SolaceSoul

Exactly! Recently, I visited the new sauna in Rio that other posters here rave about: Manhattan Rios. On what is touted as its busiest night, I was in and out in 15 minutes. Hated it! IMHO, it was like Meio Mundo — in my book, a negative — nothing but twinks and at most, regular-looking guys off the street — which isn’t MY idea of a good time. But that’s just MY opinion. If others like the place, knock yourself out. I don’t need to go back again to decide the place isn’t worth my time and money. But I don’t begrudge others for liking what they like.

The garoto formerly known as (and currently known as, in certain ad spaces) “Oliver” — from both 117 and 202. Maybe in a few months, he will be F.Diddy.

According to a friend nearby, two of the closest fire hydrants weren't functional. They had to wait for water trucks and pump a nearby lake.

This is terrible. There is no sugar coating this. “This isn't just Brazilian history that's gone up in flames - many see this as a metaphor for the city - and the country as a whole.”

To Nem Ai. It’s not really my thing, but many patrons (and posters here) seem to like it.

I really don’t think there’s a non-stop from anywhere in the USA to Salvador.

75-80 programas is between 6-7 programas a month, or less than 2 a week. Those aren’t even close to Herculean numbers. $50 - $60 USD a week for a stress-receiving release with some hot boy is money well spent.

As I wrote in this thread: “Recife has 3, possibly 4, saunas with working boys: Blue Thermas, Sauna Progresso and Termas Boa Vista. The 4th is Termas 111, but I have not yet visited it, and I’m not so sure how well visited it is. I heard it is not well visited, by either clients or working boys. Fortaleza has 2 saunas with garotos: California and Dragon. Both are busy. Dragon is newer.” Fly to Recife, don’t go by bus or car. By road, it’s a 10 hour drive with no stops. A R/T flight from Salvador will cost you only about $200 with two-week advance purchase.

Any knowledge as to why it changed? I would guess that management of the restaurant or the owners were the ones to discourage or shoo the hustlers and pay boys away. I’d think that was a ooor business decision, because the few times that I’ve gone there after dark since 2011, the restaurant has not had very many customers there.

Thanks! I just put in my FOIA request.

That should’ve read “wolf gay meaning”. I’m sure morning may have given different results!

No to be too snarky, but Google is very helpful. I put in “wolf gay morning” in the Google machine, and the results came up with this handy guide with a body type chart in it. https://pairedlife.com/dating/Gay-Men-Are-you-a-Jock-Otter-Bear-or-Wolf

I already know what happened to him as I follow him on social media and I know at least one other former garoto who knows him. I don’t think he has ever lived in the kind of extreme poverty that you describe. That being said, I don’t think it’s wise to place any garoto, massagisto, escort, street hustler or any kind of sex worker or pick up in a position where it is too easy to steal or rip you off. I have many other guys that I have had over to my place — at home or during travel — and who knows what any of them would’ve done if a wallet with $350 were left out. Some may not have touched it at all, but some otherwise “nice guys” might have — socioeconomic background or poverty level notwithstanding. The lesson is: don’t put yourself in the position where you have to find out. BTW, this guy had already voluntarily gotten plenty of reais from me 3 days in a row for the hookups, plus meals and some workout supplements that he wanted (which are pricey in Rio). I don’t think his extra “gift” that he took from my wallet had anything to do with poverty or need. He could’ve just asked me for it, if that were the case. Long story short: I’m not interested in booking up with him any longer.

Not to blame the victim (me), but I’m usually on my Ps and Qs when it comes to self-protection. I would’ve prevented this crime of opportunity by simply putting my wallet in the safe before he entered the apartment. I charge the $350 (R1300) loss to the game. And yes, over the years, he’s missed out on much, much more from me. I was far more irreplaceable to him than he was to me. In fact, I went out that very afternoon to the sauna and found me another!

Hot story, @mvan1! I may have already shared my one and only “sex with a Brazilian policeman” story with you or the boards. He used to work at 202 — albeit briefly, and he was hot sex. On a later trip, he reached out to me on WhatsApp and I just happened to be in Rio. He came by my rented apartment for about three days in a row. Hot sex, again — and great Portuguese conversation. The last day, he stole 1300 reais (at that time, about $350 USD) from my wallet when I wasn’t looking. He caught me in a rare moment when I let my street smarts down (the entire incident could’ve been prevented had I taken my usual precautions — put all valuables and money in the safe, etc.). He contacted me the next morning like nothing happened and offered to drive me to the airport. I told him that I know he took 1300 reais from my wallet, so I have no interest in seeing him again. That was the end of all conversation with him and that was maybe 5 years ago. He’s still around. I follow him on social media. I’m a firm believer in karma. He’s no longer a cop. He was arrested in an unrelated, somewhat high-profile incident a few years later and even though he didn’t go to jail, I surmise that is how he lost his badge. I think he sells pastries now. He still looks good, though.

