The Sojourner

Happy New Year 2010!

Well, I hope I didn't forget the language of my friends around the globe!

The Pink Penis

My American couchsurfer who arrived from Seoul, South Korea gifted me this as soon as she arrived and sat on the couch where she's gonna be sleeping for 6 days.

She said that when she saw this amazing, creative art, she instantly thought of me.

Well, do I need to tell you why? Hahahahaha!!!

Isn't it so B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L?
It's so PINK, yet, it's Korean size, eh?
Hahahahahahaha!!!

Christmas Debauchery Part 2

On Christmas night, the debauchery continues.

We started the evening in VERY THAI Restaurant for dinner and stayed there for three hours. Good food, great conversations, mostly centered about the "Essence of Being Korean" which actually was an interesting learning about the country and its culture.

We were literally being educated.

 

When everybody was ready to go, we decided to check out LAN's Gay Night by GAYOGRAPHIC.

What happened there?

These photos will tell you how naughty I was --- no wonder the REAL Santa never dropped anything in my socks. I've been naughty all year round and he must be really pissed off and wondering what happened to his little altar boy eons ago.  

But, who cares about Bear Santa's gift when I have two hot, half-naked Santas ready to serve and pamper me like I was their most favorite naughty bitch! Hahahahaha...

So, this is how I spent my Christmas Night in the Year of our Lord, 2009! :))

Christmas Eve in Beijing

Beijing was crazy last night, Christmas Eve.

China, of course, doesn't celebrate Christmas. But, in big cities, like Beijing, it has become a fad.

Just a fad.

Right after work yesterday, I decided to visit the St. Joseph Cathedral in Wangfujing to try my new toy, Canon 500D.

As early 4:30 p.m., the surge of crowd was like a surge of humanity like no other. It's 30 minutes before rush hour and the subway was surely full. A lot of these commuters were wearing Santa hat and accessorizing their frozen body with other unfashionable stuff that you would mistake last night as a Halloween night.

So, anyway... here are the photos of the early evening. When the crowd started to gather in the piazza in front of the Church, my camera battery died.

I still stayed for another another hour nosing around like the tens of policemen around the area in search of something illegal and perhaps, FUN.

Almost all salespeople in Wangfujing had a Santa hat to join the Christmas agog.


She's selling what? Hello! It's Christmas. See? It's Christmas! It's not freaking' Halloween!


A lot of people are waiting outside the St. Joseph Cathedral in Wangfujing for the evening mass.


The Church' facade is illuminated with bright lights all night of the year!


Too early for Easter Bunnies?


A young girl is taking a pic of her friends.


She was complaining to her mother to hurry up pressing the shutter so she could go down the huge lower pot for fear of falling.

Beijing Santacon

Despite the windy, freezing coldness, Naughty and Nice Santas came in droves to spread holiday cheers, love, hug and alcohol to the Beijing rens.

Santacon started at noon in two different Poles of Beijing: The Northwest Pole (Pyro at Wudaoko) and the Southeast Pole (The Bricks in Shuangjing).

Santas from these two Poles energized themselves with alcohol for the freezing temperature under a clear, blue afternoon sky, a rare weather in Beijing's winter.

At Tiananmen Square

Participants from these two Poles convened at Tiananmen Square to the delight of the Chinese crowd and foreign tourists. The former, of course, took every opportunity to take pictures with some slightly drunk and sober Santas who never tire themselves of posing with people who know no other pose but showing the V sign. 

I really didn't know what exactly happened there at the Tiananmen since I arrived there when everybody was on their way to the Drum and Bell Tower. But here's what I heard from another Santa:

"The atmosphere at Tiananmen Square was festive --Chinese and foreign tourists seemed surprised and happy to see us, most of the guards just looked on as we spread holiday cheer. We couldn't walk more than a few meters without being asked to pose for photos by smiling tourists."

I was late, yes, because I have to finish my class until 3:00 pm. I rushed to Tiananmen Square to meet the rest of the 30-40 Santas but I failed to join them there.

When I arrived at The Square gate, I have to pass by the security guards and one of them was asking what I was gonna do there.

I told them that I'm gonna catch up with my fellow Santas who were just "taking pictures" at the Square.

