Stupid Shit in Brazil

[ShooBree]

Once again the hypocrisy comes out. It was VB1 who first resorted to a "wealth argument", insinuating that I have not traveled to Brazil because I can't afford it. Did you refer to his writing then as "silly"? No, it's only if I decide to address the matter head-on. Then you have the gall to call "silly" on me. Why didn't you say that when he made his charge and made it an issue? Oh yeah that's right. You value what he has to say. Whether it's based on anything or not, other than petty mean-spiritedness. What does he know about me anyway? Just understand that "affordability", which he brought up, has nothing to do with it. You want to come at me Nounce in a proxy war? Then you had better come correct and drop the bias that keeps you overlooking the transgressions of VB1 and Sperto while criticizing me. That's been tried many times before. It always fails.

Hahhaha, the drama queen is at it again! It hilarious to see how sensitive you are and how you feel a constant need to talk yourself up. But as we all know; talk is cheap.

[ShooBree]

It's actually worse than that. He's said that nobody should be posting if the information is more than 6 months from having had boots on the ground. He made a post to that effect somewhere in these threads, but I'm not wasting my time looking for it. But who, I ask, anointed him Monger Emperor? And how purposeful and productive was (past tense) his reign anyway? He essentially turned the Brazil threads into a self-promoting, personal diary that annoyed so many members that they stopped posting. And I know of one senior member who actually quit the board altogether. He stopped posting and got rid of his account (the last time I searched for him I could not find him here). I wouldn't give this guy the benefit of the doubt on anything. He even posted under an old handle to make it look like somebody else was joining him in criticizing another member here. Now that was low! Maybe he forgot that many of us first encountered him under that old handle, but us old-timers did not. The best predictor of the future is the past. We need not words but actions. Walk the talk!

You're as always out looking for drama. I have always considered your posts to be childish, irrelevant and drama seeking. Its funny that you are so sensitive and out looking for drama that you felt the need (despite no previous communication) to send me a pm crying about racism. LMFAO!

[Vagabundo1]

Bubba Boy's guide is of timeless value to Rio mongering because all the dynamics of meeting the girl in the terma are still true. Just last night with a new ISG member, I was trying to translate for him at Perola Negra. He could have used some of the points in Bubba Boy's guide.

As for price check update, all that you need is at.

https://gparena.net/

I guess somehow I've gotten controversial again. I see this in responses because I ignore some members if there's no good energy there.

But, I will allow you this. Even if all you do is come on this forum to relive your great times, that's fine. There are lots of sites on the internet where people do only that. I would just say, get your stuff together, come to Rio and make new memories.

In short,

I value BB's writing and I value The Cane's writing. The Cane dismisses BB's writing. I assume The Cane's values The Cane's writing.

When I compare The Cane to BB, it is a compliment from me like I stated in my post. I guess The Cane is not upset about my compliment. But there is a conflict based on The Cane's view, so what do you think The Cane is upset with?

Use wealth as an argument is a little silly. Luxury is a handicap when you can't really afford it. I can live on 60 are $ a day in Sao Paulo and enjoy it. That gave me the freedom of choices to do what I want to do today, not tomorrow or in the future, and I can say no to the things that I don't want to do. I have freedom to do things on my terms. I can also hang with most people when I choose to regardless cost.

[Sperto]

Then you had better come correct and drop the bias that keeps you overlooking the transgressions of VB1 and Sperto while criticizing me.

Isn't that strange? I've put you on my ignore list years ago so I don't have to read your posts, still you keep mentioning my in your posts. Now I got a PM you wrote about me. How about you leave me out of your posts? Try to travel abroad and you might get laid.

[WyattEarp]

Come on, this is just ridiculous. People leave forums for all kinds of reasons. I don't know how thin-skinned one must be to get rid of his account just because he's gotten in q.

Last year, I was conversing with a member who wrote some great posts last year about Rio. He had become a target of animosity. He and others joined an infamous member's posse for a ride around town. His crime was that he was underwhelmed with some of the venues on the itinerary and politely posted such.

I think it is quite clear some members don't just recommend certain venues. They become personally and possibly emotionally vested in venues they frequent and recommend.

Where things went very bad was that hostile posts targeting the relative newbie had to be moderated. Then the aggressive member started posting under another handle. I seem to recall some of that was moderated. In the end, the targeted member was receiving intimidating and critical PMs. At that point, he told me he was just going to leave the Board.

