[scotian]

OG, I was surprised you didn't ask one of the more important question: which country has the best weed?

I'm actually serious about this, its an important factor for me when I travel.

[el mechanico]

The weed in the DR is funny. It's not super tasty but has a creeper effect. It was the same thing everytime or it may be I'm fighting all those stomach viruses from the water and food the entire time I'm there. Either way I stashed some there in certain hotel rooms for later.

You don't want to get caught with it there. Even the locals keep it on the DL to the point of only smoking in love hotels sometimes, you'll never smell it while out and about.

[Brosemite]

@ OGNorcal...that's a great pt asking about Brazil vs. DR...bc Brazil is pretty expensive as that thought weighed on me big time with my plans down there. I should have more wiggle room, flexibility to unwind, create more data sheets off the beaten path, and develop more if I head down in Mid-May instead of December with increased savings, etc....

Esp since I have "needy friends" that want to do all the expensive crap in Balneariu Camboriu peak season Dec-Feb

[Wayout]

I haven't seen anyone bringing up safety concerns in both countries. I didn't feel safe in Brazil out of tourist areas. I got robbed once and other tourist got pick pocketed too. I have never been to DR so I have nothing to compare to.
Women in Brazil are so diverse : from German looking blonds to African looking negritas. What about DR? Aren't they all pretty much the same looking Caribbean black? I am also guessing most DR women you will meet will be semi - pro.

[Quintus Curtius]

(09-18-2013 08:03 PM)Hencredible Casanova Wrote:  

(09-18-2013 07:10 PM)Quintus Curtius Wrote:  

Since you guys mentioned Brazil, I thought I'd fire off a question. My visa is going to be renewed soon, as I haven't done it in 5 years.
Another comment: I've got a friend in Brazil who tipped me off that, due to Brazil's anger at the US's monitoring of their gov't communications, they may be getting ready to make visas more expensive. This sounds like just a rumor, but does anyone know if this is backed up by reliable intel?

Funny. I'm in the same boat. Got my first Brazil visa in October 2008. Five years is up next month. I was going to wait for Brazil's president visit Obama at the WH next month which was going to be the only foreign state visit hosted by the White House this year (with the full pomp and ceremony) and the first state visit from a Brazilian president since 1995.

One of the issues they were set to discuss was easing visa restrictions and quite possibly doing away with the fee altogether. The US and Brazil used to not have visa fees when traveling between both countries until after 9/11 when the Bush administration - knowing that the Brazilian passport is the most sought after by terrorists since anyone can pass for Brazilian - decided to initiate the fee. Then Brazil simply did the same to Americans in return.

But now that the Snowden leaks have revealed that our spying agencies were monitoring the emails and texts btwn the Brazilian president and her top advisers, the Brazilian govt is heated.

So now the state visit will be postponed until a later time as the Brazilian president phoned Obama on Monday to let him know.

http://en.mercopress.com/2013/09/18/rous...llegations

________________________

Yeah, Hen, sounds like we're in the same boat.
What really pissed me off is the new rule that you can't send your paperwork directly to the consulate, like you could years ago. Now you have to use one of these glorified paper-pusher "agencies" for something totally pointless. Makes no sense, other than the logic of the corrupt bureaucrat.
I girl I know from Rio keeps telling me that there are rumors of heightened visa requirements and expenses, in the wake of this electronic eavesdropping revelation. Apparently Dilma & Co are really, really pissed off.
I don't know if this girl's info is accurate (probably not) but I just wanted to see if anyone else had heard anything along these lines.

[Bacchus]

I've done both. For as much as I enjoy Brazil, I think the better short term option is the DR. It's a lot smaller, so you can do pretty much everything you want to (i.e. start in Santo Domingo, go to the beach, get off the beaten path). Brazil's size means that you're stuck in one region unless you're going to fly again, which is going to be expensive because there aren't low cost airlines like in the US.