They inspected my bag and motioned me to go without further ado. I felt like their eyes followed me.....

I wore a Santa suit, of course! And I was the FREE HUG SANTA! 

There was this young couple who approached me in Tiananmen Square and asked if they could have a photo op with me but before I said yes, I flashed my placard and they understood the message. The guy opened his arms and the gal followed.

And they got what they wanted.

They were my first ever FREE HUG experience in public!


DRUM and BELL TOWER

On my way to the Drum and Bell, I met two Santas: Natasha and Anne. Both were a bit drunk. We stopped by a small store so they could buy two bottles of beer. We hopped into a taxi and directed the driver in a wrong way....so, we have to stop and walk to the Tower which was 500 meters away.

And guess what, one of us fell-----that shattered the bicycles neatly parked on the sidewalk.

It was not me, I swear. :))

When we arrived at the Drum and Bell Tower Bar, Santas were all resting in the comfy couches and chilled like what Father Christmas would do in the North Pole when he's not busy packing stuff.

I just had a beer and a soda water at D & B. It was too early for me to get drunk. ;)

We stayed there for an hour and left the place following the drunk / tipsy voice of a lady Santa who led the street caroling in her megaphone.

SALUD Bar in Nanlouguxiang

The quiet hutong was awakened by the joyous cheers of Santa's "Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho!"

Nobody, among us, was, of course, a HO!

Every passersby stopped whatever they were doing. The caroling continued in between gulping down the Tsingtao beer in hand and spreading Christmas greetings in Chinese!

SALUD Bar gave every Santa a deal of 5 kuai off in everything. Fair enough.

Nobody was left sober here. Everyone had their share of alcoholic beverage and some craved for food while others waited in queue to the bathroom.

I had three big mugs of beer and a shot handed to me by another Santa. Whoever you are, thanks a lot.

When I went upstairs, another Santa tagged me a NAUGHTY sticker and well.....it was an honor. So true. Hahahahahaha...

I told everyone I'm naughty 365 days a year! :))

I dunno how long we stayed in Salud but it was here where I mingled with almost everyone. And I became, I think, a slut.

I don't really remember everything but my pictures show that I was in someone's lap! I hope I wasn't too nasty. I dunno how to be subtle when I'm drunk! Hahahahaha...

PADDY O' SHEA'S

Due to selective amnesia, I don't remember everything that happened here. My video shows that Santas were singing and there was also wine tasting in the corner.

And for Santas, the bar gave us a good buy one, free one deal. I dunno how many more bottles I imbibed here.

I was standing on the bar with the other Santas! My goodness! How did it happen? Mike, did you force me up there?

I think I had my dinner here. Who knows? :)

FUBAR in GONGTI

Walking from Paddy's to Fu Bar was not fun! Beijing's windy, cold evening is everyone's nightmare but good thing, we made it to Fu Bar with half-numbed fingers. At least, in my case.

Fubar gave us 10rmb tsingtaos and specials on shots. I didn't get one of these though. I had two big mugs of cider which was heaven for me. I wanna go back there again for this drink only.

The management also opened the loft space for the drunk Santas.

I have nothing much to share here. I was totally wasted.


WHITE RABBIT

From the cosy Fubar, we all walked to White Rabbit at Sanlitun. Ok, not all. Some took the cab. Our imaginary reindeers were all gone somewhere and got their much-needed sleep.

I got just a drink here and danced nonstop for a while so I could be a bit sober. Dancing, for me, is kinda therapy when I'm drunk.

When I had the courage to go home alone, I had a graceful exit and I don't think I told anyone I was going home.

It was 12:30. Too early, I know.


THE LAST RED BULL

I slept on the taxi for a while that the driver had to wake me up---only to find out that I was beyond the address I told him to take me.

He turned around and forced myself to keep awake. It was a hard fight between sleep and sanity.

As soon as I saw my couch, in the living room I literally died on it. Still, in Santa suit.

I woke up at 8:00 a.m. and hurried up to my 9-o'clock work.

I grabbed the last red bull can in my refrigerator and headed for the door. Then, I realized, I never locked the door.

