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Hello everyone,
I've posted here a few times, nothing to important just responding and commenting. I am heading down to cali on Dec. 23, and wanted to know if anyone has any suggestions as this will be my first time in cali. also, i am corresponding with a latina from latin encounters, her name is Xiomara. Just curious if anyone here has talked with or met her. Any info would be helpful. take care.
Bryan

... in response to Going to cali, for first time., posted by chizz on Nov 11, 2003

I don't know if someone has mentioned this already or not, but NEVER slam a cab door. I don't know why that is every cab driver's pet peeve there, but it is. Always close the door gently.

Zack

... in response to Going to cali, for first time., posted by chizz on Nov 11, 2003

If you are using LE as i did, i suggest getting a dozen roses and putting them in Marguis frig and when you have an apointment with a woman , present her with a single red rose. I can promise you from experiance , it will kill. I did this and i had more women calling Mrgui telling her i was the one for them , that it made choices very difficult.The thing about Colombian women is that they want a man that is romantic, and if you can show them from the start that you are , then you are going to have a wonderful experiance and meet some of the most wonderful women on the planet.

Buena Suerte.

... in response to Re: Going to cali, for first time., posted by Kiltboy1 on Nov 12, 2003

I like that idea, I like it alot. I think I will try that. Thanks for the idea, kilt.
take care

... in response to Re: Re: Going to cali, for first time., posted by chizz on Nov 12, 2003

Chizz

Also i forgot to mention, wear some nice cologne. All of the ladies i Dated and including my wife, just love a man to smell nice.

Latinas sence of things that we take for granted , is really astute.

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Going to cali, for first tim..., posted by Kiltboy1 on Nov 12, 2003

It's true. The men in Colombia wear more damn perfume than the women.

... in response to Re: Going to cali, for first time., posted by Kiltboy1 on Nov 12, 2003

Kiltboy....shoot me an email. I think we're from the same neck of the woods. I'd like to know how your wife is adjusting to Carolina.

... in response to Re: Going to cali, for first time., posted by Kiltboy1 on Nov 12, 2003

I did the same thing and had the same response. You are right, the ladies loved it. Another tip is to dress nicely for your interviews. No jacket and tie but nice slacks and a nice shirt. No jeans and t-shirts or shorts. Believe it or not I've seen guys doing interviews in shorts, t-shirts and flip flops. The ladies love a caballero.

... in response to Going to cali, for first time., posted by chizz on Nov 11, 2003

I'm sure you will have a blast.

Just a few tidbits of information. Whenever you get into a taxi, always ask what the rate will be in advance and ask if they have change. Often what they do is take you to your destination and then say "sorry, I don't have change for a 10". That is typically a B.S. excuse to pocket more money.

Also, ATMs are probably the best way to get foreign money. The exchange rate is reasonable and you don't have to wait in long lines as you would at a bank.

Have fun

Zack

... in response to Re: Going to cali, for first time., posted by zack on Nov 12, 2003

Thanks Zack, I'm glad you told me that, because a guy like me would probably say,"oh....okay, well keep the change then". I'll also use the ATM's, thanks again.
Bryan

... in response to Re: Going to cali, for first time., posted by zack on Nov 12, 2003

Cali taxis have taximetros. If it reads around 46 or below the fare weekdays will be $2.100 the minimum. At night, Sundays or holidays or if you call a cab the minimum is $2.600. Asking the rate in advance applies to Barranquilla where they don't use taximetros. The atms issue twenties. Try to get small bills, fives, twos and ones as soon as you can as many places not just taxis don't have change.

... in response to Re: Re: Going to cali, for first time., posted by Cali vet on Nov 12, 2003

I will do that, cali vet, thanks for the tip.
Bryan

... in response to Re: Re: Going to cali, for first time., posted by Cali vet on Nov 12, 2003

I didn't know that about Cali. You can tell I haven't been there in a while. Chizz, what I do to help with the taxi situation is exchange 100 dollars at the airport and ask for small bills- 2k, 5k and 10k.  The exchange rate is bad but it is worth it because you will have enough small bills to get you thru the week with taxis, and you won't feel obligated to go buy things just to get change. From there I use ATMs in Colombia.

Zack

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Going to cali, for first tim..., posted by zack on Nov 12, 2003

It's funny you said that, because in Barranquilla, i used to buy stuff just to get change for the taxi's. I also found that the cabs in barranquilla were in just awful condition. I hope cali is different. thanks.
Bryan

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Going to cali, for first..., posted by chizz on Nov 12, 2003

Cali cabs vary alot,but most are in OK condition.Of course they are just little usually Korean cars,usually no air,just the 4-60 kind.
Alot of cab drivers really thrash their cabs.Its like they will make more money if they drive like a maniac but they are tearing up their equipment.Last time I was there I got a driver with a nice newer car and he was really being carefull with it.I complemented him that he had a good car and wasn't tearing it up like alot of drivers.He was very pleased at the compliment.
But - -  the great thing is they are cheap! $1 will take you quite a ways,maybe 5-6 miles.It really doesn't make sense to own a car in Cali since cabs are so cheap.Plus if you have a nice car you are a target,even to the cops,who will pull you over and extort you.I wonder what the mafioso drug lord types say to the cops.Nothing,or get the fu-k out here here before I have you shot.I bet they recognise certain people to not mess with.
I saw a new Mercedes convertible parked in front of Diego's Italian restaurant in Cuidad Jardine.That guy is either very brave or the meanest SOB in Cali.I wouldn't drive my BMW 740i there unless I had it bullet proofed.

