Just returned from USA tour

[PattayaMale]

It was great to be able to take my Thai friend to the USA for a quick 30 day tour. I want to thank the different board members we met with in different cities and the suggestions for things to do from other board members before we left.

 

We had a chance to skim through Los Angeles, Washington DC, New York City, New Orleans, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, San Francisco, Palm Springs and Long Beach, CA.

 

The first few days I heard nothing but, "I want to go back to Thailand NOW", to finally hearing, "I hope they pass the bill so I can get a green card." Not that we BOTH weren't happy to get back to Pattaya. We both were worn out by seeing too much in too short a time.

 

The thing that I had not counted on was how much food cost when you don't know where to go eat cheap. Asking at each hotel for good but cheap places to eat, just did not work. We seemed to average $60 a meal (not a day) because we did not know where to eat other than the tourist places we were told to eat at.

 

Although my friend liked every city we went to and has a good story from each, the Grand Canyon and Long Beach, CA were his favorites. We met Rainwalker in Las Vegas and traveled to Grand Canyon with him. He on his BMW motorcycle and we in a Mercedes convertible driven by my long term Palm Springs friend.

 

In Long Beach we stayed with Soi 10 Tom and friends. He is a fantastic guy and so are his friends........mostly Asian and very smart. We just happened to be there for the Long Beach Gay Pride. Tom and his friends took my friend to the Silver Fox (gay bar) where he had a great time..none PG rated.

 

By the way June 3 a bill sponsored by Senator Leahy will be introduced which if passed would extend rights to some of your boy friends! First time ever!

 

Immigration Equality, the only organization of its kind, wins freedom and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and HIV-positive immigrants from around the world. A gift to Immigration Equality is a cost-effective investment: Of every $1 Immigration Equality spends, 97 cents goes directly to legal representation and advocacy.

 

website http://www.immigrationequality.org

[mahjongguy]

I'm really glad he enjoyed his whirlwind tour.

 

I took my b/f to San Francisco for two weeks and he nearly starved to death. He just would not eat the food.

[firecat69]

I am sure you must have posted but I never saw it.

 

 

How did you get your friend a Visa

 

thanks

[Guest rainwalker]

I'm pissed!! You mention my name; you mention my motorcycle BUT you didn't mention that I was riding the BMW sidesaddle while wearing a tiara and a boa.

 

It was a delight to see you guys in Las Vegas, at the Hoover Dam, and at The Grand Canyon and I look forward to seeing you again as soon as I can.

 

I'm glad we were able to find that gem of a Thai restaurant called "Lotus of Siam", hidden away in that small obscure strip mall in the Eastern part of Las Vegas. Jonathan Gold of Gourmet Magazine called it "The single best Thai restaurant in North America" and I think we agreed.

 

I'm still on tour (11,600 KM since June 1 with at least the same to come before this year's excursion is over) having done the Southern States all the way to Key West, Florida and am now in Sparta, NC after having ridden, today, 250 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway, touted as the most beautiful road in America, and anticipating the last 250 miles tomorrow. It is an amazing ride with vistas around every turn.

 

Much to my surprise, the hotel I'm booked into is hosting the Motorcycle Sport Touring Association so the 160 room venue is 90% filled with riders of bikes like mine. The parking lot looks amazing with maybe 130 bikes from all over the USA.

 

I'll be in New York on Tuesday and will pass on your regards to my partner Rick who you spent time with when you and the boyfriend were in NYC.

 

I know that your boyfriend is angling for a big bike and I'm thinking it would be fun for him.

 

I hope I didn't create too much aggravation when I mentioned to both of you that if you really loved him, you would buy him one.

[Guest mlomker]

if you really loved him, you would buy him one.

 

lol. If there really was a relationship between love and money then renting would be the best deal.

[Guest GaySacGuy]

Congradulations on the trip. Hope to get my boyfriend to follow the same footsteps and travel with me to the US!!! I am now visiting my sister in Las Vegas, and will look up that Thai restaruant and give it a try.

[Guest]

Congradulations on the trip. Hope to get my boyfriend to follow the same footsteps and travel with me to the US!!! I am now visiting my sister in Las Vegas, and will look up that Thai restaruant and give it a try.

