Hi Dee,
I just returned from Brazil where I spent 10 days in Rio. Loved it! I'm back
in Los Angeles now and I'm depressed!!
Copacabana is a little rough around the edges (although I never felt
threatened, not once), Ipanema is nicer and Leblon nicer still. No need to
walk, cabs are cheap and safe but definitely don't expect them to know where
addresses are. I always had a little map with me so I could show them where
I wanted to go. Anyway, regarding clubs, you may be interested:
1. Bunker on the border between Copacabana and Ipanema next to Le Boy/Le
Girl (gay), techno (a little outdated in my opinion)
2. Bombar in Leblon, more upscale, Brazilian and American hip-hop, God did I
get hammered there
3. Marionette (?) not sure how it's spelled but it's pronounced
mary-oh-nechee, didn't go there but it was recommended, in Ipanema near
Shenanigan's, all you can drink, dance music (so I hear)
4. Nuth, upscale, Barra (pronounced "baja") - Av. Armando Lombardi, 999,
dance music
5. Shenanigan's, Irish bar in Ipanema (there's another bigger one in Barra),
lots of fellow travellers (not really in the "tourist" sense though), it's
fun
Head to Leblon in the early evening hours for nice, upscale
cafes/restaurants where you will find the well-to-do Cariocas conversing
over cold chopp. Barra Tijuca reminded me of Malibu. My favorite spot for
sunning is in Ipanema, Posto 9. You may want to hit the Rio Sul shopping
mall near Copacabana to pick up the latest Brazilian fashion for the US
equivalent of 66% off, it's so cheap!
Regarding crime, racism, and political environment, if you take cabs, have
some experience travelling in the world and use common sense I think it's
unlikely you'll be a victim. If you are just calm and give them what they
want, you'll have a fun and exciting story to tell your friends back home.
Racism, I have no objective comment, I simply don't know, I'm a white male.
I certainly didn't observe any overt racism directed to a third party.
Regarding the political environment, there are young boys/men that throw
large M-80 like firecrackers into the street sometimes and I saw a "No crime
in the streets" demonstration. Other than that I didn't observe any violent
crackdowns or anything of that nature.
Have fun! I'm jealous!
"Curious" wrote in message
news:162c0edd.0310111235.117a1aaa@posting.google.com...
> Hello World,
> My name is Dee and 5 friends and myself are planning a trip to
> beautiful Brazil in Feb. of 2004. We have been trying to get to Brazil
> for Carnival the past two years. 2004 will be the year for us.
>
> I've been researching information online about Brazil. Read both
> positive and negative comments about this country. The positives
> consist of the obvious "beautiful country, people, culture, and
> beaches.." The negative are commonly posted in the newsgroups "crime,
> racism, political environment..." Natuarally I'm concerned with the
> negative comments. Mostly with the racism comments that I have come
> across. (I'm African-American(black lol) and last thing I need is to
> leave the USA for another racist country.
>
> I'm looking for stories, personal experiences, knowledge of Rio and
> Salvador. I would like to know what people think and know of both
> these cities. I've read that Salvador is much better for Carnival but
> at the same time growing up in NYC the only city that you ever hear
> about in Brazil is Rio.
>
> I'm looking for information on apartment/hotel rental, clubs(we're
> straight), restaurants, tourist attractions, beaches, locals, etc.....
>
> I've seen mostly positive articles about Brazil. I look forward for
> any input that you may have.
>
> -Curious Dee
>
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