Colombia Round Two: La Costa!

[Gato4Astrid]

Have a great time in Colombia, Woody .... I am looking forward to your trip report.

[vallenatoman]

We'll see! I leave for the Memphis airport in a few hours and I will see her face to face in 16 hours!

I don't really see any of that happening, we're on each other's Facebook, I have seen her sister on webcam(Once on accident, in her underwear, haha. She was really embarrassed and both Daniela and I had a great laugh about that one.). Hell, I talked to her sister on the phone two days ago(She was in the shower when I called).

Yeah, I'm tired of talking around her name. It is Daniela, she usually goes by Dani. Kind of funny considering that my name is Daniel and in Colombia I usually go by Dani. This has made for some very fun and humorous moments in conversation.

Woody I wish you all the luck in the world.

You have put in time, money, and effort as well as thought. You seem like a guy who isnt in it just to play around and use these girls so I respect you for that. I hope you will both be happy. Sounds like you found her before too many disappoinments online.

I know people dont think about it every minute but...every time a good girl gets played by some internet guy...espcially if he plays her to the point of making her think shes the really going to be the one and uses her for sex then disappears it really does HURT the good ones. They become jaded im sure and either give up or just become users themselves...

So....i would say to find a good one online... you almsot have to get to the ones who havent been online for long and havent met too many guys online if any at all.

Woody may i ask, for informational based on my hypothesis, has she used internet to find "her one" for long? or is this her first try.

I would say she is somewhat new to it from what i have heard...she doesnt seem jaded or unwillingy to believe in you.

[Woody]

Ok guys, same as last time, unedited, unaltered from when I wrote it in the moment:

Colombia trip log

Well, decent drive to Memphis. About two hours door to door. I'm flying Copa Airlines, so it is a contracted Continental flight from Memphis to Houston. Didn't sleep last night, and I just popped two of the muscle relaxants for my back, they sure do the trick when you double dose. My lower back just popped a pop that would normally give me aftershocks for a minute or so afterwards. Not now, didn't even phase me. Should make the flight much less painful.

Yes, this post is brought to you by Skelaxin....  

So the Memphis security was quick, it was less than15 minutes from outside door to the gate lounge. Guess I didn't need to gimp myself a 90minute buffer after all. Oh well, it makes me feel better.

If I am in Houston late enough in the morning I will give Dani a call and let her know where I am. So yeah, I have the butterflies, started to get them in the car about an hour from the airport. They'll subside once I leave Panama, probably. I'm not sure what to expect at the Panama City layover, so I pulled $120USD from the ATM just in case. Not going to leave the terminal, so I don't think I'll have any issues, but you never know.


Yeah, not in Houston late enough to call. Will try to call from Panama, I have a feeling that is going to cost me a pretty penny. 

Oh, and Continental Airlines from Houston to Panama City has some narrow economy seats.  

[Woody]

So this is coming from Panama City. This airport has not only the fastest airport wifi I have ever used, it is also free. I was able to hop on MSN and talk to Dani. She wanted to know what I was wearing so that she could recognize me, I just fired up the webcam and showed her(solid red tshirt, grayish cargo shorts, leather flip-flops). She liked what she saw

We're both nervous about the first time meeting, so I made sure to shovel on the humor to add some levity to the air. She will arrive at the airport at 1630, I will be landing at 1620. If all goes well, she will only be waiting for 10 minutes or so. I am tired, she could see it on webcam (baggy eyes), but I am closing in on my second wind after the 3-4 hours of sleep I got on the planes. I think a nice shower and change of clothing will have me set for whatever tonight has in store. That is not a foreboding statement either. I have no idea how tonight is going to play out or where we are going to go. No expectations on my part, that is for sure.

Plane is boarding, it may be tomorrow before I update again, we will see.

[whitey]

Wooo hooo ... fasten your seatbelts!   

[Jeff S]

Way to go Woody. Keep us posted!

[Woody]

Well that was an interesting first day.

Customs was easy, 60 day stamp for my 57 day trip.

