Just Starting Out

[stevekoozer]

 Greetings:

  Excellent forum here even though it does not seem to be very busy as of late. I have picked up quite a bit of information and real experience for the posters on here while browsing back through the threads.
 I am looking to head down to BAQ this coming Jan 2015 and use Jamie's service. I have read quite a few posts about his service being worth spending the money on. When you calculate the costs of a trip on your own with airfare the cost of a decent hotel, food and so on it seems to average out about the same, well at least for me and the way I do things when I travel. You get to meet women that interest you that also have expressed interest in meeting you via your pictures and profile in your questionnaire. I speak ok Spanish, well enough to get buy on any vacation I have been on to Spanish speaking countries. I am continuing to improve my Spanish which can only help. It is nice though to have a translator to help out while in the initial stages of meeting someone and being able to be understood clearly while I work to become more fluent. 

  A bit about me

 Forty Five years old in good health and good physical shape I would say I have average looks. I don't have too many problems getting dates here but I prefer a more traditional women that does not want to compete with me to be the "man in the relationship" I don't have any overt or overly macho tendencies but I am a strong willed man. I am middle class and make a decent living as a tradesman. I make enough to pay the bills have a comfortable life and put a bit away for the future. I have friends that make twice the money I make and they are five times less happy with their lives than I am with mine. Its the simple things in life that I enjoy the most. I gave up chasing the Jones's years ago and have been for the most part content ever since. I am fortunate enough to have been able to travel quite a bit and have seen all of Canada the States, Mexico and almost all of western Europe over the last 20 years. 

 I am now at the right stage in my life where it is time to settle down with the right woman and start a family. I know this will be somewhat of a challenge and will take some time just with the differences in culture let alone language barriers. I am optimistic that with time effort and patience and a lot of work that I will find the right woman for me and vice versa.

 Any additional input from you folks here who  have done the same would be welcomed and appreciated   

Best Regards           

[fathertime]

Hi,
It sounds like you are on a good path. 

Good luck and keep brushing up on the spanish it can make a big difference.

Fathertime!

[bcc_1_2]

I'm sure you'll find some good travel advice on here, but it sounds like you've done your homework. If you've traveled around the world you've probably done your homework on BAQ and know just what you are in for. Even within the country of Colombia... you'll find all types of women depending on where you go. So as long as you have read up on BAQ I say good luck.

[pchip]

Yes, another fellow Canadian!!!  Wish you luck, love your outlook of life.  Only recommendations from me are to think of this as an expansion of your dating pool, try to think with your BIG head, and finally if something is taboo here in Canada (where we're pretty laid back), then it probably is over there as well...


Good Luck!

[gyounger]

Greetings and good luck with your search.
Since your trip is still aways off, you have time to prepare.
I also wouldn't rule out meeting some women online.
CC and LAC are good sites.

[stevekoozer]

Yes, another fellow Canadian!!!  Wish you luck, love your outlook of life.  Only recommendations from me are to think of this as an expansion of your dating pool, try to think with your BIG head, and finally if something is taboo here in Canada (where we're pretty laid back), then it probably is over there as well...


Good Luck!

Big head has been in charge since I hit 40  yes a long range expansion of my pool which gives me another opportunity to expand my experience learning new culture, plus I have another warm refuge from -40 winter weather if only for a short period of time each new year.

[piglett]

Hi,
It sounds like you are on a good path. 

Good luck and keep brushing up on the spanish it can make a big difference.

Fathertime!

i didn't know how much spanish i knew till i went to go buy a car from a Porto Rico


he spoke some english & i could understand some of his spanish words


so in the end it was all good


now if i had to speak back in spanish


well i can say "cat , tiger, keys & adobo "


that would have to cover it


i guess i could say that i needed the keys to the tiger cat so i could make some adobo 


i'm sure the chicks would all be in love with me then


or maybe they would all be falling onto the floor having a good laugh


good thing i choose the Philippines instead




piglett

[stevekoozer]

i didn't know how much spanish i knew till i went to go buy a car from a Porto Rico


he spoke some english & i could understand some of his spanish words


so in the end it was all good


now if i had to speak back in spanish


well i can say "cat , tiger, keys & adobo "


that would have to cover it


i guess i could say that i needed the keys to the tiger cat so i could make some adobo 


i'm sure the chicks would all be in love with me then


or maybe they would all be falling onto the floor having a good laugh


good thing i choose the Philippines instead




piglett

 Thanks for the post do you have any LA experience? How about some wardrobe tips for BAQ in January ?

[gyounger]

Thanks for the post do you have any LA experience? How about some wardrobe tips for BAQ in January ?

Loose fitting cotton clothing.
You're gonna do some sweating no matter what time of the year in BQ.

[stevekoozer]

Loose fitting cotton clothing.
You're gonna do some sweating no matter what time of the year in BQ.

