Rio de Janeiro Reports

[QUOTE=Tiradentes;1729881]If Brazil was really smart, it could instate 'Visas on Entries' for the visiting Americans / Canadians. The way it works is that once you deplane, you go to a kiosk and buy a stamp for say 20-30 Reais, then proceed to the immigration line. You hand in the passport, stamp, get briefly interviewed, then the agent would issue you a 'one time only' entrance visit. Repeat the process the next time you visit. More money to the coffers.

By doing so, embezzlement at the consulates can be reduced as one of the articles stated. The consulates abroad will be reduced in size and their role will be limited to cater only for Brazilians affairs. Cost savings all across the board. But, alas, this is BraSil. The 'Pais do Futuro'.[/QUOTE]I can understand why the USA, Canada and Europe Require Visas because if they don't. They will have a flood gate of immigrants trying to come for better opportunity. Brazil is a 3rd World Country.

There's not to many immigrants trying to go there for opportunity so they.

Need to put there so call pride away and understand there losing vital tourist dollars that can help there economy with this visa mumbo jumbo. With the Olympics coming every tourist dollar counts. Tourist from the Western World Spend a lot of money.

Bad enough the flights too Brazil are expensive then I have to shell out another $180 dollars for a visa I might only use 1 time will deter any tourist to visit other countries. They lucky there women are the best in bed is what makes me go through the trouble.

[QUOTE=FuckAfMedDig;1729722]I got stopped in a cab going to Villa Mimosa-as we were entering.

I had left copy of my passport at home. I was very humble and apologized for not having ID and will remember it next time. He let me off but guided me to a club he suggested I enter (he gets a kickback) -I accepted.

But the entrance was only 20 reais.

Another time cab got pulled over in Ipanema! LOL I was in backseat with a hot mulatta who used to work at MC-the cop was more interested in harassing the cab driver.

A third time we got pulled over going into meyer Zona Norte. I had my pp copy and he let me carry on.

It is def annoying because anything could have happened.

Him asking for a cafe- (a mini-gift) to whatever. A guy I know got kidnapped by Police in Sao Paolo coming out of the airport and was made to go to the cashpoint and withdraw 2000 reais in 2 days and then they let him off outside the city.

Brazil is Brazil.

Many of my people get stopped repeatedly. Also out of Rio-in the country side it can be worse! LOL.

Defintely suborno time w / o neccesarily saying it as stated.[/QUOTE]Who are "my people"? Brazilians, Americans etc.

[QUOTE=ForceSteeler;1729913]I can understand why the USA, Canada and Europe Require Visas because if they don't. They will have a flood gate of immigrants trying to come for better opportunity. Brazil is a 3rd World [/QUOTE]Brazilians don't need visa to Europe and Europeans don't need visa to Brazil.

[QUOTE=Rahsta;1729932]Who are "my people"? Brazilians, Americans etc.[/QUOTE]Both locals and estranheiros alike. O policia don't discriminate.

Hi there,

Finally boots on the ground making lots of mistakes like a newbie, as I am. Stumbling learning with acai bowl in hand. Not bad. Has anyone tried XY Zen lately I visited today and it was hard to find as it was reported. The guy manning the garage, nice guy, told me something but my Portuguese is nonexistent and Google Translator failed as well. It sounded like she was telling me that XY Zen was closed for good. However it was a holiday today and places were closed as well, so I'm not entirely sure. Their website also is offline. Can anyone confirm that they are still in business?

Thank you.

[QUOTE=ForceSteeler;1729651]Looks like you do not need a Visa to Travel to Brazil anymore. With the Brazil Economy Suffering, Brazilian Confidence Low, The Olympics coming soon, and The US Dollar Strong, I guess the Brazilian Law Makers are realizing they need to open up tourism.

Brazil considering easing Visa Requirements for Americans.

[URL]http://www.latintimes.com/brazil-visa-fee-rousseff-reconsiders-reciprocity-new-york-consulate-fires-3-318192[/URL]

[URL]http://www.globalatlanta.com/article/27617/visa-breakthrough-could-boost-travel-to-brazil-through-atlanta/[/URL][/QUOTE]This has been conjecture since Obama's first election. Yes it would be nice but don't hold your breath waiting for it.

