doubts

[pack]

starting to have some doubts about brazil trip for several reasons . i cant seem to locate a agency or B & B anywhere in a huge country like brazil , i prefer B & B over a hotel. the language difference could be a real problem . unlike colombia where all you need is a passport in brazil you also need a visa . i must admit i like the looks of the brazillian women over the colombian women , however the cali girls look good to. question can anyone recommend a good agency / B & B in cali , i have been looking closely at Latin Internet and Latin Encounters ...suggestions amigos ?

[Georgina]

... in response to doubts, posted by pack on Apr 17, 2001

Do you speak Spanish? If you speak Spanish you will be able to communicate with Brazilians. They understand Spanish pretty well. I was in a Brazilian party on Sunday. I spoke Spanish all the time and they understood most of what I said. It is funny, because I can not understand too much Portuguese, but after getting my ear used to it, I think I can understand it better.

[Traveler]

... in response to doubts, posted by pack on Apr 17, 2001

I don't think the language barrier would be any more significant in Brazil than Colombia.  I suppose that depends whether you speak some Spanish or not. If you do, Portuguese shouldn't be too difficult.  If you speak neither, then there should be absolutely no difference.

I doubt you need a Visa prior to entering Brazil.  what you probably get is a tourist visa which is nothing more than the stamp in your passport. I could be wrong though.  

if you like black or mulatta women then you may want to consider the DR as well.

[Jeff S]

... in response to I doubt it, posted by Traveler on Apr 17, 2001

.. if you speak Spanish, you'll have no trouble understanding Portuguese or being understoood. He follows my barely conversational Spanish.

[esjay]

... in response to My Brazilain buddy says..., posted by Jeff S on Apr 18, 2001

A Brasilian may understand your Spanish but you won't have a clue what they are saying. The pronunciation is completely different, in Rio state this is further masked with a 'ssshhh' sound. To give you a few easy examples in English

Diet as in Diet coke is pronounced ''die-etcsh''

Sprite - ''spry-cch''

Light - 'lie-sch'

And they were some easy English words...

There band of comprehension is very narrow at times, if you don't say a word exactly as they know it they won't undertand you.

Esjay

[Patrick]

... in response to My Brazilain buddy says..., posted by Jeff S on Apr 18, 2001

I disagree.  I speak Spanish, not fluently, but passably, and I have a lot of trouble understanding the Brazilian wife of my Colombian brother-in-law in Poruguese.  My wife says she understands some of the Poruguese, but Spanish is her first language.

[Jeff S]

... in response to Re: My Brazilain buddy says..., posted by Patrick on Apr 18, 2001

I can understand that. Heck, I have trouble understanding New York-ese when I'm back there. I do have a friend who speaks no Spanish but pretty good Italian and can converse with Mexicans, though.

-- Jeff S.

[jesse]

... in response to I doubt it, posted by Traveler on Apr 17, 2001

you do need a visa to enter Brazil

in addition you will need some type of shot if you have been in colombia 90 days prior

a part of the language barrier is overcome in colombia due to the presence of translators, you may also need to hire a translator, as my portuguese is worse than my spanish

i also think it is easier for Brazilianas to enter the US on tourist visas, as opposed to Colombianas