 Thanks a bunch  I figured I would be doing some dripping with the humidity and heat. I am more used to a cooler climate and summer here is pretty dry even though we get highs in the 90's for a good month to month an one half each year.

[Gato4Astrid]

Thanks a bunch  I figured I would be doing some dripping with the humidity and heat. I am more used to a cooler climate and summer here is pretty dry even though we get highs in the 90's for a good month to month an one half each year.

Choose Lacoste instead of Ralph Lauren polo shirts if you are thinking of bring brand named polo shirts

[stevekoozer]

Choose Lacoste instead of Ralph Lauren polo shirts if you are thinking of bring brand named polo shirts

 I don't even own a polo shirt currently guess I am going to have to work on my dress style from my current look.

Thanks

[taoshorn]

Choose Lacoste instead of Ralph Lauren polo shirts if you are thinking of bring brand named polo shirts

Why?

[Gato4Astrid]

Why?

Lacoste is more cooler than RL in that sort of weather

[tedujam]

Are you under the impression that all Ralph Lauren and all Lacoste shirts are made from the same material?

[robert angel]

Lacoste is more cooler than RL in that sort of weather

Lacoste is cooler in the weather as the weave of the cloth isn't like the thick combed cotton RL usually uses. BUT, the way Lacoste cuts most of their polos seems to favor guys on the short and heavy side. I like Lacostes fabric better but the way their polos fit seems weird.

[stevekoozer]

Lacoste is cooler in the weather as the weave of the cloth isn't like the thick combed cotton RL usually uses. BUT, the way Lacoste cuts most of their polos seems to favor guys on the short and heavy side. I like Lacostes fabric better but the way their polos fit seems weird.

 Thanks that's good info as I am on the short and heavy side. I usually have to go to big and tall men's shops for dress shirts as that is about the only place I can get my fit right with out having it down to my knees and six inches too long in the arms. I am only 5'9" but I wear a 52 jacket have to wear 38 pants, jeans cause I can't get my legs into 36 jeans which is my waist size and my 38's are relaxed fit just for that alone. Put on 20 pounds this past winter but I have knocked it all off in the past 3 months so I am back to a good 210-215 which for me is about right, going to try this year to get to 200. I am in good shape but I could loose a little more fat around the midsection used to be pretty easy till I hit 40 then the game changed. Don't like being smooth and the little love handles are hard to get rid of now days. Ah the joys of getting older LOL     

[robert angel]

Of course you should try them on. If I were buying 5 or 6 at the $80 or so a piece they get,  I'd consider getting a charge account. I did that and it knocked off about a $100, as they typically will knock off some $ for you doing so. Then again, they sometimes will exempt items they consider 'luxury'  goods,  so check the small print. I think the most popular Ralph Lauren Polo shirts,  especially south of the border,  have the Polo motiff,  namely the  horse and rider much larger,  like an inch and a half in size.  Lacoste  sells polos with a much larger size alligator. Personally I prefer the original sizes as I sort of make my own style,  but the younger ladies may prefer the newer styles.

[Gato4Astrid]

Are you under the impression that all Ralph Lauren and all Lacoste shirts are made from the same material?

Yes and No.   There are many different kinds of cotton.    Lacoste polo shirts came from Peru. - different thinness, so on.   Even seen a rugby shirt (also cotton).  You can see that rugby shirts are very thick compare to Lacoste


I brought both Lacoste & Ralph Lauren during my 1st trip to Cali and can compare the difference.

[Gato4Astrid]

Lacoste is cooler in the weather as the weave of the cloth isn't like the thick combed cotton RL usually uses. BUT, the way Lacoste cuts most of their polos seems to favor guys on the short and heavy side. I like Lacostes fabric better but the way their polos fit seems weird.

It depends on people.  I do not like Abercombe & Fitch because they are suitable for slim fit guys, and it looks weird on me lol

[thekfc]

I am in fashion (clothing) so I will comment a little.

Well, I cannot comment on RL and Lacoste as I haven't used them in a while - I have too many other options.

The company that I work for (and a few others) have products/materials that are targeted to a specific area/climate. There are products that are targeted specifically to Asia, Europe, South America that we do not get in the US market and vice versa. You will get the same product w/same style, same design but the process and material used are different (example cotton) - Mercerized cotton, Egyptian cotton, Pima, French Terry, Bamboo, Sea Island, American Upland or blends.  All have a different feel/texture and are use for different market. Some company do it - some don't.

I am always in the NYC buying office and occasionally in the HQ in Europe and get to see/feel the samples (and sometimes get to buy a few). Our buyers (as well as  buyers for other region of the world) would buy what they feel are ideal for our market/climate.

The same would go for the fit/sizing - Regular, Classic, slim fit, extra slim fit, high-rise, mid-rise, low-rise, etc, etc, etc,.

