newbie question #2

[thunderbolt]

First of all, thank you for all the responses I have received.  I really do appreciate all the information and insight.

I am leaning right now towards Latin-Internet (Villa Princesa), because it seems most people had good experience with them, and they offer good value.  There are, however, a couple of girls listed on L.E. that are just so beautiful...  So I have not yet firmly decided.
I think I might come in February, I am just swamped with work right now, and I already had to take time off to fly to see my parents for Thanksgiving.

I read on the L-I site that they will charge me cab fare to bring the girls I am interested in to their hotel - does anyone have any idea if this could add up to a significant number?  Also, is there subway in Cali, and how large is the city? (Is it practical to reach most places of interest by foot?)  Also, is it all feasible to rent a car?  How to dress in the street, so as not to look foreign?

I realize some of these questions might be weird, but I just want to know what to expect, so that I could focus on the purpose of my trip.  I have been to Europe, but never to S.A.  Thanks in advance.

[soltero]

... in response to newbie question #2, posted by thunderbolt on Dec 4, 2004

I was in Cali for the first time in the middle of November and I stayed with Pete E. Pete is a great guy and an excellent host. I know that you are planning on going the agency route, so you will probably be staying at the agency or in a hotel, but I would recommend talking to Pete as he usually has two other people there and between the three of them, the wealth of experience and information along with the comfortable and familiar atmosphere makes it an excellent choice if he has a room open. You can always do a per day deal with most of the agencies except LE or just go to set up appointments and come out better economically. There is no subway in Cali, and riding in the cabs will definitely be an experience as driving in Cali is completely different from driving here. You will see what I mean. The cabs are very inexpensive so you shouldn't have to worry about cab fare breaking you. For example, going from one end of the city to the other usually is no more than between 3-5 dollars in pesos. One of the days I was there, I decided to take pictures of the city, so I walked from Pete's apartment to Chippi Chappi, which is a very nice mall on the northern end of the city, walked around the mall, and took a cab back. Since I was walking, I wore shorts and with my camera, I looked like the complete tourist, but I didn't have any issues or problems. I was advised against walking, especially in shorts, because in Cali, wearing shorts is just like painting a sign on your back saying that you are not from there as it is very rare to see a man in shorts in Cali. It was the middle of the day, and I felt comfortable enough that I wouldn't have any problems and I didn't. I thought about renting a car there for a day or so, but again, before you do, you really need to see how they drive first and determine if you want to take the chance of driving yourself. Enjoy your trip, and believe me, the first thing you will be thinking about even before you board the plane for your trip back home is how you can work it to get back as soon as possible!

[WS244]

... in response to Re: newbie question #2, posted by soltero on Dec 4, 2004

test

[utopiacowboy]

... in response to Re: newbie question #2, posted by soltero on Dec 4, 2004

You're right. If you want to blend in, you'll never do it wearing shorts. On the other hand, I am such an obvious gringo that I have no hope of blending in so I wear whatever the hell I want. My wife didn't want a Colombian metrosexual, she wanted a Texas cowboy and that's what she's got.

[Seeker]

... in response to newbie question #2, posted by thunderbolt on Dec 4, 2004

Calipro suggests you check the agencies out before making a committment. I think this is a good suggestion, but I do think you should be certain where you'll be spending the first two nights. This way you have a direct contact upon arriving to Cali, you can arrange for airport pick-up, etc. and it will go a long way to reducing anxiety. I think CaliVIP is a good option, because its daily rate offers flexibility.
Before you arrive to Cali, spend time putting a list of women you'd like to meet from several agencies. Prioritize the women you'd like to meet and have your appointments scheduled accordingly. After appointments, if I'm still interested in the woman,  I take about 10 minutes to write down first impressions, facts and details about her. You'll meet so many of them that it will be difficult to keep their stories straight. Wait 'till you get 3 or 4 Paola Andrea's and then you'll really be confused. Have a list of things to do if you get a no-show, like going over to Unicentro and getting a manicure or massage.
Going to Cali has never really felt like a vacation to me. Rather, it feels to me like I'm interviewing for an important career promotion. Therefore, in terms of dress, dress to impress but be yourself. I think you have an advantage living in Miami because your clothes will be appropriate for Cali's climate. Leave the Hawaiian shirts and Dolphins' jersey at home.
February will be here before you know it. In the meantime, keep reading this forum, practice your Spanish, stay fit and healthy, and prepare for the adventure of a lifetime.

