Anyone going to the ENG in Massachussets or just some friendly advice?

I'm kinda new to TN and still getting impressions. Have a vague idea of getting there to the ENG and doing it but unclear of how comfortable it'd be as a lone middle aged male. Anyone got any candid comments? In relation to an expressed  idea of my travelling to the States, an American friend of mine told me that if i was wanting to meet Americans and connect with people, that I should not go, ( as HE would be outside the country,) and that Americans are largely suspicious of foreigners. He said I should remember that Europe has the "cafe culture" that I am craving and that America doesn't. I had told him that I was not so interested  in "seeing" the "places" of New York and whatever of teh States so much as in relaxing in cafes and meeting and talking with people about politics and stuff. i would love to meet gays and talk about gay politics too. I am an incurable romantic so he was reacting to this..perhaps.. and also simply trying to steer me to doing this trip to the States at a later point when he would be there. (I had  not told him of the naturist ENG idea. He and I share an interest in Buddhism, and he like me calls himself gay. He came out 10 years ago leaving his marriage of a lifetime and embracing gay.) The ENG claims to be accepting of all but I surmise from comments that TN members have made in private messges showiing their attitudes, that this "accepting", like the general community attitude is better characterised as rhetoric and that "tolerance" would be the better word or perhaps paying lip service to acceptance. In the end I think the presence of children in the equation at ENG would/might indeed make people slighty wary or suspicious of a foregner, albeit an Australian coming from a country that shares so much culturallly and in terms of world view with America. I would think the hard times hitting at the moment might also be a factor.. On a more practical level would there be anyone travelling from an international airport in Massachussetts to the site of the ENG? Which ariport should I got to? How would I get there? Would there be buses and trains I could catch? Anyone who might proffer a few ideas, comments, perspective, advice? Would there be a better palce to go? Would there be a gay/bi gathering that might be preferable for someone like myself?  There doesnt seem to be anything like that happening in the last week of July into early August.  There is a voice in me that is saying that soem of these feelings are just negative thoughts and that I should put them aside as slightly neurotic. I would like to travel about a bit after the ENG. This is where the getting around issue comes up more so. Hiring a small car? At least $ 100 a day and probably much more? Or could I catch greyhound coaches. An Amecian work mate reckons i'd feel insecure on them  cos the only people who catch these are down and outers...! Amtrak? Or flying around using online bookings to get cheap stuff.. It all brings up a lot of questions that am not sure of. Must get a Lonely Planet for the States! Or will I jsut shelve the whole idea and go to India before hitting France?Phil