Music Makes the People....

Music makes the people come together. It certainly did last night. I happened to be playing tour guide with 4 of our delightful guests in our 2 bedroom apartment next door. I had suggested to the four gals from the USA that, if they were going to Patpong that evening, then they should definitely pop into DJ Station a bit before 11:30 to catch the cabaret show. Fast forward 30 minutes later and the 5 of us were crammed into a taxi hell bent for Silom. That’s right, my feeble protest of having to work the next day was to no avail.

As usual the show was fabulous, in my humble opinion, and I could tell from the reaction of my guests that they also were impressed w/ the sheer energy, talent and enthusiasm of the performers. It wasn’t long before the air was filled with the deep, sexy dance beat of today’s best tunes, turning the club into a place ‘not just where you bump and grind.’ To be sure, almost everyone was dancing but as I surveyed the crowd (as I did my own little ‘bump and grind’) I was struck by something else. A bit of an epiphany I suppose. You couldn’t have concocted a more diverse group of revelers if your life had depended upon it. To be sure, most of the crowd were gay, ranging in age from barely legal to bordering feeble, but also included a lively mix of straight guys and girls, and befitting the show we had just watched, was punctuated here and there with the most exotic looking creatures. I’m referring here of course to the ladyboys, drag queens, transgender and all the other terms that are used when referring to those who fall outside of straight or gay. And the revelation wasn’t that this patchwork quilt of people had all come out to dance on a Monday night, but that, despite all their differences, there was an invisible ‘glue’ holding them together in this happy, heady mix called DJ Station. That ‘glue’, I realized was Music. I realized then that Music is a powerful weapon that could cut through long held stereotypes, misconceptions, prejudice and even hatred. If we let it.

Imagine regime change through Music. CD’s falling quietly through the sky, finding their way into MP3 players, lifting and enlightening entire repressed societies, who then see neighbors in a totally new light. If I were running for the highest office of the world’s superpower, you can bet that Music would be part of my platform. OK, right up there with the economy. And my running mate? Think M. Think ‘bump and grind’.

Bangkoksong. Even our name has music in it. Each of our apartments comes with its own music system, MP3 player compatible or borrow from our library of way cool tunes. Let’s dance.

Guest post by Randall

The Big Mango

The Big Apple?

Has to be New York City. Unless of course you’re in the Southern Hemisphere and then it’s Buenos Aires.

Well how about the Big Mango?

No competition, Bangkok, hands down. Now forgive me for being so cocky about this, but please, allow me to explain.

Flaunting a title, or wearing a crown, comes with some responsibility. I believe Bangkok is up to the challenge, no less than NYC.

First and foremost, consider the shopping. World class all the way with the likes of Siam Paragon, Central World, and Gaysorn Plaza. And hey! Check out Siam Square for all the latest in cool funky affordable fashions from local Thai designers. On a budget? Head straight to the world’s largest weekend market – Chatuchak. (Hey say it fast, it sounds sexy!)

See, the thing is, Bangkok can quench the shopping thirst of just about anyone, whether you’re a billionare from Saudi Arabia or a working mom from Suburbia

Next! Food, eating out, dining, mangez, however you say it., Bangkok has it covered. Feast on some of the best local street fare any city has to offer or dine in the heavens at the likes of Vertigo or Sky Bar for a, well, almost religious experience. And then there’s everything in between, some of the best Thai and International cuisine you’re ever gonna find, at prices that will have you ordering seconds.

Let’s cap it off with entertainment, nightlife, clubs, discos. OK at the risk of coming off way too gay, you just have to check out the cabaret show at DJ Station any night of the week. Give Friday and Saturday a miss unless you’re really into crowds. So here it is -you pay your 100 bht ($3 USD) and you get a ticket for a drink. The show starts at 11:30. Tell me if Whitney isn’t sensational? Actually they all are. Show over, dance the night away (well, till 2:30 ish) with friendly, attractive, no attitude people. Straight? Please come! You’re every gay boys fantasy. Kidding!

Apples are usually tart and crispy. If you bruise one, throw it out. Overripe, well, you could make applesauce. Mangos on the other hand, eaten green - a bit like a Granny Smith Apple. Ripe - nothing much better. Overripe -juicy and succulent, seductive. Just like Bangkok. Now I HAVE gone too far.

Bangkoksong. Seductive with luxury towels, Egyptian cotton sheets and hosts who care.

Randall