jimmie50

He has looted everything else...why should this be any different?!?  

Well, in less than 24 hours I will be in the air from Denver to SF and beginning my next adventure.  I have just a couple of last minute errands to run this morning and then need to finish packing.  Unfortunately, it does not seem like the last bit of work on the fence project is going to be completed by the time I arrive.  This does not surprise me.  Weather has been a big factor as they have received a lot of rain this week so work has been difficult to complete.  They even hired an extra person a couple of days this week to help.  I asked Cam how much they pay the extra help hourly and he said in Cambodia they pay by the day, not hourly, and for construction like this it depends on their experience.  The helper is a friend of his who is currently unemployed and has no construction experience, so they pay him $10 USD per day.  I must admit I was a little taken aback by such a small amount, but was careful not to criticize or say anything other than to simply acknowledge what Cam said.  He said for someone that has experience, knows what they are doing and needed minimal instruction or supervision they would pay $15 USD daily.  Compare that to general labor construction workers in the US who probably make around $30 USD PER HOUR!   As I said, I made no comment and showed no reaction being careful not to offend Cam or his brother (yes, we were on video chat).  The friend was happy to have an opportunity to work and was happy with the pay.  I know Cam is feeling a little pressure to finish as much of the project as possible before heading to Siem Reap to meet me on Sunday.  He also has a good heart and was trying to help out his friend.  Who am I to judge.  It is not my place to question.  I am just excited to begin the journey and reunite with Cam.  The last few weeks have not gone by fast enough for me.  My posts will most likely be few and far between for the next week or so.  Cam is already making plans of all the things he wants to show me in and around Siem Reap before we continue the adventure in Battambang.  It sounds like the first week in Cambodia will be a busy one.

Was one of the most horrific experiences I have ever had flying on that turbo prop. Scarred me for life. I would never fly anywhere if that was the only thing available. Yes...I am a drama queen! LOL.
Regarding the 5am departure...I could have taken a later flight to SF from Denver, but then I run the risk of not making the connection. I book the flight from Denver to SF as a separate ticket...not part of the overall round trip. It is much cheaper that way heading to Asia from Denver. There are many more airlines from the West Coast that fly to Asia so the competition brings better prices. I always check LA, SF, and Seattle before booking. In order to be safe, the 5am flight is first flight out in the morning so usually no delays and on time arrival at SF. Next flight out would only give me about one hour layover...but the risk is too high for me to be comfortable about making the connection. Others might not mind, but for me the risk is too great.

Good question...not a clue, although he does have family there and also some friends. There are a couple of cousins his age he is close to...perhaps some of them?!? Not sure what either of us will be doing once there in regards to staying busy and interacting with others. Definitely will be a learning experience.

Correct. It will be interesting for sure...as well as a challenge. Am I up for it...only time will tell.

That was life in Bangkok, and he did not have a group of friends there who would play sports. I was referring to life now in Cambodia...and the work I meant was the construction work they are doing at the family home. His schedule at home is totally different from what it was in Bangkok working at the club. At home he is up around 6:30am and they usually are starting to work by 7am. They will take breaks throughout the day, but in general they finish working for the day around 4pm. He will shower and then meet his friends at a nearby field where they play sports. They maybe play for around 90 minutes. Sometimes they will sit around after the game talking and drink a beer, but he is almost always home by 7pm. So very different from what his life was like in Bangkok. And there is always family around visiting. He loves having fun with the nieces and nephews. His friends are actual friends he has known and grown up with and people he says he can genuinely count on if he ever needed anything. Just like he is helping his friend out by paying him to help with the fence project at the moment. While the Cambodian group of guys back in Bangkok do refer to each other as 'friends', Cam says they are not true friends but merely acquaintances.
It is interesting to me the influence the environment and his peers have on him and the difference between his life in Bangkok and his life back home in Cambodia. I refer to it as the nature of the beast, so to speak. Working at the club, drinking with customers, and hanging out with his Cambodian buddies...they were always drinking and quite heavily...not just beer, but lots of hard liquor nightly. He would also smoke (vape) in Bangkok. Back at home, when he is hanging out with his lifelong friends they may have one or two beers but it is not an every day occurrence and never any late nights. Even when family comes to visit, they only drink beer and then it is only one or two at the most. He has not smoked since he has been back home. I suppose it is a perfect example of how peer pressure or our environment influences what we do.

