travguy

Another strange weekend, in part due to brutal heat and humidity, especially Sunday. No issues with the sun on Friday. But I wisely limited my time while jogging and hanging out at the beach. Not many guys in the Ipanema gay area mid pm. 117 was not as busy vs last Friday night. Completely different vibe and many different GPs. Made the mistake of doing 2 trips to the beach Saturday, and just that extra 15 minutes in the very brutal sun made my upper areas fairly red. The guys were out in force around 1500 hours at the Ipanema gay beach area. So I decided to stay in Saturday night. On the Scruff app, they listed multiple parties, though not The Week. Two parties were nearby in Ipanema, but I thought it best to rest thinking I might get a moderate burn, but didn't. It was also pretty hot. Sunday am was a sweatbox and I think the feels like temperature of 40C or 100F was way too low. I was dripping in sweat at the Ipanema Hippie Fair market at G Osorio at 1100 hrs in the shade. Never went to the beach, in part due to redness and the oppressive heat plus humidity. Found some cuts of meat that I really liked and made a big lunch at the apartment. Got a late start intending to go to Bangu Boate Casa Grande via Uber (too hot to bother with an hour long non AC bus ride after the Metro). Previously quoted me about 90 R$, but would be about 70 R$ due to some Uber promo or special. Took the M to Gloria expecting to spend part of a steamy early pm at my 4 known places for live music on a Sunday. Not one of them was doing any music, not even the parks by M Gloria - though a big market and tons of filled streets were happening. I hung out for a while, drenched again in sweat, but around 1630 hours thought it too late to start the long Uber trip to Bangu. The heat also takes a lot out of you. So, I went to Sexy Rose, where one guy made me quite happy. As in the past, no clue to explain my luck. Cinelandia was pretty dead when I left around 1800 hours. Lots of flirting on Grindr and Scruff, but no hook ups. Had some airbnb issues to deal with and skipped the Bip Bip club near Cantagalo Metro (sort of near...) again due to the heat index, low 90s now and I was not looking to have a 3rd or 4th shower in 1 day. Found lots of outdated information regarding gay clubs still being circulated on the web. In brief: Le Boy and Le Girl are long gone. My best guess is that all or almost all of the pre-COVID bars and clubs on or near Farme de Amoedo and de Melo in Ipanema are GONE. Maybe some changed names or owners. The muscle and drug boys at The Week might be eye candy for us, but unless we are in shape sugar daddies, I sense that the readers here might not fully fit in. The sauna by the beach in Ipanema is still around. I don't think it is a GP sauna. I did not go to it. There are some gay bars / clubs on the NE end of Copa and 1 near M Cantagalo, but I did not go to any of them so far this trip. Have not been to Lapa this trip either. Gay clubs there are farthest ones from the Arches / Arcos. In the past, some were busy at MN, others quite dead even at 0200 hours. To change the subject: Another strange custom here is that when some local food markets close down, some sellers refuse to sell perfectly good food as part of last minute sales, although most are happy for any sale.

