Beth

I have travelled quite a bit in Europe, and am a regular poster there and on the US forum. I have the opportunity to join my husband on a business trip to Argentina (Sao Paulo & BA), but am apprehensive. I have never been anywhere in South America. What should I expect? Are there any safety issues to consider? We enjoy fine dining, beaches, shopping, and some culture. Any input/advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance! <BR> <BR>

Joe

Beth, <BR> <BR>I just returned from 10 days in Brazil and Argentina (business) which included stays in Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires. Don't miss the opportunity to go! Both cities are huge and can be somewhat intimidating. However, as long as you stay in a nice international hotel (Marriott, Hyatt, etc.) and use good common sense, you'll have a great time. Both countries are true melting pots with diverse cultural influences. The people are very friendly and the food is great, but drink only the bottled water. It wouldn't hurt to brush up on your Spanish before you go. For shopping, there is no place better than Florida Street in B.A. I just bought a leather jacket there on this trip. For beaches, if you can make it to Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, you won't be sorry. Good luck!

Vania

Beth <BR>Sao Paulo in Brazil and BA in Argentina? <BR>In SP take a shuttle (ponte aerea) for Rio de Janeiro! <BR>There are wonderful beaches...and Corcovado, Loaf Sugar, Tijuca Forest, Botanic Garden. <BR>Enjoy your trip.

Escritora

I vote go, too. <BR> <BR>My first experience was in Ecuador (Quito, Guayaquil, and the Galapagos) last year. I had no trouble out alone in the streets of Quito during daylight hours. Of course there are people (adults and children) begging and similar things to contend with, but I'm sure you've seen that in Europe, too. Can't speak to after-dark issues; the one evening I offered to accompany another woman from the US someplace just a few blocks from our hotel, a staff member insisted on accompanying us. It didn't seem at all necessary to this New Yorker, so I'm guessing the hotel chose to err on the side of overprotection. <BR> <BR>One weird safety issue to think about. When I got my yellow fever innoculation for the trip, the doctor--a travel medicine specialist--said not to wear sandals or open toed shoes in SA. Apparently you can pick up a parasite from the street that enters your bloodstream through the exposed skin on your feet and winds up lodged in your heart. My mother and one of my neighbors both said they knew someone to whom this happened who became quite ill. I know it sounds like an urban legend, but I decided not to test it!

Beth

Thanks for all your replies! <BR>Yes, Sao Paulo in Brazil . . . There was a bit of confusion early on. <BR>I appreciate all the tips, and have decided to be adventurous. I might even attempt a boat ride by the Iguazu (sp?) falls! But I'll surely be wearing sneakers or full shoes! Or maybe I'll just buy them in BA - the shopping sounds great. Yikes! I'm excited . . . and just a little nervous.

Surlok

Beth, <BR> <BR>Sorry, but I must disagree with Escritora. There's not such a parasite in Sao Paulo, nor in Buenos Aires. Sao Paulo is a big metropolis, a huge city, with lots traffic jam, and air pollution, that looks a little like N. York for its hustle and bustle, although less charming, I'd say. <BR> <BR>There's no problem in wearing sandals there --- everybody here does, tourists and locals, as far the weather is warm, unlesss for men that have to dress more formally . The doctor Escritora referred to probably meant other kinds of ground or terrain and other places, not cities like Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires, for which you're not required to get any inoculation. On the urban streets and sidewalks, there are as much parasites or bacteria as there are in Paris, Rome, London, New York, Miami, Chicago, etc... , maybe of some different species, but none of them will cause you such a rare kind of disease. <BR> <BR>Besides, the weather is warm for the most part of the year, and it's totally non sense, if you're on holidays during (our) late Fall, Summer, or early Spring, to wear sneakers or shoes. <BR> <BR>Ecuador might be different, but big Brazilian cities don't have this problem, nor has Buenos Aires. And how about if you do it to Rio...are you wearing sneakers on the beach, too, or are you sparing yourself from the pleasure of enjoying the beach for misinformation? <BR> <BR>And, please, don't buy sneakers in Buenos Aires. They will be quite expensive there, and you can find the same, and a better selection in the States at a lower price. Buy, instead, leather shoes or leather sandals. This is what Argentinians do well, leather products, leather handcraft, but not sneakers. Nike, Rebock, Mizuno and the like are much better than any eventual "made in Argentina" sneaker type of shoe. <BR> <BR>About Iguassu, or Iguazu, I fear there won't be boat rides there, you'll walk bellow the falls, in front of them in order to get the sight, but no boat ride is available that I'm aware of. Your feet will make it... and you'll have whether to fly, or getting there by bus, if was this what you meant, from B. Aires or Sao Paulo. <BR> <BR>Enjoy your trip to Soth America, and try to make some reading about the places you intend to visit before you come. <BR> <BR>Surlok

