msclelovr

I saw the third season finale last night. It was terrific. This series has been such a clever twisting of the original stories to make them into smart modern thrillers. I also like the good acting and the funny dialogue.

I'm on vacation in Cape Town. It's been sunny and hot consistently for more than a month but this past weekend, the sun was particularly fierce. As the temperature hit 34C (which I think is 93F) in the late afternoon yesterday, I decided to visit the large air-conditioned shopping mall alongside the extensive working port. Now I should say that I like Bel Ami's product and their market-niche of handsome, smooth muscled young men performing intimate acts with each other. And as a dedicated top-only guy, I've often considered Jack Harrer, who's a greedy cum-guzzling bottom on film, to be a desirable object of porn-fantasy. So a spoiler alert here: if you lust after, long for or jack off to Bel Ami porn-actors Jack Harrer or Andre Boleyn, read no further. As I walked around the upper level of shops inside the mall, I saw and smiled at a cute, dark-haired young man walking towards me. He smiled back, and I thought to myself: "I know this guy" and then I remembered from where. It was 'Andre Boleyn'. What surprised me is that his face is cute but his body is skinny. Certainly, he's not tall and well-built. Frankly I often see better-looking young men in London's Soho. But what really shocked me was his companion, 'Jack Harrer'. He was even shorter (tho with his hair gelled to spike upwards) and had a thin frame and his skin looked sallow. He was so unhealthy-looking that if he was a working guy outside Prague station, I'd have hurried past him. Truly, the camera lies!

Escorts are all on the net now.firecat69 has given good advice. I have seen escorts in Paris bars and clubs but they were socialising, not working. You would have to hire online and then go to a club. Frankly, I'd be scared for you if you picked up a guy who was in a club looking to earn extra cash

I will try to answer Lucky's questions. I've spent considerable time in Argentina with Argentines (and I holiday there for a month each year now). My insights are based on that country but I suspect the same applies to Colombia as well. I've spent only a little time in Brazil but have met many Brazilians in Europe. Latin American countries seem to have a patriarchal structure of a type that may have existed in Europe before the 1960s but has now vanished. The middle-aged man is seen not only as mature but valued as experienced and worldly. Dressing smartly and appropriately is also an important part of Hispanic culture, and seen as part of the expression of respect, both self-respect and respect for others. Middle-aged men are also most likely (or expected) to be financially secure and able to provide for others. On my first visit to Buenos Aires, I wore polo-shirt and shorts on hot, sunny days and I found this marked me as a foreigner. It did mean I attracted a cute blond with a good civil service job who liked Europeans, and he was a constant companion for that visit. On subsequent visits, I wore long sleeved shirts, smart trousers and jacket during the day and a smart suit and tie in the evening. Once I was dressed much better, I really met Argentines ;-) They approached me in stores, cafes and on the street. One cute young man followed me into a supermarket, another propositioned me in a cafe one afternoon, a handsome guy suggested dinner when I was in a travel-agency, and I met in the street (and had a fling with) a local 'heart-throb'. No guys asked me for money. But of course, I invited them to dinner and paid (tho the heart-throb insisted he take me out and he paid). Of course, when a cute guy stayed overnight and took care of my needs, it felt natural to look after him by taking him shopping after breakfast. The gifts were not significant by US or European standards. And I don't wish to sound mean or anti-American but the most common complaint I've heard locally is about how badly or inappropriately American men dress. It's simply seen as embarrassing and disrespectful if men turn up in sweatpants and baseball caps for dinner. Naturally, no-one will say anything to the man's face but afterwards, you should hear the locals talk!

Surely the 'top gay destination' should be chosen by a group of men specialising in cocks and butts? ;-)

I'm obviously stepping in front of a firing squad here, but I believe that she may well be guilty. Being European, I don't accept that the Italian judicial system is incompetent. And I watched the BBC News give extensive coverage of her arrest and trial as the victim was English. There were many inconsistencies in Amanda Knox's story/stories of what took place. And if innocent, her behaviour was decidedly odd: turning cartwheels in the police station when taken in for questioning; buying sexy lingerie the next day and being heard to sexually proposition her boy-friend in the shop. While we may never know the truth of what took place, I feel very sorry for the victim and her family.

Buenos Aires in general is relatively inexpensive compared to major cities in Brazil. But I hope you are prepared for the price of good food in Buenos Aires nowadays as it's substantially higher than when you were last there and is now in line with London and major US cities.

May I ask where on the net you post your travel plans, or mention your impending visit to a country, that you get nice young men writing to you in anticipation.

A fascinating article. Thanks for posting, Townsend.

Slow, gentle lapping of tongue followed by soft kisses

I think you were a trooper to keep going to the class as you did If you still wish to improve your ability to dance in clubs, perhaps you could do what a young friend of mine did. He hired an instructor from a local dance-club to give him private lessons one-on-one; he only needed two lessons and found it a great help

Please just bear in mind that 1. your proposed visit in October may coincide with the Presidential election, and politics there often takes the form of mass protests and riots; and 2. Palermo is an attractive area but still very mixed. It is known as an area that appeals to young foreigners and tourists. Crime has increased, and it was already bad a year ago when a policeman was shot dead as he interrupted a restaurant-robbery only 3 blocks from where we were eating at the time, in a fashionable restaurant named 'Cluny' ML

He's very cute, Pauleiro. I seem to recall him featuring a few times on William Higgins. Do you know what he currently charges, as opposed to asks, for a session or an overnight?

