2006 General Reports

[Cachorro]

Cali.

I'd might first find out if that is even possible in Rio anymore. Actually they declared even those bikini postcards illegal there just last year. Might be so that you can't even shoot such pictures anymore. Rio's female mayor prohibited the sale of bikini postcards because it promotes sexual tourism. So I'd find out that first.

Of course you can shoot photos.

Only the bikini and bundas postcards are prohibited. Now at newstands you see a bunch of flavourless postcards, right next to a whole load of girlie magazines like Sexy etc.

Not every girl would want to do a shoot like that, but you would find some who will. It would be important to bring business cards, portfolio etc so that they know you are the real deal. Brazilians can be suspicious of offers like that, with good reason.

If you sell it that she can keep a copy of the photos and basically get a professional looking portfolio and get paid for it, I'm sure you'll find some takers.

[Perkele]

Cali.

I'd might first find out if that is even possible in Rio anymore. Actually they declared even those bikini postcards illegal there just last year. Might be so that you can't even shoot such pictures anymore. Rio's female mayor prohibited the sale of bikini postcards because it promotes sexual tourism. So I'd find out that first.

[California Guy]

I will be going to Rio in March and I'm a semi-pro photographer. I have worked with magazines and companies for about 5 years now but have no clue as to find hot girls down there and don't speak portuguese, although I am trying to learn as much as possible. Anyway, I know there are agencies but I can't afford, nor do I want to hire, any girls from a major agency. Plus I shoot bikini looks and not fashion like the agencies hire out. I would like to hire some regular hot ass girls I know are around Rio and maybe some of you regular Rio guys may want to help out? I am not even looking to shoot nude photos! What I would like is some shots up to Maxim style looks but the girls must be willing to sign a model release so I can submit them to magazines I work with.

Okay well first I am looking for roughly 5-7 girls and to shoot each girl for about 4 hours on the beach. By the way, are there any beaches outside of Ipanema? Obviously there is Copa but I know for sure I am not walking around with my camera on that beach, so I would like to find out if there are any semi-secluded beaches outside of these where you can take a taxi or bus? In terms of money I can only pay about 125 us per girl. Of course you can work out how you want to split the money with your girl anyway you want, maybe 75 for her 50 for you, 50 for her and 75 for you, hey I really don't care but I would think it would be cool to give the girl more just because she is the one working. I am not even sure if any girl would do this to begin with but I thought making about 15-25hr, depending on how you worked the money out, isn't bad even for the US and especially since I am not looking for girls to be naked. It would be easier if you are actually in Rio while I am there because I am not paying anyone until I shoot the girl, lol sorry just playing it safe. I will also be in Foraleza and Bahia if you are in these areas. I have to see photos of the girls faces and bodies as well and I will be happy to email you some example of my work so you can see im not a fool who started yesterday

Do you guys think this is possible what I am asking, especially the people who frequent Brazil a lot? Should I just try and find girls myself or see if any Brazilian friends have contacts, or are there sites I maybe able to find these types of girls and email them directly, even dating sites, and like I said not for sex or nude images.

Thanks and I appreciate any help or advice, I know it is kind of an odd post.

[DFWdude]

I carry my US drivers license with me should something happen at least they will know who I am. I have been stopped and searched by police and did not have my passport. My greatest concern was that they would plant drugs on me. They never asked for my passport.

I have had my passport stolen and it was not difficult to have it replaced, just a hassle.

Exec Talent,

It is a GOOD idea to carry at the very least a photo copy of your passport. Your DL is NOT recognized at ID in foreign countries. So that said if they stop you and you do not have your passport or at least a copy it could cause problems

[Khunjbl]

I am staying in Sao Paulo. I have 5 days free to take a trip.
From 2/15 until 2/20. I am considering Rio or Natal.

Rio - I love the termas and sometimes Help, but with it being so close to Carnival and the rolling stones concert I am worried that it will be to crowded and not worth it. Not to mention high prices.

Natal- seems like a very relaxed place with nice beaches. Doesn´t seem to be a lot of mongering options like Rio. only beach and disco and some escorts. I would be able to surf so that is a bonus.

Hoping for some veterans advice ... I am practically married in Sao Paulo so I want to make the best of my 5 day excursion alone.

Any Ideas ?????

[Exec Talent]

I carry my US drivers license with me should something happen at least they will know who I am. I have been stopped and searched by police and did not have my passport. My greatest concern was that they would plant drugs on me. They never asked for my passport.

I have had my passport stolen and it was not difficult to have it replaced, just a hassle.

[Perkele]

I have a question tho, many people say they carry their passport with them, I dont. I spend too much time at the beach and surfing to do such a thing. Can this be really bad? Do expats down there carry their passports (or a copy) with them? or is that being overly cautious? Which is worse? getting your passport ripped off, or do cops really hassle you about it?
At most, I walk the city with an old expired driver license just to show SOME kind of ID.

