Six days

[clxa]

Well thanks to you guys on Planet Love, I am off to Medellin in less than six days.  This time next week I'll be a stranger in a strange land.  I've read the goings on here for almost a year and I have to tell you that were it not for this group (the helpful ones know who you are), I wouldn't be doing this.
For that reason, I've prepared a class action suit against the lot of you in the event I don't return.  Really, I want to thank you for helping me to take this chance at having a unique time.  If nothing else, the looks I've gotten from everybody when I tell them where I'm going are priceless.
I have a great deal of faith in the fact that I've been a good study of some of the pitfalls mentioned on this board.  Naturally, I'll be proposing to the first knock out I meet.  But if I can avoid this, eh, I might just meet somebody.  
I wanted to put this out there to let those of you know that its possible to follow some of the guidelines listed here and have a good experience.  I also wanted those considering it to have some idea as to what a virgin might be going through.  Two Pimsleurs under my belt some HS spanish and a Salsa class.  If I don't follow this up with something of a trip report, then I didn't come back.
I'll also be happy to give you my learned impression of the vaunted CSH.  
Here goes nothing...

[papi]

... in response to Six days, posted by clxa on Sep 18, 2004

since this sounds like your first trip, the hard part is going to be juggling all the woman. You are going to want to meet a lot and you should. But you are also going to want to have woman to take to dinner, etc. this is the tough part and some of these woman are clingy. i dont really have good advice on how to manage the appointments but just thought i'd give you a heads-up of what can sometime be a problem. the best way is probably to come back to the States with 2 or 3 you really like and then go back and visit them on a second trip and narrow your decision later. but this is often easier said then done. after you find a novia, consider a trip and/or meeting in Cartagena or San Andres Island. Both safe, vacation spots on the beach. Again, it is really essential to give the agency a large list of woman you would like to meet. some will be no shows and some you are not going to like. i had 5 appts per day. many were too reserved for me - maybe if i had more time but i went for the ones with a pulse. also, some of the woman look better in the pics and some look better in person.

[clxa]

... in response to Re: Six days, posted by papi on Sep 18, 2004

Unfortunately, I had a hard time finding more than about ten total that were both in my age group and (here goes) attractive.
But I do appreciate the tips.

[pablo]

... in response to Re: Re: Six days, posted by clxa on Sep 19, 2004

[This message has been edited by pablo]

Clxa,

I'm sitting here in the computer room at CSH after four lovely days in Medellin and I can assure you that you will discover more than ten beautiful women both at the agency and in the city.  Dios mio, Medellin is incredible!

Papi is right by saying that you should email a list to the office manager, Luz Marie before you arrive.  The reason is that if your time is limited, Angie and Lena need as much time as possible to secure citas for you.  There are more photos here of the ladies as well as new members recently joining.  

Like you, I was only interested in a few ladies when looking at their web site before.  That list quickly grew to around 40 ladies once I went through their photos but the office ladies were only able to arrange twelve or so citas for me.  Many of the ladies work 5-7 days a week so scheduling can be difficult.

I will be returning to Medellin in early October.  Shoot me an email if you want to get together.

Pablo

[papi]

... in response to Ten times...., posted by pablo on Sep 20, 2004

Pablo, have you met anyone that you really like?

[utopiacowboy]

... in response to Re: Ten times...., posted by papi on Sep 20, 2004

Like Papi, I am a little intrigued by your post, Pablo. It seems to indicate that things are going well. Are you going to keep Medellin a secret?

