Everyone's Looking for Love

One of the great things about starting Monaga is that I have met some very interesting people. I have met people from all walks of life from many different parts of the world. I've had the pleasure of meeting people who work for/at the U.S. State Dept., the World Bank, IMF, DEA, University professors, District Attornies, Deputy Mayors, Bank Presidents and the like. I have also met many great people who are postal workers, freelance writers, activists, clergy, retail salespeople and bus drivers. We have also had guests from Bali, Germany, Japan, Martinique, France, Spain, Holland and other countries in South America.

One thing that I find that they all have in common, is they are all looking for love. Okay, maybe not "LOVE," but they are looking for something or someone. How else do you explain all the time everyone spends on Adam4Adam and other sites? Of course I don't mean you personally.

When people travel to the Dominican Republic for the first time, most are quite overwhelmed. Many have not had the kind of attention that you get here. Those who have very stressful/successful careers and don't seem to find what they are looking for in the States come here and lose their minds.

I have heard every story, TWICE. There are those who come here and tell me they would NEVER pay for sex, have never, etc., etc. Others come here looking just for buggarones (men who have sex with men for money). Don't get me wrong, it is possible to meet someone here and not pay for sex, BUT, it is very prevalent here. Even when you meet Dominican men who are educated it is still assumed that you will buy the meals, drinks, etc. because you have more money. Just as it is in Brazil, Costa Rica, Thailand and other Third World societies.

In the Dominican Republic, as in other poor countries, prostitution is rampant. Here in the DR it is known that it goes on, but polite society does not like for people to openly discuss this. This is something that has gone on way before I ever heard about the DR, and without changes to people's standard of living, will go on after I'm gone. There are those who believe the sole purpose for Monaga is to promote prostitution. We don't promote prostitution but we fully-acknowledge that it goes on.

Buggarones in the Dominican Republic are notorius. They can sell sand to other Dominicans (and Americans) , that is how good they are. So, imagine what they do to unsuspecting tourists. The tourists that I'm referring to are not uneducated people, quite the contrary, they are usually highly-educated. But they seem to lose all common sense when they meet a beautiful young man who has them believing that they are only in "LOVE" with them.

Inevitably everyone that falls in with a buggarone and gets back to the States will get a phone call. And the song ALWAYS (!) goes like this, someone will need an operation, or there family has no food, or there cell phone was stolen, or my favorite, "mi madre es enferma." One thing you can be certain of is there will a NEED for money, and fast. There are some who are so good and can add tears along with their stories. Or, they can adapt the appeals to whatever they think will make it successful. If you are the principal of a school in Maryland, well they will need money because they want to go to school. If all else fails they will bring over their beautiful baby, or maybe a disabled relative. Or at least they will tell you it's their baby or relative. I have NEVER heard of anyone who has met a buggarone and lived happily ever after. NEVER! Now, if you understand how the game is played and accept that he will be with other people when you are not on the island, that is a different story.

Now, I do know of people that have come here and found happiness. Usually these people try and learn the language and try to integrate into Dominican life. Again, I see the tourists come and go and many people want me to tell them how their new "boyfriend" is doing. I don't get involved.

This brings me back to the main reason for this entry. I got a call from someone who wants me to spy on "his" buggarone/boyfriend and let him know if he is going out with other tourists.

WELL OF COURSE HE IS!!!!!