One of the weirdest things I experienced during my trip to Colombia for LAL expo was… a lot of hidden-under- a-nice-smile-xenophobia from the US sex work community. I haven’t said it publicly yet… but there. I said it. And that made me sad. It also made me determined to go and share my experience- to hopefully break down some stereotypes and misplaced fears.
Colombians are an amazingly fun and welcoming group of people. The parties, the dancing, the dinners… everything was BIG! And Cali was absolutely beautiful. Yes, it’s a big city… but it’s got some charm for sure. I would say it’s biggest draw would be for the clubs and dancing if you are into that scene. We went to Medellin afterwards and while the party scene there was mellower, it was definitely more fun to explore. The public transit there was great and there was so much to do!
The only negative experience we had was when an American (in the industry), in the ONLY room that could possibly see into my hotel room filmed me having sex and sent the video to EVERYONE he knew at the show. I shrugged it off but that was actually kind of violating and not cool. But that was it! Everything else was a blast! We took turns spending the nights at wild parties and staying in to film clips and keep our business going.
As with our other travels we stayed sober and avoided invitations to do drugs (which were plentiful) and other late night excursions. This was all made much easier by traveling with another amazing friend who also parties sober. We had a blast and stayed of trouble. Once again, as I say in Practicing Safe Travel I am not necessarily anti drug… I am just a cautious traveler. I’d rather go on adventures than get put in sticky situations ❤ If I’m going to do drugs I’ll do them at home lol
It was our friend’s first time out of the country so we took her into the city to the central market so she could get an authentic experience. There were only a handful of Americans there, and most of them did not make it outside of the comfortable bubble of the hotel and adjoined mall that we were hosted at. There were a lot of rumors that it was unsafe to travel and I was proud of my friend for trusting us and checking it out! It was magical and we drank guarapo (freshly squeezed sugar cane and lime drink), ate cake and bought all sorts of fun fruit from the market (my favorite was the acai!)
You can see me dancing in the back of a limo at :09 in the above clip! We hopped in with a bunch of friendly VIP’s from Bonga Cams and they were very nice to let us hitch a ride to the white party with them!
LAL was just one of those experiences where you really have to be there to understand how epic it was. These videos do it some justice though. We had such a fabulous time and would recommend it to anyone looking to network within the industry a little differently and experience something new!
If you have any questions feel free to send us a message!
Travel has been a big part of our relationship from the very beginning. Our first trip together was a rambling drive down the California coast, sleeping in our truck…. running out of gas…using our last pennies to buy fish’nchips, beer and cigarettes. Soon we stepped it up and crossed the border into Mexico for a month of bus travel.
Cruising the PCH in our ’91 Chrysler LeBaron.
Nowadays we travel several times a year and have definitely racked up a stack of great memories and hard learned lessons!
The most important pieces of advice we have can be summed up easily:
1. Research country laws before you hop on the plane!
2. Keep your cell phone charged
3. Keep emergency $ and a copy of your passport stashed
4. Do Good, look good, be good
First Things First
Not knowing the laws and travel rules before boarding a plane to a new country can get you in a lot of trouble.
First of all, many countries have visa requirements such as “proof of onward travel”. You can get your ass sent right back to the USA if you are unable to provide proof of onward travel upon entrance to many countries. This is why it’s important to do your research!
As budget travelers we often have one way tickets without clear plans of when we are leaving. To bypass any issues we buy a 100% refundable airline ticket and cancel it after we get through customs.
Doing your research is extra important for sex-workers.
You may live in a place where your work is not only legal but moving towards being de-stigmatized… but the country you are traveling to may be very different. Camming/ Selling clips, all those pics on your phone and computer, that is considered pornography. And pornography is illegal in many places still, including Thailand.
I spoke personally with a traveling self-producing couple who were thrown in jail after police barged into their room while they were filming in Thailand. We had contact after they were released from prison and trying to come up with money to pay the fines, it was truly scary. They feared for their lives. You can read their full story Here . (Full disclosure, this couple had also overstayed their visas.)
While you may hear stories of people getting away with breaking laws… we always err on the side of safety. By doing this we feel more relaxed while traveling and stay safe!
It’s important to do your own research during travel planning. I’m going to include some graphics with examples of the laws as of 2019… Just so you can get an idea of how different the laws can be worldwide.
The following maps visualize the legality of pornography, sex toys, prostitution, and VPN’s worldwide. The penalties for getting caught breaking these laws can range from fines, to imprisonment, public flogging, and the death penalty. So – PLEASE- educate yourself before you travel as a sex worker! Knowledge is key to having a fun and safe time.
Decriminalization – no criminal penalties for prostitution Legalization – prostitution legal and regulated Abolitionism – prostitution is legal, but organized activities such as brothels and pimping are illegal; prostitution is not regulated Neo-abolitionism – illegal to buy sex and for 3rd party involvement, legal to sell sex Prohibitionism – prostitution illegal Legality varies with local laws
Alright. So you’ve done your research, booked your tickets, and you are ready to have a good time. Your next step is to make sure to pack for maximum fun and minimum hassels.
