ClubHombre.com: 2004/05 Sandman - Ripped off by a Garota (Brazil)

2004/05 Sandman - Ripped off by a Garota (Brazil)

ClubHombre.com: -TripReports-: Trip Report Archive: South America: Brazil: 2004 Reports: 2004/05 Sandman - Ripped off by a Garota (Brazil)

By Sandman on Sunday, May 23, 2004 - 01:31 pm: Edit

What should the title be:

"But it was her birthday"!
You can't even teach an old dog, old tricks;
Citizens hear me out, this could happen to you!

Whether you are new to this hobby or an old veteran, at some point in your life you are most likely to have it happen. You are going to get ripped off. It will likely happen with a total stranger but it can also happen with someone with whom you are familiar.

The end of this epic saga will offer some sage advice we all know about but sometimes tend to forget or get lax about. Especially if you know the person.

A little introduction is called for before getting into the events that led up to the writing of this report.

It was November of 2003. I had finally decided to make the leap and add video to my bag of photography adventures. I had been admiring my good buddy DG's efforts for months and realize this is where the wonderful world of capturing memories was headed. Deeg and I discussed latest developments in the field, current new trends and the latest gadgetry. Armed with some suggestions and recommendations, I set about on a search for the two or three top rated video cameras on the market. I researched commentaries and feedback on several brands, read many consumer report types of articles and finally settled on the new Sony DCR-DVD-300 (mainly because of its larger screen). I then spent days searching the net for best places to buy and after ignoring the rip off places that had horrible reviews, settled on one. Order was processed quickly, money taken out of my PayPal almost immediately and the dreaded e-mail arrives in three days. "Due to high demand, we are temporarily back ordered on this item. You should receive your merchandise in one to two weeks" I called and sure enough, the whole market was backordered, even Best Buy and Circuit City could not keep them in stock. Looks like many others had the same idea I had about this new technology.

Three weeks went by and no update so I called again. Nope, has not arrived yet but expected any day. Thank you for your patience. We'll throw in some goodies and ship next day when it arrives for your inconvenience. Not a bad deal I thought!

December comes and goes. I call and suggest ordering from anther source. Same message. The whole market is backordered. No one has them. Once again verified by several other sources, I resolved myself to keep my order position in place and hope for the best. When I left the US in mid January, it was still a backordered item. More offers of more goodies and I held firm.

It finally arrived at DGs place and I just told him to bring it with him on his next visit. I was two lenses, three filters, a tripod and carrying case richer for it though. I know, these are cheap item add ons many places package to up-sell the customer. They would no doubt come in handy and the price was right. Media on the other hand was the next big challenge. Mini DVD-R's were fairly easy to find. DVD-RW's simply did not exist. Even Sony.com had them out of stock. I was beginning to worry something was wrong with the unit or they had a problem with the medium.

To make a long story a little shorter, I finally got my new video in May when another friend was kind enough to make room in his baggage for my goodies. Took up about a third of his available space.

Wow, was I ever impressed with my new toy. Simple to use, not real complicated and took excellent videos. I had managed to buy some extra batteries, charger and finally found some mini DVD's to use. First outing generated excellent results. Do have to be careful with lighting, slow panning and manual focus but that is true with all video cameras. I am on my way to a new experience and adventure;

Chapter 1

"But, its her birthday"-Sitting at Help recently one night, having a beer with some buddies, when one of them spots this little lovely standing near. Not a stunner but it is his first day here and he has some pent up testosterone he needs to get rid of. I invite her to join us and as she approaches, I immediately recognize her. She calls out my name but as is so common, I can't remember hers which she reminds me is Viviane (stage name of course). I do recall she works at 4X4 as does one of her friends who also join's us. Soon a third, her sister, is sitting as well.

We chit chat for a while and I learn neither of them are working at 4X4 anymore. Competition was probably a little tough. While not ugly, they would have been in mid rankings at 4X4. She mentions it is her birthday. My new acquaintance offers to buy them a drink. They order one of those expensive cream drinks. He also buys her a couple of roses from the ever present flower vendor. My buddy is getting a little drunk having downed about 4 Caprinhas in 15 minutes and suffering from the long all night flight to get to Rio.

She asks for a small bottle of champagne to celebrate her birthday and it soon appears. We even break into a poor rendition of "Happy Birthday" and she seems delighted with the attention. My buddy hands me some cash to pay for the drinks and bids us farewell. He also whispers for me to give her some money for a birthday present. I smile, hand her a R$50 and tell her to get her hair, nails and feet done the next day, pointing to him as her benefactor. She giggles with joy.

