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We feel compelled to reprint the entire thing, just because we never had any idea that W.H. Auden wrote an unbelievably filthy poem about an anonymous blow job. According to the editor’s note, Auden wrote the poem in 1948, and copies were circulated among friends and fans for years, before Ed Sanders printed an unauthorized version in 1965. Auden publicly denied authorship, which is why we can reprint this without permission and with impunity (as does the anthology, which doesn’t include Auden’s poem on its copyright page). Enjoy! The Platonic Blow W. H. Auden It was a spring day, a day for a lay, when the air Smelled like a locker-room, a day to blow or get blown; Returning from lunch I turned my corner and there On a near-by stoop I saw him standing alone. I glanced as I advanced. The clean white T-shirt outlined A forceful torso, the light-blue denims divulged Much. I observed the snug curves where they hugged the behind, I watched the crotch where the cloth intriguingly bulged. Our eyes met. I felt sick. My knees turned weak. I couldn’t move. I didn’t know what to say. In a blur I heard words, myself like a stranger speak “Will you come to my room?” Then a husky voice, “O.K.” I produced some beer and we talked. Like a little boy He told me his story. Present address: next door. Half Polish, half Irish. The youngest. From Illinois. Profession: mechanic. Name: Bud. Age: twenty-four. He put down his glass and stretched his bare arms along The back of my sofa. The afternoon sunlight struck The blond hairs on the wrist near my head. His chin was strong. His mouth sucky. I could hardly believe my luck. And here he was sitting beside me, legs apart. I could bear it no longer. I touched the inside of his thigh. His reply was to move closer. I trembled, my heart Thumped and jumped as my fingers went to his fly. I opened a gap in the flap. I went in there. I sought for a slit in the gripper shorts that had charge Of the basket I asked for. I came to warm flesh then to hair. I went on. I found what I hoped. I groped. It was large. He responded to my fondling in a charming, disarming way: Without a word he unbuckled his belt while I felt. And lolled back, stretching his legs. His pants fell away. Carefully drawing it out, I beheld what I held. The circumcised head was a work of mastercraft With perfectly beveled rim of unusual weight And the friendliest red. Even relaxed, the shaft Was of noble dimensions with the wrinkles that indicate Singular powers of extension. For a second or two, It lay there inert, then suddenly stirred in my hand, Then paused as if frightened or doubtful of what to do. And then with a violent jerk began to expand. By soundless bounds it extended and distended, by quick Great leaps it rose, it flushed, it rushed to its full size. Nearly nine inches long and three inches thick, A royal column, ineffably solemn and wise. I tested its length and strength with a manual squeeze. I bunched my fingers and twirled them about the knob. I stroked it from top to bottom. I got on my knees. I lowered my head. I opened my mouth for the job. But he pushed me gently away. He bent down. He unlaced His shoes. He removed his socks. Stood up. Shed His pants altogether. Muscles in arms and waist Rippled as he whipped his T-shirt over his head. I scanned his tan, enjoyed the contrast of brown Trunk against white shorts taut around small Hips. With a dig and a wriggle he peeled them down. I tore off my clothes. He faced me, smiling. I saw all. The gorgeous organ stood stiffly and straightly out With a slight flare upwards. At each beat of his heart it threw An odd little nod my way. From the slot of the spout Exuded a drop of transparent viscous goo. The lair of hair was fair, the grove of a young man, A tangle of curls and whorls, luxuriant but couth. Except for a spur of golden hairs that