[papi]

... in response to Six days, posted by clxa on Sep 18, 2004

how long will you be in Medellin? I will be in Cartegena next week and there is a chance i might later shoot down to Medellin. It is a beautiful city and sure you are going to like it. Just to recap CSH, be sure to send them a list in advance of the girls you would like to meet. There website is slow and especially so with the slower connection in Colombia. I recommend sending 25-30 names if not more in advance and print the page so to carry with you. Even go through it again if you have already done so and send more names. Remember, some girls will be no shows or are taken (in the event you picked my novia). But overall Medellin is much better in terms of keeping appts. For example, BQ has about a 40-50% no show - the girls there are not as serious. In fact, i met one young lady in BQ whom told me that she wanted to marry in 4 years - g..d knows why she joined a marriage agency now (Next!). No doubt the ladies will take you to Parque llera (not sure on the spelling - pronounced Park Jera) for food and drinks. Also nice is the Palmitta (again not sure on the spelling) up in the hills for dinner and dancing. Dolly will take good care of you - she's the housekeeper and cook. Regarding the house, it is clean and nice but could use some repair especially for the more picky travelers. depending on the length of your stay - you may want to move to a hotel or negotiate a lower rate for the room in the agency in the event you met a special woman and dont need the intro services. if you are paying for the private bath room - then pop the extra $15 for the larger room - it is huge and a great place to entertain the woman with your own private balcony. hopefully, yu will like the house, city an girls and the g...d damn gallos (Colombian yard birds...aka roosters) will not keep you awake. safe travels.

[clxa]

... in response to Re: Six days, posted by papi on Sep 18, 2004

I'll be there to the 1st of October.
Hey!! No one said anything about Roosters!

I might indeed move to a hotel.  Especially now that I'm thinking I might be a little on the light side for girls I'm interested in.  With the numbers you're mentioning, I could be through my "choices" in two days.  Hope my social skills are good enough for the residents.  Otherwise I'll spend my hours chasing the roosters.

[papi]

... in response to Re: Re: Six days, posted by clxa on Sep 19, 2004

you can also negotiate a lower rate in the agency if you just use it for hotel purposes - i did so when i was done with all my appts. I also looked at a hotel called the Plaza Rosa for future trips. First price quoted was 125000 pesos. I then negotiated a rate of 104550 pesos - about $40. and i think that included breakfast and taxes. it is located at CRA 32D No. 9-17 - Zona Rosa El Poblado. And yes, you will have to put up with the f...g roosters unless Steve has since contacted some of his neighbors in the FARC to take care of the problem (just kidding)!

[Ken2]

... in response to Re: Six days, posted by papi on Sep 18, 2004

When you refer to BQ and a large % of no shows/not serious, is this LDT or SAMS?   I'll be there on the 23rd.  Ive noticed LDT has younger ladies whereas SAM has a bit older crowd.  Have you used both?

Ken

[papi]

... in response to Re: Re: Six days, posted by Ken2 on Sep 18, 2004

i only used LDT in BQ. they have several attractive woman and can do a good job setting up appts for you. make friends with Susan. but many of the woman are flaky and they like many agencies are not all that strict with those that don't show. i think it is just comes with the territory. i suggest walking into the office of LDT and trying to negotiate a deal of unlimited intros for a period of 4-5 days. yu should be able to negotiate a favorable price. their office is 1 block from the El Prado hotel but also not far from the Versalles where most gringos stay. it is clean, cheap and friendly. let me know if yu need more info

[Heat]

... in response to Six days, posted by clxa on Sep 18, 2004

Don't fall for the first  hotty you get hooked up with.
These girls are not all like you think.  Some are sweet, others are sharks.  Take your time!  You will never be the same again.  

You will never go back to gringas again.

Trust me.

[A1A]

... in response to Six days, posted by clxa on Sep 18, 2004

I wouldn' t say "here goes nothing", you will have a great time in a fantastic country no matter how you do with the ladies.  I've been to Bogota once and Cali twice, the coutry, like the women, are addictive.  Have a great trip.
A1A

[Ken2]

... in response to Re: Six days, posted by A1A on Sep 18, 2004

I hear you on the addition thing,  Ive been corresponding with Pervians and a Brazilian, but I cant break free from COLOMBIA!!!  I'm on my way back next week!!!

[Gator]

... in response to Six days, posted by clxa on Sep 18, 2004

You should get along just fine.  Use the Spanish you have learned-no one will laugh at you.  The salsa will be very handy-the Paisas would love to help a gringo learn some new steps, not all of them on the dance floor.  For a cheap tours of Medellin take a ride on the new Metro,

You will love this city so enjow the trip,

Gator