Another factor is the language. What language are you more comfortable with? In the Dominican Republic, I found the level of English to be very low, so Spanish is a must wherever you go. In Brazil, you can get by on English in Sao Paulo or Rio (although you're experience will improve if you know Portuguese). In the shittier cities, English was nonexistent. So unless you're doing first-tier Brazil, you're going to need Portuguese.

For me, safety is a wash. Avoid the slums in either country, and you should be alright.

The final factor, Ron Barceló is better than even the best caipirinha.

[OGNorCal707]

(09-18-2013 08:42 PM)scotian Wrote:  

OG, I was surprised you didn't ask one of the more important question: which country has the best weed?

I'm actually serious about this, its an important factor for me when I travel.

Yeah I was wondering about that for sure, I already know the weed in Brazil sucks, but I expected as much, people do seem pretty cool about smoking there though, as there are plenty of surfer, hippie, and artist types.

That's too bad to hear that it's kind of sketch in the D.R., but it is in most countries I travel too, so I'm pretty much used to it, thankfully I never got close to getting caught with it abroad. If I go to the D.R., I'll pretty much try to "let it find me", sometimes I seem to attract eccentric stoner types.

I really need to do my own research, as to not be "that guy" asking every random question under the sun, so far I appreciate the feedback, but not too much intel.

Okay language was an issue, it sounds like English is limited and Spanish is mandatory, I picked up a bit of Spanish for my Mexico trip, I have the Pimsleur Vol. 1 of Mex Spanish, I can brush up on that easily and move to level 2, plus try and find a local tutor. But I'm wondering, how different is Dominican Spanish from Mexican Spanish, sounds like it may be very different, when it comes to accent, plus slang, etc.

Other questions are, how is the food (I'm assuming not amazing), and can you get an international mix (Sushi, Italian, etc.), is good seafood inexpensive and abundant? Can a guy eat healthy there, relatively easily?

Also, what's the deal with gyms? I'm assuming they aren't too hard to find in the cities, or will it be a challenge to pump iron over there? How about a boxing gym(s) where I can get 1 hour private lessons?

[Brosemite]

(09-18-2013 09:38 PM)Wayout Wrote:  

I haven't seen anyone bringing up safety concerns in both countries. I didn't feel safe in Brazil out of tourist areas. I got robbed once and other tourist got pick pocketed too. I have never been to DR so I have nothing to compare to.
Women in Brazil are so diverse : from German looking blonds to African looking negritas. What about DR? Aren't they all pretty much the same looking Caribbean black? I am also guessing most DR women you will meet will be semi - pro.

What cities did you visit in Brazil when that happened? Sorry to hear bro.

[scotian]

(09-18-2013 10:43 PM)OGNorCal707 Wrote:  

(09-18-2013 08:42 PM)scotian Wrote:  

OG, I was surprised you didn't ask one of the more important question: which country has the best weed?

I'm actually serious about this, its an important factor for me when I travel.

Yeah I was wondering about that for sure, I already know the weed in Brazil sucks, but I expected as much, people do seem pretty cool about smoking there though, as there are plenty of surfer, hippie, and artist types.

That's too bad to hear that it's kind of sketch in the D.R., but it is in most countries I travel too, so I'm pretty much used to it, thankfully I never got close to getting caught with it abroad. If I go to the D.R., I'll pretty much try to "let it find me", sometimes I seem to attract eccentric stoner types.

I really need to do my own research, as to not be "that guy" asking every random question under the sun, so far I appreciate the feedback, but not too much intel.

Okay language was an issue, it sounds like English is limited and Spanish is mandatory, I picked up a bit of Spanish for my Mexico trip, I have the Pimsleur Vol. 1 of Mex Spanish, I can brush up on that easily and move to level 2, plus try and find a local tutor. But I'm wondering, how different is Dominican Spanish from Mexican Spanish, sounds like it may be very different, when it comes to accent, plus slang, etc.