fan To the neat navel, the rest of the belly was smooth. Well hung, slung from the fork of the muscular legs, The firm vase of his sperm, like a bulging pear, Cradling its handsome glands, two herculean eggs, Swung as he came towards me, shameless, bare. We aligned mouths. We entwined. All act was clutch, All fact contact, the attack and the interlock Of tongues, the charms of arms. I shook at the touch Of his fresh flesh, I rocked at the shock of his cock. Straddling my legs a little I inserted his divine Person between and closed on it tight as I could. The upright warmth of his belly lay all along mine. Nude, glued together for a minute, we stood. I stroked the lobes of his ears, the back of his head And the broad shoulders. I took bold hold of the compact Globes of his bottom. We tottered. He fell on the bed. Lips parted, eyes closed, he lay there, ripe for the act. Mad to be had, to be felt and smelled. My lips Explored the adorable masculine tits. My eyes Assessed the chest. I caressed the athletic hips And the slim limbs. I approved the grooves of the thighs. I hugged, I snuggled into an armpit. I sniffed The subtle whiff of its tuft. I lapped up the taste Of its hot hollow. My fingers began to drift On a trek of inspection, a leisurely tour of the waist. Downward in narrowing circles they playfully strayed. Encroached on his privates like poachers, approached the prick, But teasingly swerved, retreated from meeting. It betrayed Its pleading need by a pretty imploring kick. “Shall I rim you?” I whispered. He shifted his limbs in assent. Turned on his side and opened his legs, let me pass To the dark parts behind. I kissed as I went The great thick cord that ran back from his balls to his arse. Prying the buttocks aside, I nosed my way in Down the shaggy slopes. I came to the puckered goal. It was quick to my licking. He pressed his crotch to my chin. His thighs squirmed as my tongue wormed in his hole. His sensations yearned for consummation. He untucked His legs and lay panting, hot as a teen-age boy. Naked, enlarged, charged, aching to get sucked, Clawing the sheet, all his pores open to joy. I inspected his erection. I surveyed his parts with a stare From scrotum level. Sighting along the underside Of his cock, I looked through the forest of pubic hair To the range of the chest beyond rising lofty and wide. I admired the texture, the delicate wrinkles and the neat Sutures of the capacious bag. I adored the grace Of the male genitalia. I raised the delicious meat Up to my mouth, brought the face of its hard-on to my face. Slipping my lips round the Byzantine dome of the head, With the tip of my tongue I caressed the sensitive groove. He thrilled to the trill. “That’s lovely!” he hoarsely said. “Go on! Go on!” Very slowly I started to move. Gently, intently, I slid to the massive base Of his tower of power, paused there a moment down In the warm moist thicket, then began to retrace Inch by inch the smooth way to the throbbing crown. Indwelling excitements swelled at delights to come As I descended and ascended those thick distended walls. I grasped his root between left forefinger and thumb And with my right hand tickled his heavy voluminous balls. I plunged with a rhythmical lunge steady and slow, And at every stroke made a corkscrew roll with my tongue. His soul reeled in the feeling. He whimpered “Oh!” As I tongued and squeezed and rolled and tickled and swung. Then I pressed on the spot where the groin is joined to the cock, Slipped a finger into his arse and massaged him from inside. The secret sluices of his juices began to unlock. He melted into what he felt. “O Jesus!” he cried. Waves of immeasurable pleasures mounted his member in quick Spasms. I lay still in the notch of his crotch inhaling his sweat. His ring convulsed round my finger. Into me, rich and thick, His hot spunk spouted in gouts, spurted in jet after jet.