Things started to chill down after that and the tone here improved. I believe the moderators started to realize a problem had developed over time. While a member might be on the ground and have very strong opinions, they could not be allowed to try to dominate other members and their perspective.

It's possible this new guy joined ISG in advance of a Rio trip and was going to step back up after returning Stateside. However, deleting your account is a bigger action. It's always possible that this guy returns to the this forum under another handle in another city. I hope so. He made some excellent contributions.

[The Cane]

In short,

I value BB's writing and I value The Cane's writing. The Cane dismisses BB's writing. I assume The Cane's values The Cane's writing.

When I compare The Cane to BB, it is a compliment from me like I stated in my post. I guess The Cane is not upset about my compliment. But there is a conflict based on The Cane's view, so what do you think The Cane is upset with?

Use wealth as an argument is a little silly. Luxury is a handicap when you can't really afford it. I can live on 60 are $ a day in Sao Paulo and enjoy it. That gave me the freedom of choices to do what I want to do today, not tomorrow or in the future, and I can say no to the things that I don't want to do. I have freedom to do things on my terms. I can also hang with most people when I choose to regardless cost.

Once again the hypocrisy comes out. It was VB1 who first resorted to a "wealth argument", insinuating that I have not traveled to Brazil because I can't afford it. Did you refer to his writing then as "silly"? No, it's only if I decide to address the matter head-on. Then you have the gall to call "silly" on me. Why didn't you say that when he made his charge and made it an issue? Oh yeah that's right. You value what he has to say. Whether it's based on anything or not, other than petty mean-spiritedness. What does he know about me anyway? Just understand that "affordability", which he brought up, has nothing to do with it. You want to come at me Nounce in a proxy war? Then you had better come correct and drop the bias that keeps you overlooking the transgressions of VB1 and Sperto while criticizing me. That's been tried many times before. It always fails.

[Nounce]

Nounce, I was trying to figure out what you meant and if it was even correctly contextualize according the initial dust-up between BMs and the circumstances surrounding the Bwana Dik guide (aka.The Bubba Boy Guide). ....

In short,

I value BB's writing and I value The Cane's writing. The Cane dismisses BB's writing. I assume The Cane's values The Cane's writing.

When I compare The Cane to BB, it is a compliment from me like I stated in my post. I guess The Cane is not upset about my compliment. But there is a conflict based on The Cane's view, so what do you think The Cane is upset with?

Use wealth as an argument is a little silly. Luxury is a handicap when you can't really afford it. I can live on 60 are $ a day in Sao Paulo and enjoy it. That gave me the freedom of choices to do what I want to do today, not tomorrow or in the future, and I can say no to the things that I don't want to do. I have freedom to do things on my terms. I can also hang with most people when I choose to regardless cost.

[The Cane]

Coincidentally hit the "upload" button and cut my reply.

So what I was trying to say is that I'll sooner believe that the above account-closing member decided to run for Senate rather than he got so irreversibly damaged by Vagabundo remarks.

I tried to send you a message, but your box is full. Please clear.

[The Cane]

Come on, this is just ridiculous. People leave forums for all kinds of reasons. I don't know how thin-skinned one must be to get rid of his account just because he's gotten in q. Annoying or not, he brings a lot of useful info and valuable datapoints for those 99% of us who travel occasionally and can't just move to Brazil.

As ridiculous as it may seem, it's the truth. And I have zero reason to lie about it. Now, I won't reveal the member's name publicly because I don't think he would want that. I will say that I didn't believe him when he told me he was out of here. I didn't think he was going to do it, but he did, and he said it was because he thought VB1 had ruined the Brazil section over a two-year period, and he no longer wanted to participate here. And sure enough, he hasn't posted here in months. And when I last searched for his handle, I could not find it here. That's the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but. I'm reporting what the member told me he was going to do, and what he has in fact done. I didn't think he was serious, but he was. Believe it or not. Hey, it's the stupid shit thread right?

[Xpartan]

It's actually worse than that. He's said that nobody should be posting if the information is more than 6 months from having had boots on the ground. He made a post to that effect somewhere in these threads, but I'm not wasting my time looking for it. But who, I ask, anointed him Monger Emperor? And how purposeful and productive was (past tense) his reign anyway? He essentially turned the Brazil threads into a self-promoting, personal diary that annoyed so many members that they stopped posting. And I know of one senior member who actually quit the board altogether. He stopped posting and got rid of his account (the last time I searched for him I could not find him here). I wouldn't give this guy the benefit of the doubt on anything. He even posted under an old handle to make it look like somebody else was joining him in criticizing another member here. Now that was low! Maybe he forgot that many of us first encountered him under that old handle, but us old-timers did not. The best predictor of the future is the past. We need not words but actions. Walk the talk!