Other questions are, how is the food (I'm assuming not amazing), and can you get an international mix (Sushi, Italian, etc.), is good seafood inexpensive and abundant? Can a guy eat healthy there, relatively easily?

Also, what's the deal with gyms? I'm assuming they aren't too hard to find in the cities, or will it be a challenge to pump iron over there? How about a boxing gym(s) where I can get 1 hour private lessons?

OG you and I have almost the same priorities when it comes to traveling, I'm going to re-read your Mexico data sheet because I'm pretty sure this place may have become my favorite country, I'm considering considering coming back here next winter for my annual 3-4 month trip.

As far as the DR and Brazil go, I"m interested in both but don't like being on small Caribbean islands for more than two weeks. Brazil is too much for me right now, I'll visit at one point but it seems like the kind of place I'd have to spend at least six months in to properly experience it (language, culture, huge land mass, various cities, etc.)

[Vacancier Permanent]

Scotian,
If you loved Colombia and are enjoying Mexico, you will be blown away by Brasil. Even more so as you will not be on a tiny budget. 4-5k/month will give you a spectacular lifestyle in most of Brasil with the exception SP and Rio. Go to say a 2nd tier coastal city like Joao Pessoa in the north since you like'em chocolatey girls or BH and you'll be having the time of your life.
Plus carnaval in Brasil is the biggest in the world.

Salvador would also be a good place for a black girls lover as you. The carnaval in Salvador is the biggest popular party in the world. If you want to be bliwn away by beauty and sheer size then the Rio samba schools parade is a must see live. Absolutely madness all around in good way.

In terms of lifestyle, no country can match Brasil as it has everything. Its the closest to the total package as you'll get anywhere. Brasil for this winter will be the perfect place. I'll give you the full lowdown on it as well as some good recommendations and even personal connects in Etown when you get there.

[OGNorCal707]

Fuck it, I pulled the trigger. Booked the flight for the second week of January, $165 one way out of D.C. National connecting through JFK, 6 hours and 24 minutes flight time to Santo Domingo.

Am I tripping or is that a pretty damn good price, considering I'm not using reward points, frequent flier miles, credit card, or airline hook-ups? Any how, it's been done, it feels good. Even if I don't end up going $165 bucks is chump change in the grand scheme of things, although I hate losing/wasting money whether it be $20 or $2,000.

Brazil is on the back burner, but not out of the picture. The good thing about the D.R. is that it's relative cheapness and closeness to my home base in D.C. makes it less of an issue if I go and end up not loving it and not wanting to stay too long, although I think I'd stay a minimum or 3 or 4 weeks.

Also, the size of the country to me is a positive not a negative, I did enough 10 hour bus rides in Mexico, that I'm good off that, I'm also not a big fan of airports and air travel, so quick and easy commutes between destinations is ideal. I want to say last time I looked at flight from Rio to Salvador was like 4 years ago and I want to say they were about $250 round trip, that's not too bad, but I don't doubt that it's gotten more expensive since then, especially during "peak season."

I may very well not end up liking D.R. as much as Brazil, but I think it's worth a shot, the positives outweighed the negatives in my mind, but I guess I'll find out. The fact that the weather will be cooler in D.R. (but still hot) around low 80's appeals to me, that's about as hot as I like it, Rio will be in upper 90's and that shit killed me when I was in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca this past winter.

[OGNorCal707]

(09-19-2013 12:14 AM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  

Scotian,
If you loved Colombia and are enjoying Mexico, you will be blown away by Brasil. Even more so as you will not be on a tiny budget. 4-5k/month will give you a spectacular lifestyle in most of Brasil with the exception SP and Rio. Go to say a 2nd tier coastal city like Joao Pessoa in the north since you like'em chocolatey girls or BH and you'll be having the time of your life.
Plus carnaval in Brasil is the biggest in the world.

