Having traveled through South America for three months now I have to say this is the most attractive I have ever felt my life. Now some people may think that’s an unusual opening sentence, and yes it probably is. But here in the land of salsa and latin sexiness I seem to be a big hit.
I don’t mean to deliberately toot my own horn, in fact most of the attention I have received has surprised and flattered me. But everyday I find myself the target of male comments and open staring, unprovoked as it may be. Here in South America, latinos love curves. Hourglass shaped women are revered and curvy gringas, even more so. It seems every latino man’s fantasy is to have a beautiful gringa on his arm….and in his bed.
So far I have only traveled through Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, and whilst each country has varied in the shall I say… forwardness of body appreciation, all three have taken me by surprise.
Medellin in Colombia is the plastic surgery capital of South America. Each year thousands of women have their breasts and butts enhanced, thanks to freely available cosmetic surgery loans. Mannequins in stores haven’t escaped the plastic surgery trend either. Whilst on a walking tour in Medellin, the tour leader told us five years ago mannequins were normally proportioned, but as a result of the huge increase in plastic surgery they had to change. Colombia is definitely the curviest country so far. There are some incredibly ample asses walking around, and most of the men seem love it.
South American mannequins have a lot to display under their clothes.
In Cartagena I was constantly catcalled as I walked past local men. “Hey lolita!” or “Bonita senorita, you want to come home with me?” And I can tell you right now, whilst being sick in hot and sweaty Cartagena I was not looking my best. It didn’t matter, the latin culture is for men to show their attraction to women. But in Colombia it did reach a point where I found myself dressing down, or at least trying to. I would tie my hair back when walking along the street, and wear looser clothing and longer pants to show less skin. I’m not saying I felt overly threatened or anything, but being sick walking along the street alone I just didn’t want to encourage the sexual attention I was inadvertently receiving.
Ecuadorians on the other hand are less openly confrontational about their attraction to women. Here I find men will walk by me on the street and say quietly into my ear, “Linda senorita (beautiful woman)” as I pass.
Latin women are curvy and I find it refreshing to be a part of a culture that appreciates a full behind. I have never been a stick skinny woman, I have a butt and boobs and here it makes me attractive.
So most of the time when I receive a comment I smile and keep walking. I don’t feel threatened, it happens in the daylight in very busy locations. It has actually done a lot for my self-esteem.
As I said the latin culture is sexy, curvy and saturated with salsa music and dancing, and I’m falling in love with it.
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