Hi Everyone!! Some Questions Too!

[Pacino]

... in response to Hi Everyone!! Some Questions Too!, posted by Brandon2253 on Dec 29, 2004

Thought I'd give you some insight.  I'm also one of the younger guys here, not as young as you.. I've been traveling to Colombia for more than 5 years, probably flown there more than 50 times so I think you could say I'm experienced.  My advice is go and check it out but be very careful not to rush into anything.  Colombian girls are great, anyone who's been there knows that.  If you are really serious about finding a special girl than you will need 2 things.. Time and money.. First off you have your job in the United States and you study in college. So your time in limited.  I'm sure you don't get more than 3 or 4 weeks off from work each year, correct?  Honestly I don't believe 3 or 4 weeks a year is enough time to really get to know someone in a serious way. It's cool if you take it more as a casual thing and date around in Colombia but in my humble opinion, finding a serious girlfriend will be difficult.  Do you think your new Colombian girlfriend will just sit in the house waiting for her prince charming to return to Colombia?? Lol.. Don't get caught up in worrying about what she is doing while you are in the states. Just enjoy your time with her and stay in touch via internet, phone, etc... Having a long distance relationship isn't easy, if you have patience and are easy going than it will be much easier for you to handle.  Being a young guy like yourself, just have fun, learn about the culture, and learn spanish( very important).  Falling in love with a Colombian girl isn't difficult. Many guys young and old have made the mistake of jumping into a serious relationship or marriage without really knowing the person, just go with no expectations of falling in love or meeting that special girl, just hangout, check out the scene, and learn from the experience....

Pacino

[valleydude]

... in response to Hi Everyone!! Some Questions Too!, posted by Brandon2253 on Dec 29, 2004

I read your post and thought, "Why in the world does this guy want to be married at 19?", and then thought, "How is he going to do it with cash, school, etc..?" Then I thought, "Well, there are exceptions to the rules." Maybe you are?

I can tell you, I would totally trade places with you and sacrifice all my experiences from 18-28 to find what you are looking for and be in your shoes to do it, except for one thing... the emotional maturity I have gained out of all the experiences. I know you think you have it and that's cool, and if you really believe that you do, then do it. Hell I would. Lord knows I have made lots of mistakes in my life, and I always wish I would have settled down at about 20-25, but looking back, I know it would have never lasted. I couldn't have handled it. I'm glad that I didn't get married that young, I would have definitely had a divorce or two behind me by now.

There's always an exception to the rules, and if you beleive that you are, then I wish you the best!

Most defininetly post about your experiences whether you feel like you are supported or not.

Good Luck Brother!

V-Dude

P.S.
Sorry I don't have any tips on Manizales. It looks like we are all sidetracked. I'm sure someone has some though.

[Patrick]

... in response to Hi Everyone!! Some Questions Too!, posted by Brandon2253 on Dec 29, 2004

"I am apparently the youngest person on this board (19)... Many aspects of my life are much more serious then the average 18 year old."

Your profile says you're 18.  The sixth sentence of your first post says you're 19.  Then you compare yourself to "the average 18 year old."  Are you trying to bullshit people here with a fake story that you can't even keep straight?

If you're for real, I'll repeat what everyone else is saying.  Forget about marriage for a while.  Concentrate on your education.  If the aerospace engineering field is anything like the electrical engineering field (That's what I do), then you're going to need a pretty high GPA to get a decent job, and perhaps an M.S. to get into actual design work.  You can take Spanish classes along the way.  If you still want to do this after you start working, then you'll be better prepared.

[Brandon2253]

... in response to Re: Hi Everyone!! Some Questions Too!, posted by Patrick on Dec 30, 2004

Im 18 now, my birthday is comeing up real soon, not trying to bullshit.  When i am in colombia in March, I will already have turned 19.  Id like to clarify to everyone that I am not neccessarilly searching for a wife, rather I am not opposed to it.  Also, Im not some kid that has never had a girlfriend, or someone remotely close to that.  Also, on the income level, I make 46k per year and have plenty of money to spend (I am at Tech on scholarship).

[thunderbolt]

... in response to Hi Everyone!! Some Questions Too!, posted by Brandon2253 on Dec 29, 2004

Well, I thought I was the youngest here...  I will give you a few things to think about before getting seriously involved in this, things that should be pretty obvious anyway.

To be honest with you, I must agree with most other guys here that 19 is a bit to young for a marriage.  The issue is not maturity or desire to be with someone seriously - I can see that you are indeed serious about this, and I respect and admire that.  The main problem that could arise is your lack of experience.  Certainly, you can overcome that, but your chances for a successful long-lasting marriage will be less.

Secondly, marrying a girl abroad and bringing her here involves spending money.  Some have suggested around $12K - I think it could be done for a lot less, but without knowing your financial situation, it's still certainly more cash than what I had when I was in college.

Thirdly, most girls who list with agencies (if not all) want someone who will support them and their children (future and/or current) financially, and in the immediate future.  And college students in Colombia typically can't do that.

Fourth, the desire of Latin women to date older men is grossly exaggerated by the agencies (because most of their clients are somewhat older), but an average Latin girl will very rarely consider a guy under 25 as a potential husband, and practically never will date a younger man than her.  Many will not date anyone under 29-30, even if they are like 18.

Have you tried hitting some Spanish clubs where you live?  I don't know where you live, but they spring up everywhere.  Take a LA history class at college - some latin people there are guaranteed.  If you become friends with a colombian, and suggest to him that you might visit Colombia, they will bring up the fact that they have a really nice prima or nieta down there with little or no hint.  I mean, try other approaches first.

My two cents advice.