They want to program but I am not up for it having had a session earlier in the evening and being fairly well spent as well as a little buzzed. I start to leave and they have this pleading look in their eyes. I suggest we go to my place and have a drink but I do not intend to session with any of them and there will be no programma. Looking around at the sparse crowd, the drizzling rain and suffering from the cold, they agree to go with me. I am anticipating nothing except a few drinks, maybe some dancing and a party atmosphere.

We walk the three short blocks to my Apt. We are all a little damp and before I know it, they have peeled out of their jeans and tops and hung them to dry in the bathroom. I offer them towels and T-shirts and they just wrapped in the towels.

Music anyone? "Do you have any Funk" they asked. Within seconds, an 18 song Brazilian funk CD was playing. As usual, within seconds, they were on their feet shaking their asses and jumping around. Towels were falling off, bras were being swung in the air and the panties were soon peeled as well. Good ole trusty Sandman whips out his still camera and begins taking photos of this spectacle. None were gorgeous but Viviane and the little Rubia were kinda cute. Sis had been ravaged by recent child birth and put her bra back on, thank goodness!

Drinks anyone? "You have whiskey" they asked? As Deege will attest, I am rarely without a bottle of scotch. I mix drinks and theirs disappear in seconds. I give them round two. Viviane is sitting on the couch, getting pretty drunk and proceeds to play with her clit. I offer a pocket rocket and she is soon writhing from using the toy. I am getting all of this on film of course. Her two companions look a little lonely and are beginning to play with themselves. Two more pocket rockets and suddenly, there are three Garotas sitting my couch pleasuring themselves. All three are moaning, clutching, bucking and grabbing each other. I decided to add another pair of hands to the fray and join the action. Viviane was too sensitive to the touch. Rubia just sat there and giggled. I poured another round of drinks and kept snapping away. The battery in my camera was getting warm from all the photos.

I am sporting wood but because we had not agreed to any terms in advance, I was resolved to just enjoy watching this unfurling spectacle. The bottle of scotch was only half full to begin with and now it was totally empty. I had one drink. They had each had three. I poured each a glass of Martini Branco and they drank it like it was water. Then, they announced they were hungry. Never seen a Garota that wasn't. I popped some stroganoff in the microwave, heated up some vegetables and warmed some bread. They were almost licking their plates. I ate nothing.

Rubia drifted to the bed on the veranda of my Apt. Sister stretched out on the couch and Viviane made her way to my bedroom. I grabbed Viviane and had her join Rubia and me on the veranda. I was the meat between the sandwich. Tits rubbing my front and backside. Throw blanket thrown over all three of us to ward off the cold (BTW…60 F is freezing to these people). It was about 2 AM. I had only one drink in the last three hours. They were buzzed as hell. We were listening to music……

I woke to an empty bed. At first I thought they may have migrated to the bedroom seeking warmth. The front door was ajar and standing open. Oh shit, was all I could think. I looked around quickly at the home office set up I had on the veranda. PC, there, pocket PC there, noise reduction headphones, walkman CD player with detachable speakers, calculator and all kinds of other shit. All there, present and accounted for.

I went to the bedroom and checked my trousers. Money missing but only about R$70. They were kind enough to leave me R$8 in case I needed a taxi I guess. I checked my small wallet and all credit cards were there and untouched. Glass jar full of coins was untouched. I am looking around and it dawns on me. The camera! Then the full impact hit me, OMG, no, not the new video camera too. I search frantically hoping beyond hope that I have just left them sitting on a shelf somewhere else in my Apt. @*&$&9 damn it, I think to myself and then I see a ray of hope.

She left her cell phone on my table. That precious little treasure all Garotas carry, full of numbers and means of contacting friends and relatives and is this one ever full of names. Her mothers house, her aunts house, the names of many Garotas and several guys. "This should be interesting" I thought to myself.

I am feeling a little shitty I think to myself. Damn, wonder if they slipped something into my drink. I was tired but not drunk. As DG will tell you, I am a light sleeper and normally up very early. It was 6:30 AM. Garotas never wake up that early and are certainly never quiet when they do get up in the morning. I never heard a sound or felt any movement. Must have been drugged.

