Mavica

If you are a citizen or permanent resident of the USA, my understanding is that it's a violation of USA federal law to travel abroad and have sex with someone under the age of 18 - no matter the age of consent adopted by a particular foreign nation which may be less. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/2423

I've read many of your comments, and a good number of them demonstrate you are judgmental about others. I'm wondering, are you merely shining a light on many of your own personal problems ... or do you have specialized training?

A substantial age difference, coupled with cultural/language differences can be a prescription for disagreement and disappointment all-around. I'll suggest that relatively few such relationships survive any length of time. But, yes, there are those that do work - daddy/son - and financial and emotional security will almost always be the reasons - for the younger of the two and the financial support the farang will provide the younger man's family. "Love", well, it's subjectively defined. Many "straight" relationships are no different. Money and other security is the glue that binds. And, yes, each of us ... both sides of the relationship - take what we can for our own reasons. Hopefully, we do this without abuse of any sort.

Oh, please! "American failure ..." is a bit melodramatic. So, if the USA has failed in the still developing situation ... which countries have gotten it right and whose advance preparations were the best or better?

Yes, I'm hoping some readers will become better informed. But it has to be said that any unapologetic boasting of dangerous sex practices ... which clearly can have a negative and health-threatening impact not only the boys but some of us who post here and travel to Thailand or elsewhere - should remind us that when we sleep, have sex, with money boys or Grindr dates, etc. we are potentially sleeping with the others they've slept with. Let's remember the threats we ourself can present to so many other people by our own bad behaviors. Ok, enough said. If I posted what I really think I'll likely be reprimanded by the Moderator. But there are comments in this discussion that do call out for repeated reminders of our responsibilities.

Thank you for the comments, and the link to the Politico article in another posting. Strategic supplies of Smallpox vaccines and the relatively recent Jynneos vaccine (with a cross use for Monkeypox) have been underfunded for decades. Jynneos was not approved for use in the USA until late-September 2019 - about 3 years ago. Recently published reports say first confirmed cases of Monkeypox in the USA occurred in July and November 2021, though it was presented in certain areas of Africa long before then. Remember, too, that Smallpox was not considered a health threat in the USA, Monkeypox was not considered a real threat yet and the funding for certain stockpiles was redirected to other emerging priorities. Though certain specialized segments / teams in a couple of US Federal health agencies knew of Monkeypox in Africa (maybe elsewhere), I think it's an exaggeration to say the "US federal government" knew of the risk to the USA "for over a decade." Were concerns passed along to the senior officials in the Executive Branch, or the U.S. Congress? I read many news sources daily and I don't recall reading or hearing the name "Monkeypox" before a couple or several months ago. And given the focus on COVID the past couple of years I'll suggest there was an understandable preoccupation with responding to that pandemic ... by national leaders. President Biden has been in office less than 2 years, so placing blame at his feet for a shortage of Smallpox or the additional vaccine which was approved 9 months after his ascent to the Presidency, is misplaced. Segments of the gay community can help to substantially slow the spread of Monkeypox. For that to happen requires a change in behavior, and there are gay men who I sense will refuse to make that change. A change of behavior is what led to, but was not solely responsible for, the proliferation of HIV and the tragic deaths of so many gay men ... and others. We read comments on these forums from gay men who engage in high risk behavior. And those who do that endanger many more of us. Thank you for your comments and further information.

Just who is it, which government worldwide anticipated, the appearance of Monkeypox? Biden? Ignorant to suggest that, by anyone. Listen, many gays aren't old enough to have lived through HIV/AIDS. Stop the dangerous behavior and the infections will not spread as quickly. We are responsible for our health, not the "government."

Yes. And, frankly ... isn't that what we want to "hear"? The flattering, the petting/touching the short time sex? But ... not much of the request for more money. 😍

IMO, an insane behavior. Careless to all concerned, and those who follow. Did we learn nothing the height of HIV, Monkeypox, STDs of all sorts?

Those of us who engage in irresponsible / dangerous or unsafe activities must be honest with our healthcare providers. Physicians have seen it all, and being less than candid is deceptive and curtails our good healthcare and the health of those others we interact with.

I've never seen poppers sold in other than brown bottles, and, FYI, poppers are used by many tops. My view of poppers, as someone who used them earlier in life: I stopped decades ago because of the dangers. To each his own.

LOL! 🙄

I'm not as judgmental of others. I prefer to let others live their lives as they want, without criticizing. 😀

I try not to be so judgmental of the lives of others.

Calle Amberes, where that hotel and many gay bars are located ... is a cesspool. Filthy. Abandoned buildings, etc. Visit the street for entertainment, okay. Stay either in Colonia Roma Norte or Santa Maria de la Ribera. Hotel Embassy in Roma Norte or Hotel Santa Maria in Santa Maria de la Ribera are both gay friendly and situated in good neighborhoods.

I don't use Uber in Mexico City. Too much fraudulent activity, IMO. Instead, I recommend using, from the airport, "authorized" taxi's from "Sitio 300" for which you can pre-pay the drive at a kiosk at the airport. Authorized taxi's from the airport offer safe and secure trips to your hotel/destination for a pittance in comparison to taxi prices it the USA. I've been doing this for the past 30+ years.

Yes. But there are some persons confused about that, such as former U.S. President Bill Clinton. 🙄

I retired at 66, moved to Florida (USA) ... and have been working part-time 2x weekly for six years now. Seniors in the USA are working longer, oftentimes part-time. My behavior is to mind my own business and not expect others to live a life I choose to live. I don't consider my lifestyle a waste of time.

And to that I repeat an earlier suggestion of yours"

Any country you visit or live in has some of the people you seem so very concerned about. I live my life, and partake in my entertainment, for me ... not to please others. Of course there may be situations, worldwide, where we find ourselves in danger because of an outward expression of affection when in public. I confine romantic expressions to places where I can be private. I don't care what someone else thinks.

I'm a prostate cancer survivor, thankfully, and I can attest to a dramatic shrinking of my penis as an surgical after-result. Tough to deal with for a guy who was a 90 percent top.

I've been toying with a return visit to Rio. However, probably not until the pox risk diminishes ... particularly so because I'd be spending time in the saunas. I feel similarly about visiting (primarily for sex purposes) other destinations.

I don't know that "younger gay tourists seem wealthier". Not post-COVID. Travel costs more today than it did several years ago. The worldwide economic situation is not favorable for many, currently. North American gay tourists seem to more frequently visit Mexico, Brazil, etc. It's closer, less expensive, and there seem to be plentiful opportunities to find play for pay relationships.

Mexico, though, has an income/asset test/requirement in order to obtain a residency visa.

I think this is an overly broad statement.