From time to time here in Rio I get chatted up by someone I don’t know, ostensibly a tourist, and am asked questions about the availability of sex tourism here. My standard response is that I don’t have any information or any interest. Why do I answer this way?

Well, right now I’m watching a “documentary” on BBC about the sex trade allegedly involving underage girls in the Phils, specifically those girls working the AC clubs. What was interesting to me was that they broadcast what was apparently hidden camera footage of the insides of the clubs, including the girls crowded on stage in their bikinis, the bar, the booths, and…THE CUSTOMERS!

I don't know how one can avoid being video'd as were the hobbyists in Angeles City, but you all might consider that when you are asked pointed questions from “curious” strangers, in reality you may be being recorded and videotaped, and respond accordingly…that is, unless you really do want to see your mug on TV some night sitting in a bar in a foreign land with your arm around and young-looking sweetie.

SF Hombre -

Back in the early 90s I used to attend the Wet-Butt contests held in AC at the Crows Nets (name probably changed since then). During the contest they would videotape the event to sell the tapes later for profit.

In the late 90s a tabloid news TV show got a hold of one of these Wett-Butt contest tapes from the Swagman Hotel in Olongapo where numerous US Navy personnel were in attendance. I'm not sure exactly what kind of trouble our military guys(just having fun watching) got into, but I can only imagine it wasn't good.

Investigative reporters, sex industry vigilantes, bible thumpers hell-bent on exposing sinners, even government agencies collecting evidence should expanding and ever intrucive laws provide enough lattitude to prosecute, is really scary.

SF Hombre, your response towards the stranger's questions was probably the smart thing to do.

And just as a personal disclaimer here for my future self-defense...everything I write on this board may not be true, could be a fabrication or an embellishment of a creative mind for entertainment purposes only.

AJ