Bucaramanga, Barranquilla, Cartagena II

[machin67]

OK where was I?.....I am sorry that I have to do it this way....but I will have to do the trip report in pieces.

OK well I found my special lady on the website of Jamie's place.  She had just joined the agency...I think for only 1-2 days.  I asked if someone could contact her for me.  I was told that I had already used up my days...that the agenices obligation to me was already satisfied....but...."NO PROBLEM....WE WILL CALL HER RIGHT AWAY."  They had not one, but at least two people contacting her within minutes....trying to track her down for me.  And within a couple hours, I was talking to my girl on the phone setting up a date with her.

We had the first date at "Las Flores".  It is a barrio outside of Barranquilla that is along the river (?).  They have the freshest seafood possible.  You can see them bringing it in from the little boats from the back of the restaurant.  The prices were good.  The live music was outstanding.  I really loved that place.

Well the rest was history.  I began to spend all my time with my girl and her family.  Her mother even took time off from work...without pay...to spend time with me and learn all about me.  I met the whole extended family, including aunts, uncles, friends, everyone.  And instead of going out partying alot...we spent alot of time with the family.  It was very, very nice and different than what goes on here in the States.  I felt very comfortable right away.  And am now engaged to be married.  I am returning to visit my girl in October and again in November for her birthday.  I am completely satisfied.  I have never met a woman like this in my life.  Bright, positive, intelligent, likes to cook, always trying to take care of me, loving, passionate.  Incredible.

We have begun the Visa process.  She has begun the English classes at Jamie's agency.  Everything is going well.

Regarding the English classes...I think it is $440/month for the classes.  I thought it was a little high, but I checked it out thoroughly and it was much more expensive with Berlitz or a couple other places that provided one-on-one intensive instruction. Plus...a big added benefit is that it is being done at Jamie's place and he is very detailed oriented.  When my girl missed one class because of a scheduling conflict with her studies at the University, he contacted me right away...within hours!!!!!
And we were able to get things straightened out....and her instructor was able to tell her how important these English classes are....even more so than the University....for her to function in the States. 

I cannot say enough good things about Jamie and his business approach, the people he has working for him, the whole thing.  It was well worth the money spent.  It was probably worth twice as much!!!....Nah...., I think I am getting a little out of control now.  But I would highly recommend his agency to anyone who is serious about the process of finding the woman of their dreams.  And I met several other guys who were there too.  And they were all very satisfied as well.  One guy was even from Finland I think... very happy guy.

OK....so that was Barranquilla...anything else? Let me think......extremely hot weather...I was sweating my butt off the whole time!!!  And I am living in Arizona!!!!!!  Where it is 108 degrees today on September 13!!!  My hotel was considered upper class, but did not have hot water!  I guess it is pretty rare to have hot water there.  I did not see any crime whatsoever....none....zero.  And I was out in all hours of the day and night, many times alone.  In all types of neighborhoods.  I did not see any drugs.  Nothing.  Of course I know that sort of thing is there, but I did not see anything during my long stay there.

The taxi were safe and plentiful...just always look for one with air conditioning!  They charge different prices for the same distance....even when with Colombian friends....so it is a good idea to ask the price first. If it is too high, tell them what you paid last time.  If they do not want to lower it, just take another cab.  There are many of them everywhere.

The last part of my trip was to Cartagena.  I was supposed to be there for at least 12 days, but changed my plans when I met my girl...and for other reasons that I will be talking about in the next "episode". 

I just want to say that so far I have been to Bogota, Cali, Bucaramanga, Barranquilla, and Cartagena and the people of Barranquilla seem to be the most warm, loving, affectionate out of all of them.  Not just because of the fact that my fiance is from there, but because of almost all the girls I met there.  But don't get me wrong.....the other cities have fantastic people also.  I cannot say more about how many wonderful people I met in all parts of Colombia.  Very nice.

I will write about Cartagena next.................