Coincidentally hit the "upload" button and cut my reply.

So what I was trying to say is that I'll sooner believe that the above account-closing member decided to run for Senate rather than he got so irreversibly damaged by Vagabundo remarks.

[Xpartan]

It's actually worse than that. He's said that nobody should be posting if the information is more than 6 months from having had boots on the ground. He made a post to that effect somewhere in these threads, but I'm not wasting my time looking for it. But who, I ask, anointed him Monger Emperor? And how purposeful and productive was (past tense) his reign anyway? He essentially turned the Brazil threads into a self-promoting, personal diary that annoyed so many members that they stopped posting. And I know of one senior member who actually quit the board altogether. He stopped posting and got rid of his account (the last time I searched for him I could not find him here). I wouldn't give this guy the benefit of the doubt on anything. He even posted under an old handle to make it look like somebody else was joining him in criticizing another member here. Now that was low! Maybe he forgot that many of us first encountered him under that old handle, but us old-timers did not. The best predictor of the future is the past. We need not words but actions. Walk the talk!

Come on, this is just ridiculous. People leave forums for all kinds of reasons. I don't know how thin-skinned one must be to get rid of his account just because he's gotten in q.

Annoying or not, he brings a lot of useful info and valuable datapoints for those 99% of us who travel occasionally and can't just move to Brazil.

[The Cane]

For awhile now, VB1, has been decrying and stating the absurdity about BMs, that they shouldn't post information/contribute to the Brazil threads, if they haven't had "boots-on-the-ground" in the last 2 years. VB1, given your history on "bullying, telling others what to post, what to wear, where to monger, how to spend their own money...etc", this quote (and I must say a pretty good one at that), seems bit disingenuous.

It's actually worse than that. He's said that nobody should be posting if the information is more than 6 months from having had boots on the ground. He made a post to that effect somewhere in these threads, but I'm not wasting my time looking for it. But who, I ask, anointed him Monger Emperor? And how purposeful and productive was (past tense) his reign anyway? He essentially turned the Brazil threads into a self-promoting, personal diary that annoyed so many members that they stopped posting. And I know of one senior member who actually quit the board altogether. He stopped posting and got rid of his account (the last time I searched for him I could not find him here). I wouldn't give this guy the benefit of the doubt on anything. He even posted under an old handle to make it look like somebody else was joining him in criticizing another member here. Now that was low! Maybe he forgot that many of us first encountered him under that old handle, but us old-timers did not. The best predictor of the future is the past. We need not words but actions. Walk the talk!

[Spidy]

You know those things are totally unrelated and it sounds more like you are your own slave, right? You also know if it takes even longer for you to visit Brazil, you will

become Bubba boy 2, right? ...

Nounce, I was trying to figure out what you meant and if it was even correctly contextualize according the initial dust-up between BMs and the circumstances surrounding the Bwana Dik guide (aka.The Bubba Boy Guide).

Brief summary of my Version of events : (Others please feel free to provide their own version, if I've missed anything.)

For awhile now, VB1, has been decrying and stating the absurdity about BMs, that they shouldn't post information/contribute to the Brazil threads, if they haven't had "boots-on-the-ground" in the last 2 years. This messaging was so toxic to many BMs, that it caused quite the "dust-up" (if you remember) and many BMs, including myself and The Cane, pushed back.

Here are a couple of posts , highlighting, around the time/days, one of these "dust-ups" occurred, w/r to the topic at hand. I think there was others, but they currently allude me. (Please PM/post if anyone know of other dates or threads).

I've been in Rio for 100 weeks ... But I think everyone should know that you're basically a blogger about a subject in which your actual boots on the ground knowledge is over 2 years old....

Right, and that is not a put down? You're not even in Rio, like The Cane, yet you post daily. It speaks for itself.

Then, The Cane, rightly so, called him out and pushed back.

This was in regards to his inconsistent, disconnected and hypocritical stance, on posting/contributing information, reporting or helping other BMs if the information or person had not had boots-on-the-ground in the last 2 years. Yet all the while he was pushing and pimping a 10+ yr old document with 10+ yr old information.