I'm staying at hotel 3 banderas until Thursday when my apartment rental starts, so I won't be doing much unpacking until then.

As for Dani, wow. She isn't a supermodel or anything, but she is my type alright. Remember what I said about hoping there was chemistry in person? Well, whatever chemistry we had before was garbage in comparison to in person.

We spent the afternoon and evening talking, her mother chaperoning most of the time. I was fine with that, it is the first of 57 days and mom should know who is stealing her baby girl away. Dinner for three was $110 mil, and that is all I spent today besides the room(paid in advance). Her mom had questions, I answered them all fully and expanded on them. I want Dani to know as much about me as she wants. This is also not a red flag because I learned so much about Dani and her family today, things I would have never learned if not for her mother. I know all the ins and outs now and there are problems, just like in my family. We all have social/financial misfits in our family. Bonus: I am invited to a family dinner, not sure if it is tomorrow, but it is later this week.

Had issues activating my new sim, we'll handle that tomorrow. She is coming over at 10 am, we'll grab some lunch together and then get me a haircut and sombrero. As for tomorrow evening, not a clue, once again.  

A lot of the conversation today was in Spanish for the benefit of her mother. Basically, her mother was talking, Dani sort of translating. This is where my highly dynamic facial expressions helped a lot. Dani knew when I didn't catch or understand something and would step in, it also helped that I wasn't afraid to ask for help when I needed it. I never caught everything, but I would repeat the question back to Dani, in English, for verification before answering. I was correct 90% of the time. For simpler questions I would respond in Spanish, for the more advanced answers I would explain things to Dani and let her paraphrase.

Dani said that she loves my Spanish because I am so easy to understand. It helps that I purposely keep a slow, metered, pace to allow myself to think on the fly and that I try really hard to pronunciate everything clearly and without any slurs or mumblings. All of my complaints about her English can be tossed out the window. She is very good and understanding her in person is very easy. Hell, just talking with her, Spanish or English is a pleasure.

Well, I think that we can all see where this is going....

[robert angel]

Totally Awesome, Woody!

Enjoy, as I am sure you will and if it's not too much trouble, take pics like last time. Your trip reports last time were fantastic.

On behalf of the band, we hope you pass the audition! --ha ha--we know you will--take care.....



>>When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie
   That's amore
   When the world seems to shine like you've had too much wine
   That's amore
   Bells will ring ting-a-ling-a-ling, ting-a-ling-a-ling
   And you'll sing "Vita bella"
   Hearts will play tippy-tippy-tay, tippy-tippy-tay
   Like a gay tarantella

  When the stars make you drool just like a pasta fazool
  That's amore
  When you dance down the street with a cloud at your feet
  You're in love
  When you walk in a dream but you know you're not
  Dreaming signore
  Scuzza me, but you see, back in old Napoli
  That's amore!....<<

[Woody]

Enjoy, as I am sure you will and if it's not too much trouble, take pics like last time. Your trip reports last time were fantastic.

Oh, I will. I had a big scare and thought I had lost my camera early this morning while packing. Fortunately I found it 30 minutes before I left. I still have no idea what the hell I did with my second 16GB SDHC card, the same one I forgot to bring last trip. I'll probably spend the money and at least get an 8GB to replace it. That will be worth it for our diving trip alone. (Yup, underwater photography and HD video are coming!)

I left the camera in my hotel room this afternoon, so no pics from today. But there would have only been 20-30 anyways.

If I propose to Dani before I leave, I will be giving her my camera. Less than $200 total and I know the rewards will be worth it if I do leave her the camera.

[vallenatoman]

Oh, I will. I had a big scare and thought I had lost my camera early this morning while packing. Fortunately I found it 30 minutes before I left. I still have no idea what the hell I did with my second 16GB SDHC card, the same one I forgot to bring last trip. I'll probably spend the money and at least get an 8GB to replace it. That will be worth it for our diving trip alone. (Yup, underwater photography and HD video are coming!)

I left the camera in my hotel room this afternoon, so no pics from today. But there would have only been 20-30 anyways.