 

Just got back from Vegas and really enjoyed the Cher concert. She is getting up there in age but it was really fun to see. Vegas was not as packed as usual as the hotel gave me a front row ticket to her concert. I was shocked as I don't gamble more than 5-25 a hand and ONLY blackjack. I guess they needed some gay guy in the front seats to make her feel like home.

 

My BF has always wanted to see Vegas. Of course, he loved the casinos in Cambodia and that is what gave him the idea of Vegas.

[Guest lvdkeyes]

My BF has always wanted to see Vegas. Of course, he loved the casinos in Cambodia and that is what gave him the idea of Vegas.

You should take him to Macau. There are several Vegas type casinos there.

[PattayaMale]

Congradulations on the trip. Hope to get my boyfriend to follow the same footsteps and travel with me to the US!!! I am now visiting my sister in Las Vegas, and will look up that Thai restaruant and give it a try.

 

You will mostly likely really enjoy the food. Rainwalker is amazing at finding these gems. He uses his iphone to find almost everything.

[PattayaMale]

I'm pissed!! You mention my name; you mention my motorcycle BUT you didn't mention that I was riding the BMW sidesaddle while wearing a tiara and a boa.

 

It was a delight to see you guys in Las Vegas, at the Hoover Dam, and at The Grand Canyon and I look forward to seeing you again as soon as I can.

 

I'm glad we were able to find that gem of a Thai restaurant called "Lotus of Siam", hidden away in that small obscure strip mall in the Eastern part of Las Vegas. Jonathan Gold of Gourmet Magazine called it "The single best Thai restaurant in North America" and I think we agreed.

 

I'm still on tour (11,600 KM since June 1 with at least the same to come before this year's excursion is over) having done the Southern States all the way to Key West, Florida and am now in Sparta, NC after having ridden, today, 250 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway, touted as the most beautiful road in America, and anticipating the last 250 miles tomorrow. It is an amazing ride with vistas around every turn.

 

Much to my surprise, the hotel I'm booked into is hosting the Motorcycle Sport Touring Association so the 160 room venue is 90% filled with riders of bikes like mine. The parking lot looks amazing with maybe 130 bikes from all over the USA.

 

I'll be in New York on Tuesday and will pass on your regards to my partner Rick who you spent time with when you and the boyfriend were in NYC.

 

I know that your boyfriend is angling for a big bike and I'm thinking it would be fun for him.

 

I hope I didn't create too much aggravation when I mentioned to both of you that if you really loved him, you would buy him one.

 

I missed that part about buying him a big bike. I asked him about it and he said he thought for sure you offered to do it so you would have someone to ride with now that he can visit the USA any time he wants for the next 10 years.....By the way....the dinner you bought for us at Caesar's Palace was was really nice!!

[PattayaMale]

lol. If there really was a relationship between love and money then renting would be the best deal.

 

Good point!!

[PattayaMale]

I am sure you must have posted but I never saw it.

How did you get your friend a Visa

 

thanks

 

I believe it was pure luck. We prepared very well. Had a big box of documents to support our application....which they never looked at. They asked him about 3 questions, looked at 6 months of bank statements and then said the visa would be sent in the mail.

 

[Guest GaySacGuy]

You should take him to Macau. There are several Vegas type casinos there.

 

Have visited Macau with my boyfriend, but didn't find the casinos much like Vegas. Very few slot machines in Macau, and in a huge Casino with several hundred tables there were TWO Blackjack Tables...and they had wierd rules that strongly favored the house. And NO Crap Tables.

 

Give me Nevada (Lake Tahoe, Reno, Las Vegas, etc.) any day, but I don't plan to return to Macau.

[Guest lvdkeyes]

Have visited Macau with my boyfriend, but didn't find the casinos much like Vegas. Very few slot machines in Macau, and in a huge Casino with several hundred tables there were TWO Blackjack Tables...and they had wierd rules that strongly favored the house. And NO Crap Tables.

 

Give me Nevada (Lake Tahoe, Reno, Las Vegas, etc.) any day, but I don't plan to return to Macau.

Since I don't gamble, I wouldn't know the specifics about the casinos. I just saw several large casinos.

