Print Page - Plans for my trip to Cali

Well boys and girls, I am trying to finalize my plans to go back to Cali. If all goes well, I will fly out of here on May 26th. The next day will be my birthday (I will be just 19! ha) If you believe that, I have some ocean front property in Arizona, I'll sell to you cheap! ha ha Well, anyway, I am looking forward to finally meeting the calena I have been writing to since January. I also got to talk to Pete on the phone today,(for the first time). I am looking forward to staying at his place and using that as my "base of operations", so to speak. I don't claim to be any kind of expert, but I am encouraged by how much more I know now than when I first went last year. Many of you have been going to Cali or other places in LA for many years. I just started last summer. Time will tell how this will go with this girl. At this point, I will make no predictions, other than I plan to have a great time! If it all blows up with her, I already have backup plans ready to go. I know one thing for sure; I am so happy to have many options now in "latina land", instead of trying to mess with the AW. Well, I will close for now. I have about a month and a half until I leave, and I am already "itching" to go! Oh, by the way, what do you guys think about me taking my " Hawaii" shirt? Will that make me look too much like a tourist; or worse yet, do you think my calena will think I look stupid? Personally, I really like the shirt for special occasions, but I don't want to look out of place either. Let me know what you think.

OkieMan

... in response to Plans for my trip to Cali, posted by OkieMan on Apr 14, 2005

Well let me disagree somewhat with other advice here.Definetly bring the shorts but be wise about where you wear them.Its tropical here.I see lots more shorts than before even at places like Chipi Chapi,with Colombians wearing them.The world does catch up.Even the hawaiin shirt might have a time and place,but neither on the initial meeting with a Colombiana.Dito for jeans.They wear them here.But I know guys that live in them 24/7 and alot of times they are very underdressed,not cool like in the US.
I forget what happened to my old Hawaiin shirt.I think it got old and small,and went to charity.I was in Hawaii,I look in this local tourist type publication.There is this add for a clothes store showing this guy in these white slacks and blue Hawaiin shirt.I went down and bought the same one.I thought I was pretty cool.I went to a restaurant.All the waiters were wearing the same shirt and pants.It was good for hawaian type lua parties for years though.
One of my co workers was an asian guy who went to hawaii alot,stayed in the best hotels.He is walking through the lobby one day wearing his Hawaiin outfit.This guys snaps his fingers,"boy,get my bags."

Pete

... in response to Re: Plans for my trip to Cali, posted by Pete E on Apr 15, 2005

Hey Pete,

Thanks for your perspective. Frankly, I never intended to wear my Hawiian shirt or anything like that at the "first meeting" with my calena.(or any other girls) I just thought that with the tropical climate, it might fit. But, not to worry; I have many other shirts that I can wear. I will be sure to "dress to impress", so to speak. But, I do plan to bring some shorts; for at least lounging around your place when I am there. Before I went to Cali last year, I was still thinking they were a close cousin to Mexico. But the more I learn about Colombia and some of the other South American countries; I think they have a flavor all their own. But, I do see a good bit of European influence. I am still somewhat amazed that the multitude of latinas that are supposedly so broke (ie, low wages, etc) can dress to the nines! I mean they put most of the american women to shame; even though the AW have much more money. Not even counting the fact that the latinas are so beautiful; it's just the fact that they fix themselves up so well. But,I know that none of us are complaining! ha Well gotta go. Talk to you again soon.

OkieMan

... in response to Plans for my trip to Cali, posted by OkieMan on Apr 14, 2005

Please.....please ...please...in Cali Colombia...keep your lucky hawaiian shirt at home!!!!!

Nice slacks and nice casual shirts should be your attire while there.....leave your shorts and your hawaiian shirt in your home closet!!

Have a great trip Okieman and remember....your in "latina land"...always keep your options open and don't put all your eggs in one basket with a woman you have not met yet.

Good Luck and have fun!!!!

LOL!!!

