de Janiero Brazil that is..
For those who will ask what does this have to do with the DR, if you've asked yourself "Should I visit the DR or another place" you can use this info for a comparison since I have been to both. Besides, Rob may have a special interest in this post since he lived there for a while and gave me some info.
I was reading some of those love lorn post that went out while I was away in the Mars Venus section and I have to say girls, give those Brazilian men a chance! Sometimes Dom-men-can but Brazilians can all the time and with class! No the men I met here don't act like cro-magnons asking for $$, handouts, apparal etc. wow.. what a refreshing change. The below is all my experience so that's the disclaimer here if you've been there and disagree then it's all good. Also there are probably spelling mistakes since I just flew in this morning and went straight to work (straight flight from Rio to Atlanta, Delta does it right, they need to do the same for Santo Domingo) Sorry for the long post but I want to give you a good idea of my experience.
Beach observations: Ipanema beach - best beach in Rio. On Sundays I could not find my towl after swimming there were so many people. Although I stayed right on Copacabana beach and it was really nice, I think it is on a decline. Maybe 30 years ago it was in its glory but it is steadily going down hill. Some say that Barra beach is the best lots of surfing and hangliders landing right there, nice to watch the men do that. Like the DR, all the beaches have people selling you everything you could imagine you don't even have to get off the beach towl. But they don't hound you, just say one "no" and that's enough. If you wanna people watch, perhaps meet a nice Carioca man, walk around the guys playing futevoli (pronounced Fu-che-volley)right on the beach. It just blew my mind how good these guys are playing a game that is basically volleyball without using their hands. Me being a voleyball lover had to watch. I put down my wrap or (changa) down where they are playing (all the Rio girls have one that they wear to the beach.) Played the flirtatious or innocent type, took a small camera with and filmed them (MQ knows about this method) its a great way to get them to come over to you. I have to say, in my opinion, from the Brazilizan men I saw, they have a way more georgous body than DR men, they are very big on working out and looking good, every day you will see people jogging and biking down the Copacabana or other boardwalks. It's just a way of life there. Don't worry ladies, their not too picky with the women. Lots of Brazilian women are georgous too but men still like the big butt and some softness around the hips. 90% of Brazilian men wear swim trunks that are short and a little tight like spandex shorts, so it makes it real nice to see what the goods look like
People observations: Rio didn't have the typical money grubbing sanky action I had seen in the DR (except for the beggers on the street). This meaning that most men seem to be at the beach for a reason either playing soccer or futevoli. Not a lot of guys oogling at women like they had never seen a woman before. In the DR I was used to being "undressed with the eyes." Men won't hound you too much. It's a little more subtle here. All you have to do is show the one your interested in a tiny bit and they are very nice about showing your attention back without over-doing it. The men seem to have a lot of class there (at least in my opinion) never was I asked for anything, in fact, it was their pleasure to be with me. Men came up to me and starting talking Portuguese right away but when they realized I only knew Spanish and English they were shocked. I was mistaken for a Brazilian women many times there and they would say in their accent "oh a sawt zat zew were a Brazilian woman". I would smile and say "obrigada" and that usually keep things going. I happened to be fortunate enough to be meeting my brother there who was on business with Embratel, a telecommunications company there. He introduced me to his co-workers and I was able to see a side of Rio that a lot of tourists don't see. I met several really nice guys who took me out for a few nights in the Leblon area. That area is a great place for restaurants and going out and very safe. I had a great time and got to know a few of them a bit better
I noticed a much bigger color scheme in Rio then the DR. I mean (i.e. it's not a big black sanky selection, girls) I mistook these white European looking men not being Brazilian, in fact were. You can go from the Eurpoean look to black... my perference was the somewhere near a nice dark tan look
Everyone was so nice and extremely helpful, from people in the street to shops and bars. I would have never expected to go to a big city like Rio and meet some many nice people who willingly went out of there way to help a complete stranger out. Compared to any other big city like NYC etc. Rio wins the prize in my book for friendly people. I also felt very safe there, lots of police around every corner watching things. I was wondering how to approach those guys, everyone of them were extremely good looking. It must be a requirement for the job
If I walked out on the street I could fit in a little better than I did in the DR. All the Brazilian women wear bikini's no matter how fat you are, seriously. So if you beach it your wearing a bikini. My observations, only 1% wore an official "thong", most of the Brazilian bikini's are designed to just ride up your butt, don't worry about the wedgie, it's very fashionable. I bought 3 while I was there. I was expecting to see lots of topless girls, not a one did I see. The girls don't do it there, only the foreigners. (Bummer, right guys?)
