GLBT Travelers - SAN FRANCISCO GAYLA 2012: Feb. 3-5 “A Pilgrimage to the Gay Mecca”

UPDATE:

Here are the RSVP for our very special, intimate GAYLA:

YES: (16)
Olafman+1 (FRI, SAT, SUN)
ebayj (FRI & SAT)
DCAKen (FRI & SAT)
peteropny+1 (SAT & SUN)
LAX Gambit (FRI, SAT, SUN am)
Tennen (FRI, SAT, SUN)
ajs123 (FRI, SAT, SUN)
Buster CT1K (SAT)
ArtfullyUrs (FRI)
sfsilverbear (FRI)
Derick (FRI & SAT)
Eastbay1K +1 (SAT)
Wireless (FRI & Maybe SAT)
HockeyPoser (FRI & SAT AM)


MAYBE:
LedgeT
toryinpa
bwb6df


You are invited to spend the weekend in beautiful, charming San Francisco, California. In the past Wireless has done a wonderful job of keeping us all entertained throughout the weekend. This year, I and Ebayj proudly take the baton to continue this wonderful GAYLA tradition.

We’re getting a bit of a late start but I’m sure that it will be a fun time for all who attend.

SCHEDULE:

Friday, February 3, 2012:
07:00 PM - Appetizers/Food/Drinks at Starbelly in the Castro
10:00 PM - Castro Clubs

STARBELLY
3583 16th St
San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 252-7500
http://www.starbellysf.com/

Saturday, February 4, 2012:
11:00 AM - Dim Sum at Great Eastern Restaurant
06:00 PM - Cocktails at The Midnight Sun, 4067 18th Street in The Castro
06:30 PM - Dinner at a Firewood in The Castro
10:00 PM – Enjoy some nightlife in the Castro and Folsom

GREAT EASTERN RESTAURANT
649 Jackson St
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 986-2500

FIREWOOD CAFE
4248 18th Street
San Francisco, CA 94114
415.252.0999
http://www.firewoodcafe.com/castro.html

Sunday, February 5, 2012:
11:00 AM – Brunch for those who can make it out of bed
02:30 PM - Super Bowl BBQ my house in Berkeley (a short BART ride from downtown SF. I live just 4 blks from the North Berkeley BART station)
07:00 PM - Post-SuperBowl bar crawl in the Castro

EVERYONE IS INVITED:
I last organized a GAYLA DO when I was living in Munich. We had a wonderful experience together at Oktoberfest (read here (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/glbt-travelers/896623-oktoberfest-gayla-2009-munich-germany-sept-18-20-will-bavaria-ever-same.html) about the weekend). We had many “first time” attendees and everyone helped make it a great time for all. So if you’ve never attended a GAYLA DO, feel free to test the FLYERTALK waters with us.

OLD & NEW FRIENDS:
To me the best part of a GAYLA DO is seeing friends I’ve made over the years. Flyertalk really attracts a nice bunch of people. Also at each event, we all make new friends that add to our Flyertalk family.

MONEY:
NONE of the events will require pre-payment. Since we are so small, we're just going to pay as we go. This will make it easier for all.

AIRLINE PARTNER:
I’m naming Emirates Airlines as the unofficial carrier for the weekend. Kudos goes to any Flyertalker who flies to the 2012 SF GAYLA via Dubai especially if you live in the US. We’ve been known to do crazier things!

COME JOIN THE FUN:
If you are a “YES” or “MAYBE”, add a reply to this thread. In a couple of days, I’ll form a list.

San Francisco is once again opening her Golden Gate to Flyertalkers worldwide. We will have a weekend of friends, food and fun.

-Olafman and Ebayj

Thanks so much Olafman. SF Gayla has been a great part of the Flyertalk schedule for several years now and we look forward to seeing a bunch of you in February! I will be in the helping/supporting role, and thanks Olafman for moving this out to the board membership.

Count me in!

Put us on the list - most likely yes!!

Welcome aboard DCAKen & Peter/Mark!!!

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!

I already have another trip booked that weekend. :(

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!

I already have another trip booked that weekend. :(

me tooooooo :td::eek::mad:

I will be in PR that weekend

Alas I will be in Vancouver that weekend on my way to Whistler, BC for WinterPRIDE the following week. Have a great time! :)

I could be one of those folks that jets in from DXB. Alas.

Will be in Dubai and Moscow. Thanks for organizing!.

Next year...(I hope)

Slap me down as a big fat maybe. I'll be in need of stiff drinks following 8 hours of agency enforced "diversity" training on that Thursday.

not sure about Dubai yet... :)

As a newly initiated member of the FT GLBT family, I'd like to throw my hat in as a "maybe". I'd love to hear/read more details on this GAYLA tradition!