... in response to Don't do it Okieman!!!, posted by Chris F on Apr 14, 2005

Greetings,
I had an experience recently that kinda goes along with this shopping theme here. I traveled to Brazil for Christmas and New Years a few months back, and for the first time in 20 or so years, the Airline lost one of my bags. Well of course it was the one with all my clothes, not the one with the shoes and junk..
Anyway I was forced to do as someone here suggested, and go shopping for some new threads. I gotta tell you, THAT is the way to dress right for the location! Roll into any store and they will wait on you like crazy, and in Brazil anyway the stores are FULL of cute girls just waiting to dress you up in the current styles. I looked like I was a local and it felt great!
And to the most important thing- I was in San Paulo to meet a beautiful Garota, and she was a wonderful girl. She came with me to shop on several occasions, and never asked for anything. We did try to buy her a bikini, but she liked part of one, and the part of another, and the store wouldn't seperate them to make one. I offered to buy BOTH to make the one she wanted but she wouldn't let me. Watching her try them on was an experience I'll never forget!
Anyhow, after 2 trips to Brazil and several to Peru, I have never ran across a girl that wanted anything, I guess I've been lucky. We'll see if the luck holds out when I go to Cali in June :-) Thanks all for the great information here.

... in response to Re: Don't do it Okieman!!!, posted by wildbilman on Apr 15, 2005

WildBillman,

That was a very good story. So, nothing worked out with the Brazilian girl? Since you have made several trips, I am curious to learn about what you liked and did not like about the Brazilian girls and the girls in Peru? Also, have you been to Colombia before? I am going to Cali at the end of May. It will be my second trip. I have not had the opportunity to go to Brazil or Peru. I have been to Mexico several times, but it was many years ago. On most of those trips, I was married, so I did not get to check out the local senoritas. By the way, you mentioned about the enjoyable experience of watching the girl try on the bikinis. I am sure that was fun. So, were the bikinis those typical Brazilain thong bikinis? Why do you think the girl did not let you buy the bikinis? How much would it have cost to buy them? Didn't she realize that the fun for you would be to see her run around in them? It's the closest to being nude in public that a girl can do. I don't know how any guy seeing that is not walking around with a rise in his levi's! ha Well, take care, and enjoy your visit to Cali. Please let all of us know how it goes. We all enjoy the sharing of stories about the latinas.

OkieMan

... in response to Re: Don't do it Okieman!!!, posted by OkieMan on Apr 14, 2005

Okie,for what its worth I would be very careful about shopping with a new girlfriend. If you spend even $100 on clothes, to the colombiana it like spending at least $400 or more on clothes. To me just about any woman is going to expect the next stop is to spend the same or more for some clothes for her. Suddenly she wont have anything to wear. It is so easy to forget that you have to multiply whatever you spend, clothes, food, hotes, by four to be able to get an idea of HOW SHE IS GOING TO LOOK AT THE EXPENDITURE. I can only speak for me when saying going shopping with a new girlfriend in the states and spending more than $400 would send all the wrong signals. I am probably overly sensitve to this but the last thing I want is to not know if the girl is only interested in me to spend money on her and watch her become addicted to all the things money can buy that she cannot not afford. Money can all to easily become a drug, without almost no effort. After you have a loving and caring woman and you have experienced enough simple things together, then buying stuff is a whole different issue. From what I have seen gringos generally have alot of problems with NOT spending money...........they love to see the hotties druel with excitement as you pull out your VISA............as I say, this is my personal opinion only and I encougage you to do what you want........just be careful, you are in Colombia, where the minimum wage is about $160 per month and not $800 or more like in the states. best of luck...............keep your options open too!!!

... in response to Re: Re: Don't do it Okieman!!!, posted by adventuro on Apr 15, 2005

Adventuro,

I completely agree. Frankly, I never intended to take the girl shopping; mainly for the reasons you mentioned. I am going to use my money to enjoy doing other things. I will be taking some very inexpensive things to give her, but I do not intend to spend my time and money in stores at the mall. Last year, I took out a hottie, and she had an 11 year old son. It was his birthday, and I contributed to that by helping buy some toy. That was all nice, but after I returned to the States, the girl did not want anything to do with me. Now, don't get me wrong. She did not talk me into spending any serious amount of cash on her. It was mainly for taking her to dinners and the little birthday gift for her son. But, I also was not intimate with her, so I certainly did not intend to do any wild spending. Even if this new calena and I become intimate (who knows?), I have no intention of going "hog wild", and spending a lot on her. I am just interested in showing her a good time and if that is not good enough, then she can go adios! But, based on her emails, she does not strike me as the green card shark type. But, I will still be careful.