My guess is that airlines will be a bit cautious to see if Thailand really does open this time. The government keeps push the dates and even though the PM announced this, it hasn't been approved health officials yet. Fully vaccinated rates are still under 35%. Until more seats are added prices will be high. There's also a lot of pent up demand. I've stayed at the Crowne Plaza several times. It's a nice hotel in a good location. The only drawback for me is the need to take 2 elevators whenever you come or go. One from the street to the lobby and then another from the lobby to your room and vice versa.

From Reuters / BP Asia's airlines ramp up flights, offers SYDNEY/SINGAPORE: Asia-Pacific airlines have lost billions of dollars this year, with jets grounded in Covid-19 transportation freezes. Now, as some of the world's strictest pandemic-related travel rules begin to ease, they're ramping up flights and ticket offers. Asian travel agencies and carriers told Reuters they're seeing a surge in bookings and travel enquiries as countries like Malaysia and Vietnam allow domestic flights to resume from this week after months of strict lockdowns. India is lifting a domestic capacity cap, while Singapore, Thailand and Fiji are opening without quarantine to vaccinated international travellers from select countries. While airline industry group IATA does not expect a significant improvement in Asia-Pacific international travel until "later in 2022", predicting cumulative losses of $11.2 billion this year, narrowing to $2.4 billion next year,carriers from AirAsia Group to VietJet Aviation , Singapore Airlines, Fiji Airways and Qantas are already increasing capacity. "The most important thing is practically all governments in the Asia-Pacific region with maybe one or two exceptions are abandoning their Covid-zero strategies and moving to a sort of Covid-normal framework," said Association of Asia Pacific Airlines director-general Subhas Menon. "Vaccination rates are also beginning to ramp up." While curbs are easing, a full return to normal operations is a long way off. IATA estimates global aviation industry losses from the pandemic will be a towering $200 billion for 2020-22, and losses in Asia alone were close to $50 billion in 2020. International travel in the Asia-Pacific region was at around 4% of 2019 levels in August. And though the relaxation of restrictions will open the way for some tourism, initially it will mean a comparative trickle: Thailand expects only around 100,000 foreign visitors this year, down from nearly 40 million in 2019. Still, there's pent-up demand from those who have longed to be able to take a break overseas. Dickson Ng, a 24-year-old consultant based in Singapore, said he plans to travel to Europe in January. "We don't know if these VTLs (vaccinated travel lanes) could be rescinded, right now there's opportunity and there's Covid-19, so I think getting out of the country will be a good thing," he said. Meanwhile, Fiji Airways has had thousands of bookings since the country on Sunday announced it would open borders to vaccinated travellers from some destinations on Dec 1, the vast majority from Australians, an airline spokesperson said. Some carriers are already promoting bargain fares. Vietnamese low-cost carrier VietJet is offering some free domestic one-way tickets, excluding taxes and fees, while Malaysia's AirAsia has fares as low as 12 ringgit ($2.88) as it ramps up flights. AirAsia said traffic to its mobile app had surged by more than 140% since the government relaxed domestic travel rules. But Singapore has capped the number of arrivals under its VTL programme at 3,000 a day in total, a tiny fraction of pre-pandemic traffic, a move that has kept ticket prices higher. Singapore tour agency Chan Brothers Travel said enquiries had increased 50-fold in the last week since VTLs were added to more countries including South Korea, the United States and Britain. Return economy-class fares from Singapore to South Korea have nearly doubled to around S$1500 ($1,107.50) from S$800 previously, a spokesperson at Singapore's Dynasty Travel said. "Some travellers may wait for the initial price surge for flights to pass, but we can expect quite a number of travellers taking to the skies by the first half of 2022," she said. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2197207/asias-airlines-ramp-up-flights-offers

I suppose we tend to place most great writers, poets, composers and others who have handed down to us works of great beauty on a kind of pedestal. We think of them more for their traditional works than themselves as people and conveniently forget about any less savoury works they may have penned. Anyone who has seen the play or the movie "Amadeus" by Peter Schaffer will know that our ideal of Mozart as a precious, intelligent and delicate composer of some of the most divine and gorgeous music ever written is quite wrong. He was a man with youthful desires and frequently mixed with common folk. Amongst the works he has left for posterity is a series of six pornographic canons (a canon being a work where a short melody will eventually be repeated by a series of other voices). The best known is this one which best translates as "Lick my Ass". A similar one starts "Lick My Ass Nicely, Lick it Nice and Clean". In another, the last four lines in the expurgated edition are "Very gently, sleep resting well, Good night! Have sweet dreams, Until the morning breaks!" The text that Mozart wrote is actually "Good night, good night, Shit in your bed and make it burst; Good night, sleep tight, And stick your ass to your mouth." More scatalogical and certainly not outright pornographic as is Auden's poem, but then the times were very different. When then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher saw "Amadeus" at the National Theatre, she was not happy at its depiction of Mozart. She said to the director. Peter Hall, "In her best headmistress style, she gave me a severe wigging for putting on a play that depicted Mozart as a scatological imp with a love of four-letter words. It was inconceivable, she said, that a man who wrote such exquisite and elegant music could be so foul-mouthed. I said that Mozart's letters proved he was just that: he had an extraordinarily infantile sense of humour ... "I don't think you heard what I said", replied the Prime Minister. "He couldn't have been like that". That was the end of any discussion.

