Rio de Janeiro Reports

[QUOTE=RioBob;2632759]Bobby has been around a long time, he is very resilient. I first met him in 1997 working for a hotel website, he later borrowed the code from that website and started his own business with it as we all know Blame it on Rio for [URL]travel.com[/URL]. He had a great idea but it must be very difficult for an American to keep a business going in Rio. He later went brick and mortar with that business as we know today.

Before 1997 he tried other schemes for a business to make some money and live in Rio, this has been a life long pursuit of his, you got to hand it to him. Old friends told me one of his early pursuits was to sell either pretzels or bagels and earned the name Pretzel Bobby. Yes this is not the first gofundme request and before he used to just send emails to help him keep afloat. When I'm in town I try to give him business with FX but he doesn't budge on price even if I'm offering some volume, I've even had my laundry done there. I think he has several young children and a Brazilian wife so he wants to stay in business, I would say hes mid 60s at least I wish him good luck.[/QUOTE][URL]Blameitonrio4travel.com[/URL] has had to be a hard hustle over the last ten, fifteen years. First, the air and hotel websites mushroomed. Then AirBnB and Vrbo came along to take up a lot of the apartment rentals. The closing of Help moved the epicenter of tourism. I think they use to have an internet cafe on-site, but with everyone having smartphones does anyone need a place to use the internet. Maybe there was a laundry service. I guess they can hustle tours and currency exchange. It seems like I'm better off using the internet to find the tour operator and book with them directly.

I'm reminded of many an American who was down there not too long ago booking apartments, providing airport pick-up and guide services. They have all disappeared from what I can tell. Bobby has been a more permanent fixture.

On a similar note, my less fortunate Brazilian contacts down there routinely ask for funding for this opportunity or that opportunity. They never mention what is in it for me if anything. It seems like it's a quite normal ask. Perhaps, Bobby's seen this and thought why not me.

[QUOTE=Vagabundo1;2632754]As a Brazilian quipped at 4 x 4 last week, Rio is the capital of the world, and it's own planet.[/QUOTE]Your English lessons pay any worthwhile currency?

[QUOTE=WyattEarp;2632864][URL]Blameitonrio4travel.com[/URL] has had to be a hard hustle over the last ten, fifteen years. I guess they can hustle tours and currency exchange. It seems like I'm better off using the internet to find the tour operator and book with them directly.[/QUOTE]I don't know what he's doing with tours, but I went to him once to inquire about exchanging some money, and he totally was not offering a good rate. Went across the street and got a rate that was much, much better. These days, I just withdraw from an ATM. Airbnb, multitude of online tour operators, smart phones, and no-fee ATM debit cards. And who really needs to go to him to wash some clothes? Times have changed. His business model is screwed. Got to admire him for hanging on for so long.

What's up fellas.

I am going to Rio for the first time in January and I am looking for a guest friendly Airbnb. Any help would be appreciated.

Teaching provides trustworthy locals primarily, which is priceless -- the balance that phallus maximus wrote about.

Rental income, legal fees, and the exchange rate are what make me comfortably rich in Brazil but not in the rich world.

[QUOTE=Ptgbac;2632891]Your English lessons pay any worthwhile currency?[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=TheCane;2632893]........ And who really needs to go to him to wash some clothes? Times have changed. His business model is screwed. Got to admire him for hanging on for so long.[/QUOTE]If your get the right VRBO or Airbnb or other lodging, it will have a washer&dryer to wash clothes.

[QUOTE=TheCane;2632893]I don't know what he's doing with tours, but I went to him once to inquire about exchanging some money, and he totally was not offering a good rate. Went across the street and got a rate that was much, much better. These days, I just withdraw from an ATM. Airbnb, multitude of online tour operators, smart phones, and no-fee ATM debit cards. And who really needs to go to him to wash some clothes? Times have changed. His business model is screwed. Got to admire him for hanging on for so long.[/QUOTE]Bobby's not competitive, but he's developed certain following over the years, and he's generous with his time and advice. You come over, he remembers you, there is always a smile, and if you need to translate anything or call somebody, he's there to help. I tried to book a couple of tours from him, but he just slaps a handsome markup on local tours you can buy elsewhere, so I stopped. Exchanging cash, on the other hand, I don't really care if I lose a dollar or two. Same with laundry if I'm staying close to his shop.

My normal Pernoite is over. BBFS 18 yo ass of a model.

We are planning a Angra weekend, little Pousada 430 r a day.

Living well below your income and multiple sources of income mean I could do this for years.

Blameitonrio probably have the worst Cambio rate in Copacabana. Jut out of curiosity I informed about their rate a couple of times, just awful rates. Across the street both the casa de cambios offered (with a short negotiating) a rate that was 20 centavos better per euro. If you change like 4000 euro you'll earn 800 reais just by crossing the street. It can be even better at Casa Behar or PMTurismo on Av Rio Branco.

I never had done any business with Bobby, but he seems like a friendly fellow. I guess almost all his clients are from the US.

[QUOTE=TheCane;2632893]I don't know what he's doing with tours, but I went to him once to inquire about exchanging some money, and he totally was not offering a good rate. Went across the street and got a rate that was much, much better. These days, I just withdraw from an ATM. Airbnb, multitude of online tour operators, smart phones, and no-fee ATM debit cards. And who really needs to go to him to wash some clothes? Times have changed. His business model is screwed. Got to admire him for hanging on for so long.[/QUOTE]Remember when the Copa internet cafes would have hot garotas sending all their foreign namorados emails. "I love you. I miss you."

Strike up a conversation and you have your afternoon action lined up. LOL.

Proof of vaccination needed to enter bars, shopping's, hotels, restaurants, uber etc.

[URL]https://www.meiahora.com.br/geral/2021/12/6288702-comprovante-de-vacinacao-passa-a-ser-obrigatorio-para-a-entrada-em-bares-shoppings-e-hoteis-no-rio.html[/URL]#foto=1.

[QUOTE=Vagabundo1;2632990]Living well below your income and multiple sources of income mean I could do this for years.[/QUOTE]If I am able to stay on my financial course, I will be doing that for the rest of my natural life. When it comes to mongering, I have lived by the saying "make sure your bills are [B]paid[/B] and your investments [B]made[/B] before you get [B]laid[/B]!

[QUOTE=Sperto;2633106]Blameitonrio probably have the worst Cambio rate in Copacabana. Jut out of curiosity I informed about their rate a couple of times, just awful rates. Across the street both the casa de cambios offered (with a short negotiating) a rate that was 20 centavos better per euro. If you change like 4000 euro you'll earn 800 reais just by crossing the street. It can be even better at Casa Behar or PMTurismo on Av Rio Branco.

I never had done any business with Bobby, but he seems like a friendly fellow. I guess almost all his clients are from the US.[/QUOTE]How much cash can you get with you in Brazil.

My good senor, I'm glad we can agree on something again, like fucking Elisa Sanchez 3 holes (before they required surgical repair haha).

The bard once said:

Lend less than thou lowest.

Speak less. Than thou knowest.

Stay away from thy drink and thy hoar.

- The Tragedy of King Lear.

[QUOTE=TheCane;2633212]If I am able to stay on my financial course, I will be doing that for the rest of my natural life. When it comes to mongering, I have lived by the saying "make sure your bills are [B]paid[/B] and your investments [B]made[/B] before you get [B]laid[/B]![/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Vagabundo1;2632990]Living well below your income and multiple sources of income mean I could do this for years.[/QUOTE]For years or until the novelty wears off or the exchange rate turns bad or the dollar crashes. In the meantime, as the Brazilians say: Live your life.