[Guest zzrichard]

For over 10 years when I resided in Las Vegas, this was my favorite Thai place to eat. Little ambiance, but great food. At one time (not sure anymore) one of the chefs worked for the Royal Family.

 

Komol Thai Restuarant

953 E. Sahara Ave.

Las Vegas Nv. 89104

702-731-6542

 

It is located in Commercial Center on about 9 blocks east of the Strip. Also in the center, there are about three gay bars.

[Guest rainwalker]

zzrichard,

 

Strange as it may seem, Lotus of Siam is in exactly the same location (953 E. Sahara) as the place you enjoyed so it would seem that either there was a change of ownership with a new name OR there was just a change of name.

 

Regardless of what happened, the food at that location is great.

 

Regards,

 

-R.

[Guest laurence]

Unlike other posters, I cannot ever seeing my bf coming to the US. Or him wanting to come to the US or me wanting him to visit the US.

[Gaybutton]

Unlike other posters, I cannot ever seeing my bf coming to the US.

I think it depends on the individual boyfriend and his personal preferences. I've met many who don't want to leave Thailand at all, not even for a holiday, and some who would love such an opportunity. Also, I think it depends on what he'll be doing while there. If you're going to be with him at all times and take him around to different places, that's one thing. But if it is to be the type of holiday in which all he gets to do is lounge around the house, waiting for you to come home from work, do you really think he would enjoy that? If he takes you to his home town and leaves you there alone for hours while he is off doing something else, do you really think that would be a pleasant experience for you? The same goes for him.

 

Another factor is food. Many of the Thai boys know their Thai food and that's about it. Some are quite finicky and won't even try other kinds of foods. I'd make sure about that too before thinking about bringing him over for a holiday. You might also want to make sure he brings along his spices, much of which might not be available where you live. After all, he might starve to death without them.

 

In other words, you want to make sure he is really going to enjoy it and would jump at the chance to come again. You also need to make sure, in your own mind, who the holiday is for. Is it really something you are doing for him or in the end is it really for yourself?

[Guest thaiworthy]

That is a very astute observation, Gaybutton and very true. For a long time I thought how great it would be to have my Thai friend visit the US, if it were actually possible. Now it doesn't matter, for all the reasons that you mentioned, and more.

 

I have been coming to LOS for years with the faint hope of actually living there one day. A year ago I finally decided there's really no reason why it can't be a reality. Much of that decision was due to advice from Gaybutton and people like him. I am very excited about these prospects now and it keeps me centered in an otherwise off-center world. I find I hate my life here in the US, mostly because my job has suffered from the economic downturn, (but fortunately not my savings plan). I hate my life in the US also because the only friends I can find are Thailand-intolerant and do not understand why I spend every spare dollar going there. I hate my life here in the US, because I have followed the advice from my Thailand-intolerant friends and greatly regretted it. I hate my life in the US because I cannot be with my boyfriend and he is the only thing that matters to me.

 

Yes, we must live in the present, but the present is not pleasant.

 

I cannot in any frame of mind, think of any reason whatsoever why I would want my friend to visit a place that has left me with so much anxiety.

 

Thai boys would not want to leave Thailand without us to force them along. I suppose there are some virtues to visiting places like the Las Vegas and New York City. But in many cases, it just isn't practical or warranted. I am far more interested in their culture than the average Thai boy is in mine. They are dedicated to family and have been taught to be happy with their world.

 

To forcibly remove them would be a sin, given the overwhelming garishness of places like casinos and Wall Street. It would be a sin, with their shy ways, to introduce the glitz and glamour of another world engulfed by greed and selfishness, a world I myself could do without. And I'm not about to have it on my head. I like the Thai boy the way he is. And he is very special to me because he is all the things no American has ever been.

 

Take him here if you want to, but always remember, he will never be the same again.

 

 

[PattayaMale]

Take him here if you want to, but always remember, he will never be the same again.

I wonder how you came to your conclusion since you never have done it. Is it possible you are projecting your dislike for USA ?

 

Many Thais have visited the US and it has not changed them at all. They still have all the values you describe. A few weeks in any country certainly will not change many many years of upbringing.

 

Thousands have also started businesses and others have great jobs so they can continue to support their families. Much better than working in a bar and having to have sex to pay the bills.