OkieMan

... in response to Don't do it Okieman!!!, posted by Chris F on Apr 14, 2005

[This message has been edited by pablo]

OM,

I have to agree with Chris...leave the Hawaiian shirt at home. A better idea is travel light in the clothes department and check out Arturo Calle with your lady friend to help you with the selections. Very inexpensive place for some new duds.

If you want an idea of some hip threads in Colombia check this out:

http://www.arturocalle.com/espaniol/camisa_sport_ml.htm

Store locations:

http://www.arturocalle.com/espaniol/almacenes.htm

... in response to Re: Don't do it Okieman!!!, posted by pablo on Apr 14, 2005

Pablo,

Thanks for your feed back as well. Now, about the store you mentioned. I had not planned to buy any clothes for myself in Cali, but you said inexpensive-- so how inexpensive?
I have been planning on doing the sight seeing thing and just kicking back with this chicha, and see where it leads. I will check out the website you sent to me. Thanks.

OkieMan

... in response to Re: Re: Don't do it Okieman!!!, posted by OkieMan on Apr 14, 2005

Arturo Calle has some very nice clothes for the money. I can't remember the exact pricing on the clothes I've purchased from them but came out with a few bags full for about 150 clams. They will also tailor the clothes at no additional charge if needed. The only thing that they couldn't help me with is that they didn't stock shoe sizes that would fit me (12-13).

The one thing about having your honey pick out clothes for you (especially if she has good tastes) is that you will look sharp, blend in easier, earn a few brownie points with her, and come back with some cool threads.

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Don't do it Okieman!!!, posted by pablo on Apr 15, 2005

Pablo,

I think that for me, that might happen down the road, if this girl and I stay together-- at least for a little while. But, for this first visit with her, I certainly don't want to spend money buying clothes for myself. I would rather spend my money doing other activities; whatever that might be, other than shopping. Besides, if I bought some clothes for me, I would feel obilgated to spend more money on her too. That could be really fun, if we were in a serious relationship; or someday even married. But, at this early time in our relationship, I believe I don't want to start something that I am not prepared to finish. Besides, I have already tried to head that sort of thing off at the pass, by telling her I am not rich (which I am definitely not). Even though she might believe me, at least she can't say that I have tried to impress her with my pictures of my house on the Florida coast (which I don't have), and the Ferrari in the garage, (which I also don't have)! If she wants all that, she is poop out of luck. But, again, I don't think this girl is like that. My main intention is to show her a good time, and let her check out "Love, Okie Style"! ha

OkieMan

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Don't do it Okieman!!!, posted by pablo on Apr 15, 2005

Hey Okieman, Good luck on your return visit to Cali land I hope all goes well for you. I think Pablo has a fantastic idea. I know I have done that in the past. Go down with some room in your suitcase and buy some nice clothes down there... The best part of the idea is not so much the cost factor but to me more importantly is the interaction you will be having with your special lady. You do not know at this point how your relationship will turn out but to have the opportunity to do some shopping with your lady and create the stage for some special moments might prove beneficial (sentimental). It might not mean that much to some ladies but most of the ladies I know would appreciate that you took their thoughts about the decision into consideration... The best part of this all is that it is your second visit to Colombia. At times I think one of the most important parts to this whole process is taking the "plunge" and making that first trip. Once you get by that first trip the return trips become much easier as the "addiction" takes hold!
P.S. You might get away with being able to wear the shirt in Cartagena or Santa Marta but in Cali I think like the other posters... I would tone down the shirt, even though I bet it does look great!!!