That was life in Bangkok, and he did not have a group of friends there who would play sports. I was referring to life now in Cambodia...and the work I meant was the construction work they are doing at the family home. His schedule at home is totally different from what it was in Bangkok working at the club. At home he is up around 6:30am and they usually are starting to work by 7am. They will take breaks throughout the day, but in general they finish working for the day around 4pm. He will shower and then meet his friends at a nearby field where they play sports. They maybe play for around 90 minutes. Sometimes they will sit around after the game talking and drink a beer, but he is almost always home by 7pm. So very different from what his life was like in Bangkok. And there is always family around visiting. He loves having fun with the nieces and nephews. His friends are actual friends he has known and grown up with and people he says he can genuinely count on if he ever needed anything. Just like he is helping his friend out by paying him to help with the fence project at the moment. While the Cambodian group of guys back in Bangkok do refer to each other as 'friends', Cam says they are not true friends but merely acquaintances.
It is interesting to me the influence the environment and his peers have on him and the difference between his life in Bangkok and his life back home in Cambodia. I refer to it as the nature of the beast, so to speak. Working at the club, drinking with customers, and hanging out with his Cambodian buddies...they were always drinking and quite heavily...not just beer, but lots of hard liquor nightly. He would also smoke (vape) in Bangkok. Back at home, when he is hanging out with his lifelong friends they may have one or two beers but it is not an every day occurrence and never any late nights. Even when family comes to visit, they only drink beer and then it is only one or two at the most. He has not smoked since he has been back home. I suppose it is a perfect example of how peer pressure or our environment influences what we do.

Well, in less than 24 hours I will be in the air from Denver to SF and beginning my next adventure.  I have just a couple of last minute errands to run this morning and then need to finish packing.  Unfortunately, it does not seem like the last bit of work on the fence project is going to be completed by the time I arrive.  This does not surprise me.  Weather has been a big factor as they have received a lot of rain this week so work has been difficult to complete.  They even hired an extra person a couple of days this week to help.  I asked Cam how much they pay the extra help hourly and he said in Cambodia they pay by the day, not hourly, and for construction like this it depends on their experience.  The helper is a friend of his who is currently unemployed and has no construction experience, so they pay him $10 USD per day.  I must admit I was a little taken aback by such a small amount, but was careful not to criticize or say anything other than to simply acknowledge what Cam said.  He said for someone that has experience, knows what they are doing and needed minimal instruction or supervision they would pay $15 USD daily.  Compare that to general labor construction workers in the US who probably make around $30 USD PER HOUR!   As I said, I made no comment and showed no reaction being careful not to offend Cam or his brother (yes, we were on video chat).  The friend was happy to have an opportunity to work and was happy with the pay.  I know Cam is feeling a little pressure to finish as much of the project as possible before heading to Siem Reap to meet me on Sunday.  He also has a good heart and was trying to help out his friend.  Who am I to judge.  It is not my place to question.  I am just excited to begin the journey and reunite with Cam.  The last few weeks have not gone by fast enough for me.  My posts will most likely be few and far between for the next week or so.  Cam is already making plans of all the things he wants to show me in and around Siem Reap before we continue the adventure in Battambang.  It sounds like the first week in Cambodia will be a busy one.

It was great meeting up with you, your boyfriend, and your Denver friend. I certainly never expected anyone from the forum to actually connect with me on my home turf in Denver. This isn't exactly a main destination for folks! lol.
There is something about the posts forum members make and the camaraderie that develops from our mutual interest that we begin to form a vision in our minds of who the person is and what they might look like. I knew right away when floridarob walked in the door of the restaurant that it was him and was exactly as I had imagined. His charming personality and wit you experience online is exactly what you get in person, too. He and I are very similar in that we sometimes like to 'poke the bear' in our posts. lol.
It was nice to hear him describe other forum members he has met in person...far more than I have...since he is a long time member. As he said, the time flew by and it was like meeting an old friend and catching up. Wonderful evening. I cannot say how much longer I will actually be in Denver, but if anyone ever passes through please let me know. Would be great to connect with other forum members as well. I probably have a better chance of meeting others once in Cambodia. While Battambang may not be a huge attraction, Siem Reap is only 90 minutes away by motorbike and I also want to explore Phnom Penh once I am in Cambodia. Give a shout out if you are traveling in Cambodia and we can meet there.

