cheap fare to Bogota?

[Sol]

Well, I'm making my second plunge into Colombia (Bogota) after crashing and burning the first time in Medellin and I'm in search of cheap travel arrangements. Orbitz.com, which had $512 tickets suddenly shot up and they now have $700+ fares from San Francisco. I called American Travel per Pete's recommendation and they can get me a $635 fare for the end of this month which I might just take although it makes a couple of stops (El Salvador and Costa Rica) before getting to Bogota.

Does anyone have any suggestions on finding cheap fares from SFO to BOG on less than a month's notice?

Thanks,
Sol

[buzzy]

... in response to cheap fare to Bogota?, posted by Sol on Jul 11, 2001

What happened in Medellin?  If you care to divulge.  Or is it archived?  Good luck in Bogota.  What agency are you using there?

[Sol]

... in response to Re: cheap fare to Bogota?, posted by buzzy on Jul 11, 2001

Buzzy,

Writing trip reports is not my thing but I'm happy to answer questions.

My way of meeting Latinas is through letter writing followed by a trip to meet her. I've heard the disadvantages of letter writing ad nauseam and my first experience with meeting a gal I wrote to was bad but I persist.

There was one lady who I corresponded with for several months who seemed perfect at the time. We wrote letters, I sent her flowers, cards, emails, we had numerous long telephone conversations and when we met in person it just didn't click. She was very intellectual, talked all the time, had a need to always have the final word, had a bad temper and was emotional and whiny. It's amazing to me that even though three months have passed since the trip to Medellin when I looked at a few of her letters just today I realized that even now that I've gotten to know her I wouldn't have been able to pick up these things in advance through our dialogues and emails. She did a fantastic job of covering up the dark side of her nature.

This next trip is to meet a lady in Bogota who I think/hope/pray will be a great match. This time I decided to go see her after just a couple of months of writing so that I don't have a six month fantasy relationship. I also decided I couldn't open my heart to multiple women at the same time and I don't like the idea of seeing multiple women on one trip. I have nothing against folks who do, it just doesn't work for me. So, two months into this letter writing I realize that this lady might be the perfect wife for me. She's pretty (but not a model), she seems to be from a well enough to do family so the gold digger bells don't go off. She's 29, I'm 37. She's big into exercise and healthy diets which are high on my list. She's definitely not an intellectual type. Her main goal is to find a man to make happy. And you know what, my main goal is to find a woman to make happy. She's also very active, loves to dance, swim, travel, read, hike, and she's taking tango classes!!! Yum!

I'm experimenting with taking a short trip to Bogota. I'll be with her for two full days and two half days, which admittedly is very short but I'm willing to burn the $600 in plane fare to take the risk of meeting this lady. She has a birthday in September, if all goes well I'll be there again personally delivering a birthday present. If things don't click I'll know that quickly enough.

So, guys, wish me luck. I'm off to Bogota in a couple of weeks.

Sol

[Houndog]

... in response to Re: What happened in Medellin, posted by Sol on Jul 11, 2001

Sol, You're a good writer.

Go...Go...Go...Meet..cut to the chase and show your sincerity. Two days is way ahead of no days. Many write but few hop da plane.

I wrote also...to one lady...had a back up plan to use an agency if needed...it was'nt.  So we never know...but one thing is certian...you can't win if you're not in the game.

Buena Suerte, HD

[buzzy]

... in response to Re: What happened in Medellin, posted by Sol on Jul 11, 2001

Sol..that's great testimony!  Two days and two half days in Bogota!  Wow! That takes baxxs! You are the real MOB stormtrooper.  Your strategy could be debated but you got the spark, the drive, the enthusiasm, and there's no debate over that.    Good luck from all of us.  And give us a report when you return.

[Sol]

... in response to Re: What happened in Medellin, posted by Sol on Jul 11, 2001

p.s. My mom passed away just a week ago. As my brother and I were making the funeral arrangements I couldn't help feeling a sense of importance and urgency to finding a really good partner. My mom was miserable and sick for many decades. My life has become about not being like her, i.e. having friends, relationships, fun, personal growth, health, a good family, children, a good home ... I'm 37 and I don't want to spend any more time than I need to to find a wonderful lady to join me in this life. It's a sense of urgency without any desperation. It's also my reality that I'm not looking for _the perfect_ lady; the first lady that comes along, if both of us really click, and can build love and intimacy over time, I'm giving my heart to her and she won't regret it. That's why I can't get into the agency scene and the comparison shopping. I'm really clear about my criteria; when I find a lady that meets that criteria (and I can't tell if she does or not until I open my heart to her and see how she responds) I'm done with this process!

[JunFan68]

... in response to Re: What happened in Medellin, posted by Sol on Jul 11, 2001

Sol,
Right on my fellow gringo. I liked your post. Get your rear end down there and get some face time with this promising prospect of yours.

"She did a fantastic job of covering up the dark side of her nature."

---Don't we all, when we can hide behind the internet or over the phone.

"This time I decided to go see her after just a couple of months of writing so that I don't have a six month fantasy relationship."

---You absolutely have to go down there as soon as possible to see what you are dealing with, mano y mano...otherwise, you allow your mind to turn this girl into whatever it is you are looking for as more time passes. Not to mention the one thing we don't have in this world is world is an infinite amount of time. It's too precious to focus ones life around a woman that he has not met.

"I also decided I couldn't open my heart to multiple women at the same time and I don't like the idea of seeing multiple women on one trip."

--- I hear you bud, and I too like the letter writing campaign followed by a trip.  It worked out well. I got decent responses, and I was able to get to know more than several women via internet.  While I ended up only making arrangements with one girl, I went down there with the idea that if we didn't hit it off I was gonna move on without question or regret.  I also toyed with the idea of having a backup lined up but it wasn't to be.

Later,
Mike

www.sparhard.com/colombia.htm

[James2]

... in response to cheap fare to Bogota?, posted by Sol on Jul 11, 2001

Where to you stay in Bogota?, an agengy?
Thanks

[Sol]

... in response to Re: cheap fare to Bogota?, posted by James2 on Jul 11, 2001

Ray Reitzle of the 'International Lady' web-site recommended the Andes Plaza Hotel and I just made my reservation there. 72,480 pesos per night.

I'm on my way!!!

Sol

[outwest77]

... in response to cheap fare to Bogota?, posted by Sol on Jul 11, 2001

Tried searching on my travel saver flight service
best fares seem to start end of august, and its eassy to
find RT 539 Starting at that date, let me know if you
want the details.

[Sol]

... in response to Re: cheap fare to Bogota?, posted by outwest77 on Jul 11, 2001

Hi,

I'd be interested in the details for future trip planning. I just purchased a $635 ticket (includes $20 agency fee and $15 to fed ex ticket) and I'm on my way to Bogota in a couple of weeks!

Thanks!

Sol