Leaderboard

Why should this be a surprise? The Catholic Church does not recognize same sex marriage nor allow their priest to marry same sex couples in their Churches. I realize he said a lot of things "Liberal" citizens of our country agree with but he also said things for the "Conservatives" in our country (i.e. anti-Gay marriage and Pro-Life). I found it very amusing when watching CNN coverage of his visit, they completely ignored his comments regarding Abortion, Gay Marriage (both mentioned in his address to Congress) and other Conservative view-points. But kept on raving about Climate Change and anti-death penalty. Very biased coverage.

bottom line: if it works for both parties, then by definition it works for both parties.

Perhaps seeing this "Father" will make up for it ?

Thanks for bringing this to our attention. He is a great guy and a lovely person. I hope all goes well and he recovers quickly.

Sending my prayers and positive thoughts as well. Please keep us posted.

He has my best wishes. I have always liked Townsend's posts and respect him as a poster. Thank you for giving us a heads up.

Im just back from two weeks in Colombia, having visited Barranquilla, Cartagena, Cali, Bogota and Medellin. Its a wonderful country, full of beautiful and interesting people. But the scene is not nearly as well-organized or convenient as in Brazil. When I mention Brazil, I mean the sauna boy system wherein there are places to go to see a variety of men, choose whom you like, and strike a bargain right there. Nothing analogous exist in Colombia, sadly. Perhaps they await the right couple of entrepreneurs to set it up. There is very little English spoken among the sex worker class. Colombia seems to trend somewhat toward the youngish twink types, with visible indigenous ancestry rather than the big-dicked, versatile mulattos that make Brasil so wonderful. Hotels- I generally stay in upscale hotels connected to American chains when possible. In every city, my guests had to check in at the front desk and leave a copy of their ID. In the most upscale, Hilton and W, I actually had to register to the room. Barranquilla and Cartagena- Local rentboys, few in number and frequently visiting from Cali or Medellin, seem to subsist on the cruise ship and other foreign visitor trade. The prices are at North American levels ( $125-150 USD) because tourists seem willing to pay it. These transactions are initiated online via Mileroticos or other such sites. Cali- Not much rentboy action to speak of, not even online. Bogota- Much like Cartagena and Barranquilla with prices a little more reasonable. Medellin- As close as you get to the Brazil factor, though not all that close. The Chaturbate Factor- Those of you who frequent chaturbate will have noticed that a plurality of the Latinos present there live and work in Colombia. I found it relatively easy to arrange in person time with some of my favorites in Cali, Bogota and Medellin. For $325COP ( ~$100USD), I arranged a wonderful 3 hour threesome with my favorite m/f couple in Cali and spent the whole night in Bogota, with a delightful twink, for a similar amount. In Medellin, I connected with another Chaturbator who brought a friend along at no extra charge ($120 COP for both). Grindr / Hornet Factor Both of these smart phone apps are full to overflowing with men looking to play for free and a few prepagos, as the rent boys are known there. Apparently, the conservative society, combined with the history of violence makes for a strong desire among gays to have exciting experiences with foreigners whom they won't bump into on the streets and who are beyond the age of drama for drama's sake. I will admit, upfront, that I am not the type physically to usually inspire much lust. But in Colombia, there was ALWAYS someone who wanted to come over for some dick and cuddling. I paid for taxis, a drink or two. But, not much else. If you tend to have luck with these apps in the states or elsewhere, Colombia just might be a smorgasbord for you.

I am not catholic. However, I thought the new Pope was a refreshing change from the former Nazi Youth, Ratzinger, who resigned for unknown but speculative reasons. The recent visit from the Pope seemed like such a good thing for the country but especially for the Catholic church. Unless the reported visit with Kim Davis is a false rumor, I think the Pope made a horrible mistake and negated a large portion goodwill that his trip created. Davis’ lawyer said the meeting took place but we all know that lawyers are notorious for not telling the truth. The Vatican “does not deny” that such a meeting took place. However, the Vatican also does not confirm that such a meeting took place. Logic would dictate that the Pope would know better than to meet with such a hateful and controversial person (Kim Davis) while the purpose of his U.S. trip was to create rapport and restore lost faith in his religion. If the meeting is confirmed, than, shame on the Pope.

I have wondered for a long time what that flickering light was about. Now, I know. Best regards, RA1

You know, I wonder what we thought we could expect of him. He is Catholic, and Pope, after all. I welcome whatever good he can bring to humanity. As for the rest -- the broad social tide is turning in our favor. My personal view is that organized religion is an Iron Age mode of thinking and perceiving that, the sooner we are shed of it and the many shadows it casts on our thinking, feeling, social organization and so on, the better.

Ferrar, I don't think most readers on this thread have a clue as to your joke about the Engenhao stadium. What was told to me were that the steel arches the support the roof were built with thinner gauge tubing than specified. So the entire stadium has been closed for a couple years as they install new support towers so the whole thing comes crashing down on our heads. Why thinner gauge? Only way to steal Reais for payments to politicos. And not to forget that the Maracana was redone for the Pan-Am Games and once more a few short years later for the World Cup. Worth noting per your mention of Botafogo, are the teams and their debts to the government for years of unpaid taxes.

He is very much in my thoughts and prayers, Hoping all will turn out well.

Another angle to the article would be how Brazil's own expat managers - working for local and international multinational companies - actually asked to be transferred back home during the 'boom' years. That was unprecedented, as the ones I know always looked to such companies as a way to get the hell out of their home country in favor of better opportunities. Brazil expat managers always seem to be in demand internationally as they have had so much to deal with in the local economy -managing in the face of exchange rate crises, capital flight, macroeconomic policies that change by the day, etc. The idea being that if they can succeed in Brazil, they can succeed anywhere. Of couse if that sounds like where the country is now, most of those managers have beat you to it and have already ended their 'experiment' and gone back abroad. Brazil's loss.

Thoughtfully written piece. I couldn't agree more with ihpguy that once the Rio Olympics is over, all investments and public works projects in the area will come to a grinding halt - just as they already have with Rio's fellow 11 host cities of the World Cup. So what legacy will all this construction still tying traffic in knots leave for the local population, and visitors? Cynics will claim yet another collection of white elephants. The Pan-American games did not exactly set much of a bar. Although to be fair it did leave Engenhao stadium for the Botafogo futebol team. Ask the club (and its fan base) how that went.

That's very encouraging. I lived in SoCal for many years but never made it to any gatherings. My loss.

Keeping my one finger crossed and hoping for the best. I've always enjoyed his posts.

Sending out positive thoughts and prayers for Townie. Always enjoy his participation.

My thoughts and hopes for him and a good outcome.

"There's this awful feeling of, 'I'm never going to be able to have a good relationship. No one's ever going to want me'...There was a sense of relief... It's backwards. You've spent so much time terrified that you're going to get it, and then you have it. You don't have to be terrified anymore." I liked his tweet that he was now going to be an activist.

Keeping my fingers crossed and my legs wide open, as it were.

Oz, I just got back from 4 weeks in Europe. At the Casa Mila in Barcelona, Alcazar in Seville and Alhambra and Generalife in Granada, I paid the extra 3-5Euros to go to the head of the line with a guide.