Rio de Janeiro Reports

[SoberHans69]

Many Charles Schwab accounts and other banks offer ATM fees rebated globally. This is the best way to go. You just have to find machines which are connected to the same several systems shown on the back of your ATM card. Every city has large national banks plugged into the common global systems.

Thanks for the reply but I couldn't find any bank accounts in the UK which refund ATM fees.

[Golfinho]

My question is this. Does that 10 year stipulation apply if you marry a tourist?

If they are already in the country, you won't have to file a fiance paper, so would the marriage be the same as a normal marriage in the US?

1st question answer: No. But, if she's in USA on a tourist visa, and you marry, then you will have to real soon start getting her immigration status adjusted. It takes a while and costs $, but straightforward process.

2nd question answer: Yes! Marry in the USA and divorce in the USA, just as if she was native born.

[Bravo]

I saw this episode on tv about Americans bringing people from around the world to the USA in order to get married. One o fthe major sticking points was that if you apply for fiance visa to get them into the country and you get married, you are financially responsible for them for a period of 10 years. Even if you get divorced after one year, you are still on hook for the next 9 years.

My question is this. Does that 10 year stipulation apply if you marry a tourist? If they are already in the country, you won't have to file a fiance paper, so would the marriage be the same as a normal marriage in the US?

[WyattEarp]

Usually when I travel to Asia, I take bank notes as I can easily change UK money over there but when I went to Colombia I just used my debit and credit cards as its hard to change the money there. Got hit with the ATM fees though when withdrawing cash: no Charles Swab accounts over here unfortunately.

Many Charles Schwab accounts and other banks offer ATM fees rebated globally. This is the best way to go. You just have to find machines which are connected to the same several systems shown on the back of your ATM card. Every city has large national banks plugged into the common global systems.

[Exec Talent]

If the little head was a lawyer he'd be more successful than Robert Shapiro. He's very convincing.

I have had more sex in my life than 100 men deserve. I never think with the little head. We have a deal, I do my thing and he does his -- well, without the need for artificial stimulants.

[SoberHans69]

Hi everyone,

Great thread.

Appreciate all the advice on here.

Looking to come to Rio in September, mongered lots in Asia, once in Colombia but this will be my first visit to Brazil.

Usually when I travel to Asia, I take bank notes as I can easily change UK money over there but when I went to Colombia I just used my debit and credit cards as its hard to change the money there. Got hit with the ATM fees though when withdrawing cash: no Charles Swab accounts over here unfortunately.

Will I be able to change UK sterling over in Brazil or should I just use my cards like I did in Brazil?

Thanks for any help.

[Nordico]

Why wouldn't there be any phone service at VM? LOL.

I use Uber all the time.

I don't know about VM, but I was surprised what speeds I got in Rio.

[Nordico]

If the little head was a lawyer he'd be more successful than Robert Shapiro. He's very convincing.

So true. I would be a wealthy man if I didn't let the little head make the decisions.

[Turgid]

So, even if the girl was as much as her boyfriend in the plan to rob you, you awarded her and stayed with her, I suppose paying her, for couple of days. I would have kicked her to the curb. In my opinion she was as guilty as her boyfriend (conspiracy to rob a gringo).

If the little head was a lawyer he'd be more successful than Robert Shapiro. He's very convincing.

[Balboa]

If you go to vila mimosa it might be tricky to order an uber or 99 because there might not have any phone service.

Why wouldn't there be any phone service at VM? LOL.

I use Uber all the time.

[Exec Talent]

So, even if the girl was as much as her boyfriend in the plan to rob you, you awarded her and stayed with her, I suppose paying her, for couple of days. I would have kicked her to the curb. In my opinion she was as guilty as her boyfriend (conspiracy to rob a gringo).

Except I had been with her before and we had had a good time together. Once in the other cab, she had told me what he was up to. I was staying far from Copa so she was happy to get away from him and we had an outstanding time. Drugs is usually the reason I would kick a girl out. I have zero tolerance. This was a sweet girl caught up in a bad situation.

[Nordico]

One time leaving Help a girl tried to steer me to a certain taxi. I said, no let's take this other one. The first taxi followed us and the girl admitted that it was her boyfriend and he was going to rob me. Did not turn out well for him because she was great in bed and ended up staying with me for a couple days.

So, even if the girl was as much as her boyfriend in the plan to rob you, you awarded her and stayed with her, I suppose paying her, for couple of days. I would have kicked her to the curb. In my opinion she was as guilty as her boyfriend (conspiracy to rob a gringo).

[RioUnderground]

My experience is that taxi drivers are much more honest than what their fame is. I have made more than 20 trips to South America and met only two dishonest taxi drivers, both in Buenos Aires. Now I have also started using Uber and I take whichever is more convenient. I really don't care if the price is 4 or 6 euros. I was in Balneario Camboriu and I didn't see many taxis, so I used Uber all the time, but here in Sao Paulo, if I see a taxi in front of my hotel, I take it, if not, then it's Uber. I always tip them couple of Reais. Its good to be careful, but no need to overreact.

Yeah but it is, in my opinion, always have both 99 (competitor to uber) and uber on your phone to check if the prices are fair. If you go to vila mimosa it might be tricky to order an uber or 99 because there might not have any phone service.

[Nordico]

BTW, I am a Director of a company which has almost 200 cabs in UK. I would like to defend these guys because you do not understand their life. Some of the cab people live in their car. Some are homeless; wife divorced them; many reasons. Its very hard to make a living while being a cab driver these days so please forgive him.

My experience is that taxi drivers are much more honest than what their fame is. I have made more than 20 trips to South America and met only two dishonest taxi drivers, both in Buenos Aires. Now I have also started using Uber and I take whichever is more convenient. I really don't care if the price is 4 or 6 euros. I was in Balneario Camboriu and I didn't see many taxis, so I used Uber all the time, but here in Sao Paulo, if I see a taxi in front of my hotel, I take it, if not, then it's Uber. I always tip them couple of Reais. It’s good to be careful, but no need to overreact.

[MongerForSex]

You're right about Germany and things generally working as they should there; however, one would occasionally encounter the odd taxi driver who tries to scam you, it has happened to me.

I got scammed when I took a parked taxi in VM. Some taxi drivers are good. There are some bad taxi drivers like bad uber drivers. Some taxi drivers are hard working.