Landed in Barranquilla Pt2: Sick as a Dog

[Stevieboy]

As I mentioned before, I shortened my trip and got home last night. The trip was 15 hours of excruciating stomach pains and diarrhea. I forgot to mention that although the women are beautiful, that the food SUCKS imo. I'm open minded "when in Rome". I will eat what everyone there eats, especially if I'm running around town.  Sorry BQ, but I'm not impressed, and at times, even grossed out. They use mayonnaise on everything, and their ceviche is terrible too, especially when they throw mayonnaise in that as well. They don't serve potatoes, instead they have these dry flavorless corn meal fillers called "bollo".  They never serve vegetables either and if you ask for some, you get lettuce and tomatoes salad. I had complained about the first hotel I stayed that lacked hot water. I didn't know MOST everyone didn't have hot water including restaurants, even newer modern ones. How does a food service kill bacteria off of dirty pots and plates? And what are the health standards, if any,  there? I've tried food from different countries, but as for Latin American food, I think Mexican cuisine still has the best and most variety.  I will say that the food I ate when I visited Panama wasn't that good either, but their ceviche (fish cooked in lime juice) was excellent.  The better tasting, and safer food to eat for both countries is at the hotel.

[benjio]

Damn Stevie!!! You really did need me there!!! I could have recommended some places that would have blown your mind. REALLY good food. Mag Mandangos is a must visit spot everytime I'm in Barranquilla. Usually I'll leave the airport, drop my crap off at Jamie's and go straight there. Best soups in Colombia hands down. Pastilitos de Pollo from Dulcerna's...to die for!!! Dolce Vita, an Italian restaurant in Barranquilla with a lot of Colombian influence, serves some of the best food I've ever eaten. Archie's, Crepes and Waffles...chain restuarants but both have really good food and sure as hell won't make you sick. Where in the hell were you eating?. At the hotel? Street vendors? Did you drink or brush your teeth with tap? That stuff will [snip] you up if you're not use to it.

[bcc_1_2]

This type of travelers sickness sucks. Obviously you were worried about it enough that you went back to the states to get checked out. You should always bring medication for this... so if it happens you can get over it quickly and not have to look for meds overseas.
You got some local water in your mouth somehow (brushing, shower, ice cubes, etc) or you ate street food or you went to an establishment with poor food standards... or less likely... you went someplace nice and just got unlucky.
If possible stay as it sucks to travel sick. Unless you think it is something medically urgent that you get back ASAP... I'd much rather wait it out in my hotel room. Best of luck getting better.

[Stevieboy]

Damn Stevie!!! You really did need me there!!! I could have recommended some places that would have blown your mind. REALLY good food. Mag Mandangos is a must visit spot everytime I'm in Barranquilla. Usually I'll leave the airport, drop my crap off at Jamie's and go straight there. Best soups in Colombia hands down. Pastilitos de Pollo from Dulcerna's...to die for!!! Dolce Vita, an Italian restaurant in Barranquilla with a lot of Colombian influence, serves some of the best food I've ever eaten. Where in the hell were you eatin?. At the hotel? Street vendors? Did you drink or brush your teeth with tap? That stuff will [snip] you up if you're not use to it.

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LMAO!! Yes, I brushed and drank from the Sonesta hotel tap, but it was "filtered".  Maybe that was it, or maybe the ceviche that did me in. Yeah, they have some good soups here and there, but meh. I mostly ate at the hotel, and places recommended by hotel workers and taxi drivers. And let's not forget, they don't wash with hot water. Hey, maybe it was the sushi I ate in the theater when we went to the movies. I actually didn't feel good stomachwise in Panama either. Maybe it's me. Maybe I'm getting old. I used to be able to eat anywhere from any place. Maybe I went to all the wrong places, but from my standpoint of their basic and standard cuisines, there's much to be desired. I will say this, the food on the Avianca flight from there was a latin chicken with gravy and potatoes, was good. So was the food at the Sonesta, but it was pricey.
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I wont be able to make the end of April trip. Probably not until June or so. If you're not on my next trip, I might do Jaime's service to get more bang in the amount of time there. I'm assuming with Jaime's, you get to communicate with the girls before your trip?