Salvador would also be a good place for a black girls lover as you. The carnaval in Salvador is the biggest popular party in the world. If you want to be bliwn away by beauty and sheer size then the Rio samba schools parade is a must see live. Absolutely madness all around in good way.

In terms of lifestyle, no country can match Brasil as it has everything. Its the closest to the total package as you'll get anywhere. Brasil for this winter will be the perfect place. I'll give you the full lowdown on it as well as some good recommendations and even personal connects in Etown when you get there.

Damn V.P., your post just gave me serious second thoughts.

[Vacancier Permanent]

OG,
Wow 165 one way to the DR? Damn thats good man! No brainer indeed! I would have jumped on it too! I believe you will have a blast in the DR man. Its a fun little island with sexy mamas and nice beaches yet very reasonably priced. How long are staying there? There are videos on youtube if guys showing abd advertising aparts in Cabarete and Sosua for about 300 bucks a month.

Yeah Brasil is incredible for sure. How about you could go there after carnaval and have a ball without paying through the nose. Say in mid March. This way, you'd do both.

Edit: to check current airfare prices within Brasil, go to Voegol.com.br or Tam.com.br
Or simply go to yahoo Brasil under Viagens. Boa sorte.

[Bolthouse]

(09-18-2013 10:43 PM)OGNorCal707 Wrote:  

Okay language was an issue, it sounds like English is limited and Spanish is mandatory, I picked up a bit of Spanish for my Mexico trip, I have the Pimsleur Vol. 1 of Mex Spanish, I can brush up on that easily and move to level 2, plus try and find a local tutor. But I'm wondering, how different is Dominican Spanish from Mexican Spanish, sounds like it may be very different, when it comes to accent, plus slang, etc.

Other questions are, how is the food (I'm assuming not amazing), and can you get an international mix (Sushi, Italian, etc.), is good seafood inexpensive and abundant? Can a guy eat healthy there, relatively easily?

Also, what's the deal with gyms? I'm assuming they aren't too hard to find in the cities, or will it be a challenge to pump iron over there? How about a boxing gym(s) where I can get 1 hour private lessons?

You'll be fine with Mexican spanish in the DR. There are like 10 dominican slang words, and everything else is the same. Most of the better looking chicks (higher class) speak some English anyway.

Dominican food is terrible, but there are plenty of foreign restaurants, and restaurants in general are pretty cheap. Gyms are all over the place, and range from $1/visit ones with nothing but iron in them up to name brand ones like Golds.

You'll find plenty of chicks on a level of Brazilians if you hang out at high end clubs, malls, and restaurants. The quality goes down if you pick up girls at bachata clubs and colmados, although they're much easier.

[Brosemite]

(09-18-2013 07:00 PM)Hencredible Casanova Wrote:  

(09-18-2013 06:41 PM)yb13 Wrote:  

Vitoria/Guarapari, Espirito Santo
Floripa/Balneariu Camboriu, Santa Catarina
Bucharest, Romania
Seoul (if there are enough seats)

Of these options, I'd do Floripa during US winter.

1) Vitoria/Guarapari - I'd probably do Vitoria as a city off peak on my own time...but would probably avoid Guarapari flying solo....unless my Belo Horizonte contacts head out there...which it appears they aren't as of now.

2) Floripa/Balneariu - I have free lodging in Balneariu and a built in social scene there..same as Floripa (minus free lodging). I did more of the village, nature stuff in Floripa last time...but will likely plant myself in Jurere Int for 3 days doing the beach parties, etc...big edge with Jurere peak season is women from all over Brazil go there yes...but just the contacts that could be made in general. Basic gaming can be like "tudo bem...de onde voce e, or de onde voces sao" are great starters seeing how everybody is from everywhere.

With TAM leaving Star alliance and aligning with AA/One World...we're seeing a slow addition of AA flights to Curitiba, Porto Alegre, and Belo Horizonte now. DFW-MIA-CWB or BH is cheaper than DFW-Sao Paulo or Rio. In this situation, I could fly into CWB and bus it into Floripa/Balneariu for much cheaper.

