Questions for Sperto and other long time RJ denizens
(Aside) some things never change, this forum always seems to have some numpty trying to tell us why BR / Rio sucks now. I will say one thing and one thing only on this subject. Having been a long time monger, and having much experience outside of Brazil plus several years experience living in Brazil, mostly Sampa, I met many GPs, and almost without exception those that had worked outside of Brazil were jaded, money hungry, hard pros. In contrast to the GPs that had never left Brazil, who were personable, fun, and willing to relate to clients in a YMMV style. This leads me to conclude that, while you can find attractive GPs outside of BR, the experience you will get outside Brasil is not the same as what you will get inside Brasil. Guys that fixate on price. Sure you can get an hour in some other country for less, but you can't get the leisurely multi-hour full cycle experience, and you sure as hell can't get the boate or terma experience, well we know that or we wouldn't be here. Enuf.
Was in Salvador and Rio in Jan / Feb of 2013, see reports, Sperto was right, that I should have just come to Rio, but at least I satisfied my curiosity about Salvador. Now, the next phase begins. I end my exile in 2014, and will return to Brasil. I hope to spend a month or more in several cities (POA, Curitiba, perhaps, Goiania, who knows). But I will start off in Rio at least for April and May. Stlll undecided where to go during the Copa period, as I don't fancy paying 5x rates) , may go to a non-host city like Goiania and just enjoy games in bars with locals. Any opinion on that plan?
Now, to the point of this post. I am planning my first leg, Rio April and May 2014. I already know the full gamut of Rio monger locations in zona sul and centro, last January, I think I visited nearly every prive and massagem in the centro. So this is not a question on where to go for mongering. It is a question of where to live to get a nice carioca experience. Last time, I lived one week in Catete and one in Lapa. Lapa is cool to visit, but did not like living there. Catete was ok.
This time, I plan to either stay 2 months in 1 place, or 1 month each in 2 places. I am starting off with a rental on Praia de Botafogo for April. I chose Botafogo for its convenient location be / t beaches and centro. However, my question is whether to stay there for both months or spend May in a different location, like Copa or Ipanema or other. Just trying to think through the pros and cons. Staying in one place increases chances of developing more local acquaintances but maybe I will find Botafogo boring. Just trying to think through the daily opportunities, working out at gym, eating in cafes, strolling for pleasure, meeting locals, non-pros etc. Right now, I am thinking of spending May in Copa or Ipanema rather than staying 2 months in Botafogo. Cost of rental is inconsequential as I can find comparable monthly rental rates in all locations as long as I act early enough. Sooooo. What do the Rio experts recommend? 2 months in Botafogo or 1 month in Botafogo and 1 month where?
BTW, for those that like to work out, I found a site called gympass that provides daily and montly rates for participating academias.
Bonsucesso. Rios American Bar and Black and White?
Anyone on this forum have experience with either or both of those places in Bonsucesso? I read the Brazilian forums like forumx and gpguia quite a bit, and those 2 places seem popular with local mongers. Obviously, Bonsucesso is outside the comfort zone of most tourists, but I have subtantial experience in Brazil and speak Portoguese. Just don't have experience in Bonsucesso or these clubs, so I would like to know in advance, whether it's cool to go to these places via taxi and whether the quality of garota is worth the trip.
Does anyone know?