An afterthought was how little they had taken when they quite literally could have wiped me out. They could have taken credit cards but that is always risky. There were several unused phone cards, a jar full of coins (maybe concerned it would make too much noise). The laptop and pocket PC could have fetched them a small fortune but probably difficult to conceal upon their exit from the building. I start doing a full inventory. What else I discovered missing almost made me laugh. They had taken all but one of my small bottles of cologne; they had taken two jars of Palm hearts from my fridge, they had taken a pack of lined paper from my office and an Outback Bowl hat?? Go figure?

First time the phone rang a lady was looking for the owner. She called back and I told her the phone had been left at my place and please have her call me.

About two hours later, the phone rang again. I decided not to answer it. It quit and in a few seconds, rang again. I answered and it was the sister. She started out apologizing for leaving so early telling me she had to take her mother to the hospital. She also asked if I would leave her cell phone with my Portiero.

"Sure, as soon as you return my cameras" I said. She immediately denied any knowledge of the theft and said it must have been the other girls. I told her to contact them, return the cameras to my Portiero, no questions asked, and she could have her phone back. I also told her if the cameras were not returned, I would report them to the police and turn over the cell phone. She agreed to call the other girls.

A day has passed and no cameras have been delivered. A buddy who speaks much better Portuguese than me called her house. Nobody there by that name (must have been her working name). Went to Help in case they turned up again. Must have been at Franks or Barbarellas and probably scared to return to the scene of the crime.

With every hour that passes, the likelihood of recovery diminish, kind of like kidnap victims. Now comes the stupid part. The video camera is going to be of little if any use to anyone in Brasil. There is no battery charger, no cables, no software and most importantly, no mini DVD's. They don't even sell them here. I have to import them. This model is not even offered in Brazil. They will be lucky to get $.01 on the dollar of its value if they (and probably when) they try to sell it.

No more calls on her cell but I have a long list of names and numbers to start tracking her down. "Found her phone, need to return it to her". Have been advised the police probably won't do much if anything, unless I can find a friend on the force?

So, the old dog forgot the old tricks and got ripped off. Over $1,500 worth of camera equipment, maybe $100 worth of cologne and about R$70 in cash. Expensive night to have not gotten laid! Oh, I'll know them on site but will probably not make too much fuss or a major confrontation. After all, this is Brazil and they probably have some pretty nasty friends running around. I will point them out to anyone I can as a warning to avoid like the plague and have them branded as thieves in the mongering community if I can get a photo of them.

So, lets go back to mongering 101 and remember some things;

If they are in a pack, avoid them. Do your duplas and triples at termas. You will have fewer problems if they are single. If they are Terma girls working after hours at Help, you are less likely to have a problem as you know where to find them.
When you enter your room or Apt, double lock the door and hide the keys. They can't get out without them;
Mix the drinks yourself and never let your glass out of your sight;
Do not let them separate into different rooms;
Try to watch them fall asleep first;
Hide your money, wallet and other valuables in your room safe or in a locked piece of luggage;
Keep all other toys and goodies out of sight unless they are in use.
Lastly, and most importantly, never trust a Garota. Stealing is as much a part of their culture and ingrained in their blood as fucking. They are usually good at both!
One additional note as to the absurdity of this whole situation. "But it was her Birthday". We had bought them drinks; Bought them roses; bought them a small split of Champage; Given her a R$50 birthday present for absolutely nothing; Took her home and gave her expensive scotch whiskey; Fed them, covered their cold bodies with blankets……..And; They rip you off? Wonder if they understand the word gratitude?

Oh, I've had little things stolen before. Usually small change, a bikini or two at a festa, even some VIPs robes one time, an occasional CD (which is worthless unless they have an ATRAC-3 player; unlikely since they are over R$500 here); small bottles of cologne; food; booze, shampoo and other small shit. I have always looked at it as part of the cost of mongering and learned to expect it. Never to this extent. I also had a camera stolen from under my nose in a restaurant in Panama once. I lost over 300 photos. This time, I lost about 100 photos and 30 minutes of some very special video. I can re-do the video, and what fun it was in the making. The photos are probably lost forever. They were photos of these girls masturbating on my sofa. Wonder if they were stupid enough not to delete them….he he he. Wouldn't that be something! Sell a hot camera full of photos of you and two friends jamming pocket rockets up your pussies and having multiple orgasms…..the thought brings a smile to my face.