[Stevieboy]

This type of travelers sickness sucks. Obviously you were worried about it enough that you went back to the states to get checked out. You should always bring medication for this... so if it happens you can get over it quickly and not have to look for meds overseas.
You got some local water in your mouth somehow (brushing, shower, ice cubes, etc) or you ate street food or you went to an establishment with poor food standards... or less likely... you went someplace nice and just got unlucky.
If possible stay as it sucks to travel sick. Unless you think it is something medically urgent that you get back ASAP... I'd much rather wait it out in my hotel room. Best of luck getting better.

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I actually had meds with me in case of stuff like this. I carry stomach meds, aspirins, antibiotics, and even a small first aid kit. None worked, and tues night I was up all night with extreme stomach pain, sweats and fever symptoms. We almost called for a doctor, but I held out, and Monica took care of me all night, she was very sweet. I also drank like a lot one night, and could have gotten something from a beer bottle, liquor mix, or dirty glass. Wednesday I felt better, but still had hershey squirts, and when I got on the plane on Thursday morning, it all started up again. Nothing worse than being on a long trip feeling sick like that. 

[benjio]

LMAO!! Yes, I brushed and drank from the Sonesta hotel tap, but it was "filtered".  Maybe that was it, or maybe the ceviche that did me in. Yeah, they have some good soups here and there, but meh. I mostly ate at the hotel, and places recommended by hotel workers and taxi drivers. And let's not forget, they don't wash with hot water. Hey, maybe it was the sushi I ate in the theater when we went to the movies. I actually didn't feel good stomachwise in Panama either. Maybe it's me. Maybe I'm getting old. I used to be able to eat anywhere from any place. Maybe I went to all the wrong places, but from my standpoint of their basic and standard cuisines, there's much to be desired. I will say this, the food on the Avianca flight from there was a latin chicken with gravy and potatoes, was good. So was the food at the Sonesta, but it was pricey.

I wont be able to make the end of April trip. Probably not until June or so. If you're not on my next trip, I might do Jaime's service to get more bang in the amount of time there. I'm assuming with Jaime's, you get to communicate with the girls before your trip?

I actually had meds with me in case of stuff like this. I carry stomach meds, aspirins, antibiotics, and even a small first aid kit. None worked, and tues night I was up all night with extreme stomach pain, sweats and fever symptoms. We almost called for a doctor, but I held out, and Monica took care of me all night, she was very sweet. I also drank like a lot one night, and could have gotten something from a beer bottle, liquor mix, or dirty glass. Wednesday I felt better, but still had hershey squirts, and when I got on the plane on Thursday morning, it all started up again. Nothing worse than being on a long trip feeling sick like that.

I've had those symptoms before in Barranquilla...was REALLY bad for about 3 days. It has nothing to do with the food. It is a tropical, waterborne virus. The doctor told me the name of it when I went, but for the life of me I can't remember what it was called. You have a very good chance of getting it if you're not from that area. It's a very weak bug so the immune system of Barranquilleros acclimates to it at a very early age, but it ravages foreigners. It is not life threatening unless you let yourself get dehydrated. I caught Dengue Fever last year in Rio and it dropped me like a gunshot wound for about a week and a half. Those are the only two times I've been seriously ill in Latin America. Just think about it like this...if your immune system fought it off, you probably don't have AIDS! 
 
Taxi drivers on the coast don't know $hit about good food. They are poor. Think about it.
 
Too bad about later on this month, but hit me up when you plan on going back. I'm pretty sure Jamie will let you contact women but you have to pay for the service first. He will usually advise against it and for very good reasons. My experience with girls at his agency has taught me it's sound advice. Read the Mistakes Men Make Section on his website. It is nothing less than scripture for wife hunters in Colombia. I'm assuming since you're asking about Jamie's that you're not head over heels for the girl you spent most of your time with. That's what I was trying to explain before you left. There's nothing wrong with shopping around and exploring your options. If you feel you can do better in any department you shouldn't settle.

[Stevieboy]

I've had those symptoms before in Barranquilla...was REALLY bad for about 3 days. It has nothing to do with the food. It is a tropical, waterborne virus. The doctor told me the name of it when I went, but for the life of me I can't remember what it was called. You have a very good chance of getting it if you're not from that area. It's a very weak bug so the immune system of Barranquilleros acclimates to it at a very early age, but it ravages foreigners. It is not life threatening unless you let yourself get dehydrated. I caught Dengue Fever last year in Rio and it dropped me like a gunshot wound for about a week and a half. Those are the only two times I've been seriously ill in Latin America. Just think about it like this...if your immune system fought it off, you probably don't have AIDS! 
 