For kicks, I looked at Sao Paulo (CGH or GRU) to Floripa flights as they are in the 400 range peak season...yikes. That's normally a 150 rt flight off peak.

3) Bucharest - Quite cheap. Not sure if I want to party hard in the cold for 7-8 nights straight...but will check out data again. There's something adventurous about slugging it out in the wintry mix with minor pipelining there.

4) Seoul - Same weather conditions as Bucharest likely. Getting a seat there is going to be the tough part.

[Hencredible Casanova]

(09-18-2013 10:09 PM)Quintus Curtius Wrote:  

Yeah, Hen, sounds like we're in the same boat.
What really pissed me off is the new rule that you can't send your paperwork directly to the consulate, like you could years ago. Now you have to use one of these glorified paper-pusher "agencies" for something totally pointless. Makes no sense, other than the logic of the corrupt bureaucrat.
I girl I know from Rio keeps telling me that there are rumors of heightened visa requirements and expenses, in the wake of this electronic eavesdropping revelation. Apparently Dilma & Co are really, really pissed off.
I don't know if this girl's info is accurate (probably not) but I just wanted to see if anyone else had heard anything along these lines.

One of the few advantages of living in DC is that I can walk over to any embassy/consulate to handle visa issues for me.

[Hencredible Casanova]

(09-19-2013 09:24 AM)yb13 Wrote:  

(09-18-2013 07:00 PM)Hencredible Casanova Wrote:  

(09-18-2013 06:41 PM)yb13 Wrote:  

Vitoria/Guarapari, Espirito Santo
Floripa/Balneariu Camboriu, Santa Catarina
Bucharest, Romania
Seoul (if there are enough seats)

Of these options, I'd do Floripa during US winter.

2) Floripa/Balneariu - I have free lodging in Balneariu and a built in social scene there..same as Floripa (minus free lodging). I did more of the village, nature stuff in Floripa last time...but will likely plant myself in Jurere Int for 3 days doing the beach parties, etc...big edge with Jurere peak season is women from all over Brazil go there yes...but just the contacts that could be made in general. Basic gaming can be like "tudo bem...de onde voce e, or de onde voces sao" are great starters seeing how everybody is from everywhere.

With TAM leaving Star alliance and aligning with AA/One World...we're seeing a slow addition of AA flights to Curitiba, Porto Alegre, and Belo Horizonte now. DFW-MIA-CWB or BH is cheaper than DFW-Sao Paulo or Rio. In this situation, I could fly into CWB and bus it into Floripa/Balneariu for much cheaper.

For kicks, I looked at Sao Paulo (CGH or GRU) to Floripa flights as they are in the 400 range peak season...yikes. That's normally a 150 rt flight off peak.

One of my boys did the Balneario/Floripa combo last year. He came up on an Argentine flag in Balneario. Many of the tourists there are Argentine.

That's cool AA is expanding into Curitiba and PA. I knew they've been running a Miami to Belo Horizonte flight for a while.

I've done the bus thing to/from Floripa. Saves quite a bit of change during peak season.

Jurere Intl' is the move. Even if it's pretentious and not necessarily easy to pull from, can't deny this isn't a solid day time move:

I was actually there em verao 2010.

[Brosemite]

(09-19-2013 02:35 PM)Hencredible Casanova Wrote:  

One of my boys did the Balneario/Floripa combo last year. He came up on an Argentine flag in Balneario. Many of the tourists there are Argentine.

That's cool AA is expanding into Curitiba and PA. I knew they've been running a Miami to Belo Horizonte flight for a while.

I've done the bus thing to/from Floripa. Saves quite a bit of change during peak season.

Jurere Intl' is the move. Even if it's pretentious and not necessarily easy to pull from, can't deny this isn't a solid day time move:

I was actually there em verao 2010.