OTHER LINKS:
Flicker Photos: http://www.flickr.com/groups/bjsantacon09
Beijing Santacon website: http://www.bjsantacon.com/
Beijing Boyce: http://www.beijingboyce.com/2009/12/21/santacon-beijing

Mr. Gay China

You read the title right.

Mr. Gay China 2010?!

Really?

Yes!

Why not?

Days after the crowning of the first ever Mr. Hongkong, which was won by an American, Chinese mainland announced its own Mr. Gay China.

The pageant is, of course, a brainchild of the well-known triad of Ben, Ryan and Niu-Niu of GAYOGRAPHIC, a gay event management website in the capital.

The organizer is still looking for brave, hot and wondrous souls out there to join in the search for the Ultimate Hunk!

Deadline will be on the 31st of December.

Win or lose, it doesn't matter. You are part of the first evah gay beauty pageant in China!

So, if you have it, flaunt it! 

Will you be the FIRST Mr. Gay China? This is what they are looking for:

• Chinese citizen or foreigners with valid residence visa of the People’s Republic of China
• Good command of spoken and written English is an asset. The winner of Mr. Gay China will compete in The Mr. Gay World Pageant, which will be conducted in English. However, this is not a requirement. A translator will be provided free-of-charge during the World Pageant.
• Must be 21-40 years old
• Minimum height requirement of 5’7” or 170cm
• No previous criminal record
• Is eligible for travel to Oslo, Norway for the Mr. Gay World finals in February 2010

For the complete information of the contest, click HERE.

The gorgeous (for sure) winner will represent China proudly in the annual Mr. Gay World Ambassador competition in Oslo, Norway from February 10-14. And this year's search is fabulously dubbed as, IN THE NAME of LOVE! 

The delicious candidates will vie for Best in Sportswear, Best Swimwear and Best in Interview. A panel of distinguished judges (ah, they gotta be more delicious!) will select the winner based on overall stage performance.

The contest will take place on January 15, 2010!

For Worldwide PRESS RELEASES about this pageant, click this SITE.

Mr. Gay World Ambassador

Photo credit above: BLOGCATALOG

Paris Santacon

When my mom told us about Father Christmas, I already suspected that this heavy, white- bearded guy  doesn't exist. 

Even if were were candies in my socks that hanged the door the next day, I had the feeling that it's conspiracy between my mom and my grandparents.

As I grow older and even as of this writing, I can't decide if there's really a Santa.

Bollocks. 

Anyway...

BETTINA, a French dahlin' friend of mine, reports from Paris on what transpired on the streets of the World's Most Romantic City, by documenting the event with her lenses.

She's my second guest blogger.

Here's what she said:

The SantaCon 2009 in Paris was a cooooold but funny experience. All kind of Santa Claus were gathered in one place. All needed to participate was, needless to say, a Santa costume! But we found there plenty of imaginative Christmas Mothers and Fathers, as well as elfs and even one snowman!

We've were invited to choose Miss and Mister Santa among hundreds of extravagant red costumes. A bunch of photographers were here, too. It was hard to make your own space in this crowd.

It was a real "Santarchy"!

The organizers gave us a list of rules to follow (don't scare the children, don't mess with the cops. ) and a list of creative Christmas songs to sing on some French protests air.

Imagine, red costumes jumping everywhere, shouting “Ho Ho Ho”, in the subway, on the streets, the grand boulevards, shopping areas...

If it wasn't this cold I would have stayed to follow the Santa procession!! Next year I will, maybe in Beijing :)

For photos, click this link: 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bettinaoua/sets/72157622988266560/

Beijing, too, will have its own Santacon this Saturday, December 19 which starts at noon. For more info, read this link: http://www.bjsantacon.com/index.php

Schedule of the route will follow later.

What is Santacon? Check the WEBSITE.


P.S.
Thanks, Betti!

 

Neons Glitter with the Stars

Neons glitter with the stars.

Very true, indeed.

And when I say STARS, I mean, us---who came in full colors and made the Neon Party visible from where the stars are.

If you were not there, you're such a star that never ever twinkles anymore. Your star quality, dahlin', is super dead and there's no way to revive it.

In short, you have no more career, loser! :)

(Ok, I intended those words to those who promised me they'd come but didn't.)

Anyway...