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Don't do it Okieman!!!, posted by MarkNJ on Apr 15, 2005

MarkNJ,

Thanks for your comments. Like I said to Pablo, right now I am not interested in doing the shopping thing. I don't want to start a precedent that could backfire on me.
(ie her thinking that shopping is my favorite pastime, and that I will shower her with expensive clothes, etc). But, at some point, I would very much like to avail myself of the Colombian clothes. By the way, I forgot to mention it to the other guys like Pablo, but last year, I interviewed with a latina at Latin-Internet (one of several). Even though we had absolutely no chemistry, I found out that she was in the clothing business in some way. Anyhow, she mentioned that I could get a hand-tailored suit for around $40 or so. Do any of you guys know about that? I have also heard that Panama has some good tailors. Do you or any other posters know of such good bargains? So, when I am on another subsequent trip to Cali or elsewhere in Colombia, I will be interested at some point in picking up some good deals on new clothes. Come the think of it, I don't think I have anything yet that has a label on it, with "Made in Colombia" on it. Do you?

OkieMan

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Don't do it Okieman!..., posted by OkieMan on Apr 15, 2005

When I made that post I was taking into account that you have already been to Colombia once but I was mistaken in that you have not met this lady yet. Being that you are a frequent poster I assumed that you are well beyond the lessons of "meeting a Colombiana 101". I have always played down my financial situation (typical middle-class guy who can provide a decent family life environment but I do have to watch how I spend my money)and have painted a picture leaning towards the lower end of what I really can provide. I have always been upfront with the ladies because I do not want to waste my time with someone who tends to be more of the materialistic nature. When I did do my shopping it really was because I did need to replace some of my worn out clothes. My work environment (professional) still requires me to maintain that certain image. So the purchases were more out of logic and necessity. If I did not need new duds I would not go out of my way to buy the stuff. I could always just tell her: "Gee ladies, it is not that I want new clothes but rather I need new clothes and I cannot afford the prices in the USA". That will keep the sharks at bay. My first excursion to Colombia was to Cali many years ago. Since that time most of my travels have been concentrated in follow-up visits during the past four years arriving in Bogota after having met two different ladies at an agency there. Both of the ladies I pursued relationships were independent in that they both owned their own condo, both had cars, one was a district manager of a bank and the other latina was working in the investigation unit for one of the cellular telephone companies down there. Both of these ladies did not need any of my money... My big mistake was not following through with the first one and as for the second lady we just learned that we had some differences and not ultimately compatible, the normal live and learn stuff... One of the factors that I did like about these two ladies is that they do know what it is like to work, maintain a budget, have priorities etc.

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Don't do it Okie..., posted by MarkNJ on Apr 15, 2005

MarkNJ,

Thanks again for your story and insight. My views are very similar. I have my own small business. I can provide for a latina, if I should get married; but I do have to budget. In fact, that is what I am doing right now, in order to go on this upcoming trip. So, I certainly am not looking for the "sharks" either. I enjoyed your story about the ladies in Bogota. So, what is going on now? Do you have any ladies that you are really in to, or are you still looking? It will be really interesting for me to meet this calena in person. I am anxious to find out more about her, and see for myself if she is the same type of lady that I think she is. Like I was telling her in a recent email; all of this is a risk. We have to be willing to risk failure, and sometimes that just isn't fun. But, I will give it a shot, and see where we go. But, the thing with her is that I have been able to email her over the last 3 months. So now, I now have some background info on her that I can use. I don't like flying totally blind, unless I have no choice. Besides, I figured if she was a player, she would get really bored with all the questions I have asked her--- and I do ask a lot of questions. Well, I will let everyone know what the deal is after I return. In the meantime, I have about 1 1/2 months to finalize everything.

OkieMan

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Don't do it ..., posted by OkieMan on Apr 15, 2005

OkieMan,

Give me a few days and I will post for you an update.
If you have any private/personal questions feel free to send me an email.
Upon reflection if I was able to do it all again there are a few things I would do differently. I am in the process of getting back in the saddle, the only question now is in which direction am I headed. In a few days I will know.
One thing is for certain, I will be back in Colombia before June.

... in response to Re: Don't do it Okieman!!!, posted by Jake on Apr 14, 2005

Jake,

Well, as far as the girl goes, I will have to just wait and see how it goes. But, if it does not go as well as I think it should, then I will implement Plan B. Lord knows there are many fish in the sea! So, wish me luck, and I will leave the Hawaiian shirt home.

OkieMan

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GoodWife / Planet-Love Archives => Threads started in 2005 => Topic started by: OkieMan on April 14, 2005, 04:00:00 AM