My second trip to Cali.
Part I
I went to Cali for a second trip. The main purpose of the trip was to spend a lot of face to face time with a woman I met on my first trip. If you check back in the archives you'll find my trip reports from the begining of July. The second trip for me was a success. Maria and I continued to correspond and talk by phone since I left in July. Originally I was going to return in November but I just didn't want to wait that long to see her again. I was scheduled to depart Sept 14. Por supuesto you all know what happened. I rebooked the flight and went two weeks later.
I didn't do any checking on agencies, or hotels, or sites of interest as this was not the purpose of my trip.
Part II
Some general information:
For receptions and civil marriage ceromonies this company has thier own facility or will do a set-up in another facility.
Organizacion de Eventos
Tarragona
Phone #'s in Cali 514-3893 or 557-3388
Cell phone# (033)509-4532
Aut. Sur No.29B62 Cali
E-mail tarragon@colombianet.net
I spoke with Beatriz E. Ceron M.
We arranged for a civil ceremony and reception for 70 guests and about 3 hours which includes:
Buffet meal
Champagne
Soft drinks and juices
Bar (buy your own booze)
Floral decorations
Wedding cake
Musicians
Total cost 2,000,000 pesos. Required deposit was 300,000 pesos. About $13 per person.
One great advantage for us is the location.
This place is located about 5 minutes from Maria's parent's house.
We shopped extensivly for rings. After visiting about 8 different jewelers we soon discovered they all offered the same thing. Obviously they are all supplied by the same wholesaler. Since we weren't interested in a custom creation price became the deciding issue.
The best price we found was at:
Prima Luz Ltd.
Joyeria y Relojeria
It is location in El Centro @
Pasaje Monserrate
Calle 15 N. 7-80
Phone # 880-1573 884-3446
This place also accepts major credit cards, which I think is a real advantage. Maria picked up the rings yesterday. Delivery time was 4 days.
The variation in price for two rings, mixed white and yellow gold was between a low of 360,000 pesos plus about 40,000 pesos for inscriptions to something about 600,000 pesos for the exact same thing. A difference of nearly $100.
Maria also found a printer for the invitations. The place was recommended by a friend. I do not have the contact information with me but can get it from Maria. For 70 sets of invitations 70,000 pesos, about $0.50 per set. This included a four part invitation printed and embossed with our initials. Envelope, wedding invitation, reception invitation and RSVP card.
III
My impressions of various things.
First of all Robert's condo is great.(That is Robert of Latin Women Connection)
I had the place to myself for the entire week. Robert did show up late Sunday afternoon which didn't crimp my style at all and it was good to be able to spend some time talking with him.
The condo has TVs and small stereo-CD players in each bedroom. There are also small fridges in each room. With the Exito(A Wal Mart type of super store) within easy walking distance it is easy to keep a stash of consumables right at hand. The beds are almost brand new and comfortable. The place is large enough for 3 guys and each room would easily allow for moderate privacy. The place is kept immaculate by daily maid service. Lucia the current maid is a delight. She whips up breakfast in minutes and does the laundry and keeps the place spotless. All of that and the fact that she is a real sweetheart means that Robert will probably wind up looking for a new maid in the near future.
The complex is gated and has an armed guard 24/7 who does roving patrols day and night.
This was only my second trip and to some it may seem that I am commiting to a marriage with someone I hardly know. Maybe.... or maybe not. I never got the impression that Maria is a "Green Card" shark and while my standard of living is certainly greater than the average Colombian, I am a long way from being rich. I have explainded this to her and she understands the difference. I was concerned on my first trip because I wasn't sure if she was truely interested in me. Even after returning and exchanging e-mails and frequent phone calls I didn't really know. Of course that is why I wanted to return. I wanted to be sure and I wanted her to be sure.
