Lessons Learned

[littlebhuddha]

I will be in Cali in about three weeks. This is my first trip to Cali or Latin America for that matter. All the arrangements have been made. I'm flying on American and staying at the Suites Travelers. I just got my passport in the mail yesterday. 5 business days through the LA agency. Now I'm sitting here trying to put together my list of to do's and I just realized I'm not really sure what I need to do next. I have searched the archives and I think I have the more obvious preparations under control. I am taking two credit cards with temporary $500 limits and half my descretionary funds in travelers checks and half in cash. My accomodations will be prepaid. I am going to become a member at one agency and go with week or day rates at the others. Airport pickup and drop off have already been arranged. I am hoping to hear from a contact in Cali regarding translator services soon. (Forget it, Andre!) I am taking salsa lessons and trying to learn some Spanish with some Berlitz CDs and a electronic translator. Not going well. I really need to get into a classroom environment. Mesa starts accepting registrations next month for January. I'm just sitting here panicking over what I am forgeting. I would be very interested in hearing about things that board members learned on there their first trip to Colombia. I really don't want to hear anything about agencies. I think we have pretty well ground that subject into a fine powder. I would like to know what it was that you made sure you were prepared for on your second trip. Tell me what you suffered through that first trip so I won't have to. Please.

[Ricky]

... in response to Lessons Learned, posted by littlebhuddha on Oct 25, 2002

If it is available ask for one of the suites on the top floor. Travellers backs up to a small mountain that overlooks the city southward. The top floor is the most private and the jacuzzi works the best. There is always a nice breeze and the staff is excellent. You made a good choice in Suites Travellers.

[littlebhuddha]

... in response to Try to get the top floor., posted by Ricky on Oct 26, 2002

I've heard a lot of good things about the place. I reserved a full suite. It is my understanding that they only have two and they are both on the top floor. If I am wrong let me know so I can request the top floor.

[Ricky]

... in response to Re: Try to get the top floor., posted by littlebhuddha on Oct 26, 2002

If you have a little extra money and enjoy a jacuzzi now and then, stick with the 3rd floor. There's nothing like a view from the top floor, in the jacuzzi, with a nice bottle of wine or Rum & Coke and a special lady. At least from the top floor you won't look up and see the bottom of another floor right overhead.

If you need a second bedroom or you plan on being out every night, take the Jr. Suite. Keep in mind that you mentioned this is your first time in Cali. You will probably be out on the town quite a bit.

Either way the view is great. The windows are sliding doors for the most part and the view is fantastic; especially in the evening.

Have fun.

[El Diablo]

... in response to Re: Re: Try to get the top floor., posted by Ricky on Oct 26, 2002

Hey Ricky,

The Jr. Suite doesn't have a second bedroom.  It has two main rooms, one in the front that is a living room kitchinet combo and a room in the back that is a good sized bedroom with two beds.  Each room has a bathroom and a balcony attached to it.

The Jr. is $55 a night and the 6th floor suites are $65.   If you stay for two weeks or more you can get a discounted rate on any of the apartments.

El Diablo

[El Diablo]

... in response to Re: Try to get the top floor., posted by littlebhuddha on Oct 26, 2002

Only my opinion but the junior suite is a better apartment than the unit they call the suite on the top floor and less expensive also.  The junior is quite a bit larger and the apatment is divided into two rooms where the suite is not.  The reson the suite on the top floor is more expensive despite it being smaller is because of the jaccuzzi.  I stayed for 6 weeks on the 3rd floor junior suite and the view from the balcony off the bedroon is very nice.  The building is up on a hill so you get a good view from all the floors although I would avoid the 1st floor as the rooms are close to the reception area.

El Diablo

[elcolombiano]

... in response to Lessons Learned, posted by littlebhuddha on Oct 25, 2002

I am in the same boat as you only I am leaving November 28.

