Traveler365

This is not a new issue for many countries and pops up from time to time. What was unusual about the Brazil case was that some of the tainted alcohol turned up at upscale bars(mostly in Sao Paulo ).It seems like they have made some arrests and closed down the factory that was the source of the problem. I was just at 117 earlier tonight and the bartender assured me that the cachaca was safe. Likewise at Silencio in Ipanema the waitress said it was safe. I did try one Caipirinha at 117 but sticking to beer for now. Many locals are back to drinking cocktails.

Just entered there--other than nearly 2 hour wait there was nothing unusual. I even had a booth that had a "supervisor" and was processed in about 30 seconds once I got to the front of the line.

The people in the Northeast are very nice and friendly. Reminds me of small town USA.

A few years ago at Carnival I had a singe Caipirinha from a stand near Farme de Amoedo. I had the strangest feeling shortly after of not being able to walk properly yet not really feeling any buzz. I somewhat dramatically announced to my friends that I had been drugged and returned to the apartment to rest. After several hours I was back to normal. I know how a normal Caipirinha affects me and this was clearly different. I sent his story to my friends who were with me and feel a little vindicated that I wasn't crazy. Apparently it's been widely known that 35% of the spirits in Brazil are counterfeit--though not necessarily contaminated.

There has been a widely reported instance of tainted alcohol showing up in venues in Sao Paulo--including apparently in some upscale venues. The situation was deemed serious enough that the health minister urged people to avoid ordering mixed drinks. My friends in Brazil tell me its a big deal and people are avoiding mixed drinks and drinking beer instead. Does this mean we won't be able to enjoy that Caipirinha anymore without fear of going blind or worse? https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/brazilians-avoid-drinking-after-authorities-confirm-methanol-poisoning-126217016

I got my e-visa. They recommend printing it out and taking with you . Do they actually check the printed copy?

Are you there over a Brazilian holiday? That can cause rooms to book up fast and rates to skyrocket.

I agree. There are those places in Colombia but not as organized or plentiful as Brazil and Thailand. A lot of people use the apps and, or meet people in a regular bar and that’s where you run the greatest risk.

It sounds like you were a very good friend to your new acquaintance. I have an American friend of many years that lives part of the year in Medellin. He owns his own condo and speaks fluent Spanish. He met a guy on Grindr a few years ago that drugged him and cleaned out his apartment. He is very savvy and cautious and it still happened. I wonder if the Escort Sites are safer? It may make sense to delete any banking apps from your phone to prevent easy hacking--but if drugged you may become unable to resist giving the kidnappers the required info to reinstall the apps and access your accounts. I've traveled to Colombia many times and never had a problem but they do happen more there than other places unfortunately.

I stumbled upon this two part podcast where an Australian describes the horrors of being locked up for months in a Cambodian prison. It genuinely sounds like he didn't commit much of, if any crime and yet was still locked up. I doubt conditions are much better in Thailand or many South American jails. It gives you a bit of pause to realize that when you travel to these countries you are at the whim of their justice system and despite behaving yourself there is always the potential of being swept up into something. Recently it seems that Venezuela has taken to rounding up random Americans to use as bargaining chips--definitely one country I'll not visit any time soon. This podcast even makes me leery of returning to Cambodia where I have previously enjoyed Siam Reap.

I assume you stayed in an AirBnb right? Did you clarify the guest policy before or just search one out that didn't have a doorman?

In Rio now. Only been to 202 Thursday/Friday. Both nights found hot twinks though other types available as well. Guys are happy with 150. I chatted with the locker room attendant there tonight. He is a very nice guy who keeps an eye on things. He has done that job for 4 years. Before that he was a Sauna boy for something like 16 years before the years caught up with him. Both Junior(the owner) and his son working at the front desk tonight. All in all feels like one of those old family run hardware store in the midwest where you can walk in and chat up the staff and ultimately find that little (or big) thing you were looking for and leave with a good feeling.

I have been to Mexico City many times and ridden the Metro as well. Never seen this nor sought it out--but locals insist it's true. Usually on the last car on the train and only certain lines. i wish I could give you more info. Mexico City is great and so huge that probably everything imaginable has happened at one time or another. I still remember arriving at the height of rush hour one time and a large group of feminists were protesting topless at a fountain on one of the major streets.

I like staying in Chapinero--but other friends like fancier neighborhoods. One should be aware that staying in Chapinero the weekends near the clubs can be quite noisy. I love to have a good time but when I want to sleep--I want to sleep. In general up the hill in Chapinero will be quieter but still within walking distance of the clubs.

It's a challenge some times--but in the end people actually care less than you think they do. As gay men without family ties we have a lot more freedom to travel than a lot of our straight co-workers. A number of them live vicariously through our travels--hence the questions. I'll admit it would be hard to say month after month I'm going back to Thailand or Brazil(weren't you just there last month?"), but at the end of your life when your co-workers are nowhere to be found it's important you pursued the things that made your life happy and not lived your life for them. I'm fortunate in the case of Brazil I practice a sport (kitesurfing) that has world class conditions on the northeast coast so I have a good reason to go there frequently. I always include a stop in Rio or Sao Paulo for a few days "to break up the trip." In the end you'll find your own way to answer(or deflect) their questions but you should pursue your life without guilt or shame and enjoy!