Quote:
Originally Posted by philopower
Hi all! I just graduated from college and am currently planning a south american adventure before I enter law school. So I want to go to Argentina for 2 months and Brazil for 2 as well. I am quite advanced in Spanish so I was thinking about taking Portuguese classes in both countries.
Can anyone recommend any safe, fun, and affordable Brazilian cities for young people? Safety is my biggest concern in Brazil obviously but I grew up in the hood here in the states so poverty doesn't phase me.
Also as for budget, I'm saving up but I want to keep my monthly expenses at $1.3k. Is that possible? I'm not a big drinker and I'm not going to be doing any luxury shopping, just going to need the basics those few months.
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Well, growing up in the hood definately does give you a leg up on the average american. However, poverty? Trust me you have no idea...it's 100 times more poverty than you've ever seen in even the worst U.S neighborhoods. Also, the criminals here in South-America will make most of the thugs in the hood seem like a walk in the park to be quite honest.....nobody can beat them at what they do, hands down, and they are quite desperate to be honest as well. They'll violently attack, assualt and even kill anyone if they think the risk warrants it. I've heard of Argentines traveling to Brazil, only to be mugged on beaches in broad daylight and have their fingers cut-off to get at the gold wedding rings...I'm not joking, it happens.
Look, if you're caught in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong kinda folks, and they are going to rob you and you're gonna get wacked, it's probably gonna happen. They are "extremely quick" and agile...they've had plenty of practice and you'll have very little time to do much about it, most likely you won't even see it coming or be able to react in quick enough time to stop it, especially if it's a "
robo de pirana" as we say in Argentina. However, there is a strong likelihood that nothing at all will happen and, as you say, you speak the language, this is going to help you enormously.
The most common crime however is the petty crime "
Las pungas" we call them here in Argentina. Basically where they pick-pocket you, or someone comes up and throws a cup of coffee or coke in your face and then while they try and help you in the confusion, slip your wallet or valuables, or sometimes beat the living crap out of you too.....just depends.
The best thing to do is follow the lead of the locals, do what they do and sound like they do as much as possible. Don't be fearful, but always be aware of your surrounding and follow your gut. If something in an area doesn't feel right, leave, if some of the people around you are acting suspicious, leave.
Don't even think about entering the slums or "
Las Favelas" in Brazil "
Villas" in Argentina. You don't "dare" walk into those areas uninvited and you definately don't stay after dark.
The same rules apply for both countries, although Brazil is more sketchier and you have to be more vigilant in my opinion, although you need to be vigilant just about everywhere. You'll hear folks talk about how safe it is but don't take it for granted. Things can go bad very quickly "
anywhere" especially if you happen to find yourself in "
the wrong place at the wrong time"
More than likely you'll be fine: Keep money and belongings in front of you or in a hidden front waist pocket, not in a back-pack or side pockets. Don't go out with too much money, always have a friend or two accompany you to an ATM. Never allow anyone to offer you a ride that doesn't have car that's officially marked as a taxi or remis. Don't wear really fancy clothing or advertise yourself with fancy watches, gold chains anything like that. Don't draw attention to yourself, keep a general low profile. Don't offer money to strangers on the street if they ask, alot of times those are fronts for a quick
"robo de pirana" If you're walking and someone is trying to approach you in an agressive or strange manner, immediately walk into the nearest kiosk, or almacen..
For learning Portuguese, focus on Brazil, that's the best place to do that. Make some friends with some locals and you'll have free lessons guaranteed. Living on 1.3K here in Argentina you'll be living like a King....I suspect in Brazil pretty much too.
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