Would love to hear Patrick Stewart read that poem. ❤️

@Ruthrieston thank you so much for that amazing post. It was beautifully written. I appreciate such honesty and sharing. It helps me to learn more about you and your life. Truly fascinating. I definitely think you should write a book about your experiences. I would buy the first copy. Thank you for being a part of this community.

In my early teenage years in a small Scottish town I was so scared of being gay that I tried to kill myself three times, one of which almost worked. I was also sexually abused by the son of a coupe who were close friends of my parents, he was a soldier in his early twenties, just back from his second tour in Northern Ireland during the worst of the 'troubles". I got away from him when he tried to rape me in some bushes by the river and ran into a policemen. My treatment by the police was appalling. I was around 13 years old. They put me in the back of the police car next to my abuser. At fourteen I converted from the Scottish Presbyterian Church to the Roman Catholic Church, and at 18 I entered a silent, enclosed monastery, Latin Office and Mass sung in Plainchant daily. The Abbey was built in 1230, semi-ruined still and we were restoring it. Seven years there, with a community who were good, holy men. They respected me, accepted me. No messing about, we lived in separate cells and were silent. Those years of safety and peace enabled me to accept myself as a gay man. The Benedictine rule requires the community to have a secret vote on whether a new monk can be received into vows, and a two thirds plus one vote is required as a minimum. The Abbot told me my vote was unanimous. That was the day I knew there was nothing wrong with me. Three years later I left, and started to live my life at the age of twenty five. I became a nurse. During my three years training to be a Registered Nurse I also volunteered on Gay Switchboard, a phone help line for gay people. Sorry if this is too boring, I shall shut up now!

As soon as I saw a message from a local friend about the news on lifting the quarantine requirements for the fully vaccinated visitors from "low risk" countries, I started looking up on the flights and hotels. Surprisingly, the flights to BKK from my hometown are super expensive. So, I am holding on booking the flights at this time. But I went ahead and reserved a room at our well known Raya hotel (for a refundable room). If things turn out to be as being expected and planned, I am going to be in BKK from the end of Dec to the early Jan. I am hoping to meet forum members if anyone happens to be around at the same time. Keeping all my digits and appendages crossed!

From Bangkok Post CHON BURI: The Pattaya City Municipality is planning five major events to boost tourism after fully vaccinated visitors from low-risk countries begin to enter the kingdom from Nov 1. Pattaya mayor Sonthaya Khunplome on Tuesday said the reopening of the country to fully vaccinated visitors without quarantine would revitalise the tourism industry, particularly in this beach city where the Covid-19 outbreak has crippled tourism. In responding to the reopening plan, the Pattaya mayor said the end of the quarantine requirement would be be a major driving force to stimulate tourism and draw more international visitors to Pattaya. Pattaya City is fully prepared to open its doors to tourists as it has sped up Covid-19 vaccinations for people living in the beach town, including workers -- both Thais and migrants -- and foreign expats, he said. More than 70% of people in Pattaya have received a second dose of Covid-19 vaccines while a third shot has been administered to 100% of the population on Koh Lan, a popular island, said the mayor. On top of those measures, the Pattaya City Municipality is also planning to hold five major tourism promotion events, starting from the first week of November. The events are the Pattaya Music Festival, Loy Krathong, International Fireworks, the Na Klua Walking Street fair and the Pattaya countdown, the mayor said. Damrongkiat Pinitkarn, secretary to the Entertainment Venues and Tourism Association in Pattaya, said the prime minister’s announcement that the ban on serving alcoholic beverages in restaurants could be lifted on Dec 1 was good news for business operators and employees, allowing them to get back on their feet after months of hardship during the Covid-19 outbreak. He agreed with the government’s plan to allow entertainment venues to reopen on Dec 1, one month after the country is reopened to fully vaccinated foreign visitors from low-rik countries without quarantine on Nov 1. This would enable entertainment business operators to assess the situation and see which groups of visitors would arrive in Thailand during the reopening of the country -- from America, Europe or Asia -- so services could be adjusted to meet the their needs, said Mr Damrongkiat. He insisted nightspots were ready for the reopening of the country. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2196667/pattaya-plans-5-major-events-after-country-reopens-to-fully-vaccinated-tourists