My first report from Rio. Navigating through the streets is fun as well as challenging because I have never visited the city before. Recommend getting a unlock phone with data and google translate capabilities as I kept getting lost in and around apartment buildings. It also takes a bit getting used to passing the security guard ringing apartment doors not knowing whether or not you're in the right place. I rang the wrong places a few times and that was quite embarrassing. Anyway when I made it to Star Cris around 2 pm, I was greeted by a middle aged lady. She was business like but nice and tried to explain things in Portuguese which was a challenge for both of us. Unfortunately there were only 2 girls available and I chose Agatha. Now she has some bad reviews and I can understand why. She's a spinner type girl with gorgeous tan skin and long dark hair. Quite a pretty girl by all means. And she feels so good to the touch. So you want the session to go really well but it just doesn't. She has a tendency to rush things and not very affectionate. I blame myself for half of this because I feel if my Portuguese was better we both would have had a better time. Intimacy and connection is created by the art of language and I was missing that part. Without it I'm just another guy wanting to bone her good which I do but that is it. To her credit she did try to be instructive and caring as much as she could. The other half is because she has lots of restrictions once inside the room. Going through the motions. She's quite nice afterwards but during is not the same thing. It was a okay session that could have been improved in many ways. Reminded once again to manage my expectations (because my lack of Portuguese) and do my best on my end for a better outcome. Only did a half an hour for 100 real.

[QUOTE=ForceSteeler;1729651]Looks like you do not need a Visa to Travel to Brazil anymore. With the Brazil Economy Suffering, Brazilian Confidence Low, The Olympics coming soon, and The US Dollar Strong, I guess the Brazilian Law Makers are realizing they need to open up tourism.

If they want to jump start the economy. As a American Paying $160 Dollar Visa fee is a pain and it will deter any tourist. I think its a smart move.

If your Jamacian starting today you don't need a Visa anymore.

[URL]http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Brazil-abolishes-visas-for-Jamaicans_19063376[/URL]

Brazil considering easing Visa Requirements for Americans.

[URL]http://www.latintimes.com/brazil-visa-fee-rousseff-reconsiders-reciprocity-new-york-consulate-fires-3-318192[/URL]

[URL]http://www.globalatlanta.com/article/27617/visa-breakthrough-could-boost-travel-to-brazil-through-atlanta/[/URL][/QUOTE]I just got a 10 year visa in January so this really doesn't do much for me. Their visa process is rather stupid though. Shit is a pain in the ass! They gave me trouble this time because I didn't have a round trip ticket. I told the lady I fly standby so I'm never going to have a round trip ticket. Why would I buy a damn flight for $1200 to sit in a bullshit coach seat when I can fly in first class whenever I want for a couple hundred bucks? Shit makes no sense. The DC consulate is just dumb. Had to go to NY to get it. And guess what I had no issue at all in NY. Shows you how willy Molly these fuckin rules are. Anyway I'm good for ten years so atleast I don't have to deal with them for a while.

[QUOTE=Mongmann;1730138]I just got a 10 year visa in January so this really doesn't do much for me. Their visa process is rather stupid though. Shit is a pain in the ass! They gave me trouble this time because I didn't have a round trip ticket. I told the lady I fly standby so I'm never going to have a round trip ticket. Why would I buy a damn flight for $1200 to sit in a bullshit coach seat when I can fly in first class whenever I want for a couple hundred bucks? Shit makes no sense. The DC consulate is just dumb. Had to go to NY to get it. And guess what I had no issue at all in NY. Shows you how willy Molly these fuckin rules are. Anyway I'm good for ten years so atleast I don't have to deal with them for a while.[/QUOTE]DC Consulate is more bureaucratic because it is staffed by people connected to the Brazilian Embassy. Of course the NY Consulate would be far easier because that is where they were skimming the fees in a Visa mill.

[QUOTE=Poucolouco;1730139]DC Consulate is more bureaucratic because it is staffed by people connected to the Brazilian Embassy. Of course the NY Consulate would be far easier because that is where they were skimming the fees in a Visa mill.[/QUOTE]I agree. That makes sense. What doesn't make sense is the visa requirement in the first place. And why the hassle over your flight? Why would any American really want to sneak into Brazil? Am I going to fly there and just decide to leave because the economic oppt is just miles ahead of what is available to me here in the US. Lmao! They're nuts.

Buy a cheap audio player from amazon to plug into a smartphone; put a playlist with jotaquest on your smartphone; play in any session, VM, terma, freelancer in apt. Learn to lipsync jotaquest. Maybe not Better than 20 years of porto fluency, but cheaper faster and maybe as efective.

