Colombian women questions

[duggins]

I have a question that I was hoping some of the veterans here could weigh in on. To give you some background on my situation, for the past couple of years I’ve been contacting women in the former Soviet Union. I took a trip to Ukraine last year for about 15 days and, while I met some nice women there, I did not meet anyone I felt strongly enough about to marry.

The Russian women thing is hard to sustain over time, though, because it’s half-way across the world, expensive to fly to and requires a visa for each visit. I also only speak limited Russian, so the language barrier is a real problem.

After two years and a lot of time and money spent, I have decided that I should consider meeting women in Latin America, and specifically in Colombia. The reason I initially chose the FSU over LA is because of my perception that the women in the FSU are IN GENERAL less religious and better educated than the women in LA.

I am a non-religious person and don’t feel that I would be compatible with religious women. Latin America is so strongly Catholic that I felt that it would be a real challenge to find like-minded women there.

So, my question for the vets here is whether or not my perceptions are accurate. Is it possible to find non-religious women in Colombia or is it more like finding a needle in a haystack?

Finally, I have another question for expats who are living in Colombia. Is high-speed Internet service (cable or DSL) readily available in Bogotá, Cartagena and Cali? I’ve been contemplating moving to one of those cities for a year or so, but I would need a reliable high-speed Internet connection for my job. I would also be interested in hearing what the going rate would be to rent a nice one-bedroom apartment in a nice neighborhood in any of those cities. Any information would be very much appreciated!

[Dolfi]

... in response to Colombian women questions, posted by duggins on Oct 22, 2004

Yes this is an interesting point. I found that latinamerican catholicism is somewhat different, it doesn´t keep people from having sex before marriage, which is something a devout catholic shouldn´t do (at least according to the pope).

It may be different with americans, but most times the women allready assume that I as a european am not religious, and it doesn´t seem to bother them much. At least I never had a problem with religion down there, though I am an atheist. I don´t state it too often though.

I received emails from women who said in their profiles on the internet thta they are loking for someone who believes firmly in god. In my answer to them I wrote that I would like to get to know them better, but stated that I was not a religious person. That was it then, never any more response.

It seems to be a good idea to make it clear early in a relationship that one is not religious.

it is still somewhat confusing to see women with fotos of themselves in sexy bikinis on their profiels, saying they are sensual and passionate and on the same occasion looking for a man who firmly believes in god. Maybe some catholic hipocrisy?

[kented]

... in response to Re: Colombian women questions, posted by Dolfi on Oct 23, 2004

I agree with you.  

My wife prays every night and mroning but doesn't go to church. (at least during the four months we were together in CR.  I am an atheist too but I really respect her beliefs.  She is an incredibly strong woman and I know her faith has sustained her.

I ask her questions about her relationship with god and his role in her life.  I don't tell her I'm an atheist but I do tell her I expreience god in nature and the wonder of the world.  I just don't thing he has a hand in every day events or there wouldn't be wars, poverty and holocausts.  

She respects my beliefs and I respect hers.  I plan to take her to mass in Spanish (once a month) and I plan to take her to my services which emphasize man rather than god.

[Dolfi]

... in response to Re: Re: Colombian women questions, posted by kented on Oct 23, 2004

I admit that I don´t state my disbelief too openly either, unless a woman makes it clear that she doesn´t car much for religion.

In the end a good relationship should be able to overcome these problems.

[utopiacowboy]

... in response to Re: Colombian women questions, posted by Dolfi on Oct 23, 2004

Are you saying that you cannot be a passionate sensual woman who delights in her body and her feminity and not be a good Catholic? Please don't tell my wife!

[Dolfi]

... in response to Why is it hypocrisy?, posted by utopiacowboy on Oct 23, 2004

Well, I was speaking of sex before or out of marriage.

The Catechsim of the Catholic Church says:

"Sexuality, by means of which man and woman give themselves to one another through the acts which are proper and exclusive to spouses, is not something simply biological, but concerns the innermost being of the human person as such. It is realized in a truly human way only if it is an integral part of the love by which a man and woman commit themselves totally to one another until death. ...The conjugal love of man and woman thus stands under the twofold obligation of fidelity and fecundity." (2361ff.)

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s2c2a6.htm

[utopiacowboy]

... in response to Re: Why is it hypocrisy?, posted by Dolfi on Oct 23, 2004

I would say it is easier for people who are celibate to make such statements than the rest of us. Nevertheless, I would have to agree that sex is best as part of a loving marriage.

[Locii]

... in response to Re: Re: Why is it hypocrisy?, posted by utopiacowboy on Oct 23, 2004

Acording to my calculations, sex is best when it involves me.

Ciao

[YEP]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Why is it hypocrisy?, posted by Locii on Oct 25, 2004

Hmm pointing at you so some "gay" people can spot your ass ;-)

(Enjoy - he just want to get "involved")

[kented]

... in response to Re: Re: Why is it hypocrisy?, posted by utopiacowboy on Oct 23, 2004

Absolutely.  And because catholic teachings on sex are written by priests they don't bear much relationship to the real world

[kented]

... in response to Colombian women questions, posted by duggins on Oct 22, 2004

I would say it's like finding a needle in a haystack.  