[harleyman]

... in response to Hi Everyone!! Some Questions Too!, posted by Brandon2253 on Dec 29, 2004

Hey buddy..your only 19, slow down a little, you have your whole life ahead of you to get married. No matter how good of a woman you find they will all tie you down. Stay single, finish school, get a good job,  travel the world.. then get married.
My experience with Latinas is they demand a lot of attention and time, which you should be spending on yourself at 19. Ask any of the guys on this board that married their first girlfriend that young how happy they were at 40, or any of their friends that married very young.
You seem like a very smart young man, you have learned the most important lesson early in life that AW are first class bitches.
That is why we are all here today.

[OkieMan]

... in response to Hi Everyone!! Some Questions Too!, posted by Brandon2253 on Dec 29, 2004

Hi Brandon.  I agree with what the others on this board have already said.  But, please allow me to put it into a somewhat different prospective.  If you are going to college and are only 19, please do not get seriously involved with anyone, american, latin or otherwise!  We all wear many hats,so now, if you will allow me, I will wear my "father" hat.  I am 51 years old, and I have 3 grown sons.  My youngest is almost 19, and seriously involved with an american girl.  I have begged and pleaded but to no avail.  You sound like a nice, young man; so my advice is enjoy being young.  Stay in school, do all of the things that a fine young man should be doing.  Don't rush into anything concerning a relationship.  Someday when the right times comes(after graduation), then you can find the right girl, and get married.  Also, you must remember a few things about latinas.  Number one, they are unbelievably gorgeous!  If you go to Colombia and date several, you may never want to come back.  For guys my age, that might be fine.  For you, it would be disasterous!  I can't imagine trying to take a math or science exam and day dreaming of some latina you went out with.  I am probably exagerating, but, then again, I am a father.  I would not want to be nosy, but I can only imagine what your parents must think of all this.  Still, you must do what you think best.  Best of luck.

                              OkieMan

[Brandon2253]

... in response to Re: Hi Everyone!! Some Questions Too!, posted by OkieMan on Dec 30, 2004

I thank you for your concern.  To be honest with you, I will not lose sight of my college goals.  I got myself to Georgia Tech mostly paid for (sholarships, 1560 SATs), and I already have a 46k per year job (thank you Cingular).  I have no doubts about my future financially speaking.  I also know that I will do what it takes to get my degree, and wont be offset in my goals by a girl (hot or not).  I am looking for a girl that would support me with my goals, not take away from them, as I will no doubt do for her.  I know the common advice will be, "your young, have fun", but in reality, those things are not much fun for me.  I do appreciate your perspective.
Brandon

[mudd]

... in response to Hi Everyone!! Some Questions Too!, posted by Brandon2253 on Dec 29, 2004

.  Brandon, why would anyone at 19 want to get married???
No offense... but most of the girls wont take you too serious, maybe as a boyfriend, if that is what your looking for, but as far as marriage material, not likely. You might find a few 18 year olds who will like you,and i can understand about dating the women here,who would want too, but my advice is just have fun for a while. You got all the time in the world, so don’t rush it. you should travel around for a while, visit a few countries, not just Colombia. just a thought.

[utopiacowboy]

... in response to Re: Hi Everyone!! Some Questions Too!, posted by mudd on Dec 29, 2004

n/t

[Brandon2253]

... in response to Re: Hi Everyone!! Some Questions Too!, posted by mudd on Dec 29, 2004

Like I said, I am in no way your average 19 year old.  I have never really been a fan of messing around (I would much prefer to have one girl I care about).  Right now, I am not necessarily looking for marriage, rather I am not opposed to it.  I think people tend to take me a lot more serioulsy after talking to me for 10 minutes.  I am extremely goal oriented, and able to make good impression.  The fact that I got promoted to store manager while being a full time student attests to this.  Anyways, I do appreciate your advice.

[mudd]

... in response to Re: Re: Hi Everyone!! Some Questions Too..., posted by Brandon2253 on Dec 29, 2004

well then, have fun in Medellin, its a nice city, but i still think you should travel around. who knows, you might like the girls from Peru or Brazil better.

[lswote]

... in response to Hi Everyone!! Some Questions Too!, posted by Brandon2253 on Dec 29, 2004

Hi Brandon, welcome.  I don't have any advice to offer you as you seem to have a pretty good plan already.  I don't know how latin women view younger men as my experience is as an older man (50) married to a younger latin woman (34).  But I can tell you latin women like good boys, as opposed to american women who seem to be a sucker for the bad boys, so if you have a good attitute with the ladies and are confident about yourself you will probably do just fine.

[Onephd]

... in response to Re: Hi Everyone!! Some Questions Too!, posted by lswote on Dec 29, 2004

Hello, I have a different opinion.  I don't see anything wrong with your idea or vision.  My best friend got married in college and is still happily married today (to an American woman).  Actually I know where you are coming from.  I started college after some time in the military and I was also open to the idea of meeting someone special while in college, but the fact is women in college are looking for anything but someone they can count on and be with.  So I say go to colombia, Braazil or Peru and have fun.  There are younger ladies listed on almost every agency so you will have options.  The most important thing you have going for you will be that you are there in their country.  That goes a long way.  If you are as mature as you say and appear, then, that will show through and make an impact.   I just got back from a date yesterday and the lady told me how there were too many older men listed in the agency for her(she is 32).  So don't let age run you off.  However, I do think your options will be limited to those under 25.  However, that is not a bad thing.  I say go visit, meet some ladies, and see what happens.  The good thing is you are not leaning one way or the other heavily.  IF someone catches your fancy, then go for it.  Your're more likely to find someone accepting of a serious relationship in Colombia or other SA country than in the US.  

Keep up with the Spanish and go for it.