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Well, I am just a few days away from boarding a plane to Cali. The anticipation has been replaced by a sense of urgency probably because I have pretty much put off getting everything ready to go. The last few weeks have been spent practicing and learning as much spanish I can. Its really pretty easy to pick up some spanish everyday in San Diego. Spanish is spoken in 50% of the households here so I am constantly asking anybody what this means and how do you say that. My spanish is terrible but I can make myself understood about 75% of the time. I have also spent a lot of hours in dance classes. I have begun to master salsa and am making great strides with cha-cha and merengue. I love it! I love the music. I love the energy. I love the passion. I love the sexy moves. It's fantastic. An added benefit is the 12 lbs I've danced off.
I mentioned in my last log that I had picked 30 ladies from the LE site. The ladies on the list ranged in age from 22 to 40. The 22 y/o I added just because she was the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. She wasn't a serious pick. About half were over 30 the other half where 26-30. I am not seriously interested in finding a lady under 30 but I cast a wide net to see what the response would be. I received 14 positive responses. As I expected most of them were between the ages of 30-40. And that was fine with me. I composed an introduction letter, had it translated and sent to each of the 14 ladies along with one red rose. I was hoping to get some email responses but none so far. As for my experience with LE so far, it has been somewhat of a mixed bag. I have absolutely NO experience with agencies so I am not sure what the standards are but at times LE seems to be unresponsive and other times very helpful. Maybe someone with agency experience can give me an idea of what to expect. I am only a few days from leaving and I don't even know if there will be some one to meet me at the airport. I have asked three times and no answer. I would have thought that by now I would know what my schedule would be for the first few days. I have no clue what is in store for me and it is not a comfortable feeling. I don't want to rush to judgement as for all I know this may be SOP. But I sure would like to feel more comfortable by knowing whats going on. I had decided to spend my entire stay with LE but I'm not sure now. I have say at this point that I am a stickler for details. Maybe I'm just being too anal.
Tomorrow I begin in ernest getting myself ready to leave. So many details. So many lists. So many things that I haven't even thought of. Get a haircut & manicure. Wash the dog. Shopping. Cleaning. Packing. New luggage. Pay the bills. Get prescriptions filled. Don't forget new socks. So much to do. I have so many questions I can't even remember what they are. Oh well tomorrow should go quickly and that is one less day of waiting.
bhuddha

... in response to Cali Trip Log #2-Preparation, posted by littlebhuddha on Sep 13, 2003

Don’t forget to be aware of your surroundings.What i mean is, don’t be an easy target to be robbed. Always look like you know where you’re going and what your doing, and knowone will bother you. Use your big head and not your little head in picking a girl. You will be a little overwhelmed at first, and after a while, like so many other men who go to a foreign country, you will start to get” picky” and think the “perfect girl” is just around the corner, when she is probably right in front of you. Men get the “kid in the candy store” glare and attitude after a while, and never pick a nice girl and start looking for the perfect 10. Bring a list of the agencies and addresses in the city, just incase you don’t have any luck with the first one. Last thing, it’s a all a numbers game, you might get lucky on the first girl you meet, or it might take 30 meetings to find the girl that is right for you. Have a good idea of what exactly you are looking for, age, looks, personality, and be realistic about it. A man that is 45 years old, average looks and personality is not going to have a relationship that will last with a 20-year-old hottie. Some will say different, but I wouldn’t bet my money on it. Have fun!!!!!!!! and i hope you will write a report when your back.

... in response to Re: Cali Trip Log #2-Preparation, posted by mudd on Sep 13, 2003

I have been through a similar situation. My first shore leave in Olongapo(sp?)it felt like I had died and gone to heaven. Here were all these young, beautiful girls that were in love with me and had been waiting patiently for years for me to finally arrive in the Philliines to carry them away to la-la land. I bit and bit hard. I was 21 then. Hopefully, I have learned something. But that isn't to say that it can't happen again. I'm not sure that men always get smarter as they get older at least when it comes to women. As for security, I was reading one of my other posts and I must say that I am not quite as confident as I may have come across back then. It really is a concern and it is on my mind more and more as I get closer to my departure. I keep reminding myself that the US state department considers Colombia the most dangerous country on earth. That is a sobering fact and hopefully it will help me keep my head on a swivel. Thanks for the advice.

... in response to Cali Trip Log #2-Preparation, posted by littlebhuddha on Sep 13, 2003

Hi Bhudda,
I have referred many of my friends to Latin Encounters and so far I have not received any complaints from them.  The LE books and website are updated constantly.  The Driver LE sent to get me at the airport waited over an hour for me. The LE staff was changed since I stayed there, but I spoke to Alcira recently and she was very pleasant.
Best wishes on your trip.  It's a life changing experience.