[QUOTE=Black43;1730137]My first report from Rio. Navigating through the streets is fun as well as challenging because I have never visited the city before. Recommend getting a unlock phone with data and google translate capabilities as I kept getting lost in and around apartment buildings. It also takes a bit getting used to passing the security guard ringing apartment doors not knowing whether or not you're in the right place. I rang the wrong places a few times and that was quite embarrassing. Anyway when I made it to Star Cris around 2 pm, I was greeted by a middle aged lady. She was business like but nice and tried to explain things in Portuguese which was a challenge for both of us. Unfortunately there were only 2 girls available and I chose Agatha. Now she has some bad reviews and I can understand why. She's a spinner type girl with gorgeous tan skin and long dark hair. Quite a pretty girl by all means. And she feels so good to the touch. So you want the session to go really well but it just doesn't. She has a tendency to rush things and not very affectionate. I blame myself for half of this because I feel if my Portuguese was better we both would have had a better time. Intimacy and connection is created by the art of language and I was missing that part. Without it I'm just another guy wanting to bone her good which I do but that is it. To her credit she did try to be instructive and caring as much as she could. The other half is because she has lots of restrictions once inside the room. Going through the motions. She's quite nice afterwards but during is not the same thing. It was a okay session that could have been improved in many ways. Reminded once again to manage my expectations (because my lack of Portuguese) and do my best on my end for a better outcome. Only did a half an hour for 100 real.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Mongmann;1730194]What doesn't make sense is the visa requirement in the first place. And why the hassle over your flight?[/QUOTE]Reciprocity aka tit for tat. US requires Visa for Brazilians to enter US, in order to control immigration. Brazil returns the favor on US citizens with their visa requirements. It is the responsibility of the airline, in many cases, to make sure you are eligible to enter whatever country they're flying you to. If they did and you aren't, you go back on their dime. Plus they'll incur a hefty fine from that country. There is a form you can sign, letting the airline off the hook, and putting that burden on you.

[QUOTE=JavaMan;1730474]Reciprocity aka tit for tat. US requires Visa for Brazilians to enter US, in order to control immigration. Brazil returns the favor on US citizens with their visa requirements. It is the responsibility of the airline, in many cases, to make sure you are eligible to enter whatever country they're flying you to. If they did and you aren't, you go back on their dime. Plus they'll incur a hefty fine from that country. There is a form you can sign, letting the airline off the hook, and putting that burden on you.[/QUOTE]The US can play hard ball because there's so many opportunities for immigrants. So they will be a flood gate of people trying to come in if there was no visa.

In Brazil there is little no opportunities. Tourist from the USA spend tons of money, putting a visa requirements hurts tourism and Brazil needs every dollar they can as there economy is in a free fall. They should make it easy for Rich foreigners. Kinda like when you go.

To Vegas, You bend the rules and treat your high rollers nice with free hotels and private jet, so they will spend money.

Send me your whatsapp by PM.

[QUOTE=Black43;1730131]Hi there,

Finally boots on the ground making lots of mistakes like a newbie, as I am. Stumbling learning with acai bowl in hand. Not bad. Has anyone tried XY Zen lately I visited today and it was hard to find as it was reported. The guy manning the garage, nice guy, told me something but my Portuguese is nonexistent and Google Translator failed as well. It sounded like she was telling me that XY Zen was closed for good. However it was a holiday today and places were closed as well, so I'm not entirely sure. Their website also is offline. Can anyone confirm that they are still in business?

Thank you.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Black43;1730131]Hi there,

Finally boots on the ground making lots of mistakes like a newbie, as I am. Stumbling learning with acai bowl in hand. Not bad. Has anyone tried XY Zen lately I visited today and it was hard to find as it was reported. The guy manning the garage, nice guy, told me something but my Portuguese is nonexistent and Google Translator failed as well. It sounded like she was telling me that XY Zen was closed for good. However it was a holiday today and places were closed as well, so I'm not entirely sure. Their website also is offline. Can anyone confirm that they are still in business?

Thank you.[/QUOTE]I.

Its located in the rear, on the right, up the stairs. Its on second floor. However, I have not been there since last year, so I have no idea if it is still in bus.

Can someone on ground zero confirm if it is open or shut down for good? THanks.