Tijuana — Dec. 1997

(Most of the) group after dinner
(Hugh took the photo.) After the third denial of a tourist visa for Victor in the mid-1990s, we gave up trying to get Victor to Los Angeles. I decided to try to set up an event to get some of my Los Angeles friends to Mexico instead.

A dinner party in Tijuana seemed like it might work. Although I had briefly visited Tijuana, I didn't know a suitable restaurant, or whether there might be a good gay restaurant or a gay hotel for Victor and me to stay at. I posted a note on a gay email discussion list asking for anyone who might be able to help me with that. I was hoping that Rex Wockner might respond, and he did! So I paid Rex to show me around a bit in Tijuana, and picked a good, easy-to-find (but not gay) restaurant.

I set up a trip to Tijuana for Victor and me, and invited friends, including Rex and partner Jess (third and second from the right, respectively, in the photo above), to dinner. I didn't tell Victor anything about the dinner. It was to be a surprise for him.

The trip was Victor's first time on an airplane! Everything went very well. This was before 9/11, and border crossings were easier then, so most of the invitees did attend. Victor was surprised, at least a couple of my friends knew who Rex was, and everyone had a fine time.

Victor and I spent several days in Tijuana. We enjoyed the art in the Tijuana Cultural Center. But overall, Victor found Tijuana unappealing.

Trump nominees contradict Trump

I sent the following letter to the Los Angeles Times (not published):

Re: Trump said it, but Cabinet picks differ

Trump's cabinet nominees are contradicting Trump: How can you tell, since Trump contradicts Trump all the time?

Belize — December 2016

At Big Rock Falls

Zipline

Link to more photos

Victor and I spent a week in Belize. It was this tour (but at a different lodge; see below). The week included hiking, canoeing, Mayan ruins, caving, horseback riding, zip-lining, cave tubing, and snorkeling.

But on the second day, Victor and I tipped the canoe twice, and my phone, despite being in a plastic bag, got wet and died. The only photos I have are a few taken before that and those above, taken by others.

We were at Mystic River Lodge (mapped) most of the time, then at Pelican Beach Resort on a small island in South Water Caye for two days.

Belize is awfully wet! December is not the rainiest season, but there was still quite a bit of rain. The caves were both filled with water and required some swimming. The country is beautifully green, but definitely wet!