Frank Soto

... in response to Cali Trip Log #2-Preparation, posted by littlebhuddha on Sep 13, 2003

There will be many taxis waiting right outside the airport. I've never noticed a money exchange when arriving in Cali so you probably won't be able to get any pesos without going to the main entrance to the airport.

Don't forget to get your Tax Exemption form right next to the immigration desks when arriving in Cali.

Get a list of hotels as a backup before leaving. I would recommend Don Jaime on Sexta Ave. Hotel Valle Real is a few blocks away and a little more expensive. Hotel Windsor Plaza is 2 blocks from Don Jaime and a little less.

Taking dancing lessons will definately pay dividends but give the girls a chance to show you the local steps. You'll both enjoy the experience. My wife was really impressed with my merengue when we first met. I didn't tell her I learned it from a couple girls in the Dominican Republic.

Good advice on not buying new luggage unless you really need it. It's going to get beat up. Don't pack ANYTHING of value. If you are taking anything remotely valuable (ie. camera, CD player, perfume, medicine) take it in a carry-on. The problem isn't so much in Colombia as the ramparos in Miami.

Within one day of arriving in Cali you'll have it all figured out. Don't sweat the small details.

Have fun.

... in response to Cali Trip Log #2-Preparation, posted by littlebhuddha on Sep 13, 2003

I can't resist commenting about this.  You wrote:

... in response to Deja vu, posted by DallasSteve2 on Sep 13, 2003

It won't be the 22 y/o. She declined to meet with me. I hear what you are saying though. I know I could be seriously tempted but I don't think I could go through with it. If I married someone younger than my daughter she would disown me with good reason.

... in response to Re: Deja vu, posted by littlebhuddha on Sep 13, 2003


You may or may not find the right woman for you.  But I'm pretty sure that after come back you won't look seriously at American women again.  Good luck and enjoy yourself! Dominguin

... in response to Cali Trip Log #2-Preparation, posted by littlebhuddha on Sep 13, 2003

@Airport pickup - they're going to pick you up because you have yet to pay 'em right?
@Salsa - you probably had some fun but forget the steps you learned, it's a bit different in Cali.
@Packing - go light, buy there.
@Socks - don't even think about wearing white socks with topsiders
@New luggage - probably not a good idea
@Mental State - chill out, you're going to have a blast

Of course, have an option written on a piece of paper should your ride not show - just hand the address to the taxista.

If your really having 2nd thoughts about LE (and you probably shouldn't), here's my list of "real" agencies that I'm going to put on my GringoCali map:

All Colombian Girls
Alegrate
Latin-Internet (Villa Princesa)
Latin Best
Latin Encounters
Hearts of Cali
www.latinlove.net

I couldn't help but notice while gathering addresses that "Hearts of Cali" would be extremely tempting to check out (if one were single of course).  No join fee required, just $105 a night but - and a big but - this ain't no B&B, your room is in one of the few luxury class hotels in Cali, with agency in lobby!

... in response to Re: Cali Trip Log #2-Preparation, posted by cancunhound on Sep 13, 2003

Dear Sidartha

   Chill out..At fifty I would have chosen Latin Best which is about $35.00 a night. Exito which is like Walmart is  two blocks away. LB has the best assortment of professional women over thirty. If you are worried just make sure you have the address written down, change some money in the airport $20.00, and get in a cab at the front door. Don't worry you will get there. A friend forgot me one time and I`just took a cab at the front door. I have been doing it ever since. Otherwise I agree totally with coondog. jim c

... in response to Re: Re: Cali Trip Log #2-Preparation, posted by jim c on Sep 13, 2003

Actually I am scratching my head why I didn't go with Latin Internet like had originally planned. The website probably had a lot to do with that. Latin Best was another good choice. I had heard a lot of good things about LE and there were a couple of ladies that I really wanted to meet so I went with them. The air conditioned room at LE is going for $38 a night. So we will see. I will certainly keep the addresses and phone numbers of the other two in my wallet. And I will certainly post my experiences with any agency that I use. I understand that Latin Best has a day rate. If so that may be how I end up going. Thanks for the good advice.

... in response to Re: Cali Trip Log #2-Preparation, posted by cancunhound on Sep 13, 2003

Great post! I think that last bullet says it all. I've been through worse than being stranded at an airport. And Arturo Calle will have everything I need. $100 bucks a night seems a bit steep but my perspective could change rapidly once I get to Cali. I'm really not having second thoughts about LE. They have a very good reputation and I have faith in Alcira. She really is a nice lady. I've just been too long at the bit. I'm ready to leave now.
Are you in Cali now?

... in response to Re: Re: Cali Trip Log #2-Preparation, posted by littlebhuddha on Sep 13, 2003

Cali's here, I'll be entertaining guests in Texas until the visas expire.  Have a great trip.