after Carnaval. This is not to take anything away from the girls from Rio-certainly are enough of anyone's type to satisfy their biggest fantasies.

I was able to meet all three of the most reported on "guides." Someone introduced me to Don-I can't remember who-and although I didn't talk to him for very long, he appeared to be a very clean cut and affable person. Met him on the first day and saw him pretty much daily as I and the others in our little group that could make it met everyday at the Alcazar. He waved and said hello each time I saw him. If I had needed any help navigating some new territory in Rio, I think I could count on him to help. I met Kenn through some friends, again a very nice guy, with something to offer if you need it-apartments and cellphones.

I had Bobby of Blame it On Rio travel arrange some things for me and everything they did for me was done in a very professional and courteous manner. If anything, his employees were almost too thorough in their explanations about what the costs were, what was included, what was not, etc. The one small inconvenience they caused me-driver was late picking me up on my return from Foz do Iguacu-was followed up by not only a phone call to my hotel room from Bobby apologising for the inconvenience, but an hour or so later a call from his "Driver Coordinator." I spent some time in his office and every customer that I spoke to was happy-even watched him help a guy who had either lost, been robbed or spent all his money, figure out a way to get the money wired to him from his Momma thru Western Union, then lend him $100 until the wire came in.

Went to Foz do Iquacu as a side trip, loved it and will report separately on that.

One of the biggest differences between five years ago and now was the amount of money I spent. With the exception of airfare(I used FF miles this trip) and hotel-stayed at the Debret-which I liked much better than the Rio Roiss, everything was so inexpensive that it seemed like I couldn't spend it. What a difference getting more that double your money's worth made. I left my son enough money for breakfast, school lunch and dinner-in addition to leaving the refrigerator full plus enough to rent a tux for the cheerleader's valentine day dance and dinner afterwards plus his allowance. If you don't count my airfare from Rio to Iquacu or eight days of hotel rooms, I would have a hard time saying which was cheaper and that includes an average of 1 1/2 girls a day-slowing down in my old age or getting more selective in my experiences or maybe both. Once you get there and get a place to stay, it is hard to spend very much money.

Final thought for now. Rio is everything I remembered and more. I would love to be able to have the chance to visit there many many times as I agree with those who believe that there is much, much more to be discovered than I already have in three fairly short trips with a five year break between the first two and the last trip.

Would be great to have as many friendships with the locals as I was able to develop over the years in Costa Rica. For now though, I can honestly say that the experiences that were presented to me were great and can only get better. Just can't imagine anyone having a bad trip to Rio.

CR,

I too loved the atmosphere in front of Help. it was fun to be sitting there just having a beer, and having an old friend come up from behind and put her arms around you.

I remember one night, a group of friends and I were sitting around just outside of Help. One of the guys in our group was just recently divorced, and was chasing every female that walked. The funny part was that he thought they were all hanging around him because of his charms.

I saw him the next morning, and he said, "You didn't tell me that these were working girls." I told him that he was going to pay for it one way or the other, and that this way was more fun and no hassle.

Thanks for the memories.

Enjoy the life,

Moondog

Too funny Moondog. Good post Costarichardo. One thing guys should note is that the reason some garotas are kind of on edge about being too thin is because the guys there like girls with some meat on their bones and asses. My girl in Rio told me that growing up...she was made fun of and teased to no end because she was "skinny".

I'm under the conclusion that every single hot girl in Rio is on the program. Ha, ha. I agree with CR. I don't understand how anyone could have a bad trip to Rio.

To all the "Olds Hands" of Rio

I have been to Brazil 3 times (Sao and Rio), but I have never tried the agency route. Has anyone experienced getting a garota through the MClass website (I know it is a site for independent women)?
Their web address is http://www.mclass.com.br. They seem to have really young and beautiful garotas (quite a few 9s). I am going to Brazil again this coming June and would like to try this route. Also would like to meet up with any of you in Rio or in Sao.

I've had good luck with www.companygirl.com.br. They are in Rio.

Moondog

Photos:
Company Girl 1 Company Girl 2

thanks for the post.
those are photos of exceptional quality. did you use a digital camera or was this done with a regular film camera? also, did you negotiate the picture-taking in advance or were they amenable to it without a problem?

Digital Camera, Fuji FinePix 4800, taken ar 2400 x 1800 resolution, then scaled down to 640 x 480.

I had taken photos of another escort, Michelle,

Photo: Michelle

the week before, and the minute Rayane walked in, she wanted me to take photos of her. The two girls were probably friends. I printed them out and Fedexed them to her.

If you want photos with these girls, just ask politely and respect their wishes. If they are reluctant, then offer a few more Reias to them for the photos, but don't push the issue. There is always another girl or next time with the same one. Most of the time they are ok with it, but lately, I've been running into a lot of the girls who are camera shy. Hopefully that will pass.

When you are in a club, and an exceptionaly pretty girl has fairly steep price, then make sure that that includes photos and if appropriate, all night.

Enjoy the life,

Moondog

(Message edited by moondog on February 23, 2003)

thanks for the info. those are very nice shots, practically like what you would see in a magazine. and nice choice of subjects too.

Latin America provides the subjects, all I do is push the button(or their buttons.)

Enjoy the life,

Moondog

Thanks MD... appreciate your response; not to forget those very nice photos. I believe that we are all fans -- not only of Help -- but also of the action outside of Help. I was in Rio for a month last November and there wasn't a night that I did not hangout in front of Help. I am sure that it will be a pleasure meeting Hombre regulars there come June. I plan to stay for three months this time. Last time, I bought an apartment in Copacabana (3 blocks from Help) and this time, I am going to do some research on doing business in Rio. This is to prepare for the eventual moving to live there. I wish it's already June (Sigh...).