This was true in California in the high school where I worked. 80% of the student population was Asian...predominantly from China and Taiwan. The students and their families avoided long time exposure to the sun and would often be seen with umbrellas for protection. I also know this to be true with Cam. He is outside working in the sun all day long and often complains about how hot it is. But when we are chatting, I also see that he is wearing long pants, long sleeve shirt, and some type of jungle-style hat that has a flap covering the back of his neck...all to avoid the sun. He enjoys playing sports with his friends when not working...but it is always after 5pm when they play. Never in the heat of the day. As you said...Westerners would be out there in the heat of the day playing volleyball with shirts off and wearing shorts...minimal clothing to enjoy the sun and get the tan. Cam and his friends go out much later in the day and early evening for the specific purpose of avoiding the sun.

$10 a day covers 3 meals a day and then some in the countryside. In Phnom Penh a basic office salary is $400-600 a month. An ex-regular of mine is in a tough situation (long story but this is the first time he’s asked in over 2 years) and needed some help even paying for food, so I sent him $200 last week. I calculated this should tide him over 2 weeks since he is staying with friends at the moment.
When I was in Koh Samui recently I saw a job offer for a kitchen hand at 12,000 baht per month. Wages in Thailand aren’t much higher. I will add that the intention for this position was clearly to be fulfilled by some desperate, uneducated Myanmar citizen fleeing the civil war. I don’t know how I feel about that.
@jimmie50 have a safe, good flight and congratulations on your new Cambodia chapter.

It is obvious that Cam has a loving, generous soul which combines determination and hard work, true, long term friends, enjoying sports and beers and chatting and laughing with the guys, and strong extended family connections that he loves and adores spending time with. It's indeed a simple yet wonderful life.
And soon these will all become your top priorities as well... continually and graciously helping to ensure Cam lives his best life possible.

The average wage for a construction worker in Cambodia is $7.50 to $10 per day. An unskilled worker about $130 a month. They are not entitled to the so called minimum wage of $210 per month! Even in Pub St, in Siem Reap, a beer can be less than $1.00. There is something of a contrast with Europe and the USA. On one of my visits a couple of years ago, (I help support a Children's home there), I queried the bill in a nice Cambodian style restaurant, Khmer food, but many tourists, as I thought it was too little! I was assured that it was correct. I rarely do that in England!

Incidentally, I hope to be there 22nd to 25th September!

I sincerely hope everything will work out for you and Cam @jimmie50 but if it doesn't, remember it's never too early to cut your losses and go back to Denver and regain some perspective before deciding on your next move. Good luck and safe travels!

That was life in Bangkok, and he did not have a group of friends there who would play sports. I was referring to life now in Cambodia...and the work I meant was the construction work they are doing at the family home. His schedule at home is totally different from what it was in Bangkok working at the club. At home he is up around 6:30am and they usually are starting to work by 7am. They will take breaks throughout the day, but in general they finish working for the day around 4pm. He will shower and then meet his friends at a nearby field where they play sports. They maybe play for around 90 minutes. Sometimes they will sit around after the game talking and drink a beer, but he is almost always home by 7pm. So very different from what his life was like in Bangkok. And there is always family around visiting. He loves having fun with the nieces and nephews. His friends are actual friends he has known and grown up with and people he says he can genuinely count on if he ever needed anything. Just like he is helping his friend out by paying him to help with the fence project at the moment. While the Cambodian group of guys back in Bangkok do refer to each other as 'friends', Cam says they are not true friends but merely acquaintances.
It is interesting to me the influence the environment and his peers have on him and the difference between his life in Bangkok and his life back home in Cambodia. I refer to it as the nature of the beast, so to speak. Working at the club, drinking with customers, and hanging out with his Cambodian buddies...they were always drinking and quite heavily...not just beer, but lots of hard liquor nightly. He would also smoke (vape) in Bangkok. Back at home, when he is hanging out with his lifelong friends they may have one or two beers but it is not an every day occurrence and never any late nights. Even when family comes to visit, they only drink beer and then it is only one or two at the most. He has not smoked since he has been back home. I suppose it is a perfect example of how peer pressure or our environment influences what we do.