I had a wonderful time in the "Cuidad Maravilhosa" but also took a trip to B?zios, a small town 2 hours northeast of Rio. Ever been there Rob? I fell in love with the town even more than Rio. It's very popular with the Cariocas to go there on vacation. (No gringos here, people) In fact, not a lick of English either. Spanish helped me out though. It was low season at the time but that made it nice. It's a penninsula, small fishing village, 5 miles wide with about 7 or 8 small beaches with a romantic and quaint Rua dos Pedras (town center - cobblestone main street with great little shops and restaurants) Brigette Bardot was a regular there. So if you go there take someone you really want to get to know better! I fell in love with Forr? no, he's not the name of my new lover, ladies, it's the music from the northern area of Brazil kind of like reggae but with more accordion in it.
Food / Drinks/ Music: Well, the Caipirinha beats the Brugal and Coke any day! I say that with passion. (It beat me a few times over the head too) I bought 3 bottles of the stuff. If you don't drink, a nice cold cononut with the straw poked right into it is awesome, but you got that in the DR too. Churrascaria's are hands down the best $12 american bucks for 1 you can eat all night if you wish and this the best meat you will have ever had. Except for my sickeness one night after going to Porcao, I love the food. I would not recommend eating the mayonaise based salads there, I was deathly ill one night and had to have a Dr. come to my hotel. For $50 bucks (visit, shot, and medicine) I was feeling better in the morning. Imagine what a house call would have set me back in the states? I ate at a few of the best restaurants in Rio (Satyricon being one) for half of what I'd pay in a big city in the states. The Real is really sinking lately. Pao de Queso.... I can not say how much I love that little cheesy dough ball....ummm. I woke up to the Samba drums a few times in the morning, and I agree they are loud but put you in the mood for sure.
All in all a wonderful time..I found it hard to return to rainy Atlanta but I'm holding on to my tan and I am planning on going back for carnival (1st week of March) to see my new "friends" and perhaps meet more I have to say Rio has potential to steal your heart away... especially you women out there.
For those who will ask what does this have to do with the DR, if you've asked yourself "Should I visit the DR or another place" you can use this info for a comparison since I have been to both. Besides, Rob may have a special interest in this post since he lived there for a while and gave me some info.
I was reading some of those love lorn post that went out while I was away in the Mars Venus section and I have to say girls, give those Brazilian men a chance! Sometimes Dom-men-can but Brazilians can all the time and with class! No the men I met here don't act like cro-magnons asking for $$, handouts, apparal etc. wow.. what a refreshing change. The below is all my experience so that's the disclaimer here if you've been there and disagree then it's all good. Also there are probably spelling mistakes since I just flew in this morning and went straight to work (straight flight from Rio to Atlanta, Delta does it right, they need to do the same for Santo Domingo) Sorry for the long post but I want to give you a good idea of my experience.
Beach observations: Ipanema beach - best beach in Rio. On Sundays I could not find my towl after swimming there were so many people. Although I stayed right on Copacabana beach and it was really nice, I think it is on a decline. Maybe 30 years ago it was in its glory but it is steadily going down hill. Some say that Barra beach is the best lots of surfing and hangliders landing right there, nice to watch the men do that. Like the DR, all the beaches have people selling you everything you could imagine you don't even have to get off the beach towl. But they don't hound you, just say one "no" and that's enough. If you wanna people watch, perhaps meet a nice Carioca man, walk around the guys playing futevoli (pronounced Fu-che-volley)right on the beach. It just blew my mind how good these guys are playing a game that is basically volleyball without using their hands. Me being a voleyball lover had to watch. I put down my wrap or (changa) down where they are playing (all the Rio girls have one that they wear to the beach.) Played the flirtatious or innocent type, took a small camera with and filmed them (MQ knows about this method) its a great way to get them to come over to you. I have to say, in my opinion, from the Brazilizan men I saw, they have a way more georgous body than DR men, they are very big on working out and looking good, every day you will see people jogging and biking down the Copacabana or other boardwalks. It's just a way of life there. Don't worry ladies, their not too picky with the women. Lots of Brazilian women are georgous too but men still like the big butt and some softness around the hips. 90% of Brazilian men wear swim trunks that are short and a little tight like spandex shorts, so it makes it real nice to see what the goods look like
