Some of you have read about my "on-again, off-again" namorado Andy who stood up to someone trying to extort money from me and endured himself to me ever since.  There's not a devious bone in Andy's body, and after my last two trips, he's gone with me to the airport to give me a goodbye kiss.

It was Andy that first mentioned his friend Alex (also known by Nick) who he had recently found out had done some gay porn.  They live near each other in the Rochina favela, and Alex had befriended Andy by helping him with some of his grocery bills, letting him use his computer, etc.

Andy asked if he could invite Alex over, probably to repay him somehow by introducing him to some Americans in town, and Alex is strikingly beautiful in person.  He is entertaining with his magic tricks, completely charming, and lives a high standard of living compared to most Brazilians guyz, even though living in a favela.

But it became obvious pretty quickly that Alex is not the typical "pure of heart" Brazilian that I've met in the past.  He is intelligent, good-looking, and charming, but the guy has a dark side that should be avoided expecially by travelers unfamiliar with what can happen in Brazil.

I guess if I were Andy living on a meager budget in a favela in Rio, Alex would be someone I'd want to know, and definitely not get on his bad side.  He claims to know all of the drug lords that basically run the favelas (shanty towns) in Rio, he's intelligent,  is provided free trips to Europe, and seems to live a grand lifestyle.

So unless you're expertly aware, are a veteran traveler to Brazil, and understand the Brazilian psyche, it is best to stay away from Alex.  I am most likely immune to his behavior because I'm Andy's namorado, and like I said, he's been to my hotel room both in May and October, but not as a programma,  I felt some disgust when he appeared in October after hearing about him from XChris, TomCal, and others, and considered confronting him about it.  But like I said, you do not want to get on his bad side.... just politely stay away from him, if you can,  and do not fall for his obvious charms and good looks unless you're able to chain him to your bed LOL

Here's what TomCal said about him:

Nick, is pretty well known from sauna work/netgay and from films.  He has stolen or tried to steal cell phones and money from several guys I know.  One friend caught him leaving with his cell phone in his pocket.  He is definitely fun in bed, I was with him about 3 years ago when he worked briefly at Rogers and I had no problem, but it was at the sauna where he had no access to anything of mine! lol   

It's a warning to our fellow travelers to be very careful with their valuables when they are with him, don't go to the bathroom/shower leaving him to wait in the bedrooom!  Again, he's fun, but not trustworthy.  To my knowledge he doesnt' work the saunas and hasn't for several years but still does work! 

 

Even the original Paradise had its share of snakes.

- Drey

No fricking Way!!!.  I was like that close to taking him back with me the last trip I was there.  That sucks.  We need to keep the postings on the bad guys too!!..

Those are the ones to watch out for. 

J-Yellow

He was an interesting boy, say four, five years ago. Open and nice. He introduced me into the favela some times. But now it's a no-no. It is safer for me not to show up with him, or I risk my life. This could happen just because I understand how dangerous his dark side is, and he knows that he cannot extort anything more from me. He asked me to buy something for him in Italy, and he would pay with money stolen from another gringo. No way, man. 

This proves that next time you might be on the wrong list. This is an intersting part of garotos psycology: you are safe until you are a potential victim. But when you show you are no more weak, that is the moment you begin to risk more, even too much. He thinks that the world owes something to him. He had a poor life, bad parents, and all sort of difficulties with drugs. Now he has nothing to lose. He goes on and steals money from his old swiss friend. But it is never enough, so he is back again around, looking for more unsuspecting gringoes. 

Lock has no secret to him. He can talk, swear and cry. But always lies. Good times with him has definitely passed. There is no come back, no happy end for him. Too late for salvation.

I read yesterday in oGlobo that the police force showed up again in Rochina firing shots trying to capture or kill their drug lord.  Two people died including one policeman, but the drug lord escaped.  What a life living in a community constantly under seige.

Sponge Bob had a short programma with him last May in his hotel room, with everything locked away, that was fun and uneventful.

But with so many gorgeous Brazilians around with a "pure heart", there's no need to take the risk with this one.  And, as XChris mentioned do not get involved with this modern day Brazilian Robin Hood.

- Drey

It's too bad Alex is a snake because he sure is one beautiful young guy!