As a "first timer" on the Munich trip, I can vouch for Olafman. I am putting this on my calendar and will let you know if I can make it!

Hope I can make it

I won't be able to make it. I have another trip that weekend too.

just double checking dates and giving this a bump

olafman, I should be able to make it! :)

This year's SF Gayla might be smaller but still lots of fun.

Book those flights and hotels soon!!

It's in less than a month!!

-Carl

This year's SF Gayla might be smaller but still lots of fun.

Book those flights and hotels soon!!

It's in less than a month!!

-Carl

I should come by here more often... I haven't seen you since before you went to Germany. I'll have to see what I can squeeze in my schedule :)

I might be able to attend! Is there any selected hotel?

Please count me in for all Saturday events.

any updates,thanks

Greetings all.

Since we announced this GALYA so late, it looks like it might be on the smaller side. I think that will make it even better since we'll have a chance to chat more easily.

I've added a "YES" and "MAYBE" list to the first post of this thread. Hopefully the maybes will turn into yeses!!

Two weeks away!!!

If you are counting "heads" - I'm + 1

If you are counting "heads" - I'm + 1

That was a typo!! Thanks. Of course, Mark's coming!!! :)

Please put me down as a "maybe" for all events... I'll come to what I can, work permitting!

I've been to the SF Gayla the last three years, and I've loved it each time... can't wait to see y'all!

I might be able to attend! Is there any selected hotel?

In the past everyone just stays where they want depending on which loyalty programs they use.

I may be able to meet on Feb 3rd. Flying to Europe the next day... so count me in.

I'm sliding from a "maybe" to a "no". Got a last minute invite to Kauai.

So sorry, but February. SanFrancisco or Kauai with free lodging.... no brainer. ;)

i can confirm firday night event,thanks for managing, if I can help in some way let me know

Hey folks!!

Our fun weekend in SF is just a week away!! We're putting the final plans on the weekend and it should be great fun.

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone!

-Carl (olafman)

Since we are an intimate group, I'm not going to bother with pre-payment via Paypal. This will just make everything easier.

Yay! Can't wait! :) Thanks for organising everything!

For those not from SF, if you want to coordinate hotels - we're at LM.

I'll be at the Grand Hyatt, for reasons you all can understand :)

I'll be at the Grand Hyatt, for reasons you all can understand :)

Certainly do - I got a great rate that includes parking at the LM though (and I'm also SPG Plat) - was having some second thoughts about the GH instead but don't really like the remodel plus its a little bit more with parking (and no I hate that garage at Sutter / Stockton).

friends have liked the westin market street( really on 3rd between mission/market, butw within 2 blocks are p lots that are 20 bucks , 24 hours, if that helps

We looking forward to seeing everyone, even if it is a more intimate crowd. Fri and Sat dinner planning is underway - I hope to have everything lined up by Monday night. We may branch out to an adjoining neighborhood on one of those nights (I promise you, there are other neighborhoods other than Castro/Eureka Valley, and many have superb food choices.) More to come.

Count me in for Friday and Saturday!

Just booked my flights and will be staying at the Omni!

Justin, ebayj has worked hard to get us a FABU place in the Castro for Friday night: Starbelly. We have the entire communal table starting at 7pm on Fri night Feb. 3.

Check it out:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/starbelly-san-francisco

It should be a great evening.

STARBELLY
3583 16th St
San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 252-7500
http://www.starbellysf.com/

Saturday begins with a traditional San Francisco breakfast of DIM SUM. I've chosen one of my favorite places in Chinatown within walking distance from the Union Square hotels, Great Eastern Restaurant.

The food there is great and the food is very fresh since you order off a menu. No trollies but fresher food. it's a good trade off. :)

Great Eastern Restaurant
649 Jackson St
(between Cooper Aly & Beckett St)
San Francisco, CA 94133
Neighborhood: Chinatown
(415) 986-2500

http://www.yelp.com/biz/great-eastern-restaurant-san-francisco

You can meet us at the restaurant or I'll be walking over from the Grand Hyatt off Union Square. Let's meet at Ruth Asawa's San Francisco Fountain just in front of the Grand Hyatt at 10:30am.

Might make it to everything except Saturgay dinner and Sunday party.

We have finally confirmed dinner for Saturday night 6:30pm at:
FIREWOOD CAFE
4248 18th Street
San Francisco, CA 94114
415.252.0999
http://www.firewoodcafe.com/castro.html

It's a great place in the heart of the Castro that will give us great food and flexibility with our numbers.