[thunderbolt]

... in response to Re: newbie question #2, posted by Seeker on Dec 4, 2004

Thanks for the insight.  When the agency 'sets appointments' with the girls I am interested in, do I have to first submit a profile or communicate with them in some fashion?  I mean, how will these girls know about me enough to decide if it's worth their time to meet me?  Most services I believe do provide an opportunity to e-mail these girls, but 1)they probably get a lot of e-mails from guys like me 2)they probably don't get a PC at home and have to spend time and money on internet cafes and probably both are somewhat limited, and 3) I bet a large percentage of those who write to them never show up, so they don't take those e-mails as seriously.

Also Cali VIP site says in one place that they charge $1,295 for 'membership' and in another place that it's $100 per night with unlimited 'dates' - do I still have to shell out $1,295 if I can narrow the number of the girls I am really interested in meeting to say 6?  Or these charges are mutually exclusive?  I will probably start calling some of those places during the week to get all their info.

I am just so eager to make this whole thing work...  Thanks!

[Seeker]

... in response to Re: Re: newbie question #2, posted by thunderbolt on Dec 4, 2004

The answers to your questions will likely vary depending on the agencies. Whereas we have photos and biographical data to make our decisions, the women usually depend on the secretaries to provide some information on their potential date. From what I have seen, an effort is made by the secretaries to assure the women that their male client is worth their effort and time. Usually, you'll have the benefit of the doubt. You are very young in comparison to most of the men visiting the agencies and I believe this will work to your advantage. If the women you're interested in can be reached, expect to meet at least 90% of those you are interestd in.

The CaliVIP membership is probably a lifetime membership and probably not a wise investment at this point in your search. I would strongly suggest for you to stay at an agency for your first trip. A decent hotel will cost you around $50 a night, likely more. Did you notice CaliVIP also offers individual appointments for $20.00? The $100 a night is well worth it, especially if you schedule at least 3 appointments daily.  

A couple of more tips: (1) arrange with the secretary to debrief with the women you're interested in after your appointment; (2) try to schedule a follow-up date with the women you really like immediately; (3) plan evening dates a couple of days in advance, book solid, and always have a back-up plan (nothing is more frustrating than being by yourself, at an agency in Colombia, in the evenings); don't be "penny wise and pound foolish", so if you're going to be stressing out about taxi fares and buying nice dinners every night, don't go until you can truly afford it. This last comment comes after I met a guy that was upset because his date ordered two scoops of ice cream rather than one...disgraceful indeed.

[thunderbolt]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: newbie question #2, posted by Seeker on Dec 5, 2004

Thank you for insight and words of encouragement.  I guess, I will have to be super nice to those secretaries, bring them a big box of chocolates or something

As for the age thing, I would hope that at the very least it is not a disadvantage, but I have noticed that some of the women put in their profile age range a little bit higher than mine, even if those girls are very young.  If all else fails, I could dye my hair gray

And as far as the money is concerned, I agree with you.  I mean the whole point of this is to find someone you could spend your whole life with and raise kids together, etc, and an extra scoop of ice cream is not quite on the same scale of things.  Maybe there were other things that your friend did not like in that girl besides that?

[kented]

... in response to newbie question #2, posted by thunderbolt on Dec 4, 2004

Cab fare is inexpensive, about $2 or $3 and you would not be a nice person if you tried to economize on this (CHEAP!!!).  The ladies are taking their time to see you and it's the least you can do to not make them pay for the "priviledge".