I will provide an epilog and hopefully, one is forthcoming. In the meantime, donations for the Sandman replacement Video camera are always welcome and contributors will get private first screenings of the results. Wish I had the first one to share with you. It was a doozie…ha ha ha! I do have some excellent footage on a couple of others that will probably get posted. I just gotta get another camera to be able to process the DVD.

Beware and be cautious. Be paranoid and never let your guard down no matter how well you know the girl. Always expect them to be eying anything of value in your room like it is already in their possession. Do not be timid in asking to search their purse or bag when they leave. You never know what you might find in there.

Yeah, I'll probably buy a new video right away. I already have a new still coming next week. A very nice digital SLR Sony 728. It will be kept under lock and key except when in use.

Ciao

Sandman

Already an epilog before I even got finished.
Couple of guys came over and we were looking at some past Vips festa photos. Low and behold there was Viviane. While I originally recalled her from 4X4, I best remember her from Karlas models. She does not work there either anymore.

By Admin on Sunday, May 23, 2004 - 01:41 pm: Edit

Report edited by author request

By Sf4dfish on Sunday, May 23, 2004 - 03:28 pm: Edit

I would pick the the third one with a slight alteration:

Hombres hear me out, this could happen to you!

By Larrydavid on Sunday, May 23, 2004 - 03:32 pm: Edit

sorry to hear that man, I guess we should all tip the doormen and tell them not to let the ladies out without our confirmation

By Hemp on Sunday, May 23, 2004 - 03:38 pm: Edit

Too bad Sandman and I'll see you in a few weeks leave the light on Jesus. - Hemp

By Travelsrr on Sunday, May 23, 2004 - 03:53 pm: Edit

I have been incredibly lucky and never ripped off in any way by pros but I am pretty careful about locking stuff up. And as you know from reading my Russia trip report I am quite familiar with the whole drug thing. Wish I could see the picture but I am locked out.

By Roadglide on Sunday, May 23, 2004 - 04:16 pm: Edit

You can never be too paranoid when dealing with the opposite sex, especially when they earn their living by fucking us.

Hopefully I won't get screwed in the wrong way on my next trip.

By Moondog on Sunday, May 23, 2004 - 05:05 pm: Edit

Too bad they need to steal from the very people that are keeping them afloat.

Thanks for the warning.

By Catocony on Sunday, May 23, 2004 - 05:05 pm: Edit

Sandman,

If you remember the night, last month I picked up a spinner mulatta from Help who's amiga wanted to come along, for free mind you, just to sleep on the couch since they had bussed in from Campo Grande and didn't have a room anywhere. I think you had left by that time, but I thought it was pretty funny, the first time I had had a "garota gangup" attempted on me! Now, I saw the same two a week later. Unfortanately I hit on the one I didn't take back, forgetting not only what she looked like but, alas, also not recognizing the little spinner. They were pissed at me!

Between 4x4 and Karla's, this Vivien garota seems pretty widely distributed. I hope that you specifically have mentioned to everyone on speed-dial that you are the nice American man she met at Help with her friends, and that you remember her from the termas and escorts as well! You may not get your camera back, but you'll pass on a message.

By SF_Hombre on Sunday, May 23, 2004 - 05:13 pm: Edit

Sandman -- I applaud your willingness to share this story. Many would simply deep-six it out of embarrasment.

Contrary to when someone visits Rio and only has a few things with them, those of us who live here typically have all numbers of goodies that an enterprising garota might pinch. But who the hell wants to live a life wondering if everything they value is locked up all the time.

I rarely go to Help or even the Terraco so my horizontal experiences with the pros are almost always in the Terma setting which, as you pointed out, solves the security problem.

I'd suggest getting a large safe or at least one of those office cabinets that lock. They're large enough to hold a lot of stuff, yet aren't broken into easily.

My condolences.

By Funtime on Sunday, May 23, 2004 - 05:28 pm: Edit

Sandman thanks for the honesty Yes you were probably drugged, Sorry about the loss of your camera, but i am sure a lesson well learned !!!Thanks for sharing so we don't make the same mistakes Funtime!!

By Solid808 on Sunday, May 23, 2004 - 06:50 pm: Edit

Sandman...I too share in the sentiments of your fellow hombres...Thank you for sharing this unfornutate experience. I'll keep it in mind to try to keep my guard up while having a good time. Best of luck to you Sandman

By Hunterman on Sunday, May 23, 2004 - 07:01 pm: Edit

Thanks for the wake-up call, Sandman. We forget. I haven't been ripped off YET, but these reminders will help postpone the day. Sorry about the loss, keep us posted please.

