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I am going to be heading down south here in the next couple of weeks and I have decided to stay at the Hotel el Prado. I have a couple of questions if anyone has a few minutes...

1: I travel light and don't usually carry soap, shampoo, etc... Is this supplied in the rooms like it is here? If not, can I buy these things on site?

2: Is there anything I should look out for like extra room charges? I know about the taxes, but do they try to add on things? For example: If I buy something and then they try to charge me more on the bill then I thought? You know, Charging me for 5 drinks on the room tab when I ordered 2. You know, just basic dishonesty? Something like, Jose the crooked waiter etc... Anything?

3: Have you, or would you use them to pick you up from the airport? I had a girl that was going to meet me at the airport and then she said it is possible she may have to work after picking me up. She later said she may have to work while I am there. On one hand, this kind of turned me off that she did not arrange for this since she knew in advance that I would be heading down. On the other hand, I can respect that she may be prepared to go the other way if there is no chemistry in person. She always says: "Maybe" and this really wants me to arrange for another ride and I am preparing my back up for the trip now. Maybe this is normal, but it kind of rubs me the wrong way considering: "If a Latina wants to spend time with you, she will make time". I not only beleive that with Latinas, but with all girls as well. I have always used that as a guage and I don't go into denial. If her time immediately becomes "limited" I will put plan B into action. Right now though, I am just on guard.  

4: I read once that someone said they were escorted by police after hanging out at the airport while waiting for a ride that was running late. Maybe that was B.S. but I really don't know??? I really don't want to find out if it is true or not either. If I end up having to wait a little bit, is there anything I should know?

Thanks a million!

V-Dude

... in response to BAQ ... Questions, posted by valleydude on Nov 11, 2005

I think you are getting off on the wrong track here. There are some things you
are not thinking about or do not know. Jobs in Colombia are very funny thats if
you have one. They can do anything they want including firing you for any
excuse. Getting a day off or time off sometimes is impossible. The pay she gets
is so small compared to what we get and she might no she is just barley making
it on what she is paid. Believe me if there is anyway she can pick you up at the
airport she will. This woman does not want any other woman to get her man.

 Don't think like some other selfish gringo we had here before who thought the
world had to rotate around him even thru all he planned was a piece of tail for
his trip.

 If you truely believe that a latin girl wants to spend time with you she will make
time then you already failed and go to plan b because this girl will see right thru
you for who you are. My wife had to work when I was there to see her everytime
I came. I accepted that why? How is she going to eat? feed her family? pay for
the bare requirements? If I demanded what you are want your girl to do I would
have been showed the highway why? My wife did not know what I had planned
maybe I would be like the other gringo that came to see her and just used her as
a vacation.

  Men fail here because of several reasons but the biggest reasons you all can
find yourselfs.... read Papi's post one of the biggest failures here and a good
reason not to do the same. Try to understand what this girl is doing for you. If
she was coming here to see you would you tell your boss that you need the next
week off to show her the town? would you take the week off if you knew you
would not get paid and the lady would not give you any money to live off from?
Give her a break.

... in response to Re: BAQ ... Questions, posted by Fuzzyone on Nov 12, 2005

Thanks, I appreciate what you have to say and I say that seriously. I knew this, but it sits a little differently after hearing someone tell you. I knew there were no laws on firing but I just did not understand about a day off.

Quite honestly, I totally understand about having to work. I can respect that. The part that got me thinking was that she will be ending a job and starting a new one when I am there.
She will be on her last two days of the old job when I arrive. That is the part that made me think about this and put my guard up.

I have had a long distance relationship before and we both took the time off of work. My boss said: "Are you going to be coming to work?" I said: "Yeah, Probably" and he was surprised. He said: "No! Take the time off". Other's asked if I was going to be taking time off and when I said I would be working they thought I was crazy. Granted though, that was here and the girl was from here too.

If she came to visit me, would I take the time off? For a first visit, I can without a doubt say Yes. Without pay? Yes.

All in all you are right though, I'll be calling her now and communicate more about what she has going on.

Thanks for the input,

V-Dude

... in response to Re: Re: BAQ ... Questions, posted by valleydude on Nov 12, 2005

I have learned alot since meeting and marrying my wife. About the only job
that has any security in Colombia is a goverment job. The rest of the jobs you
can lose in a heart beat. My wife told me that she has never called out sick from
work she had no ideal what I was talking about when I told her I was calling out
sick from work. She thought I would lose my job if I did.

 When I visit my wife then girlfriend at the time. She had managed to get the
afternoon off to come get me at the airport. So I was lucky in that aspect. If you
are having questions about the girl you are going to meet in Colombia
remember several things that I found out.

 Does she want you to meet all her friends? Her family? Is she very happy to
finaly see you? When I meet my wife for the first time her son and sister was
there to meet me also. They were all happy to see me, my step son was real
happy to see me grabed my bags helped put them in the taxi ect. I met all her
family the same day, met all her friends within the first several days. I came to
see her when she had vacation from her job she was a teacher. So I got to spend
alot of time with her and my future step son.