I ALWAYS recommend traveling as light as possible. I know it’s a personal preference, but if you can get away with just a comfortable carry-on backpack your life will be so much easier!
What I packed for 1 year in Costa Rica! This is the trip I started camming on. Though I didn’t have access to costumes and high heels I still totally made it work!
That being said I acknowledge most people (especially sex workers) don’t travel as light as I do. So anyways. Standard advice is to pack no more than 1 weeks worth of clothes, and plan on going to a wash and fold and having laundry done part way through. Really there’s no need for more than one checked bag unless you are bringing some major camera equipment.
I personally just use my cell phone as a camera when traveling. It’s way more discreet and I feel way less anxious carrying around a crappy old phone vs an expensive camera. I do however bring my laptop for editing and streaming. We also bring one LED light panel and stand, which typically gives us enough light without bulking out our luggage or drawing too much attention.
All sex toys should be checked if possible. Remove batteries and seal them in clear plastic bags, that way if you do get searched it’s more comfortable for everyone. Plus it just helps organize and keep everything clean and together. We usually travel with just a dildo and a cute plug… don’t over pack sex toys or costumes. Get creative with locations and roleplay ideas instead!
This is what all the stuff in the last photo packed up into. I could have gone lighter even. In retrospect way too much emergen-c lol.
Make shit easier on yourself
A few things you can do while at home and not worry about later.
Order a bit of cash from the country you are traveling to from your local bank. Save time and money and just have that shit ready to go when you get there.
Nicaraguan money is SO pretty!!!
On that same note, make sure you have a debit card with no foreign transaction fees! We started a CapitalOne 360 account and love it for travel. It saves us so much money.
Another thing we have learned to do is to make a color copy of our passports. We carry those with us while out and about should we need it (some countries you MUST carry ID on you at all times) and keep our passports locked up somewhere safe. Write the emergency #’s and the us embassy’s number on it and carry it with you at all times. I got stopped bike a moto cop while smoking a joint one time. I pitched it but he knew. I swear the only reason I got to walk away was because I had ID on me an also those numbers conspicuously written on it.
Throw in a cheap poncho… never know when you might need it, or when you might need to keep you bag/computer dry! We also bring a large black trashbag for this purpose. Or there are fancy pack covers.
For longterm travel we make sure to add an ultralight water filter or filtration pen, quick dry travel towels, plenty of emergen-c, bandannas, a small first aid kit, and a few big external batteries to our pack. These items can make travling go so much smoother!
Preparing for the inevitable.
I know. Poop talk isn’t sexy. But I’m gunna be real with you. I always end up eating all the street food and at some point getting super sick. But I have learned to be better and be prepared! And now life is so much better. And I am here to share the good word with you… you don’t have to suffer!
So many new foods to try… so little time! Our travels are usually focused on trying new foods in between excursions!
Two step solution:
Step 1. Take pepto preventatively for a few days before and during your trip. This is as prescribed on the bottle. It is the best defense against travelers diarrhea… besides avoiding all the most fun and delicious foods… but who wants to do that?!
Step 2. If you slack off on the pepto or just get sick anyways *treat it immediately!* I don’t know why people wait so long and ruin their trip. Just take some loperimide as directed on the package at the first sign of trouble and save your vacay! Make sure you stick a few pills in your first aid kit before you leave so you don’t have to go searching for a pharmacy.
Destination Party Island
Alright. You land. Everything goes super smooth. You’ve got 50 bucks in your shoe, cell phones charged, light luggage, and you are ready to rock and roll!
Now it’s time to put our fourth and most important piece of advice into action.
“Look Good, Feel Good, Do Good”
It’s really self explanatory… but these words can really guide your trip into a beautiful, fun and safe experience.
Look Good:
Take a shower everyday when possible. Brush your hair. Research and respect cultural norms for the area you are in as far as clothing/coverage goes. Don’t wear flashy jewelry or watches. Dress simply, comfortably, and modestly. Especially until you understand the vibes of the area. When your hair is neat and you appear clean you attract good people and good opportunities ❤ And you will feel better too!
Looking so fresh and so clean in Guatemala!
Feel Good:
You are already clean and looking good. You are in a beautiful new place full of things to do. Take care of your body so you can enjoy it! Stay hydrated, abstain from overindulging in booze or drugs, keep a clear head and an adventurous attitude! We are actually sober travelers- we don’t drink at all, just occasional weed in areas where it is legal or decriminalized. It is the best thing we have ever done for our travels! I know it sounds hard to fathom when you are a habitual pinacolada on the beach drinker… but all that sugar and cheap booze does not make for a fun early morning sunrise hike! You can nurse hangovers in your bed at home… allow yourself to fully experience your travels and don’t feed into the idea that you have to overindulge when traveling. The cheap booze in them bogo drinks is going to RuiN.Yo.DaY if you drink too many! An added bonus is you tend to get away with more sober. Get busted making out on a private beach sober? Show the cops a copy of your ID, apologize profusely, and get sent on your way. Get busted in the same situation drunk? Potentially get hauled to jail for public intoxication… no bueno!