Some people have talked about whetting the appetite a bit. So I decided to do a bit of that. I was at first going to stay at a hotel. But I thought it would be interesting to see the reaction of my intended when I told her I would be staying at the LWC condo. That simple little change made a marked difference in her reactions. I only stated that I would be staying at the condo and let the rest hang. I never stated that I would be interested in seeing other woman and in reality I wasn't, but I didn't say so. Within a day her attitude changed! She became much more communicative and open. In fairness I sensed that she was being defensive. And I think that made sense. She lives in her parents home with her son. She was interested in meeting someone but wasn't going to go off the deep end with someone she just met and who would leave in just a few days(my first trip). And after meeting her family a couple of times I can tell that they are generally good people. She has a good relationship with them and an excellent relationship with her son. I paid particular attention the relationship she has with her son. And to his general behavior.
I thought that I would be able to tell where her head and heart was within a few moments of our reunion. She was seriously interested in me but was still holding back. The reason... I was staying at the Condo. I knew she wondered if I was going to continue looking for another woman. I didn't want to because I knew she was the one for me. She picked me up at the airport and was very happy as was I. We went to the condo and spent the first 3 hours talking and....
When she finally believed I was there for her and her alone it was as if someone turned on a switch and she blossomed.
IV
The week I spent in Cali was a bit of a whorl. I told Maria that my first Saturday in Cali should be a day for just the two of us, something with which she definatly agreed. On Sunday we went out with her son for a bit of looking around and a meal. Her son is a wonderful boy and I look forward to having him as a part of my life.
Monday we had the translator over to the condo for discussions about the needed paperwork for an in country marriage. We also took the short stroll to Latin Best to say hi to Luz. Of course I also wanted to personally remove Maria's pictures and bio data from Luz's book. I got the pictures and the roundfile got the bio sheet. Maria's pic has also been removed from the Latin Best website. Sorry Gringos but this one is mine.
Tuesday was spent going around to get the paperwork started. For an in country marriage I need a Marriage Visa from the Colombian consulate in the US. Fortunatly I live near LA where one consulate is located. The visa also requires that I bring from Colombia a number of verified documents concerning Maria.
For lunch Wednesday we went to Maria's house and I met part of the family. I even got to pick the menu. Traditional rice and beans, it was delicious. Wednesday afternoon we went to the reception salon and made arrangements for both the civil ceremony and the wedding reception. In the evening we relaxed a bit. At this time I was still assuming we would be married. So I thought I should make my formal request. On bended knee I took her hand in mine and asked her to marry me. She cried and laughted and most importantly, said "Si". Sure was glad we were alone in the condo at that time.
We had been checking out various jewelers. Thursday we went to the Exito. The store was having a big promotional sale. We went there to get maletas. One of which, stuffed, I brought back with me. So a part of her is already here with me. "El Centro" is a very fascinating place and I always love going downtown. It's fun to walk around and window shop. I find all the small sidewalk stands fascinating. Unfortunaly not all the stores there accept Credit Cards. However the jewelery store we finally settled on did. I bought the rings on Friday. That was one of our stops that day. The first weekend I was there we went to ChipiChapi. There was a "Wedding Exposition" set up in one area. It was interesting to see all the different "caterers", photographers and attending support people there who put a wedding together.
Friday evening we had dinner at Maria's best friend's house.
Saturday was sort of a cocktail party at Maria's house. I meet the rest of the immediate family. Good people and I like them a lot. Her father honored me with "Mi casa es tu casa", which I happily returned. Her parents are sad to be loosing her and also her son who has become like a son to them. One niece is upset with me because I am taking her favorite tia away. The family is supportive of the two of us. Although they will certainly miss Maria and her son they realize she is grownup and has to make a life for herself and her son. And I of course, am happy that she choose to do that with me.
We spent Sunday together and alone to say our goodbyes in private. At "Too d*mn early" Monday morning she showed up with a ride to the airport. Fortunaly the parting wasn't too sad as I will be back there in 6 short weeks.
I am going back in November, Maria and I will be married, in country. Then we will do the DCF.
For now I'm starting the paperchase.
Fred