BTW, how do you know it was Viviane? Could they have all acted together? Sounds like more stuff than one could squeeze into a purse. Or is V the only one you can identify here?

By Gcl on Monday, May 24, 2004 - 02:18 am: Edit

Just keep the phone and rent it out. It is probably the most you can get out of this. Unfortunately the camera is most likely long gone and they would have no way of returning it if they wanted too. Secondly, they may have less than desirable sorts as boyfriends so my opinion is cut your losses and let it drop. Calling and/or stirring up trouble probably wont bring anything but grief.

By Sandman on Monday, May 24, 2004 - 03:14 am: Edit

Sage advice GCL and it has been cooborated by several others with whom I have discussed this situation. Last thing I want is a gun to my head or some favela guy beating the shit out of me. Cameras can be replaced too easily.

Viviene was the leader of the "pack" so to speak. Did most of the talking, initiated contact in the first place, first to remove clothes and others followed etc. The other two were like little puppies following her. Three of them could have easily gotten out with the small amount of stuff they took. Probably why they didn't take more because they easily could have.

Thanks for all the kind comments guys. Yeah, I could have deep sixed the whole deal but I am not one to necessairly hide my stupidity when I use the wrong head to do my thinking. I prefer to warn others and have everybodys radar up and alert.

If nothing else. posting her photo will impact her business opportunities and hurt her where it hurts most....her means of making a living!

SF, you are right. Living here versus visiting makes it very difficult to "Hide" everything. Good chance there will be a locked cabinet in my future.

Ciao all and remember; Never let your guard down.

By Sandman on Monday, May 24, 2004 - 03:26 am: Edit

P.S. One Motorola Star Tac cellular phone available for rent upon your arrival...he he he!

Sandman

By Coats001 on Monday, May 24, 2004 - 06:13 am: Edit

Thanks for posting the warning-story Sandman. Sorry to hear what happened. I have never get into any real trouble on my trips to Rio, but stories like these keep you sharp. Never forget who you are dealing with when you are with these girls.
And oyeah I will gladly make use of your phone rental services during my upcumming trip.

By Bwana_dik on Monday, May 24, 2004 - 08:54 am: Edit

Pretty frightening, but glad you're OK. In such situations you worry that they'll invite their thug boyfriends up to clean the place out and work you over.

A lot of good advice offered. I have a hard and fast rule about never letting more that one garota spend the night in my hotel or apartment. I want the numbers always to be in my favor. So if I do a dupla (I won't do a tripla in my hotel/apartment), I send both or one home before I hit the sack. If one won't stay without the other, they both go.

By Coffee_maker on Monday, May 24, 2004 - 09:06 am: Edit

Thanks for sharing S M

A good friend of mine who has been coming to Rio for years was eating, singing, visiting with me and friends at the Terracio. While singing, laughing etc. he had his wallet lifted. He lost credit cards, money, driver license, etc. As a seasoned veteran he was asked why he had all of that in his wallet. His answer was he had carried his wallet around so long ( years of visits ) with no problem. He just got lazy. A bit complacent.

Hearing these stories from friends helps to keep me more in tune to the reality of what really goes on all around us. Grenades and gunfire also helps me to stay in tune.

I’ve been lucky so far. I have been way to complacent taking care of my valuables. Yes it takes me a bit more time to hide things. I guess I must assume everyone and anyone could take my stuff.

This thread has contained great advice. Insites I never considered before. Thanks for helping me learn with out learning them first hand.

By Sandman on Monday, May 24, 2004 - 10:27 am: Edit

Yaeh Bwana. That is why I put the Porteiro on alert and have dropped the whole idea of trying to track her down with her phone. Made a few calls but nobody in her phone book seemed to know her. Probably an assumed name and now, I don't want to start problems with her family.

There is a high probability I will see her again someday. Rio is a small place afterall. Not sure I will even confront her when I do other than to shake my head at her.

she will most likely transfer the number to a new phone. After all, she can probably afford a new one by now,,,,ha ha ha. At least I can laugh at myself over all of this but I am glad some people are taking it to heart. Just easy to let ones guard down especially when familiarity enters the picture.