One more...looks like it's been around awhile. https://thailandeventguide.com/blog/2020/10/14/krubb-bangkok-thai-lgbtq/

I found this link: https://krubbbangkok.com/overview/ Looks inviting.

You're right, rooms at Crowne Plaza Lumpini Park are not as big as at The Raya. When I last stayed there (at Crowne), I had no problems bringing a guest to my room

I am singling out for comment these items from that article. The avert site below dated 7 August 2020 confirms that the number of new infections of HIV among the general population is indeed declining in Thailand. That figure is impressive - a fall of 59% between 2010 and 2018. This represents the steepest decline in the Asia Pacific region. Sadly, though, it reconfirms that the number of MSM already infected with HIV in Bangkok is 29% whereas it is between 12% and 15% in the country as a whole. But, and I believe this is important, those figures come from two different time periods. The country as a whole is from 2018; that for MSM in Bangkok from 2015. The Bangkok figures has constantly been repeated on all manner of sites ever since then, including this one. Has there really been no change in the number since then? As referred to below, the number seems to have increased, albeit only slightly. Some years ago, another sad statistic was the much higher increase in the rate of HIV infections among young people in the 18-21 age range. Equally, condom use in this age group is low, despite the launch in 2016 of a three year programme to increase condom awareness and to issue 40 million free condoms annually amongst this age group. Part of the reason may be that while sex eduction courses in schools are now common, 'sensitive' subjects like abortion and MSM are often omitted from that part of the curriculum. The site points out that in 2016 only 45% of youngsters in the 15-24 age grouping had "adequate knowledge" of how to prevent HIV. Almost certainly as a result new sexually transmitted infections continue to rise in this group. This seems to be borne out by comments in gay forums about the lack of condom use in the gay saunas primarily targeted at Thais on the outskirts of the Bangkok. Avert suggests that more testing and more education is vital to bring the numbers down. A more detailed site hivhub titled "Thailand Ending AIDS" is dated 2018 and covers the period 1 October 2016 to 30 September 2017. It relates to what was then the current situation and how Thailand could meet its target of ending AIDS by 2030. This states the rate of HIV amongst MSM in Bangkok as slightly higher at 30.2%. This report stresses a number of issues relating to how figures are poorly collated between several agencies, the need for a much larger outreach programme for young people, and the need for many more at risk people to be tested, especially MSM, which happens to be the lowest level for testing and finding out the result (only 54.6%). It adds that many Thais are having their first sexual experiences at an earlier age. 3% claimed to have started at age 13. Although this number is relatively small, it adds that the number of those having sex under 15 is increasing. I apologise that this post veers off the main topic about blood transfusions. In general I agree that the overall situation in Thailand, particularly as outlined in the two reports below, remains too uncertain. I don't mind not being able to donate blood. I donate to the Red Cross instead. That means I am still doing something. Others will certainly disagree with my view. https://www.avert.org/professionals/hiv-around-world/asia-pacific/thailand https://hivhub.ddc.moph.go.th/Download/Report/APR/2018/EN_GAM 2018.pdf

I haven't stayed at Crowne at Lumpini, but every other country i have stayed Crowne there is no issues with joiners. Western chains, particularly any 4 stars or above will not hassle you over guests or joiner fees.