Taxi drivers on the coast don't know $hit about good food. They are poor. Think about it.
 
Too bad about later on this month, but hit me up when you plan on going back. I'm pretty sure Jamie will let you contact women but you have to pay for the service first. He will usually advise against it and for very good reasons. My experience with girls at his agency has taught me it's sound advice. Read the Mistakes Men Make Section on his website. It is nothing less than scripture for wife hunters in Colombia. I'm assuming since you're asking about Jamie's that you're not head over heels for the girl you spent most of your time with. That's what I was trying to explain before you left. There's nothing wrong with shopping around and exploring your options. If you feel you can do better in any department you shouldn't settle.

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Definitely has to be a water born virus. And more than likely I'm not used to it, which is why I got sick.  The taxi driver that recommended the ceviche at that restaurant deserves a kick in the nuts.
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I don't understand what you mean about Jaime's service. You cant contact women after you've paid the service. So, you're going on blind dates? The girl I was with was very sweet and marriage material, but her body wasn't what I expected from what I saw in photos. Not that I want a model, but I know what I want other than character, and I need to desire her physically at all times.

[benjio]

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Definitely has to be a water born virus. And more than likely I'm not used to it, which is why I got sick.  The taxi driver that recommended the ceviche at that restaurant deserves a kick in the nuts.
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I don't understand what you mean about Jaime's service. You cant contact women after you've paid the service. So, you're going on blind dates? The girl I was with was very sweet and marriage material, but her body wasn't what I expected from what I saw in photos. Not that I want a model, but I know what I want other than character, and I need to desire her physically at all times.

If you see a girl you're interested in on his site, just email him and ask what your options are. I can't say exactly what he'll be willing to do. I paid for the whole shebang, Romance Tour. After you've paid for that one time, if you pay to stay at his place anytime in the future, he'll keep introducing you to women for the rest of your life until you've found the one. I've actually been a couple of times just to hang out with my buddies in Barranquilla because I like staying at his place. But every time Jamie constantly ask me if I'm interested in any girls on the site while I'm there. He wants you to find someone and be happy. That's his business. Outside of the introduction service, I'm not exactly sure how it works. That's too bad about the girl you were dating. She sounded like a good woman and I'm sure she'll be heartbroken. I hate doing that to girls, but if you don't feel that connection, you just don't feel it. I have definitely hurt some feelings in my day.

[whitey]

I had the same problem for 1-2 days on most of my first handful of trips.  My wife finally figured out it was the tap water added to the juices made by my (now) mother-in-law when I would go over for lunch almost every day.  That water is gringo kryptonite!


BTW, el Hotel del Prado has hot water ... or at least it did every time I stayed there ... not sure what happened with your room.

[htown]

I constantly ate and drank everything I could get my hands on when I was in colombia and had no problems.  And had plenty of hot water in my 20k a night hotel.   

[mambocowboy]

I had the same problem for 1-2 days on most of my first handful of trips.  My wife finally figured out it was the tap water added to the juices made by my (now) mother-in-law when I would go over for lunch almost every day.  That water is gringo kryptonite!


BTW, el Hotel del Prado has hot water ... or at least it did every time I stayed there ... not sure what happened with your room.

I'm thinking the more restaurants one eats at over there the riskier. I never got sick but that was probably because I ate all my meals at my novia's parents house and they boiled the water for me.  Any cold water I drank was bottled water I bought. SB, sorry to hear about it man, but never drink from a tap in any foreign country. You can get real bad parasites from that as well...As you've probably figured out, there isn't a whole lot to do in BAQ, but a good woman can make it worthwhile. My advice to all the guys visiting, have your novia cook for you and that will reduce the chances of getting sick. You buy the groceries, she cooks for you and your chances of getting sick are greatly reduced.

[benjio]

I constantly ate and drank everything I could get my hands on when I was in colombia and had no problems.  And had plenty of hot water in my 20k a night hotel.   

Guess you should have went to Medellin Stevie...I recently found out about some great photo opportunities there. 

[htown]

Guess you should have went to Medellin Stevie...I recently found out about some great photo opportunities there. 