Yeah the One World Alliance merge with TAM is set to complete in 2nd quarter 2014. So if you book through AA.com, you can get connecting flights included in the price from TAM to the city of your choice like Goiania, Juiz de Fora, or Vitoria in future (along with those other cities I mentioned too) at no extra charge.

Have seen that vid before...and it's inspiring me again, lol. Yeah I can always go to say a Seoul at a much cheaper price, acquire miles, etc during off peak. I'm seeing seats available for that destination now...

But now my first choice is Balneariu/Floripa, lol. Argentines must be more open when traveling abroad though....noted...big time...

There were some great opportunities to daygame as eyes are constantly rolling around in Jurere when I was there 2011...unfortunately, my logistics were crap as I had to take multiple buses back to my neighborhood so that I could attend another party where I ended up meeting other peeps....I gotta look at scheds for Cafe de La Musique/P12/Taiko/Pacha as there are plenty of events at night too by the beach...

I still think Jurere is less intimidating than some of the high end clubs of say Belo Horizonte though approach wise...

Though staying with a friend in Balneariu...he's got the hookups on additional rooms and hotels..just in case...

Never been to Punta del Este...but I had an temp ex-roommate milf from Uruguay saying to avoid it bc all the touristy chicks are with bfs or dudes they are temporarily hooking up with...I'd check it out if I go with her though as she has connections on other gals down there for sure.

[el mechanico]

Quote:

I may very well not end up liking D.R. as much as Brazil,

I think every single person from this place has been able to get laid there. If you know what you're doing a little you won't even have time in the day to hang out with all of them and keep up with their texts and calls.

[eurolatin]

I would go to DR because it is cheaper and women are beautiful. Beware of pros.

[Hencredible Casanova]

(09-19-2013 03:29 PM)yb13 Wrote:  

(09-19-2013 02:35 PM)Hencredible Casanova Wrote:  

One of my boys did the Balneario/Floripa combo last year. He came up on an Argentine flag in Balneario. Many of the tourists there are Argentine.

That's cool AA is expanding into Curitiba and PA. I knew they've been running a Miami to Belo Horizonte flight for a while.

I've done the bus thing to/from Floripa. Saves quite a bit of change during peak season.

Jurere Intl' is the move. Even if it's pretentious and not necessarily easy to pull from, can't deny this isn't a solid day time move:

I was actually there em verao 2010.

Yeah the One World Alliance merge with TAM is set to complete in 2nd quarter 2014. So if you book through AA.com, you can get connecting flights included in the price from TAM to the city of your choice like Goiania, Juiz de Fora, or Vitoria in future (along with those other cities I mentioned too) at no extra charge.

Have seen that vid before...and it's inspiring me again, lol. Yeah I can always go to say a Seoul at a much cheaper price, acquire miles, etc during off peak. I'm seeing seats available for that destination now...

But now my first choice is Balneariu/Floripa, lol. Argentines must be more open when traveling abroad though....noted...big time...

There were some great opportunities to daygame as eyes are constantly rolling around in Jurere when I was there 2011...unfortunately, my logistics were crap as I had to take multiple buses back to my neighborhood so that I could attend another party where I ended up meeting other peeps....I gotta look at scheds for Cafe de La Musique/P12/Taiko/Pacha as there are plenty of events at night too by the beach...

I still think Jurere is less intimidating than some of the high end clubs of say Belo Horizonte though approach wise...

Though staying with a friend in Balneariu...he's got the hookups on additional rooms and hotels..just in case...

Never been to Punta del Este...but I had an temp ex-roommate milf from Uruguay saying to avoid it bc all the touristy chicks are with bfs or dudes they are temporarily hooking up with...I'd check it out if I go with her though as she has connections on other gals down there for sure.

Good to know about TAM. Will keep that in mind.

