People I Meet

I need to put more effort into starting small talk.

In Mexico I was talking to the guy who was cleaning the Airbnb I stayed at.  Jorge was his name.  It was in a mix of English and Spanish.  Turns out he is from Cuba.  His English was fairly good, and I asked him where he learned it.  "I lived in the U.S. for a while -- until I was deported," he told me with a laugh.  I think this was pre-Trump, fortunately for him lest he end up at Cecot.  We briefly talked about whether Cuba might become the 51st state.  "I knew you would ask me that," he told me, laughing again.  Interesting to hear his perspective although I didn't completely understand him.

My bf and I rented a car and drove around the Yucatan.  It was easier than I thought it would be.  We drove through many small villages.  Dogs sleeping in the middle of the road -- and they didn't move for us.   I had to go around them.  A completely different world.  My reaction was I can't believe people actually live here.  But that's my perspective as an American that I need to put in check.  The fact is that they do, and are probably happier than many Americans.  Driving outside the city wasn't bad.   There is no way I would drive in Mexico City.  I was explaining to my bf how expensive it is if you get into an accident with a rental car.  I prevailed and we got the insurance. 

I have plans now into July.  I'm at home for an eight week stretch now and fighting boredom.  Thinking about the fall.....what should I do?  Maybe Spain and Morocco.  

 

And for the Next Act....

 

Depends how long it takes to wrap up this Iran thing....but probably by the end of the summer we will have invaded Cuba.  I wonder if the Cuban people will be thankful?   I'm guessing they will be.

Different Perspective

 

I was at a seminar a few days ago.  One guy at my table introduced himself, telling us he was from Iran.  He's 29 years old and had won the green card lottery.  The conversation turned to how does he feel about the new war.  He told us Trump has done everyone in the Iran a huge favor.  This is what most people in Iran wanted, and Trump is the only one with enough courage to do it.  He was explaining that while he is religious, he doesn't support the religious extremism that the regime forces on everyone.  The economy is devastated.  He would never be able to get a job there.  He's very happy for the war.  It's fine with him if Reza Pahlavi, the Crown Prince, returns as the country leader.   He said he would like a shirt with a huge picture of Trump on it.

Wow.  What a different perspective. 

What I'm Watching

 

I had mixed emotions with this film.  Don't get me wrong, it's a good film.  I was feeling uneasy about Colin, until the end.  I guess this is what some people like.  

It's worth watching and I'll be interested in reactions. 

Back from Mexico

 

Back from ten days in Yucatan Mexico.  Good to have an adventure and change of scenery.  I'm really impressed with Merida.  I felt very safe there and it didn't seem "over-touristed".  We rented a car and drove to some smaller towns in Yucatan.  Otherwise traveled by train and bus.

Now I have eight weeks until my next trip.  A priority will be to amp up my fitness regimen.  I'm stuck on weight (despite IF, 1500 calories, cardio and lifting) and trying to push past that. 

Now I need to figure out what I will do later in the year.  Maybe it won't be safe for Americans to travel outside the US by that time.  An angry world won't want us.  The next month will be telling. 

Bored

 

I'm so happy to get out of town for ten days.  I'm bored staying at home.  A change of scenery will be refreshing.  I'm busy making notes of sights and restaurants I want to see.

I need to make some changes when I get back.  

Three month trips are looking more and more appealing.  I don't think I could stand to hang out here for Jan, Feb, March next year.  This winter was too cold for me.  That will be the first long trip I think. 

I haven't seen my bf since the beginning of January.  This long distance relationship is becoming difficult for me.  After these ten days together, I'll see him again in May, and then he will come to my place for a few weeks.  I miss him in my bed.  

 

Grindr Blocked

Malaysia doesn't often appear in news headlines here in the U.S., so I was surprised to see this headline: 

Grindr, Blued Blocked in Malaysia as Anti-LGBTQ+ Push Widens

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, the country’s Internet regulator, is “examining several legislative measures to curb these applications.”   The article goes on to discuss the increasingly conservative shift in this predominantly Muslim country.  Other apps that promote "deviant" relationships will also be blocked.  Malaysia has some of Southeast Asia’s strictest laws governing LGBTQ+ people. Same-sex intercourse is outlawed under both a colonial-era sodomy statute and Islamic sharia law applicable to Muslims, with penalties ranging from fines and caning to imprisonment. 

 

This country is adopting a more extreme stance on LGTBQ, but I think we are seeing some of this in many other parts of the world.

 

I remember opening Grindr while I was in Malaysia and a warning popped up:  CAUTION:  You are in a conservative Muslim country.  It is best not to post your face picture and use caution when meeting people. 

 

I met two guys while I was in KL.   Both Malay.  My impression was that Malaysia operated on sort of a "don't ask, don't tell" policy.  One of the guys was devout Muslim and was secretive about his sexuality, but that didn't stop him from meeting guys.   The other guy had told his mum he was gay, probably after a thousand questions about when he would marry.  I was surprised that many local guys posted face pics on Grindr.  There was a gay club not far from my hotel in Bukit Bintang.  Somewhat confusing?  An uneasy recognition of gay people?

 

All this will just force gay people underground.  Things go back to secret apps and underground clubs that were in existence years ago. 

 

Why can't everyone be accepted?