Na, better stick to la costa and get better acclimated to the traditions and beautiful "culture" that sb considers to be the best in the world.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VKWLC87Uzw&oref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D_VKWLC87Uzw&has_verified=1

[Stevieboy]

Na, better stick to la costa and get better acclimated to the traditions and beautiful "culture" that sb considers to be the best in the world.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VKWLC87Uzw&oref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D_VKWLC87Uzw&has_verified=1

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There you go LYING again. You should sell used cars at one of those tote the note places. Or maybe stand in front of a brothel in Thailand and convince men walking by to come in.

[Stevieboy]

BTW, el Hotel del Prado has hot water ... or at least it did every time I stayed there ... not sure what happened with your room.

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Now that's hilarious. I never bothered to complain about the lack of hot water, because my girl said it was common, so I just left.

[Stevieboy]

 She sounded like a good woman and I'm sure she'll be heartbroken. I hate doing that to girls, but if you don't feel that connection, you just don't feel it. I have definitely hurt some feelings in my day.

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She WAS a good woman in ways that modern women have too long forgotten or refuse to be. She had a sad look on her face when I was going thru the customs door and waved goodbye. I had a ball in my throat myself and actually have strong feelings for her, but if I'm not 100% into her, I don't want to break her heart later. Some douchebags can do that, but I won't.

[htown]

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She WAS a good woman in ways that modern women have too long forgotten or refuse to be. She had a sad look on her face when I was going thru the customs door and waved goodbye. I had a ball in my throat myself and actually have strong feelings for her, but if I'm not 100% into her, I don't want to break her heart later. Some douchebags can do that, but I won't.

You say she was a 6.75 in the looks dept.  To me that's not bad at all.  I rate my gf a 6.5 and he turns me on like crazy.  Was it only her looks that turned you off?  Did she have the costeña look?  What was your overall impression of the costeñas?  Did they remind you of the dr/pr/cubanas?  I met three costeñas in medellin and I fell in love with all three of them.  But that's not saying much I fall in love with every hot chick I meet lol.  Here in houston we have alot of hondureñas from la ceiba on the caribbean coast and they have the same look as las costeñas colombianas.  And they're all sweeter than honey and as hot blooded as it gets. 

[Stevieboy]

You say she was a 6.75 in the looks dept.  To me that's not bad at all.  I rate my gf a 6.5 and he turns me on like crazy.  Was it only her looks that turned you off?  Did she have the costeña look?  What was your overall impression of the costeñas?  Did they remind you of the dr/pr/cubanas?  I met three costeñas in medellin and I fell in love with all three of them.  But that's not saying much I fall in love with every hot chick I meet lol.  Here in houston we have alot of hondureñas from la ceiba on the caribbean coast and they have the same look as las costeñas colombianas.  And they're all sweeter than honey and as hot blooded as it gets. 

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Yes, this gal had a constena look. Her hair was wavy and light brown. Her skin was light and smooth with no wrinkles. She had big brown eyes and was busty, however, she was chubbier for my taste. I'm a slender guy, and prefer women slender too. But, I didn't say she was a 6.7 in the looks department. I said she was 6.7 overall to include personality and character. I think the Cubanas, PRicans look different, like I've seen more of them with blue eyes compared to others. I might be wrong. I also will say, I'd rather eat Cuban food than Colombian,  and Mexican food over of any of them.

[htown]

I'm telling you man you need to get down to monterrey.  It's alot closer.  The food's a million times better.  The women are beautiful and traditional and they'd love to marry an american.  Plus I bet your mom would bond easier with a mexicana.

I think it would be just as easy a colombiana.

If you want even more simpler and traditional try the smaller cities like saltillo, monclova, or san luis potosi. Or even cerralvo or sabinas hidalgo.  One thing is for sure you'll be eating like a king every day of your life.  I think you'd also be able to have a better relationship with your inlaws.

[mambocowboy]

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Yes, this gal had a constena look. Her hair was wavy and light brown. Her skin was light and smooth with no wrinkles. She had big brown eyes and was busty, however, she was chubbier for my taste. I'm a slender guy, and prefer women slender too. But, I didn't say she was a 6.7 in the looks department. I said she was 6.7 overall to include personality and character. I think the Cubanas, PRicans look different, like I've seen more of them with blue eyes compared to others. I might be wrong. I also will say, I'd rather eat Cuban food than Colombian,  and Mexican food over of any of them.