OD

Simple. By the law foreigner needs to carry a passport as and ID always. A copy is accepted in most cases, but its totally up to the police to decide. They can take you to the delegacia if they find you without one. Hardly ever happens, but is possible.
I keep a copy, occasionally.

[Orgasm Donor]

Guys,

After my 5 year visa expired in 2005 I got stuck with two 90 day'ers in a row. On the third request I got another 5 year. I specifically ask for a 5 year each time I applied. I used TraVisa service in San Fran because there is no Brazil office where I live. The guys at TraVisa told me it is up to the person who reviews your application as to which Visa you recieve ......

Very frustrating. I'm just happy I finally ot another 5 years before having to apply again....

RxHammer

Hammer, are you talking about the Brasilian Consulate in San Francisco?
When I went there, (3pm) I was getting nervous waiting cuz I saw all these other people get turned away simply because they did not have the paperwork in order. (a girl thought she could just "float around" Brasil staying at hostels..) others who got their paperwork accepted were told the visa would be ready NEXT WEEK! (I was flying to Costa Rica in 2 days!) Fortunately, the lady noticed I was from Seattle and asked how long I was staying in San Francisco. I told her "The only reason Im in SF is to get this VISA" she accepted my paperwork and said "Come in tomorrow" I said "Ill be here first thing in the morning" I waited most of the next day, but finally got it at about 3pm. WHEW!

BTW, if anyone is planning to "float around" Brasil, dont tell them that. It is best to have a Brasilian friends address, phone, etc. to write in there. After you got that big, beautiful stamp in your passport, you should be good for 5years.

I have a question tho, many people say they carry their passport with them, I dont. I spend too much time at the beach and surfing to do such a thing. Can this be really bad? Do expats down there carry their passports (or a copy) with them? or is that being overly cautious? Which is worse? getting your passport ripped off, or do cops really hassle you about it?
At most, I walk the city with an old expired driver license just to show SOME kind of ID.

OD

[Sunset Strip]

Thanks. That kind of confirms what I noticed. It was strange at first (in Niteroi) that people seemed to have trouble with my portuguese. But then in Copa, it is just that they are used to listening for butchered Portuguese spoken by gringos.

I liked getting away for awhile.

TJ

[Amerioca]

I took the ferry over to Niteroi today. It cost R$4 for the roundtrip, plus another R$4 for the metro to Carioca station. Right at the bay they have a mall a movie theatre and an Outback Steakhouse. The girls at Outback are young and cute. I will be stopping there again when I return after Carnaval (I don´t like crowds, so I come to Rio in off months/periods).

TJ

I lived in Icarai, Niteroi the last 6 months before leaving the country. Frequented the mall you mentioned from time to time. Very little, if any, gringos to be seen. Good non pro action.

Check out the open air market in the area. Lotsa women there too! All locals, no gringos.

[Member #4156]

I remember the last time I was in the Houston Airport, they were selling Reais at a 2:1 rate when the actual exchange rate was like 2.22 per dólar or something like that during the week before Thanksgiving.

[Jaimito Cartero]

But I also remember that in the Houston Airport they were buying reals at 2.6!

If they give you $1 for 2.6R that's not such a good deal for you. Now if they sold 2.6R for 1 dollar that *would* be a good deal.

[Kenn]

Skype has announced a partnership deal with Transit Telecom to bring its SkypeIn system to Brazil. This is Skype's first partnership of this type in Latin America and the company considers Brazil one of the five biggest markets for the service. The partnership with Transit will permit users to have a local number to receive calls. Manufacturer Linksys will supply phones enabled for SkypeOut. The product will initially be available in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Porto Alegre, Curitiba, Belo Horizonte, Campinas, Santos, Joinville, Caxias do Sul and São José dos Campos and soon extended to Brasília and Salvador. A one-year subscription for SkypeIn costs BRL 90.


Kenn Ez-Rio...

[Sunset Strip]

HSBC charged me $2.71 US for a R$400 withdrawal the other day. Plus my own bank charded me US$1. So bringing some money with you is best.

But I also remember that in the Houston Airport they were buying reals at 2.6!

So it might be best to save those last reals to sell in the US rather than change them in Brazil. I might try this tomorrow when I fly out.

And by the way I know it is reais and not reals!
TJ

[Sunset Strip]

I took the ferry over to Niteroi today. It cost R$4 for the roundtrip, plus another R$4 for the metro to Carioca station. Right at the bay they have a mall a movie theatre and an Outback Steakhouse. The girls at Outback are young and cute. I will be stopping there again when I return after Carnaval (I don´t like crowds, so I come to Rio in off months/periods).

TJ