Carnival and security.

[asdsrfr]

 I am here carnival now and having a great time as always—but I thought this warranted a separate topic. In the last 24 hours I’ve witnessed the following—I was tear gassed at the base of Farme de Amoedo as the police tried to clear the beach street— it was a near riot as the locals were throwing bottles and cans at the police who had riot shields. . I saw two people having their cellphones lifted including that of a very savvy  Brazilian friend of mine who was standing right next to me on Farme de Amoedo. I saw numerous  fights on the beach with the beach vendors bringing out long sticks to go beat people who they thought  were stealing

To top it all off my two friends who are staying with me were mugged on the way back from dinner at midnight by the General Osario station in Ipanema.  One was placed in a chokehold and the other broke free to assist his friend and  use their army self-defense training to escape unharmed with all their belongings intact. I love carnival and it it is are still a lot of fun but  coming to Rio at carnival is not for the faint of hearted. You’re definitely not in Kansas anymore… .

 

ps—the saunas are still fun!

[Tomcal]

one of the sauna guys i know told me yesterday that he went home last night at 8:00 pm because of the “problems” in both Copa and Ipanema because of Carnival  and it was safer to stay home and watch Netflix!

[mvan1]

2 hours ago, asdsrfr said:

 I am here carnival now and having a great time as always—but I thought this warranted a separate topic. In the last 24 hours I’ve witnessed the following—I was tear gassed at the base of Farme de Amoedo as the police tried to clear the beach street— it was a near riot as the locals were throwing bottles and cans at the police who had riot shields. . I saw two people having their cellphones lifted including that of a very savvy  Brazilian friend of mine who was standing right next to me on Farme de Amoedo. I saw numerous  fights on the beach with the beach vendors bringing out long sticks to go beat people who they thought  were stealing

To top it all off my two friends who are staying with me were mugged on the way back from dinner at midnight by the General Osario station in Ipanema.  One was placed in a chokehold and the other broke free to assist his friend and  use their army self-defense training to escape unharmed with all their belongings intact. I love carnival and it it is are still a lot of fun but  coming to Rio at carnival is not for the faint of hearted. You’re definitely not in Kansas anymore… .

 

 

Your report reconfirms my decision to not go to Rio during Carnival.  

I went during Carnival only once - in 2004.  

I have visited Brazil more than one hundred times since that one visit during Carnival,.  During my one carnival visit, other than my hearing loud music and noise, my view was totally blocked by enormous crowds.  All I could see when I went out in the crowds was the backs of thousands of people in lines in front of me.  If I looked straight up in the air, I could see occasional fireworks. 

I waited for the excitement of Carnival to begin while I could hear the crowds screaming and yelling in happiness. 

After I while, I thought to myself, is that all there is to Carnival?

I get no enjoyment from being in Rio at Carnival time when prices are doubled (or more) and crowds are unmanageable.    

I am glad you are having a good time.   Carnival is a good thing to experience - once. 

[paulsf]

I’ve been to Carnival twice.  The first is memorable because it was the first time I met TotallyOz.  My friend that was with me knew him and we all met up.  Many years ago.    Now we hang out in Bangkok.

First Carnival we had seats high up in the bleachers. Just an amazing time. We made it till about 5 am.   Went back for second Carnival a couple of years later.  We bought seats in a box at ground level. Up close and personal, felt like you were part of the parade. Unforgettable evening.  

Now I live in Bangkok for  6 months a year and haven’t been back to Brazil for awhile. But I think a trip back is on the horizon. 

[TotallyOz]

I have been to Carnival at least 8 times.  I never had a problem being mugged as security is always tighter at that time of the year.  However, coming to the hotel one night from Scala Gay, the police took 1/2 my money as a "toll" passage.  I had a hotel limo and 2-3 boys with me.  They wanted to go back and fight and I said fuck no. One year I had my passport stolen and it was returned as I leave a note in it that there is a reward if it is returned.  And, back then, during Carnival, the US Embassy was closed for the week.  I was lucky to have the thief return the passport.