22 February 2024 update on Brazil (Brasil) SIM cards for foreigners When visiting Brazil using your cell phone can be a problem if you do not have inexpensive roaming on your cell plan. Do not expect a non BR prepaid plan to work in BR. Briefest version: Airalo via eSim which you might be able to buy and then use even after arrival in Brazil seems like the easiest solution and not that expensive for light to moderate use, if you can use wifi as often as possible. Less expensive and will be I think the best choice if your cell phone cannot handle an eSIM is a TIM prepagado SIM cartao or chip pre pago (prepaid SIM card from the company, TIM) bought at a local newspaper and candy kiosk (which seem to be omnipresent on busier shopping streets) for about 15 R$ (3 Euro, Pound, or Dollars) seems to be the next easiest way to do it, but you still need to understand a bit of Portuguese (PT). Claro and Vivo seem a bit hopeless and Claro at least will likely be time consuming for no good reason. In BR for a foreigner to get a BR SIM card some Claro/Vivo/TIM offices (if they will even assist you, and some will not) will need you to bring your passport and prefer it if you have a CPF card – like a tax ID and should take 2-10 business days for a foreigner to get one. With the CPF, you can also get some discounts at stores and supermarkets. Getting the CPF is a different topic and there are many web links. Please use a newer link, as this can all be done online now, post COVID. Here is one: https://media.doterra.com/br-otg/pt/flyers/gac-step-by-step-english.pdf At some Claro/Vivo/TIM offices, they might only speak PT or SP. They might not have any interest in assisting you per numerous web reports. At the post office, the process to get a post office SIM might not be so easy and some report that coverage is not great. So why bother…..exactly !! Searches: https://search.brave.com/search?q=brazil+sim+card+for+tourist&source=web https://www.traveltomtom.net/destinations/south-america/brazil/sim-card-brazil Nice detailed information. He likes airalo. Please check Airalo.com and the various links to make certain your cell phone is on the list for eSIM compatible phones for airalo. I do not know if any eSIM enabled phone will work or not. Same for iPads, tablets, etc. You will find up to date pricing as well, currently 30 days, 3 GB, is 11 USD. https://toomanyadapters.com/buying-sim-card-brazil/ Good advice and comments here too. https://www.iheartbrazil.com/brazil-sim-card/ Somewhat older advice. https://abrokenbackpack.com/brazil-sim-cards/ Makes this seem too easy, which it is not. https://www.phonetravelwiz.com/buying-a-sim-card-in-brazil-guide/ Some might find a few helpful hints here. Ok, airalo might seem a bit pricey or you do not have a compatible eSIM phone. A TIM SIM card seems like the next best choice – you buy this once in BR. Step by step directions: -make sure your phone, tablet, etc is not locked to your current cell carrier. Easy to check with iphone. Not so easy to be certain with Android. -After arrival in BR, go to local newsstand and candy kiosk. (Might be able to get TIM SIM card at airports in BR after you arrive, but you can arrange local transportation with airport wifi and arrive at your place ok.) Ask for a TIM prepagado SIM cartao or chip pre pago (prepaid SIM card from the company, TIM). They might have 4G or 5G SIM cards. For most of us 4G should be fine. Expect to pay about 15 R$ (3 Euro, Pound, or Dollars). This is the price ONLY for the SIM card itself-nothing else, no data, no minutes, no texts. At most kiosks, they will only speak PT and maybe some SP, so please don’t expect much assistance, if any, from them. You can do the rest on your own….well yes, mostly, sort of (if you cannot handle any foreign words). I think this would be most difficult for non western language speakers, like Japanese. -After you buy the TIM SIM card, go back to your place (hotel, airbnb, etc) and use wifi and the SIM itself to do the rest. Why? You will prefer privacy when giving details of your passport to follow. -take a photo of the numbers on the sticker of your SIM card and write them down as well, just in case. These include parts of the SIM card number. Also photograph or copy all of the numbers you see on the credit card size SIM plastic card and the actual SIM number (zoom up a photo for this). Mine included PIN, PIN 2, PUK, and PUK 2 numbers. You might not need any of them, but you never know. The PIN and PIN 2 are NOT your password code for the meuTIM app. -you can insert the TIM SIM card into your phone or tablet now. Be aware that my TIM SIM card came with 3 size choices in the packet. The expected tiny SIM with 2 larger surrounding pieces of plastic if your SIM slot requires this. I have never seen this before and the tiny SIM worked fine in my cell phone. BEFORE contacting TIM, have your passport with you or a copy of the page(s) with your number and issue date, etc. Also have a copy of your full address in Brazil, just in case they ask (which, apparently they don’t). Ok if it is a Hotel address. Some old posts indicate TIM uses this to figure out the correct BR area code and number for you. However, these days, when you insert your TIM SIM card you automatically receive a phone number !! There is no need to go to a TIM store unless you expect major language issues (eg Japanese only speakers) -BR phone numbers: 55 (21) 12345 6789. 55 is the country code for BR. If you are in Rio, 21 is one of several State codes within Brazil. The next 9 numbers are your number. But when using the TIM phone app, do not use 55!! Your number begins with the numbers 11-99 depending on what State of Brazil your SIM card links to. So there will be 11 digits to enter for the meuTIM app. My 11 digits start with 21 and then the 12345 6789. - with the new TIM SIM card in your phone, dial *144. Despite previous postings, the robot never defaulted to English and hung up on me around 2:15. If you are luckier and hear English, press 3 to get to an English speaking attendant. If you do not hear English around the 50 second mark, after hearing “DOISHE” the EN pronunciation for the PT word for 2, listen carefully for “trAYsh”, like “trace” with the C replaced with SH, PT word for 3. Then press 3 on your cell phone (not sure if also had to hit “*” as well). When I did this the English speaking attendant came on quickly in less than 15 seconds (weekday, around 1500 hours in Rio). The connection was not great, but it worked. She wanted my passport number, country, date of issue, and my name. Nothing else. I spelled my last name for her, although she did not ask for this. I thought it best just in case name she put it did not match name on credit card to pay for data etc to follow. She said I could buy service plan, data, days of service etc at drug stores, kiosks, TIM stores, etc, but not with her by phone now. -throughout the process of plonking the TIM SIM card into your device and activating it by calling TIM you will receive MANY text messages. - Pay special attention to any text that includes the word “senha” and copy the 4 digit number down. This is the password code you need for the meuTIM app. -I clicked on one of the text links that followed my TIM English conversation within minutes to get a prepaid plan. Paid 30 R$ (about 6 Euros, Pounds, Dollars). I think it was via ativar.tim.com.br. I could not pay with the phone VPN on, so might need to start from scratch with the phone VPN off if you do this via phone. Went through seamlessly. -It will be difficult to figure out what you actually bought !! I thought I was getting 30 days, but it seemed like I got 90 days of service and 12GB or more of data, with bonus data depending on when the data is used, like overnight. Using a few apps and checking emails, maps, a few websites and social media I can often get by on 2GB/week using wifi when eating, at museums, etc. I think texts are unlimited and calls are unlimited (perhaps in State of RJ or only BR). There are multiple discount and other offerings as well. For example with the Ze food delivery service. (Claro adds completely free whatsapp, which is hugely popular in BR, but this was not noted with TIM) So no complaint about price or set up time with TIM. From buying the 15 R$ TIM SIM card at a nearby kiosk to finishing call with TIM attendant to buying a 30 R$ 12 plus GB 30 or 90 day prepaid plan took less than 30 minutes and cost around 9 Euros, Pounds or Dollars !! -you can add the meuTIM app on your phone via Apple or Google Play store. Can do it on your computer browser as well if you like. I assume topping up if you need more data or longer stay will be very easy as well – but I have learned, never assume. -as always, can save cellular data via using wifi when able. Always use VPN when possible. Other numbers to be aware of: *244 or *244# to top up *222# to check balance Hope this step by step guide will assist folks and sorry for the long post necessitated therein.