Hence the contradiction and hypocracy, surrounding the Bwana Dik guide (aka. "The Bubba Boy Guide" the updated version(s) by Bubba Boy). So Cane, was simply pointing out, if you are going to criticize BMs who post and share information more than 2 years old (on Brazil), then DON'T BE A HYPOCRITE and pimp-out the 10+ yr old guide.

... Just absurd and ridiculous to think, just because other BM/ISGers haven't been on the ground in 2, 3 or even 10 years, they shouldn't post, as if they don't have the right to post or have anything to contribute, is nonsensical.

I remember this because even I called out VB1, on this nonsense. Not sure what VB1 reasons were (he'll have to provide his version of events/reasons), but his position on "what should be contributed", just didn't sit right with some of us, so we pushed back, saying "we value all information", no matter the age.

There is no ISG regulations (that I know of) that disallows the posting of information, experiences, nostalgia, stories or news, more than 2 years old.

For example: I just helped another BM with an "unwanted pregnancy" problem, with a story/experience that I had in 2005, that was relevant today. How is that NOT helpful to other BMs, even though I haven't had boots-on-the-ground in 2 years?

(LINK: "Pregnant sugar baby in Rio. Part 3": http://www.internationalsexguide.nl/...=1#post2728983)

There are those of us, that post and report on our known information and/or experiences gained in Brazil from 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, or 30+ years ago. IMHO, it's ALL GOOD information/experiences, that is honestly shared, in the hopes that some BMs may find it helpful, despite said age of the information. Many of us just need to learn to take what we need and leave/ignore the rest.

Although, there are times, like in this case here, where "push back" is warranted.

Nounce, with that said, can you shed some light on what you meant by,"You know those things are totally unrelated and it sounds more like you are your own slave, right? You also know if it takes even longer for you to visit Brazil, you will become Bubba boy 2, right?" ???

"Absorb what is useful. Reject what is useless. Add what is essentially your own." At BruceLeeLegacy.

VB1, given your history on "bullying, telling others what to post, what to wear, were to monger, how to spend their own money...etc", this quote (and I must say a pretty good one at that), seems bit disingenuous. However, currently, I'm inclined to believe you and give the benefit of the doubt, w/r to posting "age old information".

[Xpartan]

It's interesting to see how different people value different things. Mr. Cane and me flying in business class or better and staying in Mercure hotels, which in no case are shitty (and I don't think you meant they are) and other people flying coach and paying $200 or more per night for staying in Hyatt, Hilton or Intercontinental. In ten days or two weeks we all spend a similar amount of money on hotels and flights. There are so many good 4-star hotels, like Bourbon or Melia under $100 in SP, that I can't think of paying more than that. Parabens for those who can do both. Cheers.

I've stayed at Mercure hotels a few times, they're fine. But the truth is these megachains have consolidated so many distinctive brands, you can find whatever flavor you want WITHIN the chain. I normally look for a good deal that affords a bit of luxury. In cheap cities, I use cash, in expensive markets I'll try points or Airbnb for more space. I mean the difference is blurred between the both nowadays. In SP buddy and I stayed in a great 2 bdrm condo with a huge gym, lounge, two terrific swimming pools that were always empty. There really wasn't much difference other than room service, which I don't use anyway. In cheap markets I prefer upscale Airbnbs. You've got a lot of space and girls love frolicking in a private pool or Jacuzzi, LOL.

When traveling abroad, staying at American hotel chains is a waste of money. Of course if the company is picking up the tab, it's great to accumulate those award points and perks.

LOL, basic rooms in American or non-American 4-5* chains are all the same. There is no difference, I can think of. If anything, I've never stayed in a 4* American hotel without an AC, but apparently, it's not uncommon in Europe. Maybe some boutique hotels, but lots of them have merged with the chains.

You have to travel smart. If you do, you will find some great deals with "American" hotel chains as I tried to point out in my previous posts. It is the same principal as finding the best rate on air travel whether you are flying 1st class or coach.

For example, the incentive signing bonuses with various hotel credit cards are great. Hilton Amex offers 100,000 pts sign up bonus for their zero annual fee CC. That translates into 3 or 4 free nights depending on the Hilton hotel. Intercontinental also has a zero annual fee credit card with a nice incentive signing bonus too. Haytt Chase signup bonus is 60,000 pts for their annual fee card. The Hyatt SP rooms costs between 9,000 and 12,000 pts per night depending on the night. Marriot CC's offer similar sign up incentives. Get one or get them all like me. KKK.