I'm non-religious and my wife is devoutly Catholic. I respect her and she respects me so it doesn't seem to be a problem.

[utopiacowboy]

... in response to Colombian women questions, posted by duggins on Oct 22, 2004

[This message has been edited by utopiacowboy]

I would say that it is quite easy to find a non-religous or nominally Catholic woman there. Personally, I think a devoutly Catholic woman makes a much better wife but each to his own.

[Brazilophile]

... in response to Colombian women questions, posted by duggins on Oct 22, 2004

Duggins,

I also am non-religous and preferred a relatively non-religous woman to a devout one.  I discovered that most women in LA who claim to be Catholic are not very religious.  They believe in God and that is the extent of their religiosity.

Evangelical religions are increasing in popularity in LA.  Many ladies I met in Brazil were evangelical.  They are pretty religious.  

Still, if you are a decent man and she likes you, your religion or lack of it, will not get in the way of developing a good relationship.

[Pete E]

... in response to Colombian women questions, posted by duggins on Oct 22, 2004

Latin America is overwhelmingly catholic.As in most people would say they are catholic.But I find it to be pretty much a social thing.I have never met a colombian I felt was a devoit catholic.Or even one that went to church on any sort of a regular basis.Most of them profess to be religious and I think they are in a lose way.But they don't seem to ber following a strict religious lifestyle at all.
However,most are adamently opposed to abortion.And even though they generally will not push religion on you if you told them you were an aethiest for instance it would probably go over like the old turd in the punchbowl.Most would not like that at all in my opinion.So if you can live a don't ask don't tell lifestyle they will probably give you little problems about it.If you are adamently anti religious you might want to stay with the east Europeans.
The one issue you might have with the church is the girls family might want a church wedding.In the US this is your opportunity to be indoctrinated in  catholic thought before you get to marry her,including their enlightened approach to birth control that has populated the latin world with more than they can take good care of.In the US this might be hard to get around.You are not allowed to marry in the church untill you do this.Here a little cash will probably do the trick.Not with every priest but with lots of them.
There are alot of non catholic Cristian religions springing up here.My ex wife belongs to a church out of Bogota started 30 years ago thast is all over the latin world,in the US and in europe.You never would have heard of them.the mormons are big missionaries here also.Their second coming in the new world story is popular in latin america,makes them feel included maybe.Jehovas witnesses are big here.My ex girlfriends husband became one.it broke up their family,she just couldn't go along with all the BS,no Christmas,no celebrations,no dressing sexy and then she told me abut their teaschings on sex,makes thev catholics look enlightened.
Basically few are so religious you could not live with them without going along with it.But if you are real vocally anti religious you probably have a problem here.
Yes,we have high speed DSL in Cali.Its withn the cable TV company.Problem is you need a cedula,A colombian ID to sign up.You need a resident visa to get the cedula.Or maybe get a Colombian to put it i8n their name.direct TV,the dish fols,are supposed to be getting binternet access here.Its even in their literachure but its not available yet,at least in cali.the only other choice I know of is dial up phone connection.Very slow and poor quality and expensive,local calls are not free here.
Even the cable TV price does not include unlimited use unless you pay the unlimited use fee,400,000 pesos a month,about $160.I had a more minimal use but would go over and pay 250,000 -350,000 pesos for it.We now have 3 computers going here as of 2 weeks ago,I switched over to unlimited.The good news,just a router allows up to 4 connections on it,no increaseed fee except to connect.
We also have a vonage phone hooked up to it,unlimited US and Canada calling for $25 a month.And you get a US number and area code,so free calling this way within that area code and you can sign up for no extra fee long distance in the US to make all call free after the monthly fee.We can call bach a Cali cell phone for $.10 a miniute.I can call europe for $.05 qa miniute.You do need the cablre internet connection to have it.
So,if you stay here you get free calls to the US amoung your other perks.
Apartment rentals.There are short term rates,per day week or month.But if you really want to get the long term rates you generally have to lease for a year qand have 2 Colombian co signors.They make it hard.I looked for 7 weeks to find my place,paid 7 months rent up front.And most places are unfurnished,not even a frig.There are small one bedroom furnished places for about $400 a month.
But if you are taliking long term you can get a one bedroom in a good area for $200 a month.My 2500 sq ft 4 br 5 ba is $700 a month,furnished.I got lucky.It costs me about twice that with everything including the maid.

Pete

[papi]

... in response to Colombian women questions, posted by duggins on Oct 22, 2004

-religion should not be an issue - even if they are so they most likely wont try to convert you

-i have only seen good clean high speed in the better hotels

-unfurnished apts will be less expensive. Top shelf can be had starting about $1-1.5 mil pesos and up