 

As to forcing someone to go on vacation?????? In my case my Thai friend brought the idea up himself after so much attention was given to President Obama's election.

 

We visited Los Angles, Washington DC, New York City, New Orleans, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, San Francisco, Palm Springs, Long Beach and West Hollywood.

 

We have also visited Prague, Czech; Vietnam; China; Cambodia in previous years.

 

All the trips have given him a good chance to experience other cultures. None has "replaced" his.

 

Maybe I misunderstood your post. Sorry your life is not happy at this point. I hope this changes for you. But I doubt that not having a Thai visit the US or other country can not be the source that makes you happier.

[Guest thaiworthy]

PattayaMale, this is just my own opinion from personal experiences in dealing with people here in the US. I am glad you and the bf enjoyed your tour. But after months of wanting to leave here I will not be that anxious to return. And certainly not with a significant other. This does not make your own experience any less valuable. You are within your right to share how wonderful it was to see all those places. But I'm afraid I'm with Laurence on this one, although he may have different reasons.

 

No, I have not done this. But I have not jumped off a bridge either. Sorry, but that's how I feel. Perhaps it is not a dislike for the USA, but for society in general here. I am comfortable in LOS, not so in the US, simply because so many people here are just plain bigoted. Not just bigoted against gay people, but bigoted against Thai gay people as well. You want an example? OK, I'll give you an example:

 

I am out at work. I turned in paperwork to my boss last month for my most recent semi-annual visit to Thailand. He told me, "Don't go there. Thailand is where people go to molest children!" I could file a grievance against him for saying that! He called me a child molester. But I won't say anything because I have only 3 years to go before retirement. I'm sorry, but I'm just sick of it! And if that makes me hate the US, then so be it. And I have a dozen or more stories just like this one.

 

So not everyone embraces their homeland as you do. It is why we are called "EX-patriates." We find things in Thailand we cannot find anywhere in our own backyard. Such as this kind of hate and this brand of bigotry just makes me want to go elsewhere.

 

And life is not all that miserable. It is just an itch you want to scratch but can't reach. So I am less interested in my own backyard these days and more in Thailand. That shouldn't be so surprising to anyone at all.

 

I never said exposure to other cultures would "replace" your bf's. And I now realize this may be a controversial subject. You did not misunderstand my post, because I did not explain it very well. And I am very, very sorry about that. I just didn't want to get into the whole story.

 

It's not the USA per se that I dislike. It's just some of the people, like my boss, who live here. The experience is still fresh in my mind and I am obviously very angry. This wasn't directed personally at you, but quite frankly, I want nothing to do with this sick and polluted culture ever again!

 

Enough of this rant. Good luck with your future travels, PattayaMale.

[Gaybutton]

I can understand thaiworthy's position. After all, how much fun would it be to take anyone, whether it's a Thai boy or someone else, on a holiday to the very location he wants to get away from and never see again? Not exactly my idea of a thrill either. And he would have to spend a fortune to do it too.

 

Now, if he takes his Thai boyfriend to Disneyland or Las Vegas, or somewhere that might be a hell of a lot of fun, and not a reminder of the place he despises, that could be a very different story.

[dapitt]

Quite well said, PattayaMale. I concur completely. My Thai boyfriend wants to come to the U.S. in order to learn more about me and my culture, in the same way that I am learning his. And as you say, PattayMale, his idea.

[Guest thaiworthy]

I can understand thaiworthy's position.

Yes, Disneyland and Las Vegas would be notable exceptions. But I'm in no hurry.

 

Thank you, Gaybutton.

[Guest GaySacGuy]

My Thai boyfriend and I have been fortunate to travel to Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, and Vietnam. He loves to travel and isn't at all afraid to try new food and customs. We are looking forward to more travel...Bali maybe next, and someday a trip to the US for both of us. I would like him to see/experience Las Vegas, Disneyland and Universal Studios, Yosemite and Lake Tahoe, and San Francisco and my home country in Northern CA. There are others, but these are first priorities.

 

With time and money I would love for him to be able to visit many other US locations. We were at Disneyland Hong Kong, so I know he would like the "real" Disneyland!!!