davet

What are the new hot spots? Palermo and its infinite sub-barrios? I'm toying with the idea of heading down later this year for the eclipse.

@Anthonyvan - pardon me for assuming you are from "the States". I thought I actually saw that in the thread but no. Add my chime in that you could have a very nice, relaxed, easy-paced trip doing 4-5 days in SP and 4-5 days in BA. Two very different cities, cultures, and "scenes." While Sao Paulo does have its charms, it is not by any means considered a touristic town. I've found things to like about SP and always made a point to explore new neighborhoods or restaurants, but it's been my longstanding belief that the single greatest most mindblowing must-see-it-to-believe-it, won't find it anywhere else tourist attraction in SP was the old Lagoa. I can only say that to a small segment of people who ask about SP, so I'll say it here. But most people find SP to be a concrete jungle unless they scratch the surface real hard. BA is special to me because I've been there at some interesting, restless times in Argentine history (of which there is much). It is a place of many tales, many eye-opening impressions, and many very talkative people. The most memorable tales, impressions, and talkative-if-dubious people have usually occurred at about 3 a.m., somewhere near Avda. Santa Fe. I'm normally a bed at 10, up at 4:30 (!) kind of guy. Sleep dep hits my body real hard and tends to give me a cold after a few days. But I loved soaking up the nocturnal side of BA, as there's nothing like it anywhere I've traveled. Things I've seen around 3 a.m. on the streets: Entire family window-shopping with young child in hand and toddler in stroller, video game hall packed with teens, blue haired fur-decked ladies powdering their nose or having fainting spells or both, cartoneros driving horse-drawn carts, an angry gate-pounding demonstration. The famous (and overrated) cemetery has a massive bar and restaurant scene going all night right outside its walls. But it's been a while for me so maybe things have changed.

@anthonyvan - what part of the States are you from? If from the W. Coast, just don't reset your internal clock. 10 pm W Coast time is 4 am South American party time, still a bit early, but you will have put in a respectable night by 4 am.

Bogota and Cartagena are great. Medellin is pleasant but I did not find it that culturally interesting. Because so many Colombians have put in experience at the best restaurants in Europe, there are phenomenal Michelin-bait restaurants in Medellin and Bogota at half to 1/3 the price of a comparable meal in the U.S. There are many beautiful historical towns: Villa de Leyva (near Bogota), Santa Fe de Antioquia (near Medellin), Mompox (not near anything but so much atmosphere and history), more. And if you have the time, inclination, and tolerance of mosquitos, Ciudad Perdida is Colombia's answer to Machu Picchu and requires a 4 day hike into the jungle near Santa Marta.

From my two trips almost 20 years apart: Cuba is rough travel but unforgettable experiences too many to recount. The food's not my favorite, but the music is awesome and everywhere. It seems every person on the island can play a musical instrument. On my first trip, all 3 guys I found eagerly ejaculated with no prompting or demand for cash bonus. On my second trip, the two guys I found (both of whom had kids!) rimmed with no prompting or demand for cash bonus. They are not a sexually-reserved people.

Step away from the beaches or the saunas and Brazilians don't look any better or worse than anywhere else. You may have read that obesity has hit Brazil as hard as it's hit the U.S. and Europe. As with anywhere, the average-looking people are invisible to you! So you remember only the cocky god who steps onto the beach, takes off his office clothes, and just stands there for 15 minutes with his eyes closed - his daily minimum requirement of sun and/or being worshipped (which I certainly did and still remember).

I think the string of neighborhoods from Botafogo to Gloria is much safer than Copacabana, which can be run-down (near the Palace hotel) or seedy (breast-implanted hookers on the beach). Most of all, Copa is where the tourists go so crimes of opportunity follow, especially on the beach and the waterfront avenue. For that reason, Ipanema is not that safe either. I've walked from Gloria to Flamengo. It is a lively stretch that gives you the sight, sounds, and rhythm of middle-class Carioca life.

I remember this on free cabine night and did not like it. Not only did I have to wait, but the stunning blond surf-waif I wanted was also waiting in line - for another customer. That's crazy. The whole business would grind to a halt, wouldn't it? Which brings me to ask, what is the etiquette of asking a GdP to engage in a quickie in the bathroom or steam room or video room? I actually find semi-public sex rather thrilling and have done it at some saunas. But other times, it seems the boys do not want to do that. (Certainly the tanned, blond surfer didn't.) Do they get in trouble with the house because they're taking away room rental income? But on a free cabine night, it shouldn't matter, right?