Good practice you have there Bwana. Send em home and just keep one. How many can you do anyway....oh wait, I should'nt ask that of Bwana.....he he he

sandman

By Ultra1 on Monday, May 24, 2004 - 10:42 am: Edit

It took up at least a third of my space. And some of Dex's also. But we were glad to do it. I'm just glad I didn't have to leave any of the chocolates behind. Put me down for use of that phone. And thanks for the wake up call. You know how I am about leaving shit laying around. You can bet I'll be more careful from now on. I promise

By Bwana_dik on Monday, May 24, 2004 - 12:46 pm: Edit

Ultra1,
I assume your "wife" from Terraço never tried to rip you off. Tell Dex to get to work and stop jerking off;-)

I've had one bad experience, but I woke up as she was leaving the room, and called the front desk and asked them to hold her. She had walked out with my digital camera, and fortunately I got it back. I did turn her in to the police (actually the hotel did), and it turned she had a record of similar thefts. I posted her picture way back when, and I'm glad Sandman has posted this thief's pic as well. We should have a thread of pictures of garota thieves, where guys could go before their trips and check out the pics of garotas to be avoided.

PS Sandman, while I have had a back-to-back-to-back set of triplas, I've never had 8 garotas working me over at once like our friend Deeg.

By Dongringo on Monday, May 24, 2004 - 09:34 pm: Edit

Bwana
At the advice of my legal counsel, I can neither confirm nor deny your allegations. That said, if my memory serves me erectly, I recall having difficulty nutting then too.

Sandman
Sorry to hear about your troubles brother. Sounds like you're the wiser for it now. Keep the faith, and keep 'em warm for me.

DeeG

By Brazil_Specialist on Tuesday, May 25, 2004 - 07:07 am: Edit

I am sorry to see that my paranoia about safety is justified. Maybe I need to be even more paranoid.

I keep stressing that keys need to be kept inside a number locked safe when sleeping with garotas. I have that in my rental apartment, and I think all apartment owners should wise up and spend R$ 300-800 for such a safe.

But even that might not be enough if they drug you before you go to sleep. So maybe you need to lock your key into the safe the moment you arrive at your apartment (provided they did not drug you before arrival).

With my restricted membership I cannot see vivienes photo, so maybe someone can post it for me where I can see it too. I guess even if I start posting photos (as planned), I still will not get the right to see them unless I pay up!?

By Brazil_Specialist on Tuesday, May 25, 2004 - 07:09 am: Edit

"Warning: garotas as robbers" is an appropriate title, Sandman. I suggest you request admin to change your non-descript title

I almost did not read this post, I would certainly have read it if it had the appropriate title

By FLhobbyer on Tuesday, May 25, 2004 - 07:27 am: Edit

Just curios, trying to get to the real story (as you have in your mind over and over again I'm sure) - is there any possibility you were drugged before you left Help (given the timeline and how a drug would kick-in and all)?

By Epimetheus on Tuesday, May 25, 2004 - 07:37 am: Edit

Sandman

It's a shame, but experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted.

During my last trip a friend also had his camera stolen. This was a Canon SLR with an "L" series lens. Instantly, $3000US was riding away from him on a motorcycle. He chased after the guy on his own motorcycle and ended up bouncing his head off both a car and the ground. He's lucky to have walked out of the hospital the next day with only a rung bell, stitches and roadrash. He later admitted his little chase sequence cost him an additional $1200US on top of replacing his camera (hospital, repairs to cars, motos, bribes, etc.).

Your hard-earned lesson reminds me why I should always register my "guests" at the front desk. With luck, no one else will need to learn this same lesson for years to come...

E

By Ultra1 on Tuesday, May 25, 2004 - 07:44 am: Edit

Bwana, I don't think she ripped me off. At least I can't remember if she did or not. I don't think she needed to cause I bought her every damn thing she could possibly want. As soon as Dex is finished beating off I'll send him back to work..
Coffee Maker..I don't do well hiding stuff either because I can't remember where I hide the shit when I go to look for it. ;)

By Ultra1 on Tuesday, May 25, 2004 - 07:49 am: Edit

Actually Bwana now that I think about it she could have ripped me off. I just thought I'd hide the things and couldn't remember where. ;-)

By Bwana_dik on Tuesday, May 25, 2004 - 09:24 am: Edit

Ultra1, I've had that problem of hiding things so well that it took me forever to find them myself. No comments from me on what that's a sign of...;-)

By Ardgneas on Tuesday, May 25, 2004 - 03:03 pm: Edit

Sandman, thanks for sharing. I've never had any problems but it's a timely reminder not to drop your guard. My keys always go into my carryon samsonite with combination lock.