That was life in Bangkok, and he did not have a group of friends there who would play sports. I was referring to life now in Cambodia...and the work I meant was the construction work they are doing at the family home. His schedule at home is totally different from what it was in Bangkok working at the club. At home he is up around 6:30am and they usually are starting to work by 7am. They will take breaks throughout the day, but in general they finish working for the day around 4pm. He will shower and then meet his friends at a nearby field where they play sports. They maybe play for around 90 minutes. Sometimes they will sit around after the game talking and drink a beer, but he is almost always home by 7pm. So very different from what his life was like in Bangkok. And there is always family around visiting. He loves having fun with the nieces and nephews. His friends are actual friends he has known and grown up with and people he says he can genuinely count on if he ever needed anything. Just like he is helping his friend out by paying him to help with the fence project at the moment. While the Cambodian group of guys back in Bangkok do refer to each other as 'friends', Cam says they are not true friends but merely acquaintances.
It is interesting to me the influence the environment and his peers have on him and the difference between his life in Bangkok and his life back home in Cambodia. I refer to it as the nature of the beast, so to speak. Working at the club, drinking with customers, and hanging out with his Cambodian buddies...they were always drinking and quite heavily...not just beer, but lots of hard liquor nightly. He would also smoke (vape) in Bangkok. Back at home, when he is hanging out with his lifelong friends they may have one or two beers but it is not an every day occurrence and never any late nights. Even when family comes to visit, they only drink beer and then it is only one or two at the most. He has not smoked since he has been back home. I suppose it is a perfect example of how peer pressure or our environment influences what we do.

1 beer from what I saw 😳

I'm going back to emojis, I just noticed the new interface has more options 🧐

Battambang has it's charms and may keep one occupied for few days - Bat Caves , Banan Temple or bamboo train to name a few. Phnom Penh is only 7 hrs by train 15 USD first class, 10 USD second class

I am only speaking from my personal experience, but the site actually loads much faster for me now. After the site was hacked, it was always very slow to load when it got up and running again. Sometimes it would not load at all. At least for me it is now super fast. As for the format and navigation, I am a member of another forum (although I am not very active there) that uses the same program/software. It has not been a huge adjustment for me, but I am probably in the minority on this. I am sure all of these changes are somehow connected to the site being hacked and the need to upgrade. Nobody likes change...in any part of our lives. Sometimes these things are inevitable.

I don't know that Chiang Mai has one central area like Silom in Bangkok where you can find most of the gay venues. To begin with, there are not nearly as many venues and they tend to be more spread out. For many people, the draw for Chiang Mai is a milder climate and overall a different vibe from the big city life in Bangkok. There truly is something magical about Bangkok in general. With the exception of my last three trips to Thailand over the last 12 months, I never stayed in Silom before. I was always there visiting my Thai friends (straight family) and stayed in one of their rental units...far, far away from Silom. Even though I didn't have the 'gay experience', there is just something unique and magical about Bangkok for me regardless of what area I am in. The sights, the smells, the people...I truly love every minute of my time there. Being able to experience Silom the last few times...I was just like you...the kid in the candy store for the very first time. I was born and raised in Ohio...small town of around 7,000 people. I hated it. I am definitely a big city guy and tend to thrive off that energy. I am also not a beach person, so Koh Samui would be a nice place to visit for a couple of days, but I would never survive a week there. As for the weather in Bangkok, it you can survive the heat and humidity in Florida during the months of August and September...the heat in Bangkok will not be a problem. I guess you have a couple of options...as long is they don't involve losing a lot of money, that is...you could shorten your time in Koh Samui and head on up to Chiang Mai earlier. That would require changing reservations and possibly losing money on the Airbnb where you are currently staying. I doubt a refund is possible now. Possibly a slight change fee in airfare as well. Otherwise, enjoy the island life for a week. As others have mentioned, I would encourage you to rent a motorbike and go exploring. Don't depend on Grab. That will be costly and also limiting in your ability to get out and go whenever and wherever you want. I don't know what your plans are when you get to Chiang Mai, but I would highly recommend that you hire a local guide. Several forum members, myself included, have hired Woody via Siam Roads. Woody is gay, originally from Myanmar but lived for many years in Chiang Mai and knows the area well. He and his partner own and operate a massage shop...Classic House. He has a car and can show you the usual tourist sites, but can also provide information and guidance about living in Chiang Mai in general. You can find both Siam Roads and Classic House online via Google Search, but to book his tour service you need to go through Siam Roads. Just a friendly suggestion.