If I propose to Dani before I leave, I will be giving her my camera. Less than $200 total and I know the rewards will be worth it if I do leave her the camera.

Wow woody your saga is getting exciting!

Please keep it coming... i hope  we dont seem like nosy neighbors.... but man its cool to feel like were right there with you experiencing your journey.

I hope it helps you feel better as well or feel like your not out there alone by posting here.

Love to  see pictures and such!!!!

[Dan Las Vegas]

Hey Woody!!!!!

Thanks for the updates, just looking forward to the photos!!!!  I wish you much luck and hope all works out for you!!!

Dan LV

[jm21-2]

Sounds like things are going well. It's pretty amazing to find a girl you can just talk with or be around and be on cloud 9. This last trip of mine we ahd all these plans of places to visit but we ended up spending the majority of our time just lazing around talking and cuddling. Good stuff...

[robert angel]

Holy Matrimony!

First Piglett, then Kfc--and the clock's ticking on Jm and Zulu and as good ole Gomer Pyle would say:

"Surprise, surprise, surprise!--golly!--maybe even Woody?

Will wonders ever cease?

I just hope these unions all come to fruition and last long enough for us to ask our wives;

'Honey--where'd I leave my teeth again'?

My wife was so mad at me the other day, asking me 'How come you're ALWAYS asking me where your things are???

I meekly replied: "Because you always know, Darling......"

[eddie316]

I stayed at the hotel 3 banderas while there in march and april.I like the hotel because it is right in the center of the old city, so much to go see and is pretty safe. We went out every night into the plaza and listened to the music, ate perro calientes, and drank tinto. Make sure you take the horse carriage ride thru the city also, very nice way to see the place. Enjoy the moment brother.

[Woody]

Just left her Cartagena apartment after meeting her sister and talking with her sister and mom for a few hours.

OK, any doubts or concerns are now gone. Unless some major bombshell drops in the next seven weeks, I don't need to bother searching for a woman anymore, I found her and I am not letting her be the one that got away.

The conversation is to fluid, honest, from the heart. We can talk about anything and kid about anything. We are learning so much about each other hour by hour. The things she tells me, her history, her experiences. She is so honest and candid with me that I know there will be ZERO trust issues and I will never have to worry about the time I spend away with my work.

I will not go into details of the first six hours, I will only say that I didn't think that was possible and it was the best experience of my entire life. We grabbed dinner at the mall and talked for another two hours over a meal. (I really like Sandwich Q-Bano) We went to her sister's apartment, her sister arrived about 45 minutes later, after Dani and I had gone through photo albums. Talked some more (Mix of English and Spanish, mostly English for my benefit), then headed home.


You know, I don't know if I deserve someone like Dani, but I am sure as hell going to give it my best shot.

No pictures today, tomorrow yes. We are actually going to get my haircut, sombrero, and move to my apartment.

[robert angel]

Hey Woody,

While we know you're going to be there a while (yea!!) and we love your reports and pics--enjoy every minute there with that obviously fantastic lady and worry about keeping us posted later, maybe as she's sleeping and you're still awake, done gazing for a bit at the great fortune you've found in her companionship.

Sometimes we don't realize that 'the good old days' that we'll be talking about later are the moments we are living right now, but I don't think that's the case with the two of you in this situation!

Viva la Vida!

[vallenatoman]

Woody a couple things:

Does she like dancing and do you like dancing?

Alot of  colombians LOVE dancing and latin music.

Altho its not a GIVEN you have to ... unless you got one whose a little different in that department....youll probably have to give  dancing a try

But i WOULD LOVE to know what the DANCING and MUSIC scene is like in the CITIES (Cartegena, baq) you go to ... i will be going down there some time and i am going to learn dancing before i go (take classes etc).

Thanks woody gratz!

[z_k_g]

Holy Matrimony!

First Piglett, then Kfc--and the clock's ticking on Jm and Zulu and as good ole Gomer Pyle would say:

"Surprise, surprise, surprise!--golly!--maybe even Woody?