Also, the sizing and fit will be different between the brands as well as within the brands (a 34 waist in regular, classic and slim in a same brand would all fit differently).

[benjio]

Yes and No.   There are many different kinds of cotton.    Lacoste polo shirts came from Peru. - different thinness, so on.   Even seen a rugby shirt (also cotton).  You can see that rugby shirts are very thick compare to Lacoste


I brought both Lacoste & Ralph Lauren during my 1st trip to Cali and can compare the difference.

Ralph Lauren and Lacoste are both huge multinational fashion houses with several lines of male clothing falling under their respective brand names. If we're talking about just shirts both companies purchase fabric and actually make their clothing in several different countries, with varying levels of quality depending on the line. Lacoste alone has factories in France, Italy, Peru, Morrocco and Romania, Thailand and China. Ralph Lauren is a much larger conglomerate that even has subsidiary brands that have been acquired or branched off from the original company. I'm also sort of a fashion nut myself. 


Furthermore, if you're on a date with a girl and she's seriously worried about what brand shirt you're wearing....








[INSERT RAY'S DUMP TRUCK PICTURE HERE]

[taoshorn]

Ralph Lauren and Lacoste are both huge multinational fashion houses with several lines of male clothing falling under their respective brand names. If we're talking about just shirts both companies purchase fabric and actually make their clothing in several different countries, with varying levels of quality depending on the line. Lacoste alone has factories in France, Italy, Peru, Morrocco and Romania, Thailand and China. Ralph Lauren is a much larger conglomerate that even has subsidiary brands that have been acquired or branched off from the original company. I'm also sort of a fashion nut myself. 

Thanks, that's kind of where I was heading with my comment. Lacoste and Ralp Lauren Polo shirts are available in hundreds of different styles made from dozens of different material blends, so saying one brand is universally "better" for a certain climate is just plain wrong.

[robert angel]

Most of these companies do have a lot of tiers of quality and price. some of Ralph Lauren's stuff is pure, over priced garbage, while most of their black label is pure, over priced, nice quality stuff.

http://www.ralphlauren.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2877466&cp=2871712&ab=ln_men_cs2_poloshirts

Still, rather than pay $300 (for starters) for a R.L. Black Label men's dress shirt,

http://www.ralphlauren.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2877464&cp=2871712&ab=ln_men_cs2_dressshirts

I'd rather, for that kind of money, have a tailor custom make a shirt from Egyptian wool cotton (if you could find the real deal easily anymore) or sea island cotton. I have some old mercerized cotton clothing--heck, even some really old, vintage 'sanforized' cotton shirts and clothing they just don't make anymore, that I really like. For the price of an entire R.L Black Label complete wardrobe, I could probably fly to Hong Kong and get better stuff measured exactly to my body.

It's amazing how much money people will pay for crappy quality clothes--we were in a Saks Fifth Avenue store today, laughing at how crappy some of their ridiculously expensive clothing seemed.

Marc Jacobs stuff is even more hilarious to us--sort of like the Gap and LL Bean, but on mescaline & steroids. That guy must be laughing all the way to the bank!

http://www.marcjacobs.com/marc-jacobs/mens/ready-to-wear/s84am0191/woodie-nylon-hoodie?sort= 
http://www.marcjacobs.com/marc-jacobs/mens/shoes-and-accessories/s87wp0003/baja-braided-sandal?sort=price_desc

[InnocentVixen]

I just want to say this fashion thread is fascinating

[gyounger]

I prefer the nude look actually. 

[raycjs]

Welcome and good luck
 
 
Ray

[the_ace33]

Hi there Sir,
I am just a few years younger than you and I started out the same way, I made trips to Jamies.  It was an interesting and fun learning experience.  As many are learning my latest news which is that I ultimately found my fiancé in Medellin.  Took me about 5 years on and off of the hunt.  I even spent some time in costa rica.  At first I was wasting my time on a lot of time on "maybe this girl and maybe that girl"  What I found out was that all I needed was one good one and one that I was sure that I wanted to keep.  So I suggest that if there is any doubt move on to the next one.  Do not waste time on maybe.  Also Rosetta Stone daily is a must.  Levels 1-4 and chatting in Spanish daily aswell.  Use your Google translator too.  Around here we hear it all the time that oh yeah I can speak a little Spanish too... by the way.  No its like the gym, be in the Spanish gym everyday working out and making it your well known second language.  Someone has probably already preached this to you I bet?  You will get tired of translators!  Good luck and have a great time!