[H2Oh]

... in response to Lessons Learned, posted by littlebhuddha on Oct 25, 2002

Don't believe the taxi drivers. Watch out for the chicas that throw themselves at you. They probably only want money. Run from chicas that want you to buy them somthing like clothes or shoes.Try to find another gringo to hang with...safety in numbers.
 You'll have a great time.....here's an idea. Ask Cali vet if he would meet you down there, he knows more about Cali then anyone I know and I've been to Cali 25 times!! Have fun and give us reports when you're down there.

H2-Oh

[Cali vet]

... in response to Re: Lessons Learned, posted by H2Oh on Oct 26, 2002

I'm no expert and others like Traveller know more than I do but he's in Ecuador right now. I enjoy meeting other board members down here, I've met six or seven and always enjoy swapping/sharing info. I'll be in the states for a few weeks in November but back in Cali Nov. 28. If anyone wants to hook up just shoot me an e-mail.

Cal-vet

[Michael B]

... in response to Lessons Learned, posted by littlebhuddha on Oct 25, 2002

[This message has been edited by Michael B]

I wouldn't bother with travelers checks, you have to stand in line at a bank to cash them and then not get a very good rate either. OK, maybe some places will accept them for purchases, but I never saw anybody using them and can't remember many (if any) "we accept travler checks" signs in the stores (I could be wrong, since I wasn't looking for them). Cash? United States cash? Well, take enough for your cab fare from the airport back to home, but not much more. Visa and Mastercard are gladly accepted for purchases at almost every place except street vendors, taxis and really small little stores and very cheap resturants. And also with a credit card, you can always simply get Colombian cash from ATM machines for 'walking around' money (even better, use a debit card in the ATM's and avoid the cash advance surcharge that most credit cards impose). If you really intend to spend more than $1000US, I would tell my bank to up the limit on the credit cards or leave a deposit in an account that you can make debit card withdraws against, instead of bringing a bunch of US cash and travler's checks. Opps, better add this: Make sure your debit card is Mastercard or Visa, not just a plain "your bank only" type of debit card.

You WILL need cash (either Colombian or US, they don't care which) to pay the airport tax when you leave. I think it is $38.00US

[valuedcustomer]

... in response to Re: Lessons Learned, posted by Michael B on Oct 26, 2002


I always bring $500 with $100, $50 bills and a few $20's and put them in a money belt. It's convenient to exchange a $100 bill for Colombian pesos.  I then use credit cards at the hotel and restaurants.  I always come back with plenty of cash.  Simple.

[valuedcustomer]

... in response to Lessons Learned, posted by littlebhuddha on Oct 25, 2002

One thing that could potentially disorient you is the level of attention you will get from women since this doesn't happen to most of us in the United States.  Some women will be very aggressive and if you are not interested in her you should find a nice way to turn her down instead of spending unnecessary time with someone you have no future with.  You are taking on the role that women usually have in the United States, so you may not have thought it out how to do this yet.  Another thing is stay out of politics and don't say anything negative about anyone.  The walls have ears ( Las paredes oyen).

[Cali vet]

... in response to Lessons Learned, posted by littlebhuddha on Oct 25, 2002

Both cash and travellers checks can be kind of cumbersome. You have to go to just certain banks or money changing entities and must bring your original passport along. Often the exchange rate you get will be lower than the TRM you see posted in the newspaper. A better bet is to bring one or two debit cards. Then you can just go to any ATM machine and you'll get the top exchange rate. Alternatively just one debit card and a credit card and if any glitch occures with the debit card just take your credit card to a bank like Bankcolombia in Chipichapi with passport and get a cash advance for as much as you want. You'll still get the top exchange rate.

[Michael B]

... in response to Re: Lessons Learned, posted by Cali vet on Oct 25, 2002

.

[mudd]

... in response to Lessons Learned, posted by littlebhuddha on Oct 25, 2002

Rule #1 dont be a jerk, and act like an idoit, like so many men that go down there.#2 keep an open mind, and dont jump at the first pretty face that you see, and dont be thinking that "a better one is just about to come through that door any minute". a lot of men make many, many trips and never make a decision, like a kid in a candy store.#3 go with your gut feelings and remember, your not in the US anymore. #4  be careful and be aware of your suroundings. #5 just have fun!!!!!!!