Barranquilla trip report

[bigstew33]

Well I am back finally from my month long trip to Barranquilla.  Nothing real exciting about this trip.  I did plan to go to Cartagena and try out Amor de Cartagena ( more on that in a bit)  I didn't go.  this was my first trip without using an agency.  I don't speak Spanish but I have my handy dandy interpreter.  She is like family now after about a total of 3 months there since last November.  SO I met a girl that I was considering on a long term relationship.  But she has turned out to be psycho jealous.  While there she kept grabbing my cell phone looking for numbers and text messages.  It was annoying but what put the icing on the top was once I got back she created another MSN account and tried to pull a stunt.  She supposed person claimed I gave them my contact info on Amigos.com.  Was a lie never gave anyone info there other than the girl I was supposed to be with.  So I was on to her right away.  Then a couple days later she sends me a message that her account was stolen.  Well since she does all her internet from home it is very unlikely.  So I ended it with her.

Usually I like to learn something new about Barranquilla when I am there.  Music, food etc.  This  time I have found a couple new tid bits.  There is a Mall there dedicated to Computers.  A bunch of stores inside a mall.  Now the mall is not completely full, but you can find some good deals.  Called Parque Center.  Also the new Mall is up and running.  I can't remember the name of it but I think it had the Prado in the name.   If you are there and you are with kids there is a new pizza joint that has a wonderland for kids.  Jenos pizza.  somewhere around 82 calle, and 54 cra  it has many rides for the kids, a rock climing wall.  giant slide, video games.  play area like tree houses.  Manny more things.  Worth checking.  Oh yeah they put a band on the kids and give you a receipt.  Kids don't leave with you unless you have the receipt with the matching number. 

I stayed at the Hotel Royal.  Not a fancy place but I am familiar with it.  With me staying as long as I did I did get a discount.  70,000 a night.  With the exchange rate being so bad at the time I welcomed that.  I see now as I write this the rate is now over $2100.  I did make another trip to Santa Marta and Blanco Playa.  My third time there.  A vendor that sells stone carvings remembered me from February when I bought all his carvings then.  Only bought 3 this time. 

I am not having good luck in finding someone but the good thing is I know what I am doing wrong.  I have no regrets at all.  I have enjoyed the country and the people.  Hell if I went there and just looked at hot women all day I would be happy. 

I had all plans to go to Amor de Cartagena but before going down there there was so much negative stuff said about it that I just didn't see a use to go.  I didn't want to spend anymore money if the service was going to be bad.  I did have my own thing I could have said but didn't.  So I am out over $300.  I doubt he would refund me so I havent even said anything to him.  Guess I should at least ask. 

That is basically it for the trip.  it was low key nothing fancy.  Didn't come away with a winner, but happy to have gone none the less.

Any questions you can pm me here, or email bigstew33@gmail.com

[chizz]

Sorry you didn't find a winner this time big, but there's always next time. I feel you on the jealousy tip, The girl I've been corresponding with is very nice, but so dam jealous. My experience has shown me, this only gets worse, so we'll see. Otherwise, glad you had a nice time.
chizz

[sean126]

I know what your talking about with psycho jealous girls.  I had my own little pain in the butt the first time I was there. 

Don't let it get you down about not finding anyone yet.  True love or marriage is a very serious thing, I'm glad your one who takes it seriously.  Just chalk it up to "timing".  When it's your time, it will all fall into place....rush it and it's a time wasting and money consuming disaster for everyone.

One little thing that I would do is....don't go just for one girl.  Have several lined up and tell them what's going on.  I'm glad you got some enjoyment out of it though.  Hang in there....the right woman at the right time is definitely worth waiting for!

[bigstew33]

When I was there in February- March I met a girl that would take a deep sniff of the front of my shirt.  I didn't catch on to what was going on.  So one day I asked her why she was sniffing me.  She said that she was smelling for other women.  Needless to say I was irate.  I dont mind a woman being jealous a little bit but, to go to those lengths is unacceptable.  Means she never trusts you. 

BTW I did meet other women while there.  I just had one that rocked my world.  In fact the jealousy thing is really the only fault in her that I can't take. 

[fathertime]

I've never had that problem of women being jealous.  I'd almost take that as a good sign, if they are that intensly interested. When a woman is  just getting to know you, how much trust can there be?  You must be quite a stud!

Fathertime!

[bigstew33]

pfffft    Thats what freaks me out the most.  I am the least stud of the studs.  I only hold the title of stud only because the great FT said so. 

[michaelb]

Well now, that's a fine informative trip report. Sorry nothing perminate came of it, but better off with no one (and still the ability and desire to continue the hunt) than hooked up with a bad one. This one woman (the jealous one), did you meet her on the trip or was she the reason for the trip? That part isn't clear. Still, a good trip report. I've never had the jealous problem either. Guess Father Time and I give off vibes that say 'this guy's 100% faithful' or (more likely) 'I'm not worried, he couldn't get any other woman even if he tried'. Oh, just a suggestion, you could either learn Spanish or fall in love with your interpreter

[bigstew33]

This woman was one of several I went to meet.  Although I was talking to her before I went down she was one of the top 3 I wanted to spend time with most.  She is a great woman, just that jealousy thing gets me.  It's not flattering either.  She is way hotter than me so I should be jealous of her   As far as me learning the language, yes I should.  I get lazy when it comes to that too.  I have both Pimsleur, and Rosetta Stone.  Maybe one of these days.

[michaelb]

Is Rosetta Stone any good? I've heard their advertisements but have never actually seen or heard the product. Of course I already read/write/speak Spanish, but maybe your evaluation of the product could help somebody else make a purchasing decision.

[bigstew33]

I am not sure honestly because I started the first lesson and that was it.  I hear that it is supposed to be the best thing out there.  With Pimsleur you get 30 minutes of a particular lesson.  The material covered is repeated several times.  SO I like it, just can't get myself to sit for 30 minutes every day

[mudd]

i had rosettastone, it sucked!!! not even worth  the money. sold it on ebay. then bought a cd by Travel talk, just as good, for a fraction of the price.

[bigstew33]

after using it one time I wasn't thrilled over it but I just figured I needed to give it more time.    I may at some point since I have it

[EbonyPrince]

Thanks for the trip report.  Don't get down about coming away empty handed.  If you you persevere, you will eventually find that perfect someone for you.  Don't do yourself an injustice by settling, because I am sure there are a lot of people that you can settle for here in the states.  Why waste your time and future settling for something in Colombia. 

I have been listening to Pimsleur, and I think they are excellent in comparison to other methods that I have tried (such as classes and CDs).  They begin with the basics and keep reinforcing your learning with dialogue throughout the whole 30 minutes.  They stress speaking as opposed to bothering you with conjugations.  You get actual conversation for the whole 30 minutes. 

My friend learned through this method, and he was carrying on nice conversations in Colombia and the D.R.  I have been trying to stay with it, although the lessons get tougher the higher you get.  I am on Spanish 1 Lesson 21.  There are 30 lessons in each series.  I am hoping that it will drastically improve my communication on my next trip to Colombia, tentatively in November.

Keep hope alive...

[chizz]

I've got to agree with EB. I've tried rosetta and pimsleur. I've done pimsleur 1, 2 and half way through 3, and i was able to carry on conversations with the ladies in colombia w/o a translator. I love the way pimsleur's program works, 30 mins a day, on your way to work in the morning was perfect for me. Mind you, I was by no means fluent, but I was at the point where a translator was not needed, which was my intention.
chizz