Cali Trip

[TexasRob]

I returned Wednesday from 12 days in Cali.  The atmosphere was not all that much different.  I was very close to an exchange of automatic weapons fire one night in La Flora.  Other than that I had no problems.  I hiked up Tres Cruces again.  While on top I helped some soldiers push a small truck up the last few feet of an old road that goes to the top.  For this deed they promised to shoot any FARC who tried to kidnapped me.  I assured them I would be forever in their debt.

Many guys ask the question on here relating to what agency to use.  I will throw out my two cents worth here.  I went with Latin Women Connection this trip.  I can't say anything bad about the condo.  I liked the location.  I liked the privacy and the freedom.  It is one block from Exito.  Guys you can meet more beautiful ladies in Exito than you have time for. (Exito is like a super WalMart).  Done right they are very aproachable.  I found that I took too many clothes because unlike other places offering free laundry service, the condo's maid retrieves the clothes from each rooms hamper every morning, washes and irons them.  She cleans the place daily like it is spring cleaning time.  I didn't say anything bad about the condo because the experience there was great, BUT, I won't say anything good about the agency.  Let's just say that I was very lucky Latin Best is a couple blocks from the condo.  For the guys who have never been I would strongly suggest staying at the LWC condo and then buy a weekly membership from Luz at Latin Best.  The only two girls I met at LWC was a result of me contacting them prior to my trip.  I walked in the door at Latin Best payed her the weekly membership fee. (Now 80 dollars).  I flipped through a few books writing a few names down.  I finished the list and got up to leave.  Luz asked why I was leaving... the first girl would be there in 15 minutes.  Not one girl showed up late.  Also I found the girls I met a Latin Best to be more classy and charasmatic.  Of course this is just my impression.  The number of girls walking in and out of Latin Best is amazing.  I found Luz to be a person with a lot of integrity and a very hard worker.  

I had a girl waiting for me at the airport.  She is magical, beautiful, wonderful, and every other word I could use to describe this nice unique girl.  She is also 21 years old.  I finally realized I can't do that.  I actually found her to be a very mature woman with a 2 year old daughter.  For guys who can deal with being many years older I say go for it.  I think it will work great with many of these girls there.  I just don't feel comfortable walking in a resturant or whatever with a wife as young as my son.  I also met a beautiful sexy 27 year old.  Something about her just does not feel honest.  I can't say why or what but I am going with the feeling.  I also met a 28 year old mother of 2.  Before I went down I would not consider someone with two kids.  I spent a lot of time with her and the kids.  I was quite surprised to find 2 kids in Colombia who are required to mind.  They are very polite and well mannered kids.  I grew very attached to them.  The 4 year old boy was very emotional when I left.
I met a girl 31 years old at Latin Best who I was very interested in.  She works long hours and she would pick me up for dinner about 8 at night.  We would have about 2 hours to talk.  I wish I could have spent more time with her.

Guys learn some Spanish.  You will be very surprised how far just a few words go.  If you are talking to a girl who knows a little English and you know a little Spanish the conversation will go much better than you think.

[tommi]

... in response to Cali Trip, posted by TexasRob on Apr 27, 2002

Good report. Funny though... I had the same bad taste in my mouth at the first agency you mention. The condo is great but the intro service and portfolio sucked. Robert just does not seem to put effort into the agency. I would not recommend anyone stay at his agency. Other than the quiet and clean premises...don't waste your time or money!

[Buck]

... in response to Cali Trip, posted by TexasRob on Apr 27, 2002

Yes,a few words of spanish will go a long way.When I went to Lima to meet Mi Novia I took a lap top with a translation program downloaded into it.I figured as she knew very little english and I knew very little spanish we would be using it probably 50-70% of the time.But we didn't need it very much,only about 5% of the time.We could get our points across fairly well without it.We used it mostly when we had a complicated point to get across.Sometimes it took going over a point a few times but we managed.I also took a pocket translator,it does one word at a time.We used this when a word that was crucial to the conversation escaped us.But in general we managed.My job does not allow me to attend spanish classes.So I bought(from a recommendation on this board)"Spanish in 10 minutes a day".It does not teach the spanish language.But it teaches pronounciation of letters and the basic words.It is a tourist lesson book.BUT it was easy to use and was my basic guide.I also have a good spanish to english dictionary.With all of this what I am trying to say is-I agree learn some spanish,a little will go a long way.For beginners,contact me if you would like a few pointers on spanish,that don't come in the books,that I have learned thru all of this......As for the age difference.As most know by now my novia is a lot younger than I.I won't go into particulars.But she is more mature and dedicated to me than my ex,who is my age.Also,anymore I never even think of her age anymore.She is simply the woman that loves me and who I love.As to how I will feel about going into a restaraunt with this beautiful person?I will know shortly.I wish everyone out there good luck.Tom

[Patrick]

... in response to Cali Trip, posted by TexasRob on Apr 27, 2002

....as long as you're meeting some quality women.  What's it take to make you nervous, grenade launchers?  You're obviously a man on a mission!  I walked past some guerillas once in a rural area with what looked like automatic weapons and I was nervous as he!l.  I learned my lesson about traveling outside cities and wandering the countryside.

