Stupid Shit in Brazil

[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.

[WyattEarp]

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.

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.

[The Cane]

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.

When I finally get to retirement I hope to be able to comfortably do both. That's the plan anyway hehe! But you're exactly right that over 10 days to two weeks we're probably laying out a similar sum of money for airfare and hotel lodging when you add it all up, at least for those of us who have written recently on this topic.

[Nordico]

That's true, there aren't right or wrong way, at least for occasional travelers like me. If I was traveling every month (like I did at one point in my life), I would feel differently.

But now that I only travel 2-3 times a year, I just refuse to stay in shitty hotels or apartments, or save on good food. Hell, I've saved tons of travel money during Covid, LOL.

As to Business Class, I agree it's addictive, but I only book them on miles when I can. I just don't feel comfortable to blow a few K to feel comfortable (pun intended) for 10 hours.

Spending on pussy is another story. If I can have the time of my life in Rio for 150-200 Reals, my greedy self really hates me spending 500, unless there is an added value, like a terma environment.

This is why I don't like mongering in Europe. I love Europe, but I sparingly engage while there. Every time I see a 200-euro price tag, my brain involuntarily starts calculating how much Brazilian pussy I could have for that kind of dough, LOL.

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.

[Axel Heyst]

It seems that I'm total opposite of you. I spent 2840 euros on my business class ticket to So Paulo in October-November.

I usually stay in Novotel or Mercure hotels which I think are very good, but not luxurious like Renaissance or other 5 star hotels. I found a really good Black Friday deal and I paid only 417 euros plus 160 euros worth of points for 16 nights in a Mercure hotel in Jardins in their best room, I will probably visit Scandallo few times during my trip, but I prefer going to Bomboa and Casarao. I have always found what I have been looking for for BRL 400-500 and then I have the Twitter girls and couple of girls I know from my previous trips whom I pay something similar.

I'm not rich, but I like small luxuries like flying in the business class and I can afford it. Flying business class is like Brazilian garotas. You get addicted very easily.

There isn't any right or wrong way to travel and monger, even if some people here tell otherwise.

I don't think we are that far apart actually. You place a higher priority on air travel while I place a higher priority on hotel accommodations, but neither one of us is interested in overpaying. We both look for the best price for the things we want.

I also think we both place the highest priority on the girls. Do we have different taste in girls? I don't know, maybe, but that is what makes things interesting, and SP can certainly satisfy the needs and desires of a variety of gents.

Yeah, I am a big fan of Scandallo. I really like the joint and have compared it favorably with Malio Club in Jakarta and Rio Sauna in Macau, two of my favorite joints in the world. But as I posted a little while back, most of my Scandallo girsl are what I refer to as tier 2 girls ie sexy, naughty, slender, all natural, pretty girl next door types. These girls are currently in the 600 to 700 br price range. Occasionally though, I meet a Scandallo stunner who is real friendly on top of amazing looking. It is real nice to go model quality once in a while albeit for 1000 to 1200 br. On my last trip one of my favorite Scandallo girls was just such a gal and she was amazing in bed on top of looking fantastic and sporting a wickedly slender, natural body with "Bee" cup ta tasa. So, I happily hooked up with her 3 times before she went on her European tour, but we have kept in touch and I am pretty sure we will get together again when I return in October.

But my current favorite SP girl is a sexy little tier 2 spinner. She is so cute and adorable. LOL. I love her although I could not rate her face higher than 6. 8 and her body is 7. 5 (a real, real good body). She is just the sweetest girl I have met in a long time and she checks off all of my boxes. I am going to take her to Ilhabela Island for a few nights. It should be a lot of fun. A. H. Is in love! KKK.

But getting back to our mutual likes: You like Bomboa. Hey, so do I! On my last trip I pretty much spent 45% of my time in Scandallo or with Scandallo girls at my hotel and I spent 45% of my time in Bomboa or with Bomboa girls at my hotel. Do you know Orlando?

The remainder of my time was spent at the clinicas plus I visited Casarao a couple of times and had a good time there. IMHO, the SP clinicas offer the best bang for your buck in Brazil. I think they have better quality girls than the Prive's in RJ. I also think that the best looking 5% of clinica girls (at the better places) could do alright in Scandallo or Bomboa, but for one reason or another they choose to work in a clinica.

Anyway, I really agree with your final thought, "There isn't any right or wrong way to travel and monger, even if some people here tell otherwise. " Right on.