Hopefully, that means something has improved since I was in Salvador 8 years ago. It was the only time I had any issues in Brazil. That was from walking from Pelourinho to Planetario. Every street was different, turn a corner in Salvador and I would find myself in a completely different, much scarier place. Even my hotel in Pelourinho said things like, "walk to the left when you leave, not to the right." Does the new safety apply to most of the city or just certain parts? When I was there, Pelourinho was like an okay island surrounded by sharks. That little valley between the old town and Planetario was where I got mugged.

Passing of an era. The old Lagoa occupied a bigger part of my life and psyche than I would have thought. How could I feel otherwise about a place where my most amazing sexual fantasies came true? where I had one guy after another whom I honestly thought, even in objective post-coital reflection, was the most fucking beautiful man in the world? where cocks bigger than any I've seen in porn and muscles more massive than any in competition were for the offering? Having always been grossed out by American and European dark and grotty bathhouses, I was bowled by Lagoa's bright, open airiness, where flawless men did not need the assistance of charitable lighting and you could soak up the thick pulse-racing sensuality in the air. While there were hustlers and operators, there was rarely a bad news guy, and more absolute sweethearts than I would have imagined who did not hesitate to stay on the bed to chat afterward. It was the most fucking wholesome place for debauchery in the world. I've been to other saunas in Brazil and I know there's a strong contingent of Rio fans, but for me, nothing was as pleasant or delivered so reliably on each and every visit as the original Lagoa on the street by that name.

Has anyone visited the new lagoa on different days? does the weekly ebb and flow replicate the former venue? i.e., peak on Fri, Sat, and Wed.

In the price list someone previously posted, "morbo" was in the lowest scale, less than "penetracion." I think in this context it would mean "fooling around" or "making out." Kink is usually a higher price than full service, no? Slang is very country-dependent, even when they ostensibly share the same language so while morbo means kink in Spain or elsewhere, it might have a different meaning in Colombia.

Please post your plans so that I can apply for the training and recruitment position. Come to think of it, is there any training or recruitment in the current houses? Does a guy just show up and if he's awful he won't make any money and won't come back, kind of like natural selection? Seems like a waste of potential. There have been some awfully gorgeous guys who just needed some hints and practice. There have been good guys who could be great. And there have been guys I would have jumped at had their sales tactics not been so awful and downright obnoxious. I promise to be a very patient but firm trainer.

Thanks. This helps a lot. During the posted hours, the guys are there on premises? I thought it meant the times they could be available if you arranged for them first. Again, I want to check them out without being committed first or bothering them to come without my commitment. The set up sounds a little like the house with boys I went to ages ago in Buenos Aires. It was a so-so experience, but I'm sure the customer service would be better under Brazilian talent and management.

Pardon me if this is a thread-hijack but as a number people were talking about the InHouse massage place, I had a few questions: 1.Do they have a place and occasion to casually meet the guys, ogle the equipment, chit-chat, etc? Pictures do only so much for me, as chemistry, personality, voice, and mannerism can override any (usually enhanced) photo for me. 2. I see that it's by appointment only, but how does one schedule an appointment to make sure desirable staff will be there? How many guys are on hand usually and what are the good times to visit? 3. Do they actually give a decent or even passable massage? Call me crazy but a good massage enhances the sex for me and is inherently so sensual that I can't imagine getting a purely therapeutic massage without the sex therapy. 4. How have I not known about these before? (probably because the price is higher and I have a high preference for the sauna model where you can meet and check out the boys first.)

I hope you'll report back on your visit. I will be back (4th time) in October. The only time I found the place dead was on a Monday night 2 years ago, and the staff agreed that's their slowest night. But then just when I thought I would crap out, a dark lean Panamanian with a long thin dangler sidled up next to me in the shower. He led me to his Cuban (black) friend who had one of the thickest squattest cocks I've ever seen, and we quickly agreed to a 3-way. It was like having the Laurel and Hardy of black cocks! So you just never know, as I think we were the only 3 people there, but a good time was still had by all. The 3 way was a rarity. Last year, I proposed one to a scrumptious petite Venezuelan and a strapping Brazilian, both light-skinned and beautiful. (I have a contrast theme going.) They said they had to charge me double because they'd have to fuck each other. So I went with just the hunk, intending to hook up with the smooth petite one later but never did. Since these were the only times I tried a 3-way in BCN, I don't know if that pricing is a new business angle (I pray to god it doesn't spread, esp. to brazil!) or whether they just didn't want another guy in the room. There's still a bit of posturing among the working boys so some might not want their friend or competition to know exactly how far they'd go in the cabin. BCN is definitely #3 in the world after the 2 big Brazilian scenes. I like the variety there. My United Nations of Barcelona has included, in addition to the above, Brazil, Hungary, Dominican Republic, Algeria, Colombia, Romania, Italy, and Spain. Yes, I've seen Spaniards there though much less recently than on my first trip 12 years ago, when I had a genuine Kristen Bjorn performer that I had actually already violated every which way in video. On the downside, I find the guys at Thermas pushier than those in SP, though only 1 or 2 are truly ceaseless. And I don't like the darkness. Thermas is lit like an American cruise bathhouse, not the bright and open Brazilian boydellos. I wasn't looking for guys who needed to be improved by kind lighting, and in fact it was counterproductive for them because I ignored many guys who turned out to be stunning once I saw them in the well lit spots like the bathroom.

