I have now been in the US almost two weeks... Ok well I am about 11 days into "Vacation" as the Americans call it! Most of the vacation has been spent milling around and seeing California - immersing myself in the gay scene - although its a bit of a worrying place.... there is a high prevalence of HIV, with new symbols on recon and Grindr that denote peoples status [+] meaning they are HIV+. It appears that many people from the US come to San Francisco to get away from their local communities much in the same way most UK guys go to London. The difference here is that HIV is pretty common so most people appear to have it - there is even an entire support network to assist financially and mentally people with a positive status. I am not fully sure about California. On the whole it is a nice place, but compared to London its not a massive gay community its more a local social community where everyone appears to know everyone. In fact when I went out with Jamie I found that he appeared to know everyone under the sun, so either he gets about a bit or its just that small a community. There is a huge homeless problem in California and this is especially bad in San Francisco where there is a huge population of homeless people. I found out that California is so accepting and understanding it encourages homeless people to come here and survive. This has caused a few local problems and this is more easily seen in the tenderloin area which is an inner city area in the CBD that is a no go zone. It links market and Folsom on 6th so is a pretty important route but is just very dodgy! Then also beyond Turk again an area where it gets a bit rough. The HI SF Downtown is an awesome place and has just been redone. I found many friends there and enjoyed staying there. The same is not true of HI San Diego. Its too early to comment and San Diego but so far it reminds me a little of Blackpool.... many drunken kids and more bars than you can shake a stick at. Me and Vahik (work collegue) had burgers last night and watched the very drunk crowds gather. It was like a straight person meat market. He informed me its pretty easy to pick up girls here, either at the beach or in the nightlife. Not sure thats my cup of tea but hey! The gay scene in SD is a little sparse. There are gay areas where there are many folk live but there is not a "castro" or SoHo type area where gay guys hang out - or if there is I have not found it yet! I could happily live in SF not sure about SD... SF is very relaxed... and importantly sunny! I managed to have some fun whilst out here. Meeting Geoff for some bondage play which was pretty awesome. Whilst he wasnt the most attractive guy under the sun when you have a blindfold on who gives a shit :) Also met a few good people who I hope to call friends. Juan from Argentina (Yahoo) and Trey from Canada (a very cute Doctor!). Also met up with James from downtown SF - who I am hoping very much to play with in a few days when I am back there. I was somewhat disappointed that I did not manage to meet up with Scott (from UK) as he lives out there now. After speaking to him for many years on and off I thought would be a good opportunity just to say hi - he's not my type for play unfortunately but still he seems a cool guy to know. But alas he probably has lots more new friends now so is somewhat flakey. The funniest moment in the holiday was me in the "Edge" in Castro watching very butch guys in drag miming to songs from Wicked! It was pretty awesome... even though it would have been better had they actually sang properly to the tracks... Im a huge Wicked fan so it kinda spoilt it a bit... (did see Oz the great and powerful, although for some reason slept through it all... think I havent yet adjusted to US time!), but it was good to be picked up by a nice American guy who thought I was cute... he was a bit old for me but it was still a nice feeling! Did see a *very* cute guy there who I would have loved to have had the balls to go say hi to, but did the very British thing and kinda kept myself to myself.... I wish I didnt have the British hangups that we all appear to suffer from, being insular and not as outgoing as other nations. Its interesting to see in bars in the UK we dont really talk to folk we dont know and yet we happily go into a dark room and fuck random guys.... yet in USA they meet in bars and have to take folk home... which no offence... this sounds safer and better (not sure on that last statement considering the HIV prevelence - although I suspect this is more related to the amount of BB that goes on - mainly as a result of everyone being cut!). Today in SD its a lovely hot day - I am sat in starbucks in downtown SD, drinking coffee with laptop... I think I would happily come to SF again, and maybe see if I can get a few month sabatical out here. Not sure about the long term here... its a nice place but some of the Americans and some of the laws are something to be very worried of... this "3 strikes" thing is just so silly! And the fact that gay guys cant marry... WTF!!!! If I could pick the weather and some of the people and culture and transport it to the UK it would be great.... but I think it will just have to be one of these places I just visit every now and then.... to escape the UK.... maybe next time I will plan it better though and have sex with random folk every night.... (yeah right!).