I just came back from 3 weeks in Buenos Aires. You may like to hear about what I found. Even those familiar with the city may be surprised by the changes. Compared to February 2010 (when I was last there), there are many more strikes and protests blocking the roads including the highway to the international airport at Ezeiza and on the day I left, Immigration had only 1 desk out of 15 staffed so delays to enter and leave the country were about 2 hours. Inflation is rampant, and many things now cost more than in central London. Crime has also increased: robberies of foreign tourists were up 23% in 2010; muggings tend to be violent and women have been robbed in broad daylight on swanky Avenida Alvear. Many more people were sleeping in the streets at night. All that said, Buenos Aires remains an exciting city. Elections are due in late October and I would advise any traveller to exercise caution even if you've visited the city before as areas change (and become less safe) between visits.

Tomcal, thanks for your report. I was there at the time of the almost-Biblical floods and devastation. I know Aussies are hard-working and efficient, but what did you think of the clean-up operation? Has it been completed or is there much to do?

On the home page, included in Featured Persons, is the photo of cleaper or Chris Leaper as the escort in San Francisco was known. Alas, on Saturday 26 February he stepped off the Golden Gate bridge and killed himself. He'd become addicted to crystal meth. It was a sad waste of an otherwise intelligent man.

May I add a few observations about Buenos Aires versus Rio de Janeiro. I've visited Buenos Aires 9x in the last 6 years and I stay for a month each time. I'm making my next trip in May. Buenos Aires is a great metropolis with good nightlife, tremendous (Spanish-language) theatre, good music and lots of decent restaurants. It's also readily navigable by foreigners and, with a reasonable degree of caution, it's also very safe. I've only visited Rio de Janeiro once, for a 4day weekend, but it was with an Argentine guy who knows the place well. I found it difficult, yet I speak 5 languages (but not Portuguese) and am used to travelling in Latin America. Rio felt more more unsafe (I like to walk everywhere) and we only ate well in restaurants that were as expensive as London (I enjoy good food and wine). I also felt there was little to do if it rained (tho we had sunny weather). Now it's true that BA does not offer the same sex-club and sauna activities as Rio. But I'm not geared for multiple quickies in saunas etc. I admit I'm fussy about the type of guy I like: I want a handsome, muscled young man (sort of an Abercrombie jock) who's presentable in public and great in bed. I enjoy the "boyfriend experience" and I like to spend considerable time with a man and feel there's a connection. I find there are plenty of fit, athletic young Argentines in BA who want to meet and spend time with a fit, older foreigner. I haven't had to hire a lot of the time, but I do take the guys out for dinner and have invited some on trips with me.

Thanks Tomcal for posting this info and photo. Alexi/Nando is a goodlooking young guy. And if you like him, may I assume he's versatile and enthusiastic in bed? I go to Paris once a year so I'll try to see him. FWIW I'm aware of many more young Brazilians working in London than in Paris. Unfortunately too many of them see themselves at "stars" and have quite a bit of attitude and ask high prices, even when approached very politely. I guess they often see London as a temporary location to earn quick tax-free cash. The guys who are here for a couple of years at least, and seeking to get European passports through their Spanish or Italian ancestry, tend to be much more service-oriented.

and alas both are rabidly heterosexual

Mr Friday is not very tall but he has a nice body. Combined with Mr Saturday, I feel we could have a great weekend's coupling

I accept that I'm shameless, but I'm amazed that everyone is coming up with such coy responses. If he's cute, what do you have to lose by being direct? Next time, he mentions his lack of money I suggest you say one of two things...depending on how confident you feel: 1. Well,you know I'm single and I dont know whether its appropriate but I would be happy to take you out for dinner one night. Would that help? 2. I know some guys, who are as good-looking as you, that earn good money escorting or doing massage As long as you're polite, smile and seem relaxed about it, I can't see how he can take offence. And if he asks you any further questions, you simply suggest coffee or a drink and take him somewhere neutral. I used the first approach last month with a handsome young straight man, who works in a restaurant I go to frequently. I took him out for lunch and we had a little fun afterwards. I've also employed the second tactic successfully; I've had one-off sex with several broke young guys, newly out of university; the best was a hot guy who for a modest amount of cash did all that I like, and he even volunteered to get tied up and spanked!

Well, Hoover, whether you send Lucky the $$ is upto you. But you can help the young man by sending him to me. When he next talks to you and broaches this subject, just tell him you know a fit middle-aged guy who enjoys spending time with fit muscled young men. And you can add that you know I'm relaxed about paying for my pleasures :-)

Which hotel in Rio do you stay at? And how do you rate the room and facilities? I'm interested because I've only stayed at the Ipanema Plaza and I'd like to get an objective report on other places from a gay man's point of view. Thanks

I don't find him that goodlooking. And I doubt that he will be attractive in 10 years time. Still, I shall be kind in 5 years time and give him a sympathetic smile, when he's bussing my table for tips in some cafe

I'm sorry to hear this - it's a nasty illness to get - but I'm glad you're recovering gradually Incidentally, adding to Lucky's post above, I wrote earlier on the gaytravelbrazil website about the risk of dengue fever in Buenos Aires (as I know some travellers to Brazil go onto Argentina). There was an outbreak last Summer (February/March 2010) in Buenos Aires with tens of cases reported. Dengue fever has always been present in the north of both countries, but it is not confined there. I feel casual travellers may not be aware that it is also a risk in the major cities, and they should get medical care if they develop a sudden fever or flu-like symptoms.