It's been a few years since you've been there and places change. My experience with Club Tobi, from less than a year ago and on a weekend, is exactly as bcdaron reports it, so I think we can confirm the action is currently not there.

Sorry to pick up this question about street combing so late. People in Colombia are just very friendly in general. It sounds like a cliche but for once it's not. People make eye contact, they're curious and open about foreigners, gorgeous guys on the buses and streets will look and smile at you, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're cruising or advertising. It can be a little confusing. But wonderful if you keep that in mind.

Ditto dat. Slow for me means only 1 or 2 romps, which is all that's needed to make for some hot Mondays and Thursdays at Lagoa. The slow days can be relaxing. The guys are more chill. Specific days make a bigger difference at Fragata. On Tuesdays and Sundays, it's very happening. On other days, it could be a total crap-out.

I think Walker was just making a suggestion, not criticizing. I hope someone reports back on any info obtained in whatever manner.

I was in Medellin a few months ago and some info should be updated. Club Tobi was a bit dead. There were 3 masseurs, one of whom, the recommended Andre, strangely avoided me as if he didn't want me as a customer. However, Afro-Colombian Luis was a muscular sweetie, and the massage was for real! He brought his own relax music, a candle, and scented oil and gave a decent massage before the real action. Sauna Club 55 was the place to be, though it's mostly non-professional. When Tassojunior said the clientele at Tobi looked like movie stars, he wasn't kidding, but that clientele has evidently moved to 55. This was the hottest looking non-professional clientele I have ever seen anywhere, with at least a 1/2-dozen that could be making money or porn if they wanted to. But there is the concomitant stand and pose and attitude of similar northern establishments and not the effusive friendliness I remember the Colombia gay scene to be. A couple guys at 55 did offer me a paid massage, but I don't know what came with that because I was trying my luck with the non-paying clientele. I didn't go to Ferchos, based on the description that it didn't have showers. No, in a bordello, I want my pros well scrubbed from their previous work. Chaturbate did not pan out at all for Medellin. The guys are either in a different city or not interested in IRL contact. Medellin is still my least favorite city in Colombia. Though the affluent expat area (Poblado) was cushy and pleasant in an Americanized way, with some damn impressive restaurants, the city center was still a sensory overload mess with few historical or touristic attractions. The best thing was to take the gondolas up to the hillside neighborhoods and then beyond to the nature preserve.

inhotim is possibly the most beautiful place I've ever seen, and that's saying a lot. even if I walk that back in a more sober moment, it's still an amazing place to spend the day. if you really want an adventure, Diamantina is perhaps even more charming than Ouro Preto but it's a 6-hour (and beautiful) bus ride away. with those 2 colonial towns, teh olympo sauna that makes BH the 3rd best garoto city in Brazil, and mineiro food being my favorite brazilian cuisine, minas gerais has a special place in my heart.

Fragata has bounced back in the last few years. I noticed more guys working at both saunas, following the crowd night by night, so the types are not that different any more between the two places, with Fragata having somewhat more black guys and Lagoa having somewhat more porn-star/muscle boys. That said, I've never found Lagoa to be completely dead, even the slow nights, whereas a couple times, like on one Thursday, Fragata was so dead I had to head off to Lagoa.

Monday is the slowest night, and 8 pm is late for most nights, but it's still usually good for a boy or two. The week goes like this: Sunday - Fragata (starts mid-afternoon), Monday - slow either place, Tues. - Fragata, Wed. - Lagoa (used to be their biggest night, but I haven't been in a while), Thu. - Lagoa, Fri & Sat. - Lagoa, very busy. Peak time is 6-7 pm., but some hot guys are at Lagoa by 4 to lift weights. I'm enjoying your reports.

Curitiba has been called the Minneapolis of Brazil. Orderly, white, a little boring, but "midwestern nice." The city has been written up in the urban planning field. I remember an interesting environmental park and a compact, pleasant downtown. I took the train trip twice and was socked in by fog both times - zero views. The town at the end of the train trip is cute, but the famous barreada dish everyone recommends just seems like a salty mess to me. The sauna (I think it was 520) was mixed, with the non-professionals vastly outnumbering the pros. I was glad I checked ctba out, but the frisky business was disappointing, given the many stunning curitibanos in SP and Rio. All the best produce gets exported to the big cities up north!