Over the past couple of weeks I traveled to Mexico, Israel, Germany, UK, and Canada.  As with most other countries in the world it's completely legal to be a customer of or to be a provider in each of these countries.  Here's brief synopsis for those interested.

In Mexico City and Zihautanejo (Ixtapa) most providers work at 'showbars' that are essentially a strip club where the VIP rooms are a bit more private and full service is the norm.  Most of the girls will also go back to your hotel with you, though some hotels in tourist areas frown on this.  Outcall is available from both agencies and indies.  Incall is available from 'hotels' and erotic massage places though I'm not sure of their legal status.  Sex related businesses are apparently not allowed to advertise in the phone book or in magazines, though many cabs had explicit ads on the outside as well as cards on the inside.  Interestingly, Mexico appears to have the most stringent health requirements of any of these countries, requiring providers to get tested twice monthly.  On the flip side there are apparently a number of doctors who'll sign off on these without performing the tests nearly so often.

Tel Aviv has a vibrant red-light district that is as safe as that in Amsterdam and also includes some really good restaurants.  There were numerous police patrolling the streets to insure there were no problems.  In my hotel were flyers for outcall agencies and indies.  When the floor concierge was telling me and a couple of others about the amenities available she included the comment that she could arrange for an escort if any of us desired and then proceeded to explain the rates.

Though sexual services have always been openly tolerated in Germany with both incall and outcall services prospering, the full legalization a few years ago opened up one of the most unique experiences in the world - FKK clubs.  These are like a nudist club that open about 8am and don't close until the last customer has left.  When you first arrive you change from your street clothes into a towel (or not if you desire) and then are free to enjoy the facilities.  They are generally in a house that includes a bar and a few other public rooms (where you can relax, play billiards, or watch TV) as well as a number of private rooms.  Most also have a couple of hot-tubs, sauna's, and usually a swimming pool and one had 4 tennis courts.  Most of the girls wear a thong though a few were sans clothing.  I got a chance to talk to a city health inspector who was at one of the clubs while I was there.  He said that almost all of the FKK clubs are well run and get a clean bill of health in their monthly inspections.  There are only a few where there are problems and these usually get shut down fairly quick.  On a sofa a few feet from where he and I were talking there were 2 couples smoking joints with no fear of him or his uniform (I never did get a clear answer on pots legal status in Germany though I sense it's illegal but tolerated).

London and most major cities in the UK have a host of outcall agencies and indies as well as a number of indies that offer incall, usually at moderately nice flats though a friend warned me to avoid flats in Hackney.  London also has the infamous walkups in SOHO where about 30% of the flats are used by indies who usually post an 8x11 ad beside the street level doors.  There are also a few 'clubs' that operate as brothels.  My understanding is that these are technically illegal but tolerated as long as there are no problems.  Curb crawling is illegal and strictly enforced.  The strip clubs are best avoided if you treasure your safety.

Indy and agency outcall is legal throughout Canada and openly advertised.  As best I can tell incall is illegal unless specifically allowed by a city.  In Toronto there are a number of incall establishments that advertise fairly openly.  The strip clubs in Canada are generally nicer than ours with fewer rules, though full-service is very strictly prohibited.


I love my country and I love Minnesota, but I really wish we weren't so uptight.  We shouldn't have to fear LE if we are in a hotel room or private home involved in a consensual activity that benefits both parties involved and harms no one.  It really pisses me off!

JTH

Very interesting. Thanks, JTH.

For those of us who have business in Canada, there is a nice summary of Canadian law posted on the Toronto board, by Anya, on 11/21/02.

Try la zona in Tijuana.

Dozens of pussy bars packed with 18-22
year old mexican cuties. All of the bars
have hotels next door that rent rooms
by the half hour or longer.  You can do
3-4 chicas for the amount it takes to do
one girl here, and they are cuter.

Spend time in the bars, chatting up the girls,
and deciding on the next one.

It's heaven on earth.

If you stay in San Diego, park on the north
side of the border, and take a $5 taxi to la
zona.  Play till you are exhausted and then
take a taxi back, tired and happy.

Best places are Adelita's and Chicago Club.

Lots of info on the tjhombre board (which
has expanded to include other overseas hobbying
locations).

I couldn't resist this topic.  Yup, the US is just too well developed or prudish or both.  I was excited to hear that Tel Aviv has a district. I had no idea. Awesome.

They have similiar clubs in Paris to the ones in Germany too.

On a related note, Nogales Mexico (just south of Tuscon and a few hours from Pheonix) is great stop for people leery of leaving the USA. It is right on the border. You can get discount perscriptions and the talent is incredible. One bar I was at was all 8s or above and quite a few looking very american (blond hair and fine features--indistinguishable from a U of MN girl in some cases).  It is a bit sales/predatory and you gotta exercise some caution and restraint, but it is a great stop over.  Everything is for sale and you can get an overnight for $200.