I'll be at the Midnight Sun for a pre-dinner cocktail at 6:00 pm and then we'll have lots of choices for the after dinner fun including coffee at Cafe Flore on Market.

The dress is casual so all should feel comfortable.

It's going to be a great time.

Greetings all,

EBAYJ and I are very excited to see you all tonight. Safe journeying today. May the upgrade gods be on your side.

-Carl (olafman)

I'll join in on the Sat. cocktails and dinner. How will I find the group since I haven't met anyone on this board before?

You should recognize Carl from his YouTube shower video.

Move me over to the "YES!" column for today (though I'll have to stay in "Maybe" for Sat/Sun.

Thanks so much, Carl, for organizing and I can't wait to see everyone tonight!

Thanks everyone who came to Starbelly tonight. Great good, great people, and great fun. Hope to see most of you again tomorrow.

There is a chance I will not be able to make it to Firewood tonight. Apologies for the late notice.

never done a FT event before but would like to join you guys if you room for 2 more tonight. jon (and reluctant spouse)

Hey SFBOS!

See you tonight.

Excellent choice for Dim Sum! See everyone there!!

Thanks to Justin for finding us a great place for dinner last night. It was great to be at the family table of one of the Castro's hottest restaurants.

I enjoyed seeing everyone and meeting new people.

Dim sum'ing soon!!!!!

There is a chance I will not be able to make it to Firewood tonight. Apologies for the late notice.
Strike that. I will be at dinner tonight! :)

It was good to see everyone today at Dim Sum!! I'll try to make it to dinner, depends on if I can get prepped for tonight or not.

I'm DJ'ing at Lookout (corner of Market/Noe/16th) tonight from 9-close. I talked to the manager and they will offer free cover, just say "Flyertalk" when you get to the door.

Since olafman will be prepping for the BBQ, I'll take over the brunch (aiming for 11 or 11:30am). :p

pm me before 10:00am if you want to join in, and I'll get back to you by 10:30 for the location. It'll be somewhere near Union Square, SOMA, FiDi, or Chinatown, so that the out of towners can easily come. :)

Oh, and please lmk what your budget is, so I don't choose somewhere that's too expensive.

I had a great time again in SF. It was nice actually getting to meet everyone and spending time.

Wonderful to see you once again Olafman. Thank you and ebayj for hosting a great time in SF. Wonderful weather...good food...and great company. Thank you Tennen for the Sunday brunch...i'll have the buzz from the mimosas going until i land in LA.

Cheers!

I knew this would turn out splendidly. Congratulations to Olafman and ebayj! I'm so sorry to miss you all - but I'll be there in two weeks :)

Thank you guys all for the organization--this year's Gayla V was incredible. I'm sad it's over, but I'm happy to have met so many awesome people.

Hope to stay in touch with you guys!!!

Thank you guys for such a great company, and olafmanand ebayj for hosting! Pity I missed the sunday brunch & the bbq. See you hopefully next year, if not sooner! :)

I knew this would turn out splendidly. Congratulations to Olafman and ebayj! I'm so sorry to miss you all - but I'll be there in two weeks :)

+ 1, sorry to miss.

This was a great weekend, thanks to Olafman, ebayj, and Tennen. Thanks for organizing everything and making sure we had such fantastic weather for February.

Thanks for a wonderful and memorable time!

Nice meeting everyone. Thanks for organizing, Carl!

We're not home and wanted to add our thanks to the organizers - this was a very nice event!!!

Thanks olafman & ebayj for a great weekend!!

It was great to see familiar faces and meet new ones! :)

I should've cut back on brunch, because I was too full to sample any of olafman's cooking. :(

I should've cut back on brunch, because I was too full to sample any of olafman's cooking. :(

No worries, Terry and I had some great pulled-pork sandwiches today for lunch. Yummy!!

Thanks for the kind comments guys, and delighted everyone seemed to have a nice time. I'll be happy to plan anything with olafman - he's one of the truly good guys, a treasured chorus brother, and beautiful on both the inside and outside.

This might be bit too early, but any thoughts about the dates for next year's gayla in SF? Thx!!!

There are some very nice fares with DL ex LON that revived my fond memories of SF :-D

Thanks ajs123. I was just talking to both flyballetguy and olafman about this (in separate conversations). We should be able to get something moving on this planning wise in the next week or two. Typically, we follow the Super Bowl dates.

I just bought a ticket to be in SFO that weekend, but it's a busy weekend (Getting in Sat afternoon Feb 2 from SRQ - don't ask . . . - SF Ballet Sat night and Sunday matinee - home on the redeye Monday.)

That said, I love business travel Gaylas. Hope to see you all at least for a bit then!