People observations: Rio didn't have the typical money grubbing sanky action I had seen in the DR (except for the beggers on the street). This meaning that most men seem to be at the beach for a reason either playing soccer or futevoli. Not a lot of guys oogling at women like they had never seen a woman before. In the DR I was used to being "undressed with the eyes." Men won't hound you too much. It's a little more subtle here. All you have to do is show the one your interested in a tiny bit and they are very nice about showing your attention back without over-doing it. The men seem to have a lot of class there (at least in my opinion) never was I asked for anything, in fact, it was their pleasure to be with me. Men came up to me and starting talking Portuguese right away but when they realized I only knew Spanish and English they were shocked. I was mistaken for a Brazilian women many times there and they would say in their accent "oh a sawt zat zew were a Brazilian woman". I would smile and say "obrigada" and that usually keep things going. I happened to be fortunate enough to be meeting my brother there who was on business with Embratel, a telecommunications company there. He introduced me to his co-workers and I was able to see a side of Rio that a lot of tourists don't see. I met several really nice guys who took me out for a few nights in the Leblon area. That area is a great place for restaurants and going out and very safe. I had a great time and got to know a few of them a bit better
I noticed a much bigger color scheme in Rio then the DR. I mean (i.e. it's not a big black sanky selection, girls) I mistook these white European looking men not being Brazilian, in fact were. You can go from the Eurpoean look to black... my perference was the somewhere near a nice dark tan look
Everyone was so nice and extremely helpful, from people in the street to shops and bars. I would have never expected to go to a big city like Rio and meet some many nice people who willingly went out of there way to help a complete stranger out. Compared to any other big city like NYC etc. Rio wins the prize in my book for friendly people. I also felt very safe there, lots of police around every corner watching things. I was wondering how to approach those guys, everyone of them were extremely good looking. It must be a requirement for the job
If I walked out on the street I could fit in a little better than I did in the DR. All the Brazilian women wear bikini's no matter how fat you are, seriously. So if you beach it your wearing a bikini. My observations, only 1% wore an official "thong", most of the Brazilian bikini's are designed to just ride up your butt, don't worry about the wedgie, it's very fashionable. I bought 3 while I was there. I was expecting to see lots of topless girls, not a one did I see. The girls don't do it there, only the foreigners. (Bummer, right guys?)
I had a wonderful time in the "Cuidad Maravilhosa" but also took a trip to B?zios, a small town 2 hours northeast of Rio. Ever been there Rob? I fell in love with the town even more than Rio. It's very popular with the Cariocas to go there on vacation. (No gringos here, people) In fact, not a lick of English either. Spanish helped me out though. It was low season at the time but that made it nice. It's a penninsula, small fishing village, 5 miles wide with about 7 or 8 small beaches with a romantic and quaint Rua dos Pedras (town center - cobblestone main street with great little shops and restaurants) Brigette Bardot was a regular there. So if you go there take someone you really want to get to know better! I fell in love with Forr? no, he's not the name of my new lover, ladies, it's the music from the northern area of Brazil kind of like reggae but with more accordion in it.
Food / Drinks/ Music: Well, the Caipirinha beats the Brugal and Coke any day! I say that with passion. (It beat me a few times over the head too) I bought 3 bottles of the stuff. If you don't drink, a nice cold cononut with the straw poked right into it is awesome, but you got that in the DR too. Churrascaria's are hands down the best $12 american bucks for 1 you can eat all night if you wish and this the best meat you will have ever had. Except for my sickeness one night after going to Porcao, I love the food. I would not recommend eating the mayonaise based salads there, I was deathly ill one night and had to have a Dr. come to my hotel. For $50 bucks (visit, shot, and medicine) I was feeling better in the morning. Imagine what a house call would have set me back in the states? I ate at a few of the best restaurants in Rio (Satyricon being one) for half of what I'd pay in a big city in the states. The Real is really sinking lately. Pao de Queso.... I can not say how much I love that little cheesy dough ball....ummm. I woke up to the Samba drums a few times in the morning, and I agree they are loud but put you in the mood for sure.
All in all a wonderful time..I found it hard to return to rainy Atlanta but I'm holding on to my tan and I am planning on going back for carnival (1st week of March) to see my new "friends" and perhaps meet more
I have to say Rio has potential to steal your heart away... especially you women out there.