I suspect many of us have been more or less in the same boat. I do sincerely hope you will consider writing more about your past experiences, especially all the many thoughts that must have been flowing through your mind during all those years of silence.

If you are prepared take a flight with an intermediate stop there are plenty of good flights on offer. You do not have to go via the Middle East either! Swiss is a very good example. Daily Direct London to Bangkok flights, as before , will not be seen for some time!

Very kind, thank you TotallyOz. I think keeping to myself in my condo, not meeting friends since early April has meant that I have done too much thinking and remembering.

Frustrating though it is, I'm waiting until the middle of January. I want the place to liven-up, with hotels, restaurants and bars fully open. Reopening will not happen over-night. Remember that most hotels, even those which have kept up maintenance, will need to re-staff. There will also be more flights available and at better prices. At the moment (though this may change) EVA are only offering two LHR/BKK flights a month. Restructuring timetables, perhaps bringing back into use mothballed planes, will also take time. Sorry to be the harbinger of unwelcome advice, Mateo, but my advice is to wait. if you want a taste of what you would be seeing if you went too soon, check out recent You Tube videos of boarded-up shops, empty sois and queues for food hand-outs.

It depends on your taste ,I am into 18-20 y.o. gay ,slim and smooth boys and they absolutely enthusiastic for long term trip around Colombia I guess older muscle twinks have more business like approach and prefer on line sex or short sessions only . Moreover ,cum guys can see how much you spend on the website according to your colour user , The more you spend will improve your chances to attract them to meet you.

Utterly fascinating. After what you have been through you deserve a pleasant (and gay) retirement.

I wonder who was your best and worst Bond actor? I suspect George Lazenby, the former used car salesman and model who replaced the irreplaceable Sean Connery, will be at the top of most readers' lists for the worst. He had met the producer Cubby Broccoli when they were having their hair cut in the same barber shop. His co-star Diana Rigg did not enjoy working with him. "I can no longer cater for his obsession with himself." she said, adding, "He is utterly, unbelievably, bloody impossible!" Desmond Llewellyn who played Q in many Bond movies was no kinder. "How can you expect someone who's never acted before to take on a leading role?" Amazingly, although he had first been offered a contract for seven Bond movies, he did just the one. Thankfully! Roger Moore? I totally disliked the use of silly comedy throughout many of his Bond movies. He was always too lightweight and I enjoyed none. I actually enjoyed Timothy Dalton who started to bring back more drama and daring. Pierce Brosnan never convinced me even though many really liked his portrayal and believed he would be impossible to replace. To me he was just Pierce Brosnan being Pierce Brosnan, the actor acting a part. Is it age that results in Connery being top of my list? Or the fact that the genre was so new and so exciting in those days? Perhaps, but he is still my top Bond. That said, Daniel Craig has grown on me and seems a better Bond for our time. I hope his swan song will consolidate his reputation in the role.

And I hope a McDonald’s or a KFC never surfaces on the island of Cuba. Dominicans have gotten more obese and less into fitness since the spread of American fast food restaurants on their side of Hispaniola. That being said, the island of Cuba is much more Afrocentric than you may realize. Many of the “white” Cubans or their families left for Miami (and bite like white Florida Republicans), while the black Cubans remain on the island. Black Americans and Black Europeans get treated very well there and are privy to some very interesting private conversations about Afro-Cuban life. The Castros may have been a lot of bad things, but they were very pro-Black diaspora. I actually have a Black American female friend who went to medical school there for free, because she was African-American. Although it is improving a bit, the DR suffers from horrible colorism issues, which manifests itself through a virulently racist and colorist anti-Haitian public policy. Black Americans and Black Europeans are normally insulated from the brunt of this, but we can still witness it and it is troubling. Someone above tried to throw in classism, conveniently ignoring that, especially in Latin and South America, classism and race / color are intertwined.

I use a google pixel and use their google fi service. I believe it’s available in 200 some countries. But it’s amazing to land anywhere and get cell and data service.