There is no subway, just buses and cabs.  It's abig city that walking to most places is not an option.  Don't wear shorts but normal casual clothes with allow you to fit in nicely.

I took buses and rented cars when I lived in Costa Rica but I am very familiar the country.  I would recommend cabs in Cali.  They're cheap and convenient.

[thunderbolt]

... in response to Re: newbie question #2, posted by kented on Dec 4, 2004

Regarding the cab fare, I did not mean to come across cheap, I just wanted to know how much it was.  And around $3 is much less than I expected anyway.  

I get a feeling that it would be a good idea to maybe call up several agencies and see if they can offer a discount, what options are with each one, etc.  Like I said, based on what's posted on their sites, Latin Internet is a lot better value (they offer a steep discount on airfare, $300 'membership' that also entitles to a rather low room rate, a number of attractive ladies is quite high, etc.).  There might be hidden costs in all of this, but I guess I will just have to find out.  I guess I will try to contact several places at the end of the month, and then decide.  I honestly got into all this by accident, but I have decided to definitely give it a try.

How knowledgeable is the staff of those agencies on average about the girls?  (I am afraid that some of them might be former prostitutes, and I would like to avoid them.  And in general, get an objective opinion on which ones are 'nice', etc.)

Thanks.

[kented]

... in response to Re: Re: newbie question #2, posted by thunderbolt on Dec 4, 2004

The objective opinion on whether they are nice is a crap shoot.  All agencies will introdue you to ladies and none will know all of their clients well enought to guarantee that they are "nice."

If you rely on someone else to tell you who to marry in the US it would be idiocy and it is still idiocy in Latin America.

[cabocancun]

... in response to Re: newbie question #2, posted by kented on Dec 4, 2004

Riding a bus in Colombia can also be an interesting experience because sooner or later some beautiful Colombiana is going to sit next to you. In Colombia,I noticed the people touch more than we do in USA.
On the bus, the ladies sit so close that they are practically sitting in your lap. I think it helps if you are nicely dressed, smell good and exercise.
I can pass for a Colombian,until I start speaking Spanish. Once I establish that I am a gringo, I have noticed that the level of interest goes up. One lady gave me her phone number with me asking for it,another wrote my email down and sent me a note.
One thing that is different about the buses is that salesmen get on the bus and sell all types of weird stuff.
I have found one way to start an interesting conversation is to purchase some candy from one of the venders on the bus and share it with the hermosa mujer sitting next to me.
The bus is a nice way to meet ladies who do not belong to an agency.
Does anyone else ride the local buses when they are in Colombia?

[kented]

... in response to Riding a bus in Colombia, posted by cabocancun on Dec 4, 2004

...they don'tr actually "sells" stuff.  The price is only symbolic because it is really just a contribution to a worthy cause.  Try a dose of this for seven months ansd I never want to be solicited again.

[Red Clay]

... in response to Riding a bus in Colombia, posted by cabocancun on Dec 4, 2004

Never heard them referred to as "salesmen" before, lol. I have ridden them in Peru with my wife, it does get pretty crowded at times, good if you are sitting near a prospect. However, there's a good chance she has been groped/fondled by the local men while riding a crowded bus, so be sure you are a gentleman on the bus, it will be a welcome change for her.

[Calipro]

... in response to newbie question #2, posted by thunderbolt on Dec 4, 2004

Why would you be leaning towards latin-internet based on second hand accounts? Did you know that you could go around and see all the agencies in Cali for yourself in a few hours time? Have you talked to anybody that runs the agency? If so what are your impressions?

Do you know if the women on LE website are still available?
Have you talked to anybody at LE? Why would you decide on anything without seeing it for yourself first?

Cab fare is cheap. Done of the marriage agencies have a hotel. There is no sub-way in Cali. The city has a population of about 2 million. It is not practical to reach most places of interest by foot. It is feasable but not practical to rent a car considering how cheap the taxis are. Don't worry about looking foreign just dress to kill.