Pete

... in response to Cali cabs, posted by Pete E on Nov 13, 2003

When you get out of one of these tinny little cabs if you shut the door with similar force to what you might do here there is this reverberating clang.You will get a real dirty look from the driver.

Pete

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Going to cali, for first tim..., posted by zack on Nov 12, 2003

If you walk out the airport exit and back in to departures there is an ATM machine to the left of all the check in counters.You get the money in pesos.I had to use it last time we left to pay our departure tax.You really want to pay that in dollars because if you pay them in pesos they give you a really bad exchange rate,like 70% of value.My wife spent the dollars I was keeping for that.Probably got a really bad rate spending them.So she gets 70% of value for the dollars,then I get 70% of value for the pesos.Cut the value of the money in half.
But dollars or pesos,they burn a hole in her purse.

Pete

... in response to Get pesos at the airport, posted by Pete E on Nov 12, 2003

That sounds like a good idea. I actually got a good rate in Barranquilla, but i know cali is bigger, so i'm sure things are vastly different there. thanks, pete and good luck with your situation.
bryan

... in response to Re: Re: Going to cali, for first time., posted by Cali vet on Nov 12, 2003

Ditto what vet said.  I've "heard" rumors of pirate meters but I've never found one.  You don't even need a knoweldge of Spanish to understand how much it is - the driver will tally the meter at your destination and the rate will be shown on the display.  Because the ATMs issue big bills, that does create problems with the taxistas at times.  Use your big bills for little purchases at the stores so you can get an arsenal of small change, including coins.  You'll also find the condition of taxis vary greatly - if you call a cab you're stuck with that one - if you flag one down it's your choice.  The only issues I've had with some taxis is that on occasion I'll get a driver that assumes I have no clue of the fastest route at a given time to a destination - and tries to take the long/congested way to run up the meter (you're kind of stuck with that scam until you know your way about town).  On the whole, you'll find the taxis are an enjoyable and hastle free way around town.  Do not tip unless they are assisting beyond normal driving duties, like helping carry groceries or such.

... in response to Re: Taxi's, posted by cancunhound on Nov 12, 2003

I was kind of afraid of that. I guess i'll be getting robbed until i learn my way around. Hopefully, the latina i'm with will be hip to it, and help me out. thanks for the warning.
Bryan

... in response to Going to cali, for first time., posted by chizz on Nov 11, 2003

[This message has been edited by Calipro]

If you are talking about Xiomara  Mejia Leon, I met her about a year and a half ago at Latin Encounters. I went to her apartment and met her mother and little boy. She is a class act. She will not ask you for money. I probably would have spent more time with her but I got distracted my a girl I later married. In my opinion she is definately marriage material. Her son was very polite and well mannered. If I were you I would go out with her first. I know a always say a guy shouldn't just go out with one women in Cali. But, in this case if you feel a lot of chemistry with her right from the start, I would stick with her. That's how confident I am that she is a really sincere and good person. I really got good vibes from her.

I'll be in Cali the 23rd of Dec. Maybe we'll run into each other.

Calipro

... in response to Re: Going to cali, for first time., posted by Calipro on Nov 12, 2003

cali, can u email me, i have a question for you: tiger44709@aol.com. thanks

... in response to Re: Going to cali, for first time., posted by Calipro on Nov 12, 2003

Calipro,

I'm assuming you are staying for New Years Eve. Maybe you should stop by the Batmansion and give us a trip report. Or maybe you already plan to. It would be good to hear it from someone who has actually been there besides Batman.  Either way, good luck and have fun.

Zack

... in response to Going to cali, for first time., posted by chizz on Nov 11, 2003

First time in Cali??....enjoy yourself you will have  blast!!!!

Suggestions

Do not just see the girl you are writing too. It does not matter how well you two are getting along over the phone and the computer. Even if you connect with her in person....you need to see more women. Spend at least a few days doing that...then spend the last part of your trip with the one or the few that you feel are special. Do not do not do not make this a one woman trip!!

Taxi's

They drive like crazy....getiing very close to everything.....get used to it......I should used to it by now though.................but at times I am still a little freaked out at the way they drive....LOL!!!

Red Flags

By now...I have hoped you have read this board enough to know the things to look out for when meeting girls on first or second dates....i.e. directly or indirectly asking for money. Some things are minor to look out for. Example:  On a first date or first conversation.....is she asking about your house?....when this happens ask them nicely.....Are you looking for love or money?  First conversations and dates are to get to know the other person better...materialistic items should never be brought up on a first date or first conversation. This is always a minor Red Flag for me.......

My e-mail is included on my profile..Please feel free to e-mail me with any questions you have...I can also share some info with you as well privately.

Good Luck!!

... in response to Some basic info for you Bryan......., posted by Chris F on Nov 12, 2003

Thanks, chris, i'll be in touch, because i do have some questions. thanks
Bryan

... in response to Going to cali, for first time., posted by chizz on Nov 11, 2003

Congratulations and Good Luck! By the way what airline are you using? Did you get a good fare and how did you find it?

... in response to Re: Going to cali, for first time., posted by Zorrowins on Nov 11, 2003

Thanks, zorro, I am using avianca. I called them directly and bought my tickets. I got them for about $600.00 round trip. It was the lowest I could find, i hope it was a good deal.lol..thanks again.
Bryan