[Riobard]

3 hours ago, TotallyOz said:

 I leave a note in it that there is a reward if it is returned.  And, back then, during Carnival, the US Embassy was closed for the week.  I was lucky to have the thief return the passport.

What a good idea! I usually carry my passport as I use Metro ... next time I will bring my photo health card and see if it is accepted. I have no drivers license. A color copy of passport has occasionally worked. 

Anyone know the language nuances PT of "cash reward if returned to owner, no questions asked". And you add your phone # ('zap)?

 

[Walker]

3 hours ago, Riobard said:

 

Anyone know the language nuances PT of "cash reward if returned to owner, no questions asked". And you add your phone # ('zap)?

 

Google translate is your friend.

[mvan1]

1 hour ago, Walker said:

Google translate is your friend.

Be careful when using a computer program to translate something precise as offering a reward for a missing passport.  

"Google is your friend" has become a proverb .  Google is excellent with respect to finding locations and information.   

Google translate is good but it often translates sentences in a way that the translation becomes ambiguous or incorrect.  

Using Google translate for simple conversations is great.  

If you want to include a note similar to what OZ discussed, it is better to have a trusted native speaker prepare a handwritten note for you to insert in your passport.  

[mvan1]

8 hours ago, TotallyOz said:

 One year I had my passport stolen and it was returned as I leave a note in it that there is a reward if it is returned.  And, back then, during Carnival, the US Embassy was closed for the week.  I was lucky to have the thief return the passport.

Great idea and what a charge of good luck you had in getting your passport returned.

[likeohmygod]

As mvan1 said....do not use google translator for this kind of things (even if in this particular case it might work). Keep it for the simple and risk free interactions between garotos and the commercial side of the holiday (if in front. of a non english speaker).

Google's translations from english to portuguese can be easy to misunderstand. Some weeks ago i've posted some examples of completely wrong (and also offensive) translations made by Google when facing portuguese.

I don't wanna be the usual lowballer but keep in mind that even the bad guys can find your passport. While the idea is good, more precautions should be taken to keep it safe, since you do not want to expose yourself directly while in Brazil to a stranger who's "returning" your passport and also...do not disclose the address where you're staying.

Some kind of proxy can be found (a GP for example).

[mvan1]

18 minutes ago, likeohmygod said:

 

I don't wanna be the usual lowballer but keep in mind that even the bad guys can find your passport. While the idea is good, more precautions should be taken to keep it safe, since you do not want to expose yourself directly while in Brazil to a stranger who's "returning" your passport and also...do not disclose the address where you're staying.

 

You have a good point about not revealing where you are staying.  

If you do not want to include your local Brazilian address on the note, visitors to Brazil can buy a local cell phone SIM card.   That way, the "finder" of your passport can call you on that local number to collect the reward from you.  SIM cards also accept collect calls.  

On the note that can be put in your passport, your local cell number can be written.   

Using a foreign telephone number means it is less likely you will get your passport returned.  

[TotallyOz]

I put my hotel name and address and I always stay in the same hotel so once written, I just keep the note in my passport.  When they came to collect, security called me and I went down to  pay.

In Thailand, you don't need your passport but I make a copy of mine just in case any issue.  In 15 years, never been checked.

[likeohmygod]

Hi Oz... Yeah the hotel's staff is a good proxy. 

Just curiosity...i know asking since this has never happened to me. 

If the police in Brazil asks your document, is a color copy of the passport enough? Am I risking something? 

[Walker]

I always carry a black and white copy of my passport photo page with me in Brazil.  I can just show this copy to enter any clubs or saunas.  I am not qualified for senior discount at metros.  I have never had encounter with police. The only time I need a real physical passport in Brazil is at airport and at hotel check-in.

[Riobard]

It is mandatory to be able to produce photo ID. If a xerox copy of passport is what you carry it is advisable to accompany it with another original document such as student, health, driver lic card. But it should have picture, name, and date of birth corresponding to passport copy.