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I know that Lurkerspeaks likes his galetos or baby chickens. In the city the are now getting between 18-26 Reais for a plate with broccoli rice and molho de campanha - basically a non-spicy pico de gallo. But to give a basis for comparison, chicken breast - boneless, skinless - was under $2.00/lb. Big difference in price for the average Rio resident.

Less-wealthy Cariocas never take taxis. All residents are entitled to a Bilhete Unico. The "only card" transit card gets you a second mode of transit for no extra money to a bit more depending on the modes used among buses, trains, metro, ferry boats. Rio residents love to complain about everything increasing in price, but when the card came into effect about a year ago it was a great cost savings. There was a great hue and cry when eggs and tomatoes went sky high last year but now that they have gone back down, ditto on garlic, no one seems to be happier. Eggs here right now are about 1.40US/dozen so not bad. I think the most popular food item at McDonald's is the casquinha - ice cream cone. Cheapest thing on the menu basically. Whether the chain is McD's, Burger King, Bob's, Giraffa's or KFC, most residents don't patronize them. The food options and cost at the por quilos/kilos are just too great and a better value. One just needs to check your watch for the time and the menu outside the door which lists the varied prices per 100grams and at what time the prices change. Usually 11:30-Noon is cheap time and then either after 1:30PM or 2:00PM which has the lowest price points. Many por quilos might be at 2.20 or 2.40 after 1:30PM. The more expensive ones usually will have some fancier meat choices. Picanha and filet mignon instead of alcatara, for example. But every one will offer grilled chicken breast, chicken or pork sausage grilled and a few types of beef with lots of healthy veggie options. If you can get a great plate of food for lunch for 15-20Reais, much better than a small combo meal at the chains for 20-25. One final mention as to food, fit Brasilians eat food and consider it as fuel for the body. The 1st world ideal of food bringing us pleasure or whatever - not here. And the base on the plate for everyone is rice, beans, farofa and some sort of protein. A fish filet, chicken thigh and leg or breast, beef, eggs and cheese, whatever with veggies. The fatter people you see now - we believe it is the invading US consumer culture with processed crap that it causing this - chips, hidden fats, etc. Brasilians are like turtles - they can carry everything on their backs with a backpack. It is almost like everyone you see has these growths on their backs. As well as an added colchonette or foam rubber sleeping mat. Money on hotels - not. They travel, sleep with whomever they might faintly be acquainted and unroll the foam and go to sleep like sardines with one beside the other, more often than not, head to foot. Right now with Carnaval starting soon, there are even more of these tumors than normal.

Thailand is the answer, but you do need at least 10 days. I am leaving for Bangkok next Monday for a month. It cost me about the same as 10 days in Rio.

I pooh-pooh'd nuclear energy for decades and then decided to give it another look about five years ago, when it seemed the only possible solution for providing the energy we currently consume. Then I came across an article that said there has never been a civilization that existed as long as would be necessary to store nuclear waste until it was no longer life-threatening. Perhaps it will be feasible one day to shoot it off to the moon. Assuming, of course, we don't need to go live there ourselves. I've long felt that Mother Nature would eventually take the decision out of our hands. If Earth can't sustain us now, when we number 7 billion, how will she sustain us when we double that number? I sure couldn't prove it, but I've also felt for a number of years that it's no coincidence that homosexuality is becoming more accepted as the number of humans increases. Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing blow jobs become more popular than bassinets.

I pretty much feel that the huge and growing world population is the single greatest issue going forward...and the root cause of climate change. Man has gotten better at countering Mother Nature in her efforts to keep things under control but how much longer can that happen? I try to be optimistic about the future but it is becoming more and more difficult to do so. Other than some indications of positive changes related to acceptance of homosexuality (i.e. same sex marriages), few other bright spots on the horizon I am sad to say.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=C90uhvXW1KM&feature=youtube_gdata_player&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DC90uhvXW1KM%26feature%3Dyoutube_gdata_player

I totally agree with planetime. Thailand is the answer to the cheapest. You could do it in 7 days and I know many that do. But, 10 days is much better and you will enjoy it more as the jet lag sucks. But, it is possible to do in less time.

I really am not sure how the people from Rio afford the city. It just seems so expensive to me but then again, I am a tourist and the prices are not what those of a typical Brazilian would pay. The price for hotels are just horrible. On my last several trips there, I use only points to stay as the rates are just too much for me. I will never pay 400 a night for a hotel. Anywhere on Earth (unless a cute boy comes with the room).

Did he achieve lift off?