Note to others:  What's the lesson here?  It's not to wear flack jackets, IT'S LEARNING SPANISH!

[Viajero]

... in response to Who cares about  a little automatic weap..., posted by Patrick on Apr 27, 2002

True statement. I once talked my way out of getting shot
up in a crossfire because I was able to speak
Spanish, and well enough to help settle the argument
before the bullets flew.

[TexasRob]

... in response to Who cares about  a little automatic weap..., posted by Patrick on Apr 27, 2002

I was going to Rollandillo on a bus to visit the girl who met me at the airport.  I was told by many people to not go so I didn't.  For the most part if a person listens to the locals concerning where to go and not to go he will be ok.  Also it is important to never make eye contact with the glue sniffers on 6th Ave.  I felt pretty safe most of the time there.  One girl took me to meet her family and friends.  I was a little pissed at where she took me.  It was not safe at all.  Most of the girls are very much aware and protective of where you go.  

But yeah Patrick you are right... if my trip was work related and the city was not full of beautiful girls, I would tell them to stick it.  I ain't going.  :-)

[Red Clay]

... in response to Re: Who cares about  a little automatic ..., posted by TexasRob on Apr 27, 2002

Curious to know what might happen to you if you make eye contact with the glue sniffers?

[Edge]

... in response to Re: Re: Who cares about  a little automa..., posted by Red Clay on Apr 27, 2002

on Avenida sexta and 13th st. to around 17th has alot of drug users.  They stand out on Sundays when all the other people usually on the streets are home.

[TexasRob]

... in response to Re: Re: Who cares about  a little automa..., posted by Red Clay on Apr 27, 2002

Well I hope I never actually know the answer to that question.  :-)    From what I was told by a couple of different girls was that the glue sniffer is in his own world.  Making eye contact with them brings you into their world.  If you don't look at them they rarely know you are there.  These people are so far gone that they will probably be dead in a few months.  I did see much more of this on this trip.  

6th Ave is still alive and kicking.  People are out every night just ignoring everything  and having a great time.  If you want to go to Cali, go and have a great time.  BUT listen to what the locals tell you.

[NW Jim]

... in response to Re: Re: Who cares about  a little automa..., posted by Red Clay on Apr 27, 2002

lol

[MarkInTx]

... in response to Who cares about  a little automatic weap..., posted by Patrick on Apr 27, 2002


"What's it take to make you nervous, grenade launchers?"

Yeah... I was thinking the same thing... though I couldn't have put it so funny...

That's the problem with Colombia... What if I were out seeking a wife, and ended up leaving my 8 year old girl without a daddy...?

Hats off to you guys who do it. If I had no kids, I probably would be tempted.

But I can't take that kind of risk with an 8 year old at home...

[Michael B]

... in response to Who cares about  a little automatic weap..., posted by Patrick on Apr 27, 2002

Once I was riding a 2nd class train in Mexico with a bunch of soldiers going to a their new assignment. The soldiers had about 1/2 of the car and had a sentry posted in the isle. The car had a restroom at each end, women's at one end, men's at the other. I was going to the rest room and the guard wouldn't let me pass, stuck his rifle right in my face and asked "What do you think you're doing?" I said "Going to the restroom" he said "Go to to the other one". I said "that's the WOMEN'S" and he said "And this one is the SOLDIER'S". I got the idea, and went to the women's.

Later on, the sargent fell asleep and since I was sitting in the first seat of the "civilian" section and was close enough to talk to, the sentry said "Sorry I was so hard on you before, but, hey, the sargent was watching". I said "Sure, I understand, no problem. Say, I've never seen a weapon quite like that, what is it?". He told me the model number and who it was made by and some of the features etc. and mentioned that it was loaded. I said "You mean you actualy had bullets in the magazine when you stuck it in my nose?" and he said "Sir, since I'm on guard duty, I've got bullets in the magazine, one in the chamber and the safety off". Now THAT made me nervous.

I'll save these stories for another time, but I've also been a hostage on a hijacked bus (we were all safetly rescued by the police) and been arrested for being an illegal alien, and all of this just in Mexico, and now I'm planning to go to COLOMBIA?

[pack]

... in response to Nervous?, posted by Michael B on Apr 27, 2002

i dont think you'll have any trouble like that in colombia.
iv been to colombia numerous times and never had a problem.

[Michael B]

... in response to Re: Nervous?, posted by pack on Apr 28, 2002

No problems? Didn't you have a heart attack the last time you went?

Anyway, I've been talking to this one in particular (in Cali) since December and now it looks like I'll be down there in 3 or 4 weeks to meet her. For a while she's been teling me it is too dangerous, but she says that things have calmed down a lot lately and now it's OK to come.

[pack]

... in response to Re: Re: Nervous?, posted by Michael B on Apr 28, 2002

well that wasnt a problem caused by colombia or colombians!
you'll be fine just stay out of the woods and side streets at night.
enjoy your trip.