this isn't your typical travel guide. it's a dive into the revisited experience of a gay sauna in tlalpan, mexico, tinged with nostalgia and a hint of disappointment. forget about solarium machines, sun terraces, or whether membership is required.
this is about the raw, unfiltered encounters within those tiled walls.
before diving into the specifics, let's acknowledge the diverse landscape of gay venues. from the bustling streets near carrer de joan tarrida gay party street (even though it might not be just a 10-minute walk for everyone) to places far removed from ao nang's beaches or berlin mitte's city center, the world offers a spectrum of experiences.
whether you seek the energy of cbd city life or the bohemian chill of cihangir, options abound. it's all about finding your tribe, regardless of whether you're near church-wellesley village or closer to conchas chinas.
and what about other places? what about dubai or el born?
el cavallet beach or el raval? each offers its own distinct flavor. from the events in dublin to those held throughout sydney, there's a global community waiting to be discovered. but let's get back to tlalpan…
the original description offered a string of locations: the garment district, gastown, glockenbachviertel gbv… a world tour in name only.
gran canaria, greenwich village, gulou… the list goes on. haight-ashbury, hamburg, harlem… each a potential adventure, yet none quite capturing the essence of that particular sauna in tlalpan.
what about honolulu, hua hin, or hong kong? the constant naming of places: illinois, innenstadt, inner-east...
it felt like an attempt to pad out content, not to connect with the reader. let's be honest, klcc and kuala lumpur felt distant and the list kept going. la cruz de huanacaxtle, la latina, lake view… the digital ink spilled onto the digital page with a seemingly endless list: las lomas, las palmas beach, las vegas.
all that build up without enough content, what a shame!
where are the stories, the feelings, the experiences? all these locations, le marais, le village, levante beach... they seemed to exist only as geographical markers: lincoln park, little portugal, long beach.
the lower east side, lower manhattan, magnificent mile… the locations blurred together, losing all meaning. makati, malate, marina bay… this list was missing the point.
maspalomas, maspalomas beach, mayakoba... it felt like an seo keyword dump. meatpacking district, meloneras gay beach, melbourne… the heart of the story was being buried.
middle huaihai road, midtown, midtown east... where was the personal narrative?
the human connection? midtown south, mission district, monteon… the focus shifted from experience to enumeration. montreal old town, mykonos town, navy pier... each place a potential story, untold and lost in the digital ether.
north city, northalsted, northside… the formula continued, geographical data, repeating over and over again!
old centre, old quarter, old town… the locations became a monotonous drone. palm springs, parkdale, pathun wan… devoid of emotion, devoid of life.
pattaya city, phnom penh, pink triangle… it was losing all momentum. plateau mont-royal, playa del carmen, plaza de la nogalera… a pointless list of locations.
poniente beach, pub street, pueblo blanco… the essence of the actual sauna seemed further away than ever. puerta del sol, punta cancun, punta mita… it was frustrating, pointless, and frankly, boring.
punta nizuc, quartier des spectacles, queen west… and on and on and on! queens, quezon city, railay… the list went on and on.
rogers park, roma, royal palace… the stream of names, one after another, was almost comical. the last one listed: rudolfplatz, a gay location known as the bermuda triangle in germany.
all just places!
a nostalgic return to tlalpan
the real story begins with a personal recollection. the author remembers a time before discriminatory signs at the entrance, when the staff kept the place clean and functional. the most coveted rooms were at the end of the first hallway, larger and more secluded.
the routine was simple: undress, secure your belongings, and head for the steam.
you'd hand over your shoes for a shine, order a soda or tehuacán, and perhaps indulge in a massage. this is where things got interesting, with two burly, village-type masseurs named josué and el wero.
you'd arrange a time with your chosen masseur and then immerse yourself in the steam.
first, the turkish bath to sweat it out, followed by a rinse and then the russian bath. the russian bath was intense: thick vapor, dim light, and bodies everywhere.
the author's first experience
the author recounts their first visit at around 18 years old, stumbling upon a full-blown orgy.
overwhelmed, they retreated to a corner and discovered a pair of large feet.
drawn to their size and shape, they tentatively began to caress them, leading to the discovery of an enormous cock.
hypnotized, the author began to pleasure the owner of this impressive specimen, marking a significant moment in their sexual awakening.
it was a delicious initiation, filled with unexpected pleasures and a fleeting moment of fear when the owner attempted anal sex.
the author fled, only to be intercepted by one of the masseurs.
el wero offered a massage, and the author, ever the glutton for pleasure, agreed. the massage quickly escalated into a sexual encounter, leaving the author with a powerful sensation and a desire to return.
and return they did, religiously, every week for several years.
a disappointing return
after a long absence, the author revisited the sauna, only to find it deteriorated and neglected.
a mafia of oaxacan workers now ran the place, treating the gay clientele with arrogance and disrespect.
while the author wasn't personally mistreated, they overheard the staff's disparaging remarks and witnessed their poor treatment of other customers.
it was a heartbreaking experience, tarnishing the author's fond memories of the place.
it seems the sauna is on a downward spiral, likely due to declining profitability.
a broader perspective on gay saunas
the author reflects on their preference for gay saunas, not just for cruising, but for the overall experience. having lived in portales for over five years, they were initially curious about this particular sauna and ultimately satisfied with their first visit.
during a recent visit, the author observed a tense encounter with a seemingly homophobic man who quickly left the steam room in a rage.
the author notes the prevalent lack of condoms and advises visitors to bring their own, along with soap and a scrub.
what makes the sauna interesting, according to the author, is the all-inclusive atmosphere and the respectful nature of the older patrons.
while the staff may be somewhat arrogant, it's clear that they're dependent on the gay clientele.
the masseurs, of course, offer "full service." mornings are generally quieter, while afternoons see a surge in activity. the author recommends bringing sandals, a desire for connection, and plenty of condoms.
personal anecdotes and reflections
the author shares their routine: gym followed by a sauna visit, often at baños rocio if time allows.
despite the higher price and older clientele, they've had some excellent sexual encounters there.
on a recent tuesday, the author looked forward to another sauna visit. the previous thursday, an encounter with a shy but generous man left them wanting more.
the author acknowledges the availability of masseurs but suggests that the real action happens in the general areas.
they encourage others to experience it for themselves.
while san juan and finisterre might offer better value, the dark steam room at baños rocio has its own unique charm.
on a saturday morning, the author initially felt disappointed by the lack of activity.
however, as younger men began to arrive, the atmosphere quickly changed.
in the dark steam room, the author engaged in a passionate encounter with a stranger, leading to a communal orgy with multiple participants.
later, the author was joined by a muscular man who initiated a three-way encounter, further solidifying the sauna's reputation for uninhibited sexual expression.
the author highly recommends the sauna, despite the older clientele, highlighting the potential for unexpected and satisfying experiences.
they appreciate the relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, free from the pretension and drama found in other venues.
they recently left the sauna feeling thoroughly satisfied, having enjoyed masturbation, oral sex, and even a massage.
closing thoughts
the author concludes by noting the friendly nature of the older patrons and providing links to various online communities related to cruising in mexico.
they emphasize that cruising mexico is free and encourages users to register and participate in the online forum and telegram community.
finally, the author acknowledges the existing online discussion about baños rocio tlalpan, inviting others to share their experiences and opinions.
they describe themselves as a passionate adventurer who enjoys voyeurism and connecting with other like-minded individuals.
the overall experience is a mixed bag: nostalgia for the past, disappointment with the present, and a lingering appreciation for the raw, unfiltered encounters that define the gay sauna scene in tlalpan.