[stevekoozer]

Hi there Sir,
I am just a few years younger than you and I started out the same way, I made trips to Jamies.  It was an interesting and fun learning experience.  As many are learning my latest news which is that I ultimately found my fiancé in Medellin.  Took me about 5 years on and off of the hunt.  I even spent some time in costa rica.  At first I was wasting my time on a lot of time on "maybe this girl and maybe that girl"  What I found out was that all I needed was one good one and one that I was sure that I wanted to keep.  So I suggest that if there is any doubt move on to the next one.  Do not waste time on maybe.  Also Rosetta Stone daily is a must.  Levels 1-4 and chatting in Spanish daily aswell.  Use your Google translator too.  Around here we hear it all the time that oh yeah I can speak a little Spanish too... by the way.  No its like the gym, be in the Spanish gym everyday working out and making it your well known second language.  Someone has probably already preached this to you I bet?  You will get tired of translators!  Good luck and have a great time!

 If we are only a few years apart call me man or dude or something like that Even at 45 I still can't handle the sir thing quite yet. I don't really consider this a hunt so to speak but I look at it as an experience to immerse myself in a different Latin culture than I am used to. I found that in learning a language you have to be able to think in the language first then speaking comes more easily. I learned a long time ago about relationships if there is any doubt then there is no doubt move on. Really good to hear you found a gal that you are compatible with and you make each happy bet you are on top of the world. So you have used Jamie's services can you give me your personal feed back on the experience?  How were the women you met? how was the overall experience? and so on.

 Thanks in advance       

[the_ace33]

Well Jamies is a quality service and I expect that you will have a fun and action packed trip.  Its a great bachelors vacation for sure.  I recommend taking a couple of days to visit Santa Marta if possible.  You can get a Condo right near the beach and you can catch a boat with your date out to Playa Blanca or one of the island beaches which are very beautifull.  I am not much of a club kind of guy but if you go out to Frog Leggs, I think its like Thursday night that is popular.  You can really soak up the Latin heat and music that could be part of the experience for you.  If you do go out there get on the dance floor and shake it even if your not a dancer! 

[mambocowboy]

Well Jamies is a quality service and I expect that you will have a fun and action packed trip.  Its a great bachelors vacation for sure. 

At worst it should be a good bachelor's vacation. I didn't use an agency but always viewed my trips to Colombia as alot of fun no matter whether it lead to a long term relationship or not. It's a great place for a single guy to take a vacation...

[raycjs]

i just got back form 2 weeks in BAQ, it was hot and humid.. wear light colors and jeans or shorts are fine.. the women dress very nice and look forward to meeting men well dressed and well groomed...nothing has changed much since the last time i was their back in 2010. the fact that you speak some Spanish will help.. do you plan to have children or OK with meeting a women with a child? what age women are you looking for? at age 40 you will be fine with a women 20 to 30 years of age...try to take you time when meeting the women and also plan to return with in 3 to 6 months if you hit it off with that special someone... I would also make sure you explain in detail where you live and your weather type year round...You should also explain your life style(not money or what you have or don't have) i am talking about your daily life style and your daily routines..
 
best of luck to you
 
ray

[stevekoozer]

 Thanks for the new info guy's I do appreciate it. Using the service is a first for me so it should be interesting to see how it works out. In my travels to Latin countries over the years I met women pretty much like anyone else just by being out and about seeing the sights and doing stuff while on vacation and have done quite well. The only difference I can see is the girls are actively looking for a husband ( or so they say ). Its like any other meetings though have to get to know them by spending time with them and watch their actions while you are out spending time together. Not much of a club guy anymore. Worked a lot of night club security back in my late 20's early 30's and just don't like being around a lot of people that are drinking. I have seen some crazy stuff in clubs when testostrone and alcohol mixed in a bad way.  Ace... Santa Marta sounds good I do like a nice beach as long as you can get a cold brew I am pretty happy. Depending on what happens I will for sure keep this in mind as something fun to do.

 Ray I am not too tucked up on meeting a woman with children from a previous relationship, but I won't say never because it could happen with the right girl. Yes I would like to have children if things work out if I meet right one in the future. Age wise I am somewhat open but I would lean towards late 20's to mid 30's as I am 45 and any younger than about 26 does not really interest me, but once again you never know how things are going to work out till you are there and meet some women. I am in no rush to dive into anything and I am not looking for "arm candy' or "trophy wife" there are enough of those guys in the world now days. I would be pretty happy to meet a more traditional type girl to raise a family with but I would also be open to a woman that wants to work a bit too. I think the only issue any of them would have is the weather here well not the summer, but the winter that would be the shocker and they really can't fathom cold weather as I could describe it but once in it they would understand real fast.   

  I am really looking forward to this as a fun time for me to see some sights and meet some people and just get a feel for the culture. I am thinking that with my mischievous side( all fun though) and not being too overly serious and sullen and definitely not "thirsty" for a wife or cranky and bitter towards women things should run pretty smooth with the meet up's and dates. 

 Thanks again for the info guys