RIO de JANEIRO

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Thomas Dorsey of SoulOfAmerica.com and tour guide atop Cocovado in Rio

FOR AMERICAN BROTHERS VISITING RIO

    Many single brothers and those wanting to be “temporarily single” dream of visiting Rio de Janeiro due to their fantasy about exotic, beautiful women who grope them. Given some degree of truth in that statement, it should come as no surprise that many American and European males have developed a rather skewed view of Brazilian women and Brazil in general, that has persisted for decades.

    The beauty of Brazilian women, due to their mix of African, Native American and European features, is world renown. The people are generally friendly. Brazil had a very small middleclass and oversized poverty. With conditions ripe for exploitation, the sex trade only awaited a spark of publicity. That spark was provided by American and Euopean sailors who first "discovered" Rio after World War II. Word of mouth has been spreading ever since.

    Though Brazil's middleclass is growing, it trails America and Europe and poverty is still twice as high. Evidence of Brazil's income disparity is the Dollar goes twice as far and the Euro goes even farther. As long as no violence occurs, government authorities seem to look the other way because so many American and European men spend money, then leave. In government terms, money with no constituent is the best money. And so the sex trade continues to thrive.

    By the way, with so many handsome and sexy men, some American and European women visit Rio to get their swerve on too! But I’ll leave as point of future editorial on SoulOfAmerica.com.

    My purpose for visiting had nothing to do with a search for the loose booty of exotic women. My goal was to reveal the larger beauty of Rio de Janeiro -- one that men and women as singles, couples and groups, can both appreciate. But knowing about the sexy reputation of Rio tourist areas and recognizing that I am a happily married man, was I visiting Temptation Island?

    Termas are their brothels, which appear to operate legitimately within the reaches of Downtown and Copacabana Beach. But one need not visit a Terma directly. One particular outdoor café and a disco venue on Avenida Atlantica in Copacabana Beach is populated with “working women” and foreign men. The venue names need not be mentioned, since all the concierges and taxi drivers know them. Be forewarned that pickpockets work the same venues of distracted, inebriated men.

    Sadly, these beach venues, Termas, a few restaurants, and visiting Christ the Redeemer statue, are often their full extent of the sights and cultural interactions many men use to judge Rio de Janeiro and by extension, Brazil. Such a waste.

    For brothers with a conscious, there are two things to keep in mind. First, working women began as teenagers who chose this lifestyle out of necessity, since they perceive that they have no other viable economic avenues. Some even feel like they are selling their souls to support their children and in many cases, entire families. Be thankful that your wife, daughter or niece does not have to make that choice. Tip every waitress, concierge, housekeeper, tour guide, and taxi driver well. Talk to them about the long-term benefits of school and international travel. Let them know that Brothers and Sistahs support their higher aspirations and that general tourism is a viable life alternative to the sex trade.

    Second, HIV and VD have victimized many a tourist in Brazil. So don’t do anything stupid with your fantasy. There’s nothing worse to ruin a great vacation. PROTECTION is the order of the day and never carry all of your money and credit cards with your if you plan to explore your fantasy. More importantly, there are plenty of single women who would like to begin real relationships with simgle American brothers -- a far better choice than the working women route! Ask an experienced tour guide.

    Rio de Janeiro represents so much more. It is one of life’s must visit destinations. The music feels like an extension of home. Cariocas are some of the friendliest people on Earth. It’s easy to connect with them on so many levels because they make American Black folk feel welcome. Unforgettable granite formations protrude from several of the world’s most beautiful beaches. The sublime charm of watching sunrise from a hotel room in Ipenema, Copacabana, Leme or Leblon beaches and watching people of color playing volleyball and surfing will stay with you for a lifetime. Daily fishing tours can be relaxing or challenging as a sport, whichever you prefer. All of these are great activities to meet and entertain dates.

    The magnificent cuisine, a derivative of so many cultures and Rio’s maritime setting, can be had for only $15 at fine churrascarias. Buy jewelry and leather goods for less than half American prices. Visit a mountainous rainforest in the same day you take Samba lessons from a master. In fact, take your lady to a Samba class and guaranteed, it’ll add romance to your love life. Rio nightlife includes colorful and acrobatic Vegas-like shows for less than Vegas prices. The one-time national capital of Brazil, Rio has excellent museums and cultural centers as well. Speaking of culture, Carnaval and New Year’s Eve celebrations are the stuff of legends. For a slice of what regular folk enjoy, attend a soccer match at the Maracana Stadium. It’s like combining the crowd of a pro football game with the kinetic excitement of a national Hip-Hop convention.

    Lastly, in case you are wondering, I left Temptation Island with my marriage vows in tact. But I can’t wait to return -- with my wife.