Wrt them not taking everything I know of a similar story. A friend of mine retired to Brazil in 93. He'd been there a short while when he had money stolen from his apt. He'd had some work done by a plumber who was a friend of his porteiro. There was no forced entry so they were the only possible suspects as only they had had access. Of course both denied any knowledge of the theft and nothing could be proved even after he sought the help of the building's administration.

The strange thing was they only took $800 of the $4000 in cash that was in the bag. Obviously this puzzled him somewhat. The consensus among those around at the time was that it wasn't worth having someone killed for the $800 taken. If they'd taken $4,000 this may not have been the case. I'm not saying my friend would have had them killed but they weren't to know that.

Possibly taking all your stuff would have created too much of a furore. Just taking the camera means you're more likely to just let it go which has proved to be the case.

By Hunterman on Tuesday, May 25, 2004 - 07:22 pm: Edit

I like the idea of a "Rogue's Gallery" thread. It would be an excellent reference for all of us, at the same time as reducing their business.

Would you start it, please? I'm sure it would grow....

By SF_Hombre on Wednesday, May 26, 2004 - 04:57 am: Edit

You can buy a safe in Rio with a keypad lock in place of a key. That way if (heaven forbid) you're drugged, no one can get access because there is no key, just a sequence of digits you enter that is safely tucked away in your head. As BS noted they cost between $300-800 reals.

By Hombre on Wednesday, May 26, 2004 - 11:56 am: Edit

Title of report updated by Sandman's request

By Bwana_dik on Wednesday, May 26, 2004 - 03:08 pm: Edit

I've started a new thread under Brazil:Rio titled "Garotas to be Avoided..." Maybe Sandman can move a photo or two of this sweetheart there along with a brief description of her...

By Travelsrr on Wednesday, May 26, 2004 - 03:32 pm: Edit

I have a picture simply titled "avoid" which belongs on that thread Bwana Dik talks about, above.

By Carne1 on Wednesday, May 26, 2004 - 08:32 pm: Edit

Hey Sandman,

Sorry to hear of your setback, although minor, there is that initial feeling of your stomach dropping form a $1500.00 cliff when you realize your property has been taken...then the good old rational brain kicks in and you realize that $1500.00 can be thought of as tuition cost of a collge course...mongering 101. Which we all need to repeat from time to time.

Hey speaking of setback, how long has it bee since you have had your back set. Last time I set yours was in that four letter country with DG present. If that doesn't ring a bell...think saxaphone.

Ok if you still don't remember, email me and say hi. I'll remind you. BTW I am retiring soon, with the hopes of catching up with you uand DG in Rio soon.

carne1

By Dongringo on Wednesday, May 26, 2004 - 10:56 pm: Edit

Carne
I'd welcome the opportunity to repay your hospitality sometime. I truly enjoyed our time at your gracious casa. Thanks!
DeeG

By Sandman on Thursday, May 27, 2004 - 03:41 am: Edit

How could i ever forget. Good to hear from you buddy.

come on down to Rio and we will party.

ciao

By Carne1 on Saturday, May 29, 2004 - 01:25 am: Edit

Deeg and SM,

I am working on it, and getting closer day by day. I have never anticipated a vacation as much as I am this one. Maybe because this one is permanant. Some days I go f@*#ing crazy, because I can't just get on a plane and go, but I am so close to being able to do that.

You know two days after that trip I turned right around and spent another 6 days there with a hottie. DeeG did I send you pics of that?
If not, I will post them. Let me know.

carne1

By Dongringo on Saturday, May 29, 2004 - 02:55 pm: Edit

You're my hero carne1
post the pics - i miss pics of cubanas
DeeG

By Carne1 on Saturday, May 29, 2004 - 11:28 pm: Edit

O.K. report is done (La Habana), and pics are posted. It is my first report (i think), therefore nothing close to quality (the report). The girl is quality, just not the report. Sorry for the poor layout.

carne1

By Sandman on Sunday, May 30, 2004 - 02:15 am: Edit

PM me when your plans are firm. We'll help you get your sea legs in Rio.

Sandman

By Patchadams on Sunday, May 30, 2004 - 05:56 am: Edit

Truely appreciate you sharing your story/advice with us Sandman. Will keep my eye out when engaging in festas.

By Carne1 on Sunday, May 30, 2004 - 09:57 pm: Edit

Roger that Sman. TY

carne1

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