Assorted questions

Hi all,

Reader Gary Duncan listened to the recent podcast in which I interviewed my friend Cristiano Nogueira, author of the guidebook Rio for Partiers. Gary had a few follow-up questions:

Enjoyed the podcast with Cristiano. Are there any programs in Rio that would allow a visitor to have lunch, dinner, or even a cafezinho with fellow professionals…or just ordinary residents of Rio?

Are there also tutors or language schools that teach an intensive Portuguese course—two to four weeks of residential study for adults?

Third—what hostels would you recommend in Rio?

Obrigado Joao!

Gringo Gary

Well, Gary, there is no shortage of places to meet ex-pats, but I suggest starting at Praça (= town square) General Osorio in Ipanema. Options around the square include:

• The Irish Pub – While not my favorite place (over-priced and crappy service), you will find Americans, Brits, and Irish here, and there is almost always a soccer game on the screens, so if you want a beer and to strike up a conversation, it’s an option.
• Banana Jack’s – Is more of a restaurant but has a bar. Most of the staff speaks at least some English. Recently they hosted an InterNations meeting. (See below.)
• Belmonte – On the opposite side of the square is Belmonte, which is a restaurant specializing in draft beer and shrimp dishes. The crowd is mostly upscale locals, most of whom will speak at least some English. You may find Cristiano there late on a Friday afternoon.
• www.InterNations.org is a site dedicated to fostering relationships between people of different countries. (Think pen pals, not Russian brides.) The local club has social activities in different locales each month. Membership is by invitation only. I recently was accepted, so obviously the standards can’t be too high. Let me know if you are interested and I will propose you for membership. 2)

Language schools? There is no shortage of these either. I sent an email to a Brazilian friend of mine who is a simultaneous interpreter to ask her opinion on the best schools for intensive Portuguese for foreigners courses. I know teaching my students that Brasas and Cultura Inglesa have good English programs; not sure about Portuguese. I’d avoid Wizard and Fisk, which are low-end schools. IBEU and CCAA are other popular schools with many branches around town. You can search for them on Google.

Hostels? There are two in Copacabana which are part of the Che Lagarto chain. One, called the Copacabana hostel on their site (www.CheLagarto.com ) is at Anita Garibaldi, 87, in Copa. (Note that here the street number comes AFTER the street name.) It is located very near the Siqueira Campos metro station, but Anita Garibaldi is a quiet street. The other Che Lagarto, called Suites in Copacabana on the site, is very close to the first, at Rua Santa Clara, 304. Either is a 10-12 minute walk to the beach in one of the safest and quietest parts of Rio. That’s why I live nearby!

Also consider Hostel New Ipanema at Barao de Torre, 175, in Ipanema. (Site is www.hostelnewipanema.com.br , remember the .br.) It is located a half block from Rua Farme de Amoedo and so is well situated. Farme de Amoedo does happen to be gay central for Rio, but don’t let that deter you. I stayed near here my first two weeks in Rio and enjoyed it. It is safe and quiet, with lots of restaurants on Farme. Also, many women seem to like the area. (Why do so many women like to hang out with gays?) You will be less than 15 minutes by foot from Post 9, which is THE cool place to hang on the beach, especially on Saturday or Sunday afternoon. If you stay here, you can walk in 5 minutes to Praça General Osorio, mentioned above. Ten minutes away is Praça Nossa Senhora de Paz; there are a bunch of restaurants and bar there as well.

I hope this helps. More info on the language programs to follow. Come on down! You buy the beer and I will tell you all I know!

Ate breve, John

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