I wanted to post this as a separate note from the Campeas. Felt ok late yesterday and went to Sexy Rose from 1700-1930 hours. I had so much sex. I don't understand it to be honest, as my looks and body are nothing special. Mr Happy is a bit larger than most, but not huge. As in the past, I have seen a few very hot guys, A&F surfer types, somewhat older (late 20s-40s) muscle guys and the odd twink having sex with similar. Nothing unusual about that. But then you sometimes see the same guys having sex with much older and heavy set guys to follow. Also, some guys who will not even look at you will quickly polish the chrome on your....if you grab them accordingly. As I don't like being grabbed (unless by a hottie of course) I will (rarely) grab a guy after seeing him respond well to someone of similar type to me. I also don't want to cause a fight, etc. I also seem to have some luck with younger guys in BR as there is less age bias against older gays when hanging out at a bar or as a sex partner, etc. Glad to hear the thoughts of others. Perhaps some type of daddy / machismo thing that I don't see north of the Rio Grande (US and Canada).

I have been to the Campeas before, so I knew the times were not the truth. I arrived a bit late and expected it to finish around 7am or so. Thank goodness for my butt cushion. I thank Pauleiro for his comments and great pictures. The pictures alone do not do this spectacle justice. It is perhaps as close as we mere mortals will come to a Triumph of ancient Rome. Unlike New Orleans, there are no throws, beads, cups, doubloons, toys, etc. It is a visual and audio feast. It is also much warmer than Koln Karneval, etc. Apologies, I do not understand what any of the numbers mean. I noted many folks had left by 0230 hours or so. In the past I noted waves of folks from the favelas where these groups are from came and went to cheer on their own. Saw very little of that from my archibancada setor this year. Looks like they removed the TV tower that crossed over the S D around setor 6 or 8 or so. Therefore, none of the floats were height limited or required animatronics to dip the figures, like a 4 plus story Portela Eagle so it could fit under the tower years ago. This year's Eagle was much smaller. I think the prices this year were very high vs prior years for us tourists.