... in response to Re: Re: BAQ ... Questions, posted by valleydude on Nov 12, 2005

Rarely during my trips to Colombia was my lady able to take off for extended periods....even when she knew in advance! The work environment is totally different in Colombia, as you're well aware of (protection against harassment is virtually non existent). I was able to visit her classroom, where she was teaching. It was a wonderful experience for me & the children. Please continue to communicate with her about what she is going through...

... in response to Work with her...., posted by Hoda on Nov 13, 2005

Thanks guys! That is a little more comforting to know that your ladies worked when you visited and things still worked out. I didn't give her a hard time about this, but I did say: "Maybe?". I understand a little more of how big of a deal it is now. It is just so weird to think that no matter how good of a worker she is, she is walking on egg shells. (That's how I am looking at it from now on.) Anyway, I called her up and let her know that I understood now, and I didn't want her to feel pressured that I said: "Maybe?"

Yeah she wants me to meet her family. I have talked to her mother, sister and brother on the phone. I sent a picture for her to show her mother and she even asked me if I wanted her Mother's email.

Stupid me, I have all the other positives going on except I focus on one that I am not sure about. She is a great girl. We have been talking, web camming, emailing, for 4 months. We get along great, but only face-face will tell.

The truth is, I thought for sure I learned my lesson about having a back up plan after Venezuela, and again I don't really have one. That's why I began doubting a little when she said "Maybe".

I am a letter writter/caller. I have trouble keeping multiple girls on the line. It's just not for me anymore. I don't fall in love on the phone and fall for any hot girl interested in me, but I sift through many of them before I even call, let alone want to visit. I am not bragging, but seriosuly I have received 1,000's of interests and emails from girls first before I got to this point with her. One month, out of curiosity I decided to save all interests and emails that I received first and it was 657. That is how I come up with the figure of 1,000's. Well, I am beggining to ramble but my point is that I feel justifed without having a back up plan. I know what I am looking for, and when I can narrow it down I take the chance.

For any newbies, lurkers, or anyone else, Nooooo I am not Brad Pitt. I receive so many becasue I am just me.

Wish me luck,

V-Dude

P.S. If you take "Just me" that I am being egotical, you don't understand the concept.

... in response to Re: Work with her...., posted by valleydude on Nov 13, 2005

V-Dude, out of curiosity, what online service did you use? And how was your trip to Venezuela? Is that in the archives?

... in response to Re: Re: Work with her......Curiosity, posted by FanMan on Nov 14, 2005

I used Amigos and got a good response rate. That was a while back, but I got a good response %. I am not sure how it is now but the girls could write one email a day, so each time I got a response I considered it a success. (I was their one email) I got about 8 out of 10 on there. Now they have a pay for "unlimited replies" and I never bought that. I always figured if they were seriously interested then they would use their alloted responses.

I also used Latin American Cupid. That site is a gold mine in my opinion. I wasn't going to let the cat out of the bag until I was done, but hey... someone (you) finally asked. The girls are allowed to contact you first. At first when I received so many emails I thought it was a ploy to get my money, but I paid up and it was well worth it. I am sure the girls being able to write first helped, but my response was overwhelming. In the past year I have been a paid member and I only turn on my profile when I log in, because I can not handle it. It is just too much for me. If I log in, I "unhide" my profile, and begin searching. I usually receive at least 10-20 chats, 10+ interests and 5+ emails in a few minutes. (Yeah seriously) It is just too much for me. I just turn off my profile and log out. It gets hard to focus. I received so many that I just decided to count and study it out of sheer curiosity. It was fun at first, but afterward it just became too much. Granted, some of these girls are just firing off emails, some uglies, some probably desperate, some wanting friends, etc... but there is a fair share of nice ones responding as well. I would recommend the site without a doubt, but of course results will vary.

Yeah my trips to Venezuela are in the archives. If you want any info, read my posts and want me to elaborate, or have any questions I will be glad to answer them. Personally, I was just not impressed with Venezuela, but I can give an unbiased account. I am not one to make anyone else dislike VZ because I wasn't impressed. I wrote some long posts and not sure where to begin????

Hope this helps,

V-Dude

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Work with her......Curiosity, posted by valleydude on Nov 16, 2005

Thanks V-Dude, I will be checking out the archives. Just signed up for LAC, free basis for now,will give a shot before deciding to pay and go further.

... in response to Re: Work with her...., posted by valleydude on Nov 13, 2005

i'm glad to see that you were able to listen to the advice here and not ruin something before giving it a chance. with the way things are in colombia you have to be more understanding and think three times before jumping to conclusions. when i was with my fiance(girlfriend at the time) i took her to work and picked her up in the afternoon, she loved that i got up early to be with her before dropping her off. wishing you the best.
JK

... in response to Re: Re: Work with her...., posted by jediknight on Nov 13, 2005

Thanks! Yeah, I am pretty open. One thing I have learned through the years is that it is easier to be open minded if I am doubting myself. I can figure it out that I am wrong now, or 10 years down the line I can get a clue and regret it. Ya know?

