General Info

[QUOTE=SoberHans69;2662764]Just over three weeks and I'll finally make it to Brazil for the first time, hope to meet some of you there.

Got a few questions I'd appreciate answers to:

1) Can anyone recommend a gym in the Copacabana area that I can pay per session or join for a few weeks?

2) Can anyone recommend a laundry place in this area too?

3) Where's the best place to buy a cheap yellow Brazil football Jersey?

Thanks.[/QUOTE]For #3, so to the Uraguiana metro station, you will see lots on sale.

[QUOTE=Jingo10;2662837]Just to Pre warn you, mask wearing seems mandatory in the gyms, every gym I see they are wearing masks on the equipment. Crazy times.[/QUOTE]Yeah seems a bit strange but I suppose you have to adapt to your surroundings. Thanks for the heads up.

[QUOTE=Explorer8939;2662843]For #3, so to the Uraguiana metro station, you will see lots on sale.[/QUOTE]Brilliant, thank you.

[QUOTE=SoberHans69;2662764]Where's the best place to buy a cheap yellow Brazil football Jersey?[/QUOTE]If you have wide shoulders, be sure to try it on. Most Brazilians are not as broad-shouldered as North Americans or Europeans. It can make shopping for clothing items in Brazil tricky for some of us.

[QUOTE=SoberHans69;2662764]Just over three weeks and I'll finally make it to Brazil for the first time, hope to meet some of you there.

Got a few questions I'd appreciate answers to:

1) Can anyone recommend a gym in the Copacabana area that I can pay per session or join for a few weeks?

[/QUOTE]Academia Fitness, or something similar, don't remember the exact name on R Xavier da Silveira.

[QUOTE=SoberHans69;2662764]Where's the best place to buy a cheap yellow Brazil football Jersey?[/QUOTE]Night market on Av Atlantica in front of Rua Miguel Lemos.

Popular mercado metro Uruguiana.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2663261]Night market on Av Atlantica in front of Rua Miguel Lemos.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=WyattEarp;2663111]If you have wide shoulders, be sure to try it on. Most Brazilians are not as broad-shouldered as North Americans or Europeans. It can make shopping for clothing items in Brazil tricky for some of us.[/QUOTE]I do and will, thank you.

Thank you for all the help everyone, I hope I buy you a drink to say thanks.

Tragedy in Petropolis: [URL]https://www.aol.com/news/brazil-mudslides-kill-least-94-050230978-132538177.html[/URL].

Being in a position to avoid many months of Midwest winter, I would welcome your thoughts. I'm, ideally seeking a place in the sun that I can lease from November through March that has a reasonable size English speaking expat community. I enjoy conversation but I speak no Portuguese and very little Spanish and at my age (60's) it's slow learning. My plan is to come home only for Christmas.

Is the Brazil a place with comfortable (3-4 star) accommodations, plentiful good food and drink, compatriots, and affectionate women?

Yes, you should come to Barra the Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro.

You can contact Senor Nounce or Senor JimmyBoy or Senor MichaelSamuel, who can help us to be in touch to address your concerns.

[QUOTE=PilotPete;2670120]Being in a position to avoid many months of Midwest winter, I would welcome your thoughts. I'm, ideally seeking a place in the sun that I can lease from November through March that has a reasonable size English speaking expat community. I enjoy conversation but I speak no Portuguese and very little Spanish and at my age (60's) it's slow learning. My plan is to come home only for Christmas.

Is the Brazil a place with comfortable (3-4 star) accommodations, plentiful good food and drink, compatriots, and affectionate women?[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=PilotPete;2670120] ... Is the Brazil a place with comfortable (3-4 star) accommodations, plentiful good food and drink, compatriots, and affectionate women?[/QUOTE]

Brazil probably has the following in abundance:[LIST] Comfortable (3-4 star) accommodations: [b]Check[/b] (Naturally, depends on $$$, City, Location and Safety)[/LIST][LIST] plentiful good food and drink: [b]Check[/b] (from fine dining, Brazilian Churrascas (BBQs), World Class Pizzerias to Classic Street Food. YMMV in diff cities)[/LIST][LIST] Affectionate women: [b]Check[/b] (in major abundance in most any city or parts of Brazil. Doesn't matter how old you are, just have the necessary $$$)

Oh! BTW, having a warm personality and/or sunny disposition wouldn't hurt either.[/LIST][LIST] Compatriots: [b]Not So Much, if at all?[/b] (I don't think there are large established communities of expats like in Thailand, Phils, DR or CR)[/LIST]
Just my 2-cents. Good Luck!

As I'm sure lots of you guys have noticed, The real has been slowly gaining ground against the US dollar recently. Will it fall below 5. 0? Imo, although it hasn't happened yet, It kinda seems likely at this point. Obviously, I'm just speculating but I do wonder how many mongers will give Brazil a pass if the exchange rate dips below 5. 0? Don't get me wrong, there is still plenty of value to be had even with the current exchange rate. What will it take for some of you guys to pass up on vacation to Brazil if the real continues to appreciate vs the dollar? 4.75? 4.50? Personally if it falls below 4. 25 for whatever reason I'll probably sit it out and wait to see what happens next.

[QUOTE=OJeito;2670541]What will it take for some of you guys to pass up on vacation to Brazil if the real continues to appreciate vs the dollar? 4.75? 4.50? Personally if it falls below 4. 25 for whatever reason I'll probably sit it out and wait to see what happens next.[/QUOTE]Seeing that I do not spend a bunch of money on hookers and I was there when it was 1.52, 4.25 will make no difference for me.