If you marry a Costena you gotta love Costena cuisine. My wife doesn't like Mexican food which is fine with me, and I get the sense Costenas in general obviously greatly prefer their food over Mexican food. My wife has a Costena friend who's married to a Mexican-American guy in the States. She doesn't cook Mexican so she and her husband eat out alot.  Her Mexican in-laws have been very critical of her for not cooking Mexican for her husband as well as a ton of other things, and that has caused a ton of stress in the relationship...

[Kiltboy1]

Ask your doctor for an Anti-Parasite Drug. People do not realize that parasites are everywhere in Colombia, Ecuador, hell, most all of LA. I got one back in 03 in Colombia and it almost killed me.
 
Only doc that got the diagnosis correct was a doctor that donated his time in LA doing pro bono medical care. As soon as I told him my symptoms and where I have been, he said one word-PARASITE. He was correct. Make your doc think outside the box.
 
KB

[Stevieboy]

I'm telling you man you need to get down to monterrey.  It's alot closer.  The food's a million times better.  The women are beautiful and traditional and they'd love to marry an american.  Plus I bet your mom would bond easier with a mexicana.

I think it would be just as easy a colombiana.

If you want even more simpler and traditional try the smaller cities like saltillo, monclova, or san luis potosi. Or even cerralvo or sabinas hidalgo.  One thing is for sure you'll be eating like a king every day of your life.  I think you'd also be able to have a better relationship with your inlaws.

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I've tried several online dating sites for that area, even Juarez, and the pickings are slim.  I've chatted with a few gals here and there, but there doesn't seem to be a dating site or service dedicated towards Mexicanas like there is for South America. I certainly wouldnt go down there without a girl or girls set up to meet. Those also aren't safe areas.   

[Stevieboy]

If you marry a Costena you gotta love Costena cuisine. My wife doesn't like Mexican food which is fine with me, and I get the sense Costenas in general obviously greatly prefer their food over Mexican food. My wife has a Costena friend who's married to a Mexican-American guy in the States. She doesn't cook Mexican so she and her husband eat out alot.  Her Mexican in-laws have been very critical of her for not cooking Mexican for her husband as well as a ton of other things, and that has caused a ton of stress in the relationship...

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You're right about that, however if she cant cook Mexican, she cant cook at all IMO. Basic mexican food isn't that hard to cook, she just has to learn what goes into it. If a woman likes to cook, she can cook anything. It's not hard to cook mexican rice, and pinto beans; the staple of Mexican cuisine. The rest of it can be taught. She just has to want to learn. That's probably why that mexican family is critical of her. Maybe she's not that kind of girl. She should be adapting to him if she's gonna live where he and hos culture is. If she cant cook Mexican food, she probably cant make a peanut butter sandwich either.     

[Stevieboy]

Ask your doctor for an Anti-Parasite Drug. People do not realize that parasites are everywhere in Colombia, Ecuador, hell, most all of LA. I got one back in 03 in Colombia and it almost killed me.
 
Only doc that got the diagnosis correct was a doctor that donated his time in LA doing pro bono medical care. As soon as I told him my symptoms and where I have been, he said one word-PARASITE. He was correct. Make your doc think outside the box.
 
KB

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One day I'll feel better, and then the next it comes back strong again. Does that symptom sound familiar?
 
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I KNOW HOW I GOT SICK. I had mentioned I had eaten ceviche (fish) at a little neighborhood choke and puke. It just occurred to me not only how they wash their fish, but where they might get it. When I was walking thru the crowded street markets I remember how they would lay dead fish in the sun and sell it. I remember thinking how much bacteria had grown on that fish laying there and in the cases they were stacked in. I'd bet that's how they treat their caught fish and even what was served to me.

[mambocowboy]

I'm telling you man you need to get down to monterrey.  It's alot closer.  The food's a million times better.  The women are beautiful and traditional and they'd love to marry an american.  Plus I bet your mom would bond easier with a mexicana.

I think it would be just as easy a colombiana.

If you want even more simpler and traditional try the smaller cities like saltillo, monclova, or san luis potosi. Or even cerralvo or sabinas hidalgo.  One thing is for sure you'll be eating like a king every day of your life.  I think you'd also be able to have a better relationship with your inlaws.

Looking in Mexico if you're a gringo is way easier.And if you're Mexican American the chances of her getting on with the inlaws are much better. In my opinion Colombia and Mexico are about as similar as Wales and the United States. They share a language in common (although even with that there are huge variations), and that's about it.