Nope. They couldn’t care less. There is a doorman at nights who is unlikely to look up from his phone. Reception is upstairs and you will only have to walk past it if your room is on that floor but from other’s comments I’d say it’s highly unlikely they will care either.

I know this is not a popular choice on this forum but I always stay at the Crowne Plaza Lumpini park. Visitor friendly etc. yes it’s more expensive but I don’t mind the cost for the service, room quality and location.

There's a Holiday Inn Express & Suites on the main street on the north side of Chaperino and close to the masseur saunas. It's extremely nice (and impresses friends) and I had no trouble the 1 time I took a guest in (I had reserved and paid for 2, btw). It's on 67th. (There's another further north on 92nd in the nice financial/entertainment district.) There's an Embassy Suites by Hilton very close also that I may try next time. International chains are usually easier to bring guests than strictly local hotels. https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/bogota/bogbo/hoteldetail?cm_mmc=GoogleMaps-_-EX-_-CO-_-BOGBO https://embassysuites3.hilton.com/en/hotels/colombia/embassy-suites-by-hilton-bogota-rosales-BOGESES/index.html?SEO_id=GMB-ES-BOGESES

Currently in Medellin and I really am not feeling the men here. The guys on the streets are hot, even the homeless Colombian guys, but the guys you can actually have fun time with are just so so. Club Tobi was a complete bust there were no guys there at all biggest waste of money to enter a venue in my life, the hot tub was a lukewarm tub, it was so so sad. Went to Ferchos as well the guys are just not what you want, I pretended I was super drunk so I could leave this dude who was chatting me up, there was no way in hell I was going in a private room with him. CAVEAT (This is a Thursday/Wednesday adventure so far and it could be completely different tomorrow). Grindr dudes are gross, it's like how the ugly stripper gravitates to you and you think how the fuck are they working here and what makes him/her think I'm interested, can't they see I'm purposely avoiding eye contact. I get messages from scorts all the time and I didn't even post I was looking for scorts, literally all I said is I am visiting and my Spanish is bad. If you do go with one of these dudes, meet them somewhere public first because they are quick to try and come to your spot but with fakes or real pictures that are photo shopped to make them look taller and more muscular. You do not want to try and get rid of a dude who traveled to you and now expects some type of payment for traveling even though you requested a whole other person than who showed up. Also, those guys that are on the other side on the Cathedral on calle 57a & Oriental are not really dangerous. They are refugees from Venezuela that are doing "odd jobs" for money. I was the first American they met and they were actually nice, just practice some caution but you should do that anyway. If you show people decency they won't usually try to hurt you in my experience. Additionally, Parque Bolivar is under construction and the Cathedral steps are largely inhabited by refugee Venezuelans and the side walks are strewn with people from there after dark, It's really is a sad situation. Now I will preface I am a big man who would hardly go down without a fight, which is why I usually get to go to the most dangerous drug infested cartel areas with no problems, and have never been mugged.The funny thing is all the people keep telling me to be safe, even the people that are supposed to be the danger. I did have my passport stolen in TJ in El Centro but the motherfucker came in the room in a moment of passion with someone else and grabbed my pants and hauled ass out of there. If I see his ass again it's on like Donkey Kong. So while the sexy-time here is not the paradise that people on other posts have stated, Medellin is still really a cool place to visit with a great bar scene. The people are genuinely nice and honest people and are not racist. I will say that there is some type of institutional bias in the country as you can see Afro-Latinos aren't in many positions of power but everyday racism like in the Good Ole USA is not here and sudo-segregation is not practiced like it is in Chicago and other parts of the US . My suggestion is to stay away from Poblado it's nothing but gringos and the things that people think gringos like, such as MacDonalds, Dominoes, Subway, Hooters, ect.. If your an American you will hate the way you see your people behave here so I say go local so you don't see tourists and the trappings of tourists. The police are everywhere here, they are actually great, really professional but also laid back unlike the corrupt cops you can get in Mexico.