Marc, Thx for the Carson info. I like liked the Tea Time Movie Guy, Carnac, and the Editorial rebuttal (hunter) characters. The foot swelling was not the pitting edema I remember my older relatives getting. I went down slowly and gone now, but no idea why I had it. Basically no rest after the Campeas. Got back to Leblon by around 8am, Banda at Leblon beach around 1100-1230 hrs. So many A&F type surfer hot guys, mostly late teens /early 20s with girlfriends etc. Then I rested a bit as my feet were a mess. Went to Sexy Rose later in the day. It was busy. Things were quite different throughout the city post Campeus and it seems the celebrations continued well past Tuesday. By 1700-1800 hrs I was walking to Gloria from Cinelandia. Two bars that often have street music in front were quiet, likely folks on a major pause. There was great music in a park by Gloria Metro, adjacent to the park with the statue. Had a nice beer and went back to the apt. Never made it to Bangu. Too tired and no working SIM card for cell phone. I was pretty sick over the next few days. Trots just on Monday am, and feeling like le grippe / the flu to follow. Eating ok but no desire for fun. Bit of a constant upset stomach. Feeling mostly better now. Not sure about going to 117 tonight, not cool to get anyone else sick. Major success with SIM card earlier today. There are web postings re TIM and it seems to work. I will post the details later as not all is obvious or in English. Claro in the past has worked fine for up to a few days, before it stopped working, so I hope TIM is better. Been fairly warm and humid here. ....if only I could come up with something funny to say here like Carson. There is always Dangerfield: My wife's cooking is so bad the flies fixed the screen...AAt the zoo: Officer, I can't find my parents...Officer to young Rodney: Yeah, there are so many places they can hide.....

Poor Roger Mudd at CBS always in the shadow of Walter Cronkite, if that is the ref to Morley Mudd. And I am no Morley Safer, but unlikely to be as bad as Ted Baxter. When growing up the network anchors had a god like status in the industry. The Campeas was amazing. However, there seemed to be some major issues with last group to march at 525am leading to a 40-minute delay and an apparent dearth if marchers at the parade start. For folks comfortable with the ways of Rio and its Metro, the Metro was fine and fully functional in both directions. Waited less than 15 minutes from the queue to enter Praca Onze to when the Metro train arrived. Might be missing the banda at Leblon beach at 9am local time as I write this. But need a brief rest anyway. Also, my feet are swollen and a bit numb. New to me. Perhaps too much salt or liquids to cope with the heat and humidity here. I can jog and treadmill, so my heart should be ok. LOL. What time do folks suggest arriving at Bangu (if I do it today), is 1630 hours about correct? Thx in advance

Pre Campeas update: Airbnb host gave me a pm tour of the beaches west of Rio and some parts of Rio earlier today. :)) Corcovado train is now 122 RS on the weekends and ?? 97 RS Mo-Fr. I have been before and as memory serves me the price may have doubled since pre COVID. We skipped it and still got back late, so not much of a pre Campeas nap for me. Beaches outside the city were great. Some areas reminded us of Miami (not a complement). Also drove through the Rocinha favela. Not something I would do on my own, as he drives like a Formula 1 driver! There will be a very large block party at the Ipanema Leblon border tomorrow, Sunday. Don't know what time, and the street along the beach will be closed off. We likely missed the Ipanema parties today, but did not understand all that my host said in PT. He also said that 1 million folks were supposed to be in centro today. Partying?? He does not like centro and we did not go there. My host also sat me down to explain how to be even safer in Rio. He gave me an under shorts money belt type thing where he said I must put my cell phone, cash and CCs traveling to and from the Sambodromo and seemed understanding but unhappy about my small camera for pics. Actually, his concerns were appropriate, and I will be even more careful than usual. Also said no food or water, etc can be brought into the smabadromo. Also said that the hot food items were likely spoiled food or poorly cooked, so try not to eat a burger or fries there. Anything in a store type package is likely ok. No time to deal with the lack of working SIM card today. And that is all from your EyeWitless News Reporter. Now back to the folks in the studio....

