Braving Brazil

I returned from Brazil April 13, trimming a planned 19-day trip to one week. What a difference from last May when I stayed at the Excelsior Copacabana for four days (breakfast and dinner in the room) for less than $100. This time they wanted $93 daily. I reminded them that the airport listed them at a lower rate and upon showing a company ID, they lowered the price and for some reason later reduced it to $46.

Some things have not gone up. Men’s clothing prices at a nice store on Avenida Copacabana are stable. Meals delivered to the hotel room held steady, with filets at about $4 and sandwiches with fries and a beverage at under $2.50. Although they are negotiable, prices for hotels and taxis can be prohibitive. The whole atmosphere caused me to drop several cities and return home.

TIM O’ROURKE

Venice