Well, in less than 24 hours I will be in the air from Denver to SF and beginning my next adventure.  I have just a couple of last minute errands to run this morning and then need to finish packing.  Unfortunately, it does not seem like the last bit of work on the fence project is going to be completed by the time I arrive.  This does not surprise me.  Weather has been a big factor as they have received a lot of rain this week so work has been difficult to complete.  They even hired an extra person a couple of days this week to help.  I asked Cam how much they pay the extra help hourly and he said in Cambodia they pay by the day, not hourly, and for construction like this it depends on their experience.  The helper is a friend of his who is currently unemployed and has no construction experience, so they pay him $10 USD per day.  I must admit I was a little taken aback by such a small amount, but was careful not to criticize or say anything other than to simply acknowledge what Cam said.  He said for someone that has experience, knows what they are doing and needed minimal instruction or supervision they would pay $15 USD daily.  Compare that to general labor construction workers in the US who probably make around $30 USD PER HOUR!   As I said, I made no comment and showed no reaction being careful not to offend Cam or his brother (yes, we were on video chat).  The friend was happy to have an opportunity to work and was happy with the pay.  I know Cam is feeling a little pressure to finish as much of the project as possible before heading to Siem Reap to meet me on Sunday.  He also has a good heart and was trying to help out his friend.  Who am I to judge.  It is not my place to question.  I am just excited to begin the journey and reunite with Cam.  The last few weeks have not gone by fast enough for me.  My posts will most likely be few and far between for the next week or so.  Cam is already making plans of all the things he wants to show me in and around Siem Reap before we continue the adventure in Battambang.  It sounds like the first week in Cambodia will be a busy one.

Well, in less than 24 hours I will be in the air from Denver to SF and beginning my next adventure.  I have just a couple of last minute errands to run this morning and then need to finish packing.  Unfortunately, it does not seem like the last bit of work on the fence project is going to be completed by the time I arrive.  This does not surprise me.  Weather has been a big factor as they have received a lot of rain this week so work has been difficult to complete.  They even hired an extra person a couple of days this week to help.  I asked Cam how much they pay the extra help hourly and he said in Cambodia they pay by the day, not hourly, and for construction like this it depends on their experience.  The helper is a friend of his who is currently unemployed and has no construction experience, so they pay him $10 USD per day.  I must admit I was a little taken aback by such a small amount, but was careful not to criticize or say anything other than to simply acknowledge what Cam said.  He said for someone that has experience, knows what they are doing and needed minimal instruction or supervision they would pay $15 USD daily.  Compare that to general labor construction workers in the US who probably make around $30 USD PER HOUR!   As I said, I made no comment and showed no reaction being careful not to offend Cam or his brother (yes, we were on video chat).  The friend was happy to have an opportunity to work and was happy with the pay.  I know Cam is feeling a little pressure to finish as much of the project as possible before heading to Siem Reap to meet me on Sunday.  He also has a good heart and was trying to help out his friend.  Who am I to judge.  It is not my place to question.  I am just excited to begin the journey and reunite with Cam.  The last few weeks have not gone by fast enough for me.  My posts will most likely be few and far between for the next week or so.  Cam is already making plans of all the things he wants to show me in and around Siem Reap before we continue the adventure in Battambang.  It sounds like the first week in Cambodia will be a busy one.

I really do appreciate the leading/looping questions from you and also floridarob. It does cause me to pause and think things through more carefully. I am trying to enter into this adventure with eyes wide open and no blinders on. One step at a time. So far things have been very positive between me and Cam. I do thank you for being protective...I can sometimes be a little naive or too trusting.

I really do appreciate the leading/looping questions from you and also floridarob. It does cause me to pause and think things through more carefully. I am trying to enter into this adventure with eyes wide open and no blinders on. One step at a time. So far things have been very positive between me and Cam. I do thank you for being protective...I can sometimes be a little naive or too trusting.