Partygoers were diverse group of young and gorgeooouussss people who came fully glammed up for the bygone era of the 20's. They mixed and matched their garbs and accessories with their vibrant personality who never failed to make someone smile or take a second-look.

Outrageous. Bizarre. Fantabulous. Drop-dead diva. Colorful. Oozing. Hot Twinkies. Delicious.

Those are just few adjectives to describe the themed party that left everyone literally drowned in alcohol for it was also an open bar which only cost a hedonist a hundred kuai for four hours of non-stop drinking, damaging your brain cells.

Then, I broke two glasses out of carelessness (a.k.a drunkeness).

With so many cute boys and girls before and around me, I can now only remember few names. The cute guys' names are, rest assured, remembered in my forgetful, aging mind.

Call it selective amnesia.

Of course, what would a party be without dance tunes that would lift everyone's spirit up to the sky?

When I arrived around 10:30 p.m., the music was kinda lacking character that supposed to in sync with event. The dance floor was empty and nobody was in the mood to show her and his thing.

But, that "boring part" only lasted in less than minutes after I sashayed my ass down the Boat Bar. The crowd gone wild and jumped to ecstasy.

I don't mean the weed.

It was so much fun than I thought. And I had double fun because I saw and touched and molested (hahahaha!!!) my yummy Malaysian-British boytoy. It's been a while I haven't seen him and as usual, I was slutty in front of him. I asked some of his friends to get him drunk so I could "DO" everything I want. Hahahahahahaha!!!

But, I can't wait any longer to get him wasted because I had to leave the place to check out the re-opening of White Rabbit at Tongli studio in Sanlitun.

The downside of the Neon Party was---I lost my 9 days old, RMB590 leather jacket. Those people in-charge for the cloaks were jerks who could not organize a simple thing to do: keeping those jackets and making sure the owner gets what's rightfully his / hers.

Apology (if ever you would ask for one) NOT accepted.
 

Scott's Family Italian Cuisine and Bar

Last night, Thursday, this LGBT-friendly Italian Cuisine and Bar hosted to some 20 (due to limited space) homos and a fag hag (I dragged her along) to a very sumptuous pizza buffet for a cheap price of RMB68. 

And guess what, their pricey bottled wines were 50% off for members of the "family."

Yes, darling, LGBT in this part or the Orient is not a community but a family.

Anyway, I devoured five slices of the wood-fired pizza (much better than The Tree) I think and had my eye on the tuna salad but didn't pick any leaves from the salad bowl. Just tuna.

Yeah, I'm the culprit. :)

Scott's Family Resto and Bar has a homey feeling that is both cosy and away from any pretentious decors trying to be classy but failed. The atmosphere is good for nice conversations and the staff are helpful (though there's only one who can speak English) making your dining experience a pleasant one. The location though a bit hard to find (we were lost), but it's worth finding it. It's like finding a hidden treasure in the middle of the hutong nearby the Sanlitun area.

Last night's pizza buffet dinner is nothing short of my not-so-very high expectations. Except, that, instead of having softdrinks and coffee part of the deal, it could have been better if they were beer.

Pizza and beer, what could be better than that?

Appetizer: Bruschetta, Caesar salad, Tuna fish salad

Soup: Mushroom cream soup

Pizza: Salami Pizza, Carbonara Pizza (bacon, eggs and parmesan cheese), Super Pizza (sausage, chicken bacon, black olives, peppers and chilli) Prosciutto E Funghi (Pizza with ham and mushroom), Vegetarian Pizza

Desert: Panna Cotta, Tiramisu, Fresh Fruit


CONTACTS:
Tel: 6416 0600
Address: Next to Xingfucun Hotel
地址：幸福村宾馆旁
Map: Click HERE
They do deliver free of charge.

Picture credit: Gayographic

A Candle for 350

Everybody knows what happening in Copenhagen right now.

I'm not an expert and I don't really know the issue TOTALLY but for sure, I know that our world is in danger and WE are in DANGER, too!

It doesn't take much and doesn't cost much to care. So, why not join me in lighting a candle on your own and support the guys who are outhere in the cold streets of Copenhagen making sure that our world leaders convening there right now get the message clear.

350.

Dahlin' it's fabulous to care!