Gringoes.com: DENGUE!

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   I can empathize with the red tape and getting use to the cultural difference, but man, dengue?
It kicked my ass twice.
It's not the worse I had, my "virgin" experience was in Bali, and there I got a nasty unspecified infection that cause me to bleed out of every hole a man has...think about it. ;)
Dengue got me in Rio and a second time in Aracaju. It's like you have the flu, but not with the congestion or stomach pains. Your joints go rigid with pain, then you have a 102 fever. You want it to go away and it lingers for a week. I couldn't move and was bedridden, took alot of Dor-Flex, but pulled through.
I did experience racism a bit in Aracaju. SOME, and I say by maybe 2 or 3 people, were vocal as to the relationship with my fiance'. Small comments as to my skin color, or "estrangeiros" coming "here" to pick up "our" women.  It bothered me at those times.
LINES!  If there is a line, a Brazilian will stand in it just to learn what the line is about. ;) Waiting for an ATM, or bank line...jeeez! Bring a tent and sleeping bag.
I had an experience where a barrista from the Carujo Bar on Prado Jr. e Copacabana, where a barrista flicked a bottle cap at a passerby. The guy thought I did it, came over an gave me a good slap on the head. My reaction was less than civil. People in the neighborhood came sorted the mess out. By the end of it, the Brazilian admitted he was in the wrong and thought I was "looking" at him wrong and drew conclusions. We sat the rest of the night buying each other drinks. Weird experience.
I think I had more mal experiences with tourists than Brazilians in truth. I guess an early example of such was a German tourist who had slapped a programma garota in the face. Being the new Gringo from the U.S., I fought with the guy. He went with the Police, I stayed after the mess was sorted out...but I learned to mind my business after that, as to suggestion of locals who helped & coached me.
It grew on me to become tolerant with the beuacracy in Brasil. I think most of it caused by "somebody" needs a job. Beistera mesmo, but somebody needs a job.

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AracajuSol Newbie Joined: 18 September 2005 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 6	Topic: DENGUE! Posted: 29 September 2005 at 04:01
	I can empathize with the red tape and getting use to the cultural difference, but man, dengue? It kicked my ass twice. It's not the worse I had, my "virgin" experience was in Bali, and there I got a nasty unspecified infection that cause me to bleed out of every hole a man has...think about it. ;) Dengue got me in Rio and a second time in Aracaju. It's like you have the flu, but not with the congestion or stomach pains. Your joints go rigid with pain, then you have a 102 fever. You want it to go away and it lingers for a week. I couldn't move and was bedridden, took alot of Dor-Flex, but pulled through. I did experience racism a bit in Aracaju. SOME, and I say by maybe 2 or 3 people, were vocal as to the relationship with my fiance'. Small comments as to my skin color, or "estrangeiros" coming "here" to pick up "our" women. It bothered me at those times. LINES! If there is a line, a Brazilian will stand in it just to learn what the line is about. ;) Waiting for an ATM, or bank line...jeeez! Bring a tent and sleeping bag. I had an experience where a barrista from the Carujo Bar on Prado Jr. e Copacabana, where a barrista flicked a bottle cap at a passerby. The guy thought I did it, came over an gave me a good slap on the head. My reaction was less than civil. People in the neighborhood came sorted the mess out. By the end of it, the Brazilian admitted he was in the wrong and thought I was "looking" at him wrong and drew conclusions. We sat the rest of the night buying each other drinks. Weird experience. I think I had more mal experiences with tourists than Brazilians in truth. I guess an early example of such was a German tourist who had slapped a programma garota in the face. Being the new Gringo from the U.S., I fought with the guy. He went with the Police, I stayed after the mess was sorted out...but I learned to mind my business after that, as to suggestion of locals who helped & coached me. It grew on me to become tolerant with the beuacracy in Brasil. I think most of it caused by "somebody" needs a job. Beistera mesmo, but somebody needs a job.

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Guests Guest	Posted: 30 September 2005 at 12:31
	If its your first time in Brazil then its best to stay away from trouble, dont get involved with police, they are not what you expect.... Brazil is a third world country...the Northeast of Brazil is much more intolerant of tourists who dont look Latino... Not sure why you are having so many bad experiences and with Dengue, what kind of places are you staying in... Brazillians get shocked how gringoes like girls with brown skin...in the poorer areas you could have more trouble with this... PS. Are Garotas do Programa worth fighting for..???? Stay well...........
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Guests Guest	Posted: 02 October 2005 at 12:46
	I think I`ll give that trip I planned to Aracaju, a miss..! Stay well gringoes and may peace be with you...
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