you're kinda 3.6 million up, aren't you? I mean you do got to live somewhere.

@David *********

There are many many many Americans. There can be many Americans that do one thing or the other... While the majority does something different. Most Americans aren't racist... Most of America is pretty racist. All a matter of perspective. But you do make a valid point. Most and the majority of Americans are egocentric.

@Klaus **********

6+ years already

Geoff Geoff ... But what kind of legal recourse. Not trying to be too sarcastic but its really not hard to find someone to take my money... I am concerned how can I be sure they'll hold up their end? Is their a legal arrangement I can get into?

I have had a few. When I am lucky I can convince the banks to send to me directly. Each time I get them within a week. I have also had friends send to me. I prefer the bank. Once when the friend send to me, they didn't do signature required and I never received it.

We get our medical bills paid.. Where/how do I do that

I am pretty sure Mekong is a river..

My guess is that the people that have replied thus far have no experience in what you are trying to do. I do have a volunteer visa but its questionable volunteer visa. I am in country, gave someone stack of baht and a 6 weeks later I am a volunteer.. It sounds like to me.. you are trying to be a real volunteer.

With employment and ED visas.. The employer/school will usually the paperwork. You may want to contact the place you are volunteering and ask if they have any other American (I assume you're American), volunteering there, that can offer you some insight. If they don't have any Americans, your next best would be EU, then any other G7 country (policy and practice do change depending on nationality).

You can contact other Embassies other than NY.. LA, DC, they may be helpful.

Be leery of people giving you advance that have no experience... Be cautious of getting advice from people who have experience but different nationality.

I have never pulled a visa from LA... But everywhere else that I have used - all I needed what a print out of my balances... Like from onlnie banking... Nothing complicated.

My guess is LA is following the rules and that is why they are requesting the information... Other embassies (Manila, Colombo, for example) have strict requirements.

Of course you can always ask the embassy.

@Michael *******

Do you have a link? Also I am more interested in the Java Banana