Yeah. Argentines are generally more open when they go abroad, particularly in Brazil. Most Argentines see Brazil as a more sensual, hedonistic, anything goes type of society as opposed to their reserved, Catholic, and condescending way of being. My only Argentine flag to date came when I went to Floripa. Whereas, I spent a month in Argentina and didn't get a local flag. Decided after the first weekend that putting in the effort would be futile. One of their many flaws is a guilty conscience about sex and the slut label that locals attach to a woman that gives it up outside of a relationship, particularly with a gringo.

Man, I rode the buses in Floripa too. The logistics there are quite a cockblock. Everything is so damn spread out over the island and cabs are ridic expensive. Really helps to have a car or a motorcycle.

I never did Balneario but I understand the logistics are very good. Practically one major strip where all the hotels are. Resort kind of spot so everyone is on vacay.

I would avoid PDE for New Year's. I had the opportunity back when I was in Argentina but decided against it. Got laid that night in Buenos Aires while my boys who went to PDE didn't. I knew it would happen to them. Prices are jacked up crazy in PDE and it's pretty much all pretentious and rich Brazilians, Argentines, and Uruguayans. Almost completely couples and social circles. Waste of time if you ask me.

[Brosemite]

(09-19-2013 05:35 PM)Hencredible Casanova Wrote:  

Good to know about TAM. Will keep that in mind.

Yeah. Argentines are generally more open when they go abroad, particularly in Brazil. Most Argentines see Brazil as a more sensual, hedonistic, anything goes type of society as opposed to their reserved, Catholic, and condescending way of being. My only Argentine flag to date came when I went to Floripa. Whereas, I spent a month in Argentina and didn't get a local flag. Decided after the first weekend that putting in the effort would be futile. One of their many flaws is a guilty conscience about sex and the slut label that locals attach to a woman that gives it up outside of a relationship, particularly with a gringo.

Man, I rode the buses in Floripa too. The logistics there are quite a cockblock. Everything is so damn spread out over the island and cabs are ridic expensive. Really helps to have a car or a motorcycle.

I never did Balneario but I understand the logistics are very good. Practically one major strip where all the hotels are. Resort kind of spot so everyone is on vacay.

I would avoid PDE for New Year's. I had the opportunity back when I was in Argentina but decided against it. Got laid that night in Buenos Aires while my boys who went to PDE didn't. I knew it would happen to them. Prices are jacked up crazy in PDE and it's pretty much all pretentious and rich Brazilians, Argentines, and Uruguayans. Almost completely couples and social circles. Waste of time if you ask me.

Assuming you fly United/Star Alliance in DC area..., perhaps you can book flights into smaller Brazilian cities as they might give you TAM connecters for free. Take advantage of it until the tide turns 2nd quarter of 2014.

I had an Argentine opportunity in Mexico City. Was into me, but then I confused things trying to speak Spanish to her in her Rioplatense dialect when we could've proceeded in English lol.

That's nice as I'll keep that in mind when in Floripa. Perhaps I should give that place an extra night. I wouldn't mind staying in Jurere Intl for 4+ days because the restaurants there are actually cheaper than Lagao de Conceicao believe it or not. Plus there are nice jogging trails, cheaper grocery stores 20 minute walk in "Jurere Tradicional," etc etc.

Yeah I get how logistics in Floripa are a mess. There's 700K people in that whole Metropolis (400K in city) where everything is so scattered on a huge island. Only got a makeout with a local chick after some dancing but it's tough to seal the deal bc everybody at the end of the day kind of knows everybody in this small population city.

I was in Balneariu as the infrastructure was worse than Floripa...however it might not be as scattered during peak season. I only had 1.5 days there off peak staying with a friend as we did family oriented stuff instead of say partying at Green Valley. I shall report if I head down there.

I will indeed be sure to avoid PDE during peak season if traveling alone without a female companion, haha.

[solo]

OG I think you asked about the weather in January and also for boxing gyms.

I think the south coast is generally known to be slightly warmer than the north coast though the difference is pretty much negli geable. I've been to the north coast in January and the weather and water was still pretty warm even though it started raining on most afternoons.