Will wonders ever cease?

I just hope these unions all come to fruition and last long enough for us to ask our wives;

I'm working on It!!

Planning my trip for late this year in Fall, Winter or Spring 2011.  Marriage, well that will be in 2012!  I'm already excited that everything goes well for us!

Congrats Woody!!

Zulu

[Woody]

Woody a couple things:

Does she like dancing and do you like dancing?

Alot of  colombians LOVE dancing and latin music.

Altho its not a GIVEN you have to ... unless you got one whose a little different in that department....youll probably have to give  dancing a try

But i WOULD LOVE to know what the DANCING and MUSIC scene is like in the CITIES (Cartegena, baq) you go to ... i will be going down there some time and i am going to learn dancing before i go (take classes etc).

Thanks woody gratz!

She is a great dancer and she loves dancing. We had this discussion weeks ago, I will be receiving lessons from her, probably starting tomorrow. I don't dislike dancing at all, I just don't like to look like an ass and I never had lessons before. I already explained to her that I will need considerable practice, but she doesn't mind as long as she is the teacher.

[vallenatoman]

She is a great dancer and she loves dancing. We had this discussion weeks ago, I will be receiving lessons from her, probably starting tomorrow. I don't dislike dancing at all, I just don't like to look like an ass and I never had lessons before. I already explained to her that I will need considerable practice, but she doesn't mind as long as she is the teacher.

Awesome i thought you might have to learn its just part of being with a colombian lady

But dont forget to ask her what the dancing scene is liike in BAQ and CARTEGENA... what music is currently popular and what is traditionally popular i know im pestering but id like to know i love music and i like dancing but im not technically good at it yet.

[whitey]

Way to go Woody!

While you're in Cartagena, you have to take Dani to Cafe del Mar.  It's located on top of the wall in the old city and has a fantastic view.  It's a great place to go for drinks to watch the sunset, and for dancing early in the evening.  It's a special place for me since that's where Nazly and I danced for the first time.

Here's some more info:  http://www.caribenet.com/cartagena/index.php?name=Sections&req=viewarticle&artid=29

I'm a terrible dancer, but I enjoy dancing with Nazly because I feel comfortable with her.  I took 2 or 3 salsa classes up here in Canada but stopped because I suck so bad, and because I really just don't enjoy dancing with other women.  The trouble is that now that I know a little bit about dancing, I know JUST HOW BAD I am, and have become more self-conscious dancing with Nazly.  It was easier when I had no clue and thought I was doing ok!   

Ahh well, more practice ...

[Jeff S]

Another advantage of Asian women - you don't have to prance around like a fool to impress them. The only kind of dancing I'll do is slow dancing anyway.

[InnocentVixen]

congrats Woody, sounds like everything is going great!

  actually dancing has been one of the biggest problems I've come across with online dating, everyone just assumes I like dancing, I even started mentioning it on my profile in dating sites and turns out a lot of guys out there think I do it to not scare away guys that do not like it and that deep down I love dancing.... which is not the case at all!

[Gato4Astrid]

I'm a terrible dancer, but I enjoy dancing with Nazly because I feel comfortable with her. 

At least you know you are a terrible dancer.  I don't even know how good I am because I cannot hear the music.  I just follow others dancing and feel the vibrations.  My ex said that I was a very good dancer, but she was already drunk when she told me  Perhaps because she expected deaf people cannot dance at all.

I am looking forward to dance with Astrid, but I hope she will not be too polite  because I want to learn it

[vallenatoman]

Well altho hearing the music probably helps alot...i think if you learned the rythm and watched your partner you could can dance pretty good. She will know what beat or such and its a bunch of patterns so it can be learned. luckily its not totally random based on the music.

Im dying to know what woody thinks of dancing in colombia...

i have known basically 3 types of guys

Those that cant dance and sit drinking at the table

Those that cant dance but get out there and try and have fun and actually start learning

And those that just pick it up and dance well pretty quickly

I was and still am somewhere in #2 there


Im hopoing my future colombian lady loves dancing and wants to practice with me