aaroninatl

This peace you feel within the cities here just has me hooked. I remember watching so many talk about it before I got here, but you don’t really get it until you’re here. It was so jarring when I heard sirens last night. I think I only heard sirens once in the two weeks I was in Bangkok. If someone honks their horn angrily in traffic, it’s kind of a big deal.

Oh trust me I did. I felt terrible the second I saw that earlier today. 😆 It benefitted the waitresses at the bar I went to for breakfast this morning to watch the game. I was the only one in the place at that hour and they were so sweet. I think my bill was 200 baht and I left 400.

Ahh ok... I tip more based on service. But I feel ya. I'm rarely accused of undertipping. Usually the opposite. So that's why I seriously wanted a dollar/baht figure. Definitely didn't want to insult him. I keep getting mixed messages on tipping... some say it's not a thing here. So I just figured 10% would be appropriate. Thanks pal!

Lol, don’t sweat it dude. don’t feed the trolls. Had you not quoted him I would never would’ve seen it. Some don’t get any attention from the real world so they seek it out in places like this. Someone told me in a private message no one’s ever met him in a person. You could probably guess why. I’m a little flattered by the obsession. 😜 Just tap that ignore. It’s awesome. You’re not gonna miss anything useful.

So what would be the usual? Hanky panky as you call it (don’t get to use that phrase often enough) I usually tip 1000.

lol this is why I ask

Good Monday morning from Chiang Mai. Didn't make it out last night so nothing fun to report. After getting home, I spent a good chunk of the evening chatting with you guys and then looking online at apartments in Nimman. To my surprise, rents were not as crazy high as I dreaded. Going to see if I can tour a few this week. What a cool area. Reminds of Poblado in Medellin, Colombia. Thing is when you leave that area in Medellin, conditions and safety take a downturn fast. Even in the poorest areas of Thailand I've walked around, I've never felt unsafe. One of the things I've been waiting for is to find something I'll miss about the U.S. It's week 4 and I finally found it: Sunday afternoons watching (American) football. Yeah I'm one of those homos that loves sports. After suffering for months with nothing but boring baseball, I've been so looking forward to the return of hockey and football. On Sunday afternoons I usually have 2 or 3 screens going at my place. The time difference is going to be a big obstacle. The Sunday afternoon games start at midnight here. My buddy was willing to FaceTime with me so I could watch but I didn't make it. I was sound asleep by 11:30sh. I've managed to stay away from finding out who won the Sunday games. Headed to a bar that opens at 8am for expats (and future expats like me) to yell at the screen as if it helps ... 7 hours after the game actually even happened. I do like the idea of no commercials. But Monday morning football... odd. This will be my new life next season.

I kept waiting for a hint of a break in the policy. 😆 I would've cut him off mid-sentence. "For an extra thous-" Me: "YES!" But I feel great. Super talented masseur.

OK so yeah, we did a quick walk-through boyztown but things hadn’t really started yet. We did supertown until about midnight. There was a passing thought of going back to boyztown but I’d been up since 5 AM took the train to the airport in Bangkok then the bus ride to PC. So yeah by midnight, I was ready to call it a day. But I’ll be back for a few nights at the end of this month to fill in the gaps. Looking forward to it.

Dang it I'm reaction-banned again. I guess spreading too much kindness is frowned upon. Thanks for that list. Yeah certainly going to be gogo-bar free once he arrives lol.

It was a fun night for sure. I am going to check out the raunchy though at some point when I go back in a couple weeks. 😜 My Airbnb I like in Bangkok is occupied the first few nights I get back so going to see the spots I missed in the whirlwind visit. But there will definitely be another night in Jomtien (I forget which one is Boyz Town and which one is Super Town lol). He was a great tour guide. We got a lot in in a short time that day.

Tell me about it lol. He said he wanted to but I didn’t think he would actually do it. I do enjoy him lots. Looking forward to showing him around once I know more cool spots like Nimman. He mentioned there’s a live music place he wants to check out. (He’s a music teacher.) so if anyone has any ideas of spots he might like lmk. 🙏

Last I talked with you guys Bangkok had a pretty substantial lead. Chiang Mai scored MAJOR points today after I finally started wandering around Nimman. If this part of the city is affordable this might be the spot. Wow. I love the vibe. Indy hipster but not dingy. Cute little coffee spots. People smiling everywhere. (Could be said for lots of Thailand I know.) I’ve been roaming around all afternoon and can’t get enough of this neighborhood. The ironic thing is I originally booked my Airbnb here. My memory is terrible so I have no idea why I changed. I love my condo that I’m in, but this area is definitely my favorite of any neighborhood I’ve seen in Thailand so far. This would definitely be the training wheels way of moving to Thailand. It’s got an upscale western feel. Currently sipping my 2nd coffee of the day (usually a monthly amount for me) at Roastiniyom. Lots of PLUs as @bkkmfj2648 calls em. Yet it’s not a flamboyant or a tacky gayborhood. Got a legit massage at Gentle. It was nice. Beautiful facility. Masseur was super cute. Gay friendly but no funny business. There’s a sign in the room that says “no prostitution.” 700 baht. Tipped 100. That’s enough right? I have no idea what you tip a legit masseur. 😆

“Rainy season” awesomeness. I keep seeing social media posts showing Thailand floods and misery. It’s rained off and on. But it’s never been overwhelming.

Fortunately all the warnings on my little bag of charcoal activated pills were in Thai so clearly they don't apply to me. 😜

Dude don't apologize! I was smiling reading that whole thing! Hopefully we get to hang sometime. If I get a massage when I'm in Pattaya and the guy's wearing a nice watch, I'm gonna be suspicious. Just got back from the dentist. No cavities ma! 1000 baht. That's so wild to me. I was even considering veneers while I'm here. Looks like it'd be about $3000... stupid cheap compared to the US. But I don't know. Most of them look so cringy white.

Yeah it was a plastic capsule. 👍 Hello from the dentist waiting area. What services do you guys do over here since it’s way cheaper? This one has great reviews from expats. About $50 is what I’m expecting to play for a cleaning.

Ahhh yeah I resisted that urge too. I almost did it on Samui.

If any of my exes are reading, they're howling in laughter. Yes... I knew I'd slaughter the spelling. But that's the one.

Thx @daydreamer good 2 know!

Ahhh good to know. 👍

In a normal gay bar, sure. I'd have no problem. But when they're staring you down and most aren't your type, you're getting hovered over by a mamasan, drink prices are 5x that of a normal bar... yeah, I'll come back later. :)

Every message board like this has its Debbie Downer. Some don't get attention in the real world anymore so they seek it in places like this. It's sad but yeah, instead of feeding them the attention they want, just ignore 'em however you like... scrolling past or tapping the mute/ignore feature. Have only had to do it to 2. The rest of you have been fun to learn from.

Sounds like a plan! I'm telling you the eye candy I see at my rooftop pool and gym is almost enough motivation for me to make my first gym visit in 10 years lol. But yeah, this is one of the reasons I think Bangkok might win out. I have never lived in a walking city. I love the idea of having a BTS/MRT life with no car. I wish there was a public transport system here in CM, but Grabs are cheap.

I was wondering that. That was what I paid back in Silom. I guess I'm still thinking in comparison to US prices. $50 in the US would pretty much get you a handshake. One little moment I really loved. And this says so much about the people here... even in "the industry." We both took a shower after our fun. While he was taking his, I put the 200 baht on his clothes. When I got out of my shower, all of his stuff was on. The 200 was still on the table. Had to let him know that was for him.