For boxing gyms, I went to the one on the top floor of Body Shop in Naco, SD. They have several good private trainers there, PM me if you want the name of the guy who trained me - I highly recommend him.

Though as Ive written on other threads, stay out of Santo Domingo. Maybe try a place like Punta Cana if you want beautiful beaches, from where you can go to other towns like for instance La Romana. If you still want to spend some time in SD, Avenida Venezuela and its many clubs is THE place to go for night game.

[Mekorig]

I can assure that what Hencredible Casanova said i real, argentine girls, when abroad, and specially in Brasil, lower their bitch shields a lot. Brasil is like a erotic spell for the girls, and some got some "black fever" while in Florianopolis area, while in Argentina they would ignore any black man.

Also PdE is quite snobish and full of social circles.

[OGNorCal707]

(09-22-2013 07:28 AM)solo Wrote:  

OG I think you asked about the weather in January and also for boxing gyms.

I think the south coast is generally known to be slightly warmer than the north coast though the difference is pretty much negli geable. I've been to the north coast in January and the weather and water was still pretty warm even though it started raining on most afternoons.

For boxing gyms, I went to the one on the top floor of Body Shop in Naco, SD. They have several good private trainers there, PM me if you want the name of the guy who trained me - I highly recommend him.

Though as Ive written on other threads, stay out of Santo Domingo. Maybe try a place like Punta Cana if you want beautiful beaches, from where you can go to other towns like for instance La Romana. If you still want to spend some time in SD, Avenida Venezuela and its many clubs is THE place to go for night game.

Thanks for this reply, I will send you a PM in the next day or so. I'm starting to get excited for the D.R., at first I never really thought of it as a destination I'd be interested in, but the more I read about it, the more awesome it sounds.

Out of curiosity why do you recommend I stay out of Santo Domingo? I know it's a big city and there is no real beach there, but it sounds like the old city is pretty nice, there are a bunch of nice restaurants, and bars/clubs, probably the best spot in the country for nightlife?

At this point, I only have a one way ticket, but think I'm going to go ahead and book the return flight, to give me a full 5 weeks there, which should be plenty of time.

I need to do a bit more reading, and look up and read a bunch of D.R. threads on here, admittedly my only source of info. has been the Lonely Planet guide which I bought a couple days ago, and I know how this forum feels about L.P.

I need to read up on Punta Cana, but the little I have heard about it, makes it sound like a packaged all-inclusive resort scene, which isn't really my thing. Are there a bunch of other redeeming qualities about Punta Cana, like nice beaches, nightlife, etc. that make it a worthy destination?

As of right now roughtly I was thinking spending the first week in Santo Domingo, then busing or cabbing it to Santiago, checking that out, then bouncing to Sousa, but spending most of my time in Cabarete, which sounds dope.

I'm really into outdoor adventure type activities and it sounds like I may be able to do a good bit of snorkeling, plus whitewater rafting, and hiking up rivers to waterfalls, etc.

Theoretically I'd have enough time to swing down to Punta Cana as well, and maybe hit a couple other beach towns on the way.

D.R. sounds pretty dope, El Mech makes it sound like one of the easiest places to get laid, so I almost feel like if I somehow strike out, I would get ex-communicated from the forum. Hahaha, I'm not going to consider that as a real option, but didn't really have the best of luck on my Mexico trip.

Anyhow, It should be dope, airfare is so cheap from SF to D.R. that I may even try to recruit some homies for the trip, although rolling solo may prove to be better. Hopefully there will at least a few D.R. brethren down there to link up with, it would be cool to link with Pitt or any other D.R. vets.

From here on out if I can afford it, I want to design my lifestyle around mini-retirements kind of like Tim Ferris outlines in the 4HWW, 4-8 weeks in a beautiful tropical local where I can chill the fuck out, and do it on the cheap.