I would guess-timate that he is 5’7”. He usually has an ad here or there, so maybe it says it there (if it’s truthful).

Leo’s cool. He not tall. He’s a short (to me) muscle guy, very masculine. I don’t know if I can tell you what you want to know.

Maybe you’re using that “new math”, but your very first post at this forum 3 years ago stated that you first visited Rio and the saunas 10 years ago in 2008. That’s NOT “about 15 years ago”. You also claimed in that first post in 2015 that you were in your “early 30s” (that is commonly known as the ages between 30-33). If you were in your early 30s in 2015, 15 years ago, you would’ve been 15 - 18 years old as a client at a Brazilian sauna. Even if it were just 10 years ago, you would’ve been 20 - 23 as a sauna client visiting Rio. Perhaps you just made an innocent typo three years ago? Or did you make the typo now?

The best kinds of people are those who can work hard AND play hard, and leave their work at the office. Shop talk during sexy time or play time is a joy kill as well as a boner killer! I have met some of the most accomplished and interesting people in some of the — shall we say — “most unusual” places! And didn’t find out who they were or what they did sometimes until VERY late during out acquaintance with each other.

Alaska, my first visit to Brazil was Salvador as well. I went because for years, a friend of mine who is a tenured African-American Hidtory profesdor, would always regale his friends with his colorful tales about his experiences in the Bahia. I have never regretted this trip. I only wish so would’ve gone earlier.

Just to be clear, I’m 47. I don’t consider myself “independently wealthy” by US standards. If I felt that I could retire right now and live in the manner which I would like to, and just do something like write or blog or build homes with Habitat For Humanity, I certainly would do it. But I like my stuff (creature comforts). Regarding tourism while traveling, I rarely if ever do touristy things when I travel. Especially in recent years, I try my best, whenever possible and safe, to live like and engage with locals. One will find that in doing so — as Alaskabear also suggests — one’s financial costs will be greatly reduced. My personal politics have always made me despise being viewed as a colonialist, and I try to make my travel interactions reflect that as much as possible. That being said, it’s hard to ignore the attraction and benefits of the US dollar in the places that I most enjoy. And frankly, being a person of color from and in America, it’s always interesting to experience the kinds of privilege that we don’t get when we are in America — ESPECIALLY in the current US climate. It’s almost as if going to other countries for longer and longer periods of time has become a survival technique for me. So, no, it’s not just about “hoeing” or seeing tourist traps for some of us. Regarding boredom, I can easily get bored after just a week back in the States.

Why aren’t you taking the Metro subway? You’re close enough to a few stations, it is cheap, and it’s relatively safe, especially during the day.

You might want to: (1) Be a bit more specific about what kind of “gay touch” that you want. Nightclubs? Bars? Beaches? Cruising? Saunas? Pay boys? (2) Chill our dibce your trip isn’t until December. Ever heard of the term “bugaboo”?

BTW, the Bourbon Hotel is now closed down permanently.

Not to sound like a broken record (it seems like many of us often repeat the same stories for different posters), but one of my travel buddies is very overweight. He’s about 6’2” and I’d guess 360 - 385. He never has a problem finding pay boys and sauna boys whenever we travel. I am sure he pays a little more than me, baded on what I heard from gossipy garotos — but he doesn’t care and neither do I. The point is he enjoys himself. I do know that he would be happier at s smaller, healthier weight, but that’s his struggle, and we all have our demons. And my friend isn’t older. He is probably early 40s (being that size concerns me for him because I had another obese friend who died in his sleep when his heart stopped at the age of 41). Please note: my friend, like the above mentioned Paco, has money and he is willing to spend it on what he wants. Don’t be foolish, an obese poor (or stingy) person is not going to get the red carpet treatment with hot, younger, built guys — not even if they smile and laugh and are always the fat jolly life of the party (though it does help to be nice). Regarding old age, if you’re older and sexy, or older and monied, or preferably both — no problem. Denzel Washington is in his 60s. Sean Connery can probably still get it. Again, with the economics, if you’re old, fat and poor (or just stingy with the retirement check), don’t expect young hot garotos or trophy boys to be lining up for you.