The 1st year's membership fee is waived with all of these annual fee hotel CC's, so after you receive your bonus sign up points and stay at the hotel of your choice for free, you can cancel the card within the 1st 12 months and not pay any annual fee. Or you can decide to keep the card, pay the future annual fees which is between $60 to $90 after the initial 12 month grace period and in return receive a free voucher night every year which is good for say a free night at the Renaissance SP which is currently priced at around $250/ night.

Another benefit of membership status with "American" 5 star hotel chains is the free room upgrade that I briefly mentioned in my previous posts. Hyatt SP gave me a 1 bedroom suite upgrade gratis. Intercontinental SP the same. Hilton gave me an executive room upgrade. Marriott Renaisance SP same same. All 4 hotels added a complimentary breakfast upgrade as well.

So, check it out. A deal is a deal.

A. H.

The stupid shit is why 5 star hotels in SP and RJ are so expensive compared to their sister 5 star hotels in BKK and Jakarta. The answer is BKK & Jakarta have better infrastructure ie a lot more 5 star hotel rooms. RJ hotel space really surprised me on my 1st visit. I was expecting to see a lot more hotels lined up on Copacabana and Ipanema beaches than there was, RJ being such a famous & iconic beach destination.

Only Hilton guarantees a free breakfast with a better credit card that gives you Gold status like Surpass (and only abroad, in US Hiltons you get a lousy voucher). Not the others. You have to be at least Platinum at Marriott, Explorer (top status) at Hyatt, and there is no free elite breakfast at IC. Some hotels are super-nice and will extend this benefit to you, but that's just luck. Having said that, I've also had some amazing upgrades at Marriott, Radisson, and once at Hilton over the years.

And why is RJ is so pricey? Because there isn't nearly enough high-end hotels. Hilton is an especially good bet on points when the cost isn't astronomical (5 nights for 4). JW Marriott is often cheap, too, and also 5 for 4, but a) no breakfast unless you're Plat and b) ocean-view rooms are extra. At Hilton all rooms are ocean-view.

Anyhoo, when hotels in Rio cost a lot, Airbnb here I come.

[Axel Heyst]

When traveling abroad, staying at American hotel chains is a waste of money. Of course if the company is picking up the tab, it's great to accumulate those award points and perks.

You have to travel smart. If you do, you will find some great deals with "American" hotel chains as I tried to point out in my previous posts. It is the same principal as finding the best rate on air travel whether you are flying 1st class or coach.

For example, the incentive signing bonuses with various hotel credit cards are great. Hilton Amex offers 100,000 pts sign up bonus for their zero annual fee CC. That translates into 3 or 4 free nights depending on the Hilton hotel. Intercontinental also has a zero annual fee credit card with a nice incentive signing bonus too. Haytt Chase signup bonus is 60,000 pts for their annual fee card. The Hyatt SP rooms costs between 9,000 and 12,000 pts per night depending on the night. Marriot CC's offer similar sign up incentives. Get one or get them all like me. KKK.

The 1st year's membership fee is waived with all of these annual fee hotel CC's, so after you receive your bonus sign up points and stay at the hotel of your choice for free, you can cancel the card within the 1st 12 months and not pay any annual fee. Or you can decide to keep the card, pay the future annual fees which is between $60 to $90 after the initial 12 month grace period and in return receive a free voucher night every year which is good for say a free night at the Renaissance SP which is currently priced at around $250/ night.

Another benefit of membership status with "American" 5 star hotel chains is the free room upgrade that I briefly mentioned in my previous posts. Hyatt SP gave me a 1 bedroom suite upgrade gratis. Intercontinental SP the same. Hilton gave me an executive room upgrade. Marriott Renaisance SP same same. All 4 hotels added a complimentary breakfast upgrade as well.

So, check it out. A deal is a deal.

A. H.

The stupid shit is why 5 star hotels in SP and RJ are so expensive compared to their sister 5 star hotels in BKK and Jakarta. The answer is BKK & Jakarta have better infrastructure ie a lot more 5 star hotel rooms. RJ hotel space really surprised me on my 1st visit. I was expecting to see a lot more hotels lined up on Copacabana and Ipanema beaches than there was, RJ being such a famous & iconic beach destination.