Gay Thailand: 2005 - Present

[TotallyOz]

I found an old journal that I kept back in 2005 and thought this entry was interesting. Things change but they often stay the same.

 

Journal:

 

What strikes me during the early morning hours in Pattaya is how much quieter it is than the farm I grew up on in Alabama. There are no crickets chirping, no birds singing and no roosters crowing. The streets are dead and the only sound and movement anywhere comes from the few foreign tourists that get up with the sun.

 

As an early riser, I often start stirring around 7 to the site of the sparkles of sunlight light that manages to filter through my bedroom curtains. When the powerful sunlight pushes through the heavy fabric and creeps into my eyes, I let my day begin. After years of not even going to bed until the early morning hours, I often feel uncomfortable embracing the dawn, but am comforted by memories of my grandmother. When I was a child she would rise at the crack of dawn to brew coffee and start her day. Sleeping on her couch I would wake up to the comforting smell every morning. It was my rock. Whenever I went to bed I knew I could depend on that smell the next morning. The same is true of the sunlight in Pattaya.

 

Every morning here it takes awhile before my mind catches up with my body. When I slowly stumble while I pick up my computer and hit the elevator button to descend the five floors to the street. On most days the streets are empty as I make my way to Starbucks. While some shops open at 7 most stay close until at least 11. This irks me. I want to start my day and can't stand the idea of waiting hours before embracing each day. It pulls on my last bits of sanity and the idleness plays tricks on my mind.

 

Luckily, Starbucks opens at 7 and they have high speed internet access so I can get work done while the rest of the city sleeps. As I walk into the coffee shop, the employees know me by name and offer to get me the usual. I nod my head, sit in MY chair and open my laptop. I answer emails, surf the web and chat with friends in the States. The hour flows by easily.

 

As I head back to my apartment, there is more activity in the streets but the stores remain closed. Back home I water the plants I bought at the local orchid farm. There are five here now

[Guest beachlover]

I've only been to Pattaya twice. The first time I went it really gave me the creeps initially. It has this real "wild west" "anything goes" atmosphere to it. It's almost like Joseph Fritzl, Colonel Russell Williams or Ivan Milat could walk down the street and no one would bat an eyelid.

 

I'm in love with Bangkok though...

[Guest]

I'm in love with Bangkok though...

 

I love Bangkok too! I find it a great city with world class charm. I also like Pattaya, the ultimate sin city!

[Guest Yaya]

So, GayThailand, the question is begged... "When you coming back? We miss you."

[Guest voldemar]

Though it is unrelated to the piece, I wonder what happened with the dogs you used to travel with?

[Guest]

So, GayThailand, the question is begged... "When you coming back? We miss you."

 

You are so sweet. I wish I knew when I'll be coming back but I have no plans to date. However, I do know that next year (most likely June or so, I'll be moving permanently to Porto Alegre, Brazil). The boys there are amazing and the cost of living reasonable and I just love it there. I put a bid on one place last week that was rejected and unlike USA, they have no mortgages. So, I'll have to wait and negotiate with the owners.

 

Though it is unrelated to the piece, I wonder what happened with the dogs you used to travel with?

 

I see the dogs many times per year. They were with me last month in my hotel room. I still take care of them when I am not in LOS. They will be moving to Brazil with me. They stay with family when I am in Thailand. They are beautiful and the love of my life! (well, not really but they are beautiful and bring me great joy and happiness). Want to see a pic?

[Guest travelerjim]

Hi GT,

 

Make a deal???

 

I will gladly look at the lovely dog's pics..

IF you show me some of those sexy,

beautiful Brazilian boys pics..

Deal?

 

tj

[firecat69]

Hi GT,

 

Make a deal???

 

I will gladly look at the lovely dog's pics..

IF you show me some of those sexy,

beautiful Brazilian boys pics..

Deal?

 

tj

 

You better settle for the pics of the Dogs because GT failed miserably in taking any photos in Brazil!!!

[Guest]

You better settle for the pics of the Dogs because GT failed miserably in taking any photos in Brazil!!!

 

Hey, I was on holiday. You can't fail on holiday. But, you are right, I was either lousy at taking pics OR I wanted to keep them all to myself. Or, the camera I was using did not work right and they were all blurred and I didn't want to look like an idiot.

[Guest travelerjim]

OK, NO pics of the boys of Brazil..

Now, fess up...r u still in Brazil?

 

Rumor had it that u were in training for a Marathon?

 

Was that the NYC Marathon???

or the 26 days of running after more Brazilian beauties?

 

Inquiring minds want to know

 

tj

[Guest]

Rumor had it that u were in training for a Marathon?

 

Now, now Jim. I have told you to stop listening to all those rumor queens in Sunee! They only lead you down a path that leads to destruction.

[Guest voldemar]

It is interesting that you decided to move permanently in Brasil (if it was not a joke). What is the deal? I mean can you get retirement visa? What about crime? I remember how scary it was in Rio just couple of years ago. And finally, are not you afraid rapidly appreciating real? At least in Thailand one can move money and keep in local bank. Not in

Brasil (unless you can get retirement visa...) If you read blog of Sovereign man ( I once posted it in here), they offer Brasilian passport for mere 80000 US...

[Guest]

It is interesting that you decided to move permanently in Brasil (if it was not a joke). What is the deal? I mean can you get retirement visa? What about crime? I remember how scary it was in Rio just couple of years ago. And finally, are not you afraid rapidly appreciating real? At least in Thailand one can move money and keep in local bank. Not in

Brasil (unless you can get retirement visa...) If you read blog of Sovereign man ( I once posted it in here), they offer Brasilian passport for mere 80000 US...

 

No, it is not a joke. I love Brazil and I feel "fairly" safe when I am there. I do have lots of Brazilian friends so I am normally not alone. The crime rate is high in Brazil but they keep pushing more and more into the middle class and less crime seems to be happening.

 

The baht is strong and I think it will get stronger. My prediction is that by the World Cup, it will be 1 US to 1.2 or 1.3 R. It is a strong currency. All my friends from Rio go to NYC and Miami to shop as they say it is much cheaper there. I have had the same driver for years in Rio and he took his family to Disney this year as it is really a great deal for anyone from their country.

 

Brazil is full of regulations and red tape. But, I have had a bank account there for many years and have no problem getting money into or out of the country.

 

The more time I spend there, the more I love it. I also love Thailand and will be spending more time there before I move to Brazil but the more I am in Thailand the harder the trip to the USA gets and the more I realize I prefer to be closer to home and family. It is a 9 hour non-stop flight for me to get to relatives. That is a big plus for Brazil. The big negative is that it has gotten very expensive. I will admit that I spent more there this trip than ever. Everything in Rio and Sao Paulo is expensive. Part has to do with the shitty USD and part has to do with the strong economy in Brazil.