Stay healthy for optimal surf experiences
Do Good:
So now we are looking clean and put together, we have a clear head and are feeling good. How can we make this the safest and most satisfying experience? By always “doing good”. It’s actually really easy. Whenever in doubt- do the “good” thing. Public sex/ sex in sacred areas? Naw brah. Should I leave a good tip? YES! Should I try to buy illegal drugs and risk jail? NO! Should I go to a cultural center to learn more about the area I am visiting ? Hell yeah! Should I hookup with this person? They seem buzzed… Hell Naw! Should I purchase these handmade items to benefit building a new library in town? Helll yas and leave a little donation too!
Ask before you take pictures and support local artists! A couple bucks may not be a lot to you, but to someone else it might be the difference between eating lunch or not.
Just be Good. Be a good representation of your country. Be a good representation of humanity. This is not just to protect the world around you… this will elevate your experience. People notice when you “look good, feel good, do good”. New opportunities arise, you stay out of trouble, you make really cool friends, and you avoid problems. This is the most important piece of advice I have. This is pretty much how I have come out alive from all the crazy, sketchy things I have done while traveling. I surround myself with good people. I make good choices (mooostly). And good things happen to me.
Last piece of advice:
Alright. I know. I sound like your mother. I am actually a fan of going hard when traveling! Late nights,early mornings, saying yes to crazy things… I just like to keep my experiences positive and I want you to travel safely as well. My last piece of advice has literally saved my life before (another story for another time…) : make a few quick contacts on couchsurfing.com before you head down! Get out of your comfort zone and meet up with a local at a coffee shop. Get their advice and perspective on the city. It is also handy in case of emergency to at least have a couple local numbers if you need them. Most people on the app speak English and are happy to help fellow travelers!
Alright babes! Do you have any travel tips/ tricks of your own? Leave it in the comments below!
Oh, the things you can find, if you don’t stay behind.
– Dr. Seuss
It’s Spring of 2020. Our lease ends in June. It’s our first move without a big ol’ dog to consider in 13 years… We have decided to take advantage of all this freedom and move into our camper van!
With our deliciously comfy bed, extensive library, and chic design… we will be traveling in style and comfort. And it didn’t cost us an arm and a leg either.
To be fair. We got a great deal on the van. It was actually our old band’s tour van. When the band broke up we decided to buy everyone out and and remodel it. Yeah, it has some miles… but it also has some great memories.
Let me preface the remodel details by saying: If you are doing a budget remodel on ANYTHING with your significant other you best make damn sure you are in a good place in that relationship first… this project was a pain in the ass!
Tripp and I both have decent carpentry skills… but there is no “Guide to remodeling you Ford E350 ” available and I’m not going to lie, it was not easy! Envisioning things in your mind, agreeing on design, and executing those ideas is. hard. We were also using a lot of salvaged materials which added a bit of work- but saved us a lot of money.
After a ton of going back in forth we decided we wanted to do a kind of elaborate wine barrel style ceiling, wood walls, vinyl plank flooring, a large bookcase, cubbies for storage, a bed frame with under bed storage, and a kitchen area with a fridge and plenty of prep space!
We started by pulling and selling the seats and gutting the paneling on the walls and ceiling. We cleaned everything super well and started with the ceiling.
Sitting on top of the van together we committed to the project (and our marriage) as we used a sawzall to cut a square shaped hole for the vent/ ceiling fan. Shit just got real.
Tripp and I used to run a yoga studio and had a ton of extra yoga mats, so we actually used those for insulation in the ceiling and floor, to keep us warm and keep things snug and quiet.
We screwed support beams into the van above the windows and bent large pieces of plywood from one side to the other. We measured and made about 100 tiny adjustments here before screwing everything into place, installing the ceiling fan, and reinforcing the seams with strips of steel and screws.
That was by far the hardest part! The walls were just lot of measuring and making tiny adjustments till everything fit together. The bookcase, bedframe, and kitchen area all came together easily. And by that I mean Tripp did those by himself lol. Tripp is a great carpenter and I love how all of those pieces came out. After all the carpentry was done we caulked all the seams and filled any big holes with bondo. We let that dry and smoothed everything out with the orbital sander.
I pulled out the shop vac and some rags and got the whole van spotless before staining the ceiling and painting the walls and furniture with three coats of high gloss white. Once that was dry we popped in the vinyl flooring, our cooler, the bed frame, and a super comfortable Zinus Ultima Comfort Memory Foam 6 Inch Mattress …. and Voila! Sanctuary!
We worked on the van on and off for a few months over the summer, and probably put a couple hundred dollars into it including the mattress. As I said, at times this remodel drove me crazy, but if it’s something you have considered doing I say go for it! It’s totally doable. I will update this post soon with a fully outfitted van tour to show off the simplicity and functionality of our design.
I can’t wait for a summer full of van adventures!
Next Blog Post: LAL Expo: American sex workers in Colombia