Thx floridarob. Got my ticket for the Campeas. Turns out the company handling this has its temporary ticket office at the Hotel Atlantico Copacabana. "How convenient" as it is next to Metro Siq Campos. Bought a cheap seat in the arquibancadas (sp) for 500 RS. So, yes, expensive, and more than what it was in the past. Some fancy party boxes were 3400+ RS. They threw in a Metro Giro card with R/T fare and a free T shirt too. Pls note that they said not all of the sectors (setor in PT) can be reached by Metro and I bought a ticket that would be reachable via Metro. Still no Sim for the cell phone.....but will likely try to buy a Vivo sim at a newspaper / candy kiosk later today. Sexy Rose was great Thursday and Friday. Absolutely packed Friday at 1730-1800 hrs. 117 was busy last night too. Prices seemed higher and a punter friend said it was Carnival pricing, even after Carnaval. Looks like it will be a nice day today. To the Moderator: Microsoft Edge insists that this is an unsafe site. Makes use quite difficult.

Riobard. You rule !! Not sure if we are noting the same event as I do not know he name of the events I saw in Gloria and was never there in this park area with a giant statue, maybe of the early Portuguese settlers, before 1600 hrs. Pedro Alvarez Cabral monument and park area on the google map. What I saw was not a market per se but various musicians performing. Perhaps more traditional music and folks really seemed to love the artists. There were maybe 20-40 small stalls selling food or wares, t shirts etc - but mostly aimed at locals vs tourists from far away. Regarding the sauna in Bangu, the google map suggested several possible transfer points from Metro Rio to a local bus. Time just on the bus was about 45-90 minutes for most routes. Endless stops were possible. The maternity hospital seemed like a good drop off point for many but not all bus routes. Will have to start serious shopping for campeas tickets tomorrow. My SIM card and linked phone number no longer function most likely due to non use and not paying for recharges. Also, when I went to Claro today they said they stopped the card from working. I tried to buy another SIM card to replace it and they said it cannot be done - only 1 ? Claro ? SIM card per cpf number. Completely insane. I will try vivo tomorrow.

Hello i am planning to go to the Campeas at the SamboDromo Saturday night and it ends around 7 am Sunday morning. Please let me know if others in town are interested. Top 6 samba groups will repeat their parades. Amazing spectacle. Near the Gloria Metro stop and 117 there is sometimes a Sunday afternoon and early evening very large community party. Great bands and food. Thinking of going to the Sauna in Bangu Sunday as well. Looks like it can be done by Metro - rail plus bus. Anyone else interested? Maybe some beach time as well Saturday. Lol thx

Rio de Janeiro: Dengue spike prompts health emergency ahead of Carnival FYI: Dengue Fever is endemic across much of the tropical world but mostly spares almost all of the US, Europe, and Australia. I post this FYI so that folks will be aware and use “bug spray” and mosquito repellent on their bodies as appropriate. Links: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2024/infections-diseases/dengue#5490 https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/brazil/health (unlike the US CDC, the UK makes no significant mention of Dengue Fever. Other travel advice in other sections is well worth reading though.) So the above provides some perspective. Two recent web articles that as quite similar: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/rio-de-janeiro-declared-dengue-health-emergency-days-106963804 (From the US, not Ozzie, ABC) Published on the web 5 Feb 2024. “RIO DE JANEIRO -- Rio de Janeiro on Monday has declared a public health emergency because of an outbreak of mosquito-borne dengue fever, the city announced Monday, just days before Carnival celebrations kick off across Brazil. The outbreak wasn't expected to derail Carnival, which officially starts Friday evening and runs until Feb. 14, but it has prompted a slew of special measures by the city in hopes of containing the illness. Rio city hall announced the opening of 10 care centers, the creation of an emergency operations center and the allocation of hospital beds for dengue patients. Authorities also will use “smoke cars” in regions with the highest incidence of cases, diffusing an insecticide in the air.” https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-68215360 (The title of the article is the title of this post). Published on the web 6 Feb 2024. “The authorities in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro have declared a health emergency as they try to contain the spread of dengue fever. The incidents of the mosquito-borne disease quadrupled in Brazil in January compared to the same month last year. Rio has registered 10,000 cases so far this year, compared to 23,000 for the whole of 2023. Dengue can cause a fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, and a blotchy rash. A dengue vaccine developed by the Japanese company Takeda was approved by Brazil's health regulator last year, but has not yet been widely distributed.”

I thought the Kosmopolit Cinema had closed due to covid and the bushes in the park north of the archeology museum had been trimmed back so much that sex in the bushes was unlikely to work. Happy for an update if my information is not correct. If the cinema is closed, what is "the" place to go now for rent boys?