[raycjs]

i am new to all of this and it was a pleasure reading your trip report it seems to me that you where very happy with this agency. your trip sounded very interesting i also like the idea of you having a guide with you that spoke English and Spanish. that would also make me very comfortable. thank you again and good luck with your marrage.

ray

[bigstew33]

I know Jaime gets a lot of kudos here.  But you can get very good English classes for a fraction of the cost your paying him.  Maybe the money is not an issue with you, just letting you know.  Good report so far.  Good luck with your relationship.  I think it is awesome that her family took to you.  Especially her mom.  I met a mom once.  Well I guess it didn't go well, since I am looking still.  ;(

[machin2007]

I checked into all the Spanish classes there over a couple week period of time.  I actually went to the schools and talked to the administrators.  Some places like the Colombo School were like two year programs. And most were in classes.  But if you wanted intensive, several hours per day, one-on-one there were a lot fewer options. Namely Berlitz and one other name that is escaping me now.  They were both intensive programs that were set up to have the person up to speed in months, not years.  And I want my girl to be here with me in January or February if possible.

But if you know of other options that are very intensive like that, please let me know.  I will investigate next time I am in BAQ if I have time and if there are any problems with the program at Jamie's.  But for right now I am very impressed with the results.  My fiance is very happy, and she is already speaking and writing in English to me after a week.

Thanks.

David, AKA machin67, machin2007

[machin2007]

Thank you to the guy who sent me the email about the small group method of English classes at Berlitz in Barranquilla for 300,000 Pesos.  I will definitely look into that one.  I tried to respond back to you using the link in the email but it came up with an "error" message.

Thanks again.

[Jamie]

But you can get very good English classes for a fraction of the cost your paying him.  Maybe the money is not an issue with you, just letting you know.  Good

We only teach private lessons and all my teachers are highly skilled at teaching. In this case she is being taught by an American woman one semester away from receiving her Master’s in language. If you want to pay a “fraction of the cost” you get a fraction of the benefit. As a general warning one should avoid male teachers it’s pretty much a given the guy will hit on your woman.

[machin67]

Yeah, so far....everything seems to be going great with the Spanish lessons at the agency.  I think I may actually try to work out something to have her take more hours there. 

And I actually did look into Berlitz too.  It is actually a lot more than 300,000 pesos a month.  Plus materials.

[bigstew33]

Jaime

 I wasn't taking a swipe at your services.  But there are English classes that are being taught there (Barranquilla) that are very good.  He is clearly happy with what you provide for his lady.  Yes an extra touch there letting him know she missed a class is great.  BUt there are many English schools that are very good, and the prices are lower.   

[Jamie]

Jaime I wasn't taking a swipe at your services.  But there are English classes that are being taught there (Barranquilla) that are very good.  He is clearly happy with what you provide for his lady.  Yes an extra touch there letting him know she missed a class is great.  BUt there are many English schools that are very good, and the prices are lower.

I understand you weren’t taken a swipe but you made a suggestion based primarily on cost as if all else is equal which it isn’t. We provide many significant extras that you will not get from any English classes in Barranquilla. When it comes to quality personnel you pay less because you get less.

[soltero]

Excellent report so far, machin67...I am looking forward to your report on Cartagena.

[josh]

Awesome report Mac67...

[EbonyPrince]

Excellent report so far, machin67...I am looking forward to your report on Cartagena.

That's what I have been waiting for  .

[crashfirepm53]

If you want to pay a “fraction of the cost” you get a fraction of the benefit

It sounds like he is proving a great service with an excellent instructor. The statement above is way to generalized for me. Just because you pay less doesn't mean you get less.

[utopiacowboy]

"My hotel was considered upper class, but did not have hot water!  I guess it is pretty rare to have hot water there."

Depends. Every place I stay has hot water. My wife's apartment in Medellin has hot water. My sister-in-law's apartment in Bogota has hot water. My mother-in-law's house in Monteria has hot water. My brother-in-law's apartment in Itaqui even had hot water. My wife says that the poorer people do not have hot water so I guess that's a majority of the population.

[rogerramjet]

You can always find a personal tutor for less to teach your girl english.