Anyway; I totally wasn't expecting this, but tonight she told me that I scored a lot of points for the "otro cosa". (We have this joke going where we score points.) I was like "???" she said it was about her work. Nice! I never expect a reward for doing the right thing, but when I receive one it is especially nice. I realized I was a bit selfish; I told her, and I got paid back 10 fold.

She doesn't know, but she got extra points... I have lived my life like this for the past 15 years and she noticed it! haha!

Thanks,

V-Dude

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Work with her...., posted by valleydude on Nov 14, 2005

keep it up man and when in doubt just take a few steps back and try to see things objectively or else post here for advice.

as you just learned by experience, colombianas really appreciate a guy that does the right thing, is understanding and also that doesn't make a big deal about the little things. get into the habit of saying, no te preocupes (don't worry),esta bien (it's alright), entiendo perfectamente (i understand perfectly), tranquila (take it easy) all of these in any combination will score points for you when things don't go as planned. of course this is only when you truly feel that she is being honest with you and not jerking you around. plus don't overdo it or else you may come off sounding like a wimp, use you best judgement. good luck
JK

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Work with her...., posted by jediknight on Nov 14, 2005

Come to think of it, you are right. I say "entiendo perfecto" it was something that came naturally to me. Generally I don't sweat the small stuff and she does seem to dig it. I know what you mean. There is a fine balance.

I have learned through the months that this one is generally very honest with me. She is a good little girl. The last thing I want to do is encourage her to begin lying to me because she thinks that I will "flip out" if she tells me the truth. I would hate to ruin her honesty and I find it is in my best interest to try and understand.

V-Dude

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Work with her...., posted by valleydude on Nov 16, 2005

[This message has been edited by jediknight]

you are right and it seems like you are on the right path. i've always told my fiance honesty first, even if she thinks i'm not going to like it. she knows i'll be more pissed if i find out she has lied to me rather than telling me something i might get upset about. good luck and let us know how things develope
JK

... in response to Re: Re: BAQ ... Questions, posted by valleydude on Nov 12, 2005

Since it sounds like you've never met this girl, you should still have a Plan B in case the "in person" chemistry is not there.

Based on the situation you've described, Plan B would be an agency, or some local contacts who can introduce you to ladies, or meeting ladies on your own if you are a fluent spanish speaker.

Buena Suerte y Que Dios te bendiga

... in response to Re: BAQ ... Questions, posted by Fuzzyone on Nov 12, 2005

n/t

... in response to BAQ ... Questions, posted by valleydude on Nov 11, 2005

I have been to BAQ a couple of times as well,and would never consider the Prado again.. They pencil-whip you for EVERYTHING on your bill,and will give you a hard time if you want to bring a friend into your room. You might want to consider the Royal,right across the street.A lot cheaper ....Not near as fancy,but very friendly service,and they are straight up with regards to the bill.. Not a problem to have a friend stay over,either...

... in response to BAQ ... Questions, posted by valleydude on Nov 11, 2005

i have been to baq twice,i would suggest that you just stay on your toes, i never had any prolbems while there but i am a x special forces nco seeing action in the nasty and panamma so that is just my sop while in a differnt possiblly dangerous siautation. use your common sense you will find the full spectrom there the good bad and ugly ,talk to people like jamie international introductins he may be kind of arrogant but he has a lot of experence and a wealth of knowledge. it is a wonderful virbrant city full of energy and life. i just found the climate a litte to hot and humid for me ,i will be leaving for medellin nov 29rf 18 days to look for a apt and sign up for language coursre. i recommend bring your own toliet articles, which are readily aviable in many stores but just one last chore you dont have to worry about. i always bring a couple cases of protient bars found it very use ful good luck my friend trust me you will have the time of your life and meet a lot of great ladies ed

... in response to Re: BAQ ... Questions, posted by deekdog on Nov 12, 2005

I am headed to MDE myself on Dec.14th... Any luck with regard to an apt. there? I`ll be there for a month...

... in response to Re: Re: BAQ ... Questions, posted by sacajundude on Nov 12, 2005

sacajundude
no im sorry i dont have much info on rentals i am kinda going blind and use the agency colo sweethearts to help they said they had a real estate agent i could use , but i thought one of the guys on the fourm who have been there would have more objective info anyway good luck and good hunting i would be happy to email you once i get there and let you know what i find out  ed

... in response to sacajundude, posted by deekdog on Nov 12, 2005

be careful with those real estate agents in mde,they`ll pull your eyes out for a crackerbox.. I am researching I have people on the ground there... Certainly,drop me a line and we`ll go by Chris`s place.. Champion`s for a beer!