Beth

Surlok: Thank you for your reply. (Don't worry; I was joking about buying sneakers en route!) Thought you might be interested in this post I had found earlier on this board: <BR>"As for the falls, they're fabulous, and there are neat little animals with long ringed tails that hang out begging for food on the trails to and from the observation points. Fun stuff. <BR>We did the boat ride, and it was the best part about the trip. It was a safari by jeep to the riverside, then by boat up the river. Climbing the rapids and steep elevation changes in that huge boat with powerful twin outboard engines was a thrill I'll never forget. The pilot really had to work to keep the boat in the center of the fast-running water. It was better than a roller coaster. <BR>Be sure to do the boat ride. It's not your grandfather's boat ride." <BR>

Surlok

Beth, <BR> <BR>Thanks for the info on the boat ride on the Iguassu River. I didn't know about that , and I'm Brazilian.;-) <BR> <BR>Try to make it to Rio, if you can. It's, as said by many, one of the most beaufiful cities in the world. <BR> <BR>I wish you a wonderful trip, <BR> <BR>Surlok

Chris

Don't miss the oportunity. Being of south american origin I might be a bit biased, but still like may poeple would think, BA is probably the most interesting city in South America. Great restaurants, sites and nightlife. It is just a matter of common sense when walking around, the same as in NY or any other large city. You won't regret it.

vicky

I enjoyed reading all the replies you've received Beth. For sure, I have picked up lots of very useful info re Brazil and Argentina. <BR> <BR>I would be travelling by myself to Sao Paolo-Rio de Janeiro-Buenos Aires, in November. First time, doing it on my own. <BR> <BR>For the last 5 years, I've been joining packaged tours, which were hectic, and very expensive. Once, I took a tour of 10 countries in 10 days. Will never do it again that way! <BR> <BR>I have asked information (like hotels, day tours, shuttle flights, and best routing, where, when and how to get it, the cost, and everything) from contacts posted at the different Brazilian/Argentinian websites. And I'm really surprised that I was getting their e-mail replies in less than an hour. Now, I believe that the South American people are really friendly and very helpful. I'm looking forward to this trip to Brazil and Argentina. <BR> <BR> <BR>

Surlok

Vicky, <BR> <BR>I live in Rio de Janeiro, in Leblon. Should you need some extra help or additional info, just write me to the above e-mail address-- it will be my pleasure to help. <BR> <BR> <BR>Surlok

Larry

Very informative posts on this subject. I enjoyed all of them. I, too, am thinking of coming to Rio and BA. Have decided a cruise there would not allow us to really see the cities. Am thinking of a trip in March,2002. What could we expect as far as the weather would be at that time. Would like info from anyone, but especially from Surlok. Thanks

Angie

Beth: don't lose the opportunity of coming to Buenos Aires! It is really a very nice city full of friendly people. As in any other big city in the world you must take care of where you go and at what time but it is is worth the trip. I highly recommend the rafting at the Iguazu Falls as well

Russ

Sao Paulo and Rio. Nothing like the smell of raw sewage in the morning. One of the most disgusting places I have ever been. I guess if I had to choose between these two cesspools I would choose Rio! <BR> <BR>Enjoy!