I am making my 2nd trip to Brazil (1st was 2 years ago, 3 months duration, South from Rio into Argentina/ Patagonia). I plan to improve my language abilities with a course in Salvador, lose some weight, explore the beaches of the NE coast, take a boat trip on the Amazon, and of course, do what I can to improve the gene pool in the Southern Hemisphere.

“Budget” is a relative term, in this case, connoting about $2000 US a month. As on my last trip, I will travel primarily by bus, stay in middle class hotels and eat the majority of my meals in the street side stands and per kilo places, with an occasional upper level restaurant included.

I have arranged to stay at Brazil Specialist’s apartment in Rio and will be getting some dental work done by a friend of a Brazilian friend prior to heading North. During this initial period, all bets are off re the budget, as I take off the edge acquired during the last 3 months of involuntary celibacy.(Have stored up about 10 gallons of jizz!)

My intent is a hassle free trip, done free form style, without too much influence from watches, schedules or calenders. I do not intend to allow money to control my activities, but will, as I do normally, live simply and enjoy the adventures that will surely fall in my path. My luggage consists of an oversized day pack and a small carry-on bag filled with expendibles--books, candy, trinkets, a bottle of fine Franch cognac, so I am very mobile. I am armed with a new
Ricoh Caplio R1 digital camera with a 28 to 135mm zoom to document the beauty of Brazil. The attached picture symbolizes leaving the Puritanical restraints of the USA and entering the hedonistic, joyful society of Brazil.








REPORTS WILL FOLLOW PERIODICALLY THROUGHOUT THE TRIP.

(Message edited by tomjr2 on December 10, 2004)

(Message edited by tomjr2 on December 10, 2004)

Dude
Have an excellent trip! Sounds like you're off to a good start. Don't forget to write
DG

Parabéns Tomjr2 -
I envy you being in Brazil to explore the (ahem)
"beauties" of the country in a leisurely style.
Looking forward to your posts (and pix!) for those of us
who pine away with "muitos saudades" for O Brasil!

With luck, I'll be back there myself shortly...

DG---Thanks for the words, Just read one of your reports in which you discussed Monique. Happy to say I had good results with her also, (as they say in Mexico) Mi hermano de leche.
Recently heard your handle mentioned when I hooked up with elgrandcombo at a suco stand. Heard him speaking Portuguese with that definite gringo accent, talked, exchanged the famous hombre secret handshake and...etc,etc.

Reserved an apartment hotel today for 4 to 14 February, maybe we can hook up then.

Dagnome---Hang in there, they keep turning out the 18 y/o every day!

Can you please explain what that image is?

Is the lights of a city at night?

Is it a spider?

Is it a broken windshield?



thank you

Hey Tom, I was in Brazil 9 months and definitely on a budget, much less than $2000 a month...excluding garotas, of course. I went all over the country, a lot by bus and airpass. Let me know if I can be of any help maybe provide some advice.

AndresB---You had it right the 1st time---shot taken by a guy who is playing with new camera. Glad to see you have an imagination to come up with the alternatives---60´s like..."WOW MAN, THE COLORS"

Travelsrr---Thanks for the offer, will probably take you up on it but pressed for time now. I´ll PM you w/in the next few days with my e-mail and questions. (Now in Salvador, start a language course tomorrow).
Last trip I made(3 months, S. Brazil, Argentina), I spent about $1500/month and did not feel deprived!