RE Money: What you likely should seek is a fiduciary type advisor that charges you by the hour for advice given and is not in a position to profit from any actions that you might take. Likely around $100-200 USD/hr. This person or company should not have any control of your money. Finding such a person that you can trust might not be easy, especially outside of large cities. A good accountant or banker should be able to assist. Never ever use wifi when not at home without having a good VPN to avoid someone getting your passwords. You might even consider having several accounts to avoid possible on line complete financial catastrophe form having all of your assets with one company, and not accessing some investment sites at all while abroad. There are many good low cost VPN services. Some countries also offer citizenship if you spend enough time and money there. Completely different subject, but opens up other possibilities to save some money due to taxation. Americans and Brits living and working and paying taxes abroad are subject to lower tax bills back home. Not sure if this might be true for investment incomes per a foreign address, unless you are a dual citizen. Completely agree with others: rent before you buy and in the season you would choose to be in a location. For a multiyear commitment the next year or 2 are likely bad times to judge things. EU, GB, US, and Japan have excellent healthcare. If you get sick in Rio or Bangkok, etc. will you know where to go or trust the available services? Might need a stack of FFM for a last minute trip back home. That noted, medical care in South Korea, Hungary, Costa Rica, etc. can be well priced and excellent. Never overstay a 90 day stay in a country unless you have made appropriate arrangements and have solid documentation for your extension with that country's authorities. But yes, I think it would be rather easy to live most of the year abroad - if you are very healthy and financially stable. Brits, Germans, Dutch, and Ozzies have been doing this for decades with few hitches. Mind you, Commonwealth folks usually do this in expat areas, like Brits in Southern Spain, etc.

Weds 12 30 2020 am update: Monday 12 28 Did some shopping, cloudy day. Found bilastine and fexofenadine pills for mosquito bites. Work well along with benadril spray and Tea Tree oil. Tons of mosquitoes everywhere, likely due to all of the rain. New Meio Mundo was mostly twinks with a couple of muscle guys. My GP was surfer body Patrick, not twink, not big muscle. Was very nice and cost was only 1/2 of 117 or 202 prices ! Another punter told menot to spend over 100RS, and I think many of the mostly Brazilian punters only paid 80. My Sauna fee including a rather nasty room (bed, basic light, min AC and no video nor bathroom) was only 50RS. My French friend was charged 160, but had a 2nd GP and somehow got nicer cabines. I think I saw Patrick at 117 on Tuesday night - free cabines, but if so he never said hi or it was simply a different guy. The fruit at BF on Tuesday 12 29 wiped me out. LOL. 117 was busy, even when I aarived at 1830 hrs !! Had a bad time finding a bottom, LOL. Daniello was a maybe tweeked out surfer build guy. For me has a very good GP. He came 2 x !! When a Brazilian guy tried to assist adding his number to my whatsapp - and we could not figure out how to do this. I think the app is crap for adding someone. It was suggested that Daniello write his info down on a piece of paper and give it to me. He seemed to wig out and the nice regular Brazilian guy assisting in this simply told me Daniello was sort of nuts, crazy. Only a short cabine wait at 1900-1930 hrs, but was very long until I left around 2130 hrs. Many punters and many GPs. Several of the GPs, well, I only saw them once ! Some of the better looking ones were leaving before 2100 hrs as the show was starting. The show's 2nd act was way too loud and, sorry, the drag queen needed a nursing home. I left. The show room was way too crowded for covid, a left to put on a mask, and then simply left. It was nice that 117 offered small plates of some type of small dumplings with some meat sauce to everyone. No idea what it was. On Weds morning, today, there was a clip on Globo of what might have a party being busted someplace. Maybe gay as all of the folks leaving looked like guys and maybe some muscle god type guys by the door. No idea of anything further, just saw it for maybe 5-10 seconds and did not understand the commentary. Any further information appreciated. I was told no major fireworks at Copa in front of the Palace Hotel this year. However, many hotels have higher rates now, about 2 x regular covid prices (under 100 Euros or USDs) and M Rio has signs posted for travel on 12 31 and 1 1. Not sure what NYE will be like tomorrow. 117 is closed. ?202. Does anyone know the show schedule at Meio Mundo? I may try 202 again tonight - free cabines. So far I have been at the same hotel for about 2 weeks, why, the internet works !! It is comfortable, though not fancy and the price is good. Airbnb and Misterbnb would not have been significantly less and many places were more expensive. Location in Copa is fine, though Ipanema would have been nicer at 2 x the price. I do feel safer in the hotel as well. Has made hooking up difficult, but no worries about a guy or boy flipping out and trashing a place-after which I would have to pay for damages. So far my biggest mistake is not buying a pass to work out at a local gym, but many have limited holiday hours too; ?90RS per week. As mistakes go, that is minor. I am amazed how poorly the online GPs communicate. But my penis has been very happy I have not used the GP internet sites but rather the sites like scruff, grindr, etc. Please, I do not intend offense for the following, but it simply has to be said as I have witnessed this many times on this trip so far: When most boys or punters enter or leave a sauna they do so quietly and in a mostly business manner, with some hugging and maybe kissing amoung old friends. Same is true in the sauna or club or bar. Multiple times on this trip and at multiple gay and yes, non gay places, I have seen various groups of what appear to be US based black queens (2-6 in number) acting like its free cocaine night for trannies in 1987 - loud, in everybody's way and completely disrupting the local scene and goings as if they own the place. Many black Americans do not act this way ! I have seen a few white guys be a bit non respectful of the boys, but in each case they were PT speaking and the boys tolerated it, perhaps as these punters paid well and provided free drinks. I love black Americans, but please, be respectful of others, get out of the way of others and go with the flow as you see it. I have not seen non US blacks act this way, so I assume it is just a few "ugly Americans". Again, many US or English speaking blacks do not act this way and I do not intend offense, but simply ask that folks be respectful of others and not assume that are they are the center of the world. Apologies if I have offended anyone. If a moderator thinks this paragraph should be deleted, I will not object.

Sunday afternoon was a bit busy at Sexy Rose during a drizzly light rainy day. Three of the guys I saw later showed up at 117, likely as working boys, one was at 117 before I left around 2000 hrs, 2 more were walking up the street in that direction as I left for Metro Gloria. I stayed at 117 from around 1800-2000 hrs. Moderately busy. Several GPs caught my eye. Regarding MiamiEthan: another punter or 2 at a table where they were buying drinks for the boys has this covid masked GP come to his table in the outdoor smoking lounge. Might have bought him a water. I see this same toned surfer body guy in the porn room 20 minutes later and say hello. Still has his mask on (no-one else of the GPs is wearing one). We agree on a programma. He has me get the room key, the GPs usually do that. He has me top him for 30 minutes or more, wore me out (not all of us are like Jedi Master Tom Cal). He barely sucked and did not kiss. He was a bit of a loose bottom. Spoke only PT. Oh well. My bill when I left was about 140 for entry and the cabine so I assume we did double time there..... There were a few other guys of interest, but I was worn out and left before the show. Please note that some GPs entered and some left all through the time I was there. Some punters did not seem to buy time with the GPs despite lots of time with them talking and buying a Red Bull etc. So these things were not typical from what I saw in the past. As for the price, you can negotiate, the GP can say no. Please, always be nice to the GP, even if not interested when they say hello to you. It is not a great life and most do try to please and seek return customers or overnights. Please be aware, I speak limited PT, and it is not unusual for the boy not to do as planned. I also review the program and the price multiple times. I expected my GP to do more than just bend over. Funny how that never happens at Sexy Rose where the sex is free - no cost - and completely consensual. If you want, say hello to the other punters. They will provide some guidance. My guess is that basic sex with GP as top or if you suck them is about RS100. You can cum. They will not. If want to be sucked, most will put a condom on you first. I f you want more, you pay more. All negotiable. For the big muscle guy porn star types, it might cost much more and they might not deliver what you expected. You pay the GP cash back in the locker area after your program. You pay the sauna its fees separately. Make sure you have enough cash from the ATMs etc to allow a few programs, some drinks, some cabine costs, some entry costs. R$1000 on you is not unreasonable, plus it allows some money for dinner or drinks after or if you find a GP for an overnight. Others might wish to comment about cash on you. You find the GP first, then get a room. On free cabine nights there might be a queue with 15+ minute wait times pre COVID. Hope this assists newbies. Tonight, Monday, my European friend wants to try Meio Mundo in Centro. 202 was terrible last Monday. 117 is closed today (I think).