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Since ther are a few miserable "wanna be's" who obviously don't
know there way around South America, let alone Colombia; I will
expound on my experiences and fill you in.

I've been posting irregularly on this board for about 3 years and
have travlled extensively in Peru, Colombia, Brazil, and Equador.
I have a agreat apartment in the Northwest of Cali near Tres
Cruzes.

I've lived in Medellin (3 years), Lima (1 year), and off an on
between Colombia and Los Angeles. My past experience in law
enforcement has permitted the ability to live and experience
South America for the past ten years.

As a single guy in his early forties I am not interested in
marrying...but I do love dating Colombianas and other latinas.
Yes the Colombia is definitely my woman of choice. Anyone who
has read my posts knows that I have a calena who is very open
minded and who often shares her freinds with me. MY
PERSONAL CHOICE...don't knock me for it.

Agencies: There USED to be a much better scene about 6 years
back. You could visit the agencies and pay by the day. Now the
majority are "membership." My two cents worth are that you
should use an agency if YOUR SPANISH IS LIMITED TO "HOLA"
or you don't know anyone. Also a good idea if it's your first time
visiting a particular city you're not familar with. If you do speak
somewhat fluently (basic) you don't need the agency. Why pay a
mebership fee when you will soon be "on your own" and have
freinds and a better knowledge of the city.

Women: My experience is that Cali HANDS DOWN has the most
variety of beautiful women anywhere in Colombia. You will not
find a better VARIETY anywhere in the country. If you're out to find
party girls they're a dima a dozen anywhere in Colombia'''and the
rest of SA for that fact. If you want a wife...you will find that too! It
depends on your agenda and priorities.

Crime: Cali is probably one of the most dangerous places in
Colombia and I will definitely add Bogota to that list!

Living Conditions: Cali is great and affords a variety of
entertainment, culture, decent cost of living, and weather (if you
like it hot).

Job Market: Sucks if you're looking for decent employment. Since
I have my own gigs I don't need to worry about this issue. For
those that live in Colombia (especially women) they find a way to
make things work. The women (Like Pete E's) are very
resourceful and definitely outnumber the men who have jobs. If
you're a woman over  let's say 28 years old, or are not attractive,
forget it. You won't get a job! Better finda another way to make a
living.

Culture: I could not think of a better place to raise a child. Anyone
who has any experience with SA knows that the family unit is
always the priority. Your kid will grow up knowing all of his / her
relatives. And it is inbred into the culture that you take care of the
aged . . .How many "convalescent" homes have you seen in
Colombia, Peru, Equador, or any other SA country?

Education: If you have money your kids go to private schools
where they learn English / Spanish. If not they go to the Public
Schools where they are lucky to read and write by the time they
are 15. I can't tell you how many people I know from SA who are
over 30 and cannot write using basci grammar skills. Periods,
Capitals, etc... The goal for those that can afford it is to put their
kids into private schools until they are ready to enter University or
even high school in some cases. Then those children that
can...go to American Universities, Colleges, Prep Schools, etc.

As far as Cartegena is still concerned . . .only the historical sites
are worth seeing.

... in response to OK...why not?, posted by Ricky on Jan 28, 2005

Ricky,

Very interesting post, but I think you are discounting Medellín and the other cities in Antioquia such as Pereira, Armenia, Manizales, etc.

Medellín has a more diverse ethnic ancestry than Calí due to the strong European ancestry and the education level in Medellin is higher than in Calí.  The crime rate in Medellín and Antioquia has gone over 50% from last year and the year before.

Below are just two articles showing the drastic decrease in crime and kidnapping in Colombia:

http://www.ejercito.mil.co/english/index.php?idcategoria=36397&ts=95780799b6190bdb46f0477331171a62

http://www.ejercito.mil.co/english/index.php?idcategoria=72907&ts=2167588fb68324d1643a4c794771c752

Best regards,
Steve Valdez, Owner
www.colombiansweethearts.com

... in response to What about Medellin?, posted by Medellin Agency on Jan 30, 2005

Steve

I have worked with the girls at your agency a little bit, they are very professional and very helpful.  I am not hitting your site up quite as much since I am not sure if I am going to be moving to Denver or St. Louis in July!  I am making the plans as we speak to be comming down for the New Year I will be in touch with you more after I get resettled.  Will the New year be a good time to visit?  Do me one favor though don't let all your beautiful women run off and marry before the new year! (JK)  Keep up the good work and just know that your girls that are working at the agency are doing a Super Job!

Best of Wishes
Payton

... in response to OK...why not?, posted by Ricky on Jan 28, 2005

Great post Ricky. As evidence, many people have attacked you personally, which is typical of a great post and the reason some are read-only!

... in response to OK...why not?, posted by Ricky on Jan 28, 2005

I would only "knock you" for your incredible aggogance.  Who are you to refer to a "few miserable wanna be's".  Most of the posters on this forum have considerable knowledge and experience in LA and those who don't mostly come to ask and to listen.  You offered no insights that don't appear frequently on this board.

Besides the fact that no one cares about your sex life, an ugly overweight loser can get laid in LA.  The great thing about the Internet is people can exhibit anti social behavior without being held accountable.  

Dating in LA without the intention of marrying is called mongering and their are boards dedicated to that but PT isn't one of them.

... in response to Re: OK...why not?, posted by kented on Jan 29, 2005

Let's hook up and talk about this...interested? Anytime and anywhere
you want. Name the place. I'm always interested in exchanging
thoughts with a guy face to face.

... in response to Re: Re: OK...why not?, posted by Ricky on Jan 29, 2005

Kented is right you are mongering! This post shows how big of a moron you are too!  

OH Yeah I have been to Cali and I have friends that have lived in both cities and Ricky is full of stuff that does not smell very nice.  My experinces and everything that I have learned from my friends does not fit with what he is saying?  If you were me Who would you belive a monger or friends that are supportive of your search for the perfect Colombiana for you, and tell you the good and the bad of each city!

This was posted more to get Kented's back he does not deserve to be threatened online!

... in response to Re: Re: OK...why not?, posted by Ricky on Jan 29, 2005

What a punk.

40 years old, and threatening people in a forum.

I thought I'd seen the last of that from the teens in the Yahoo chat forums.

... in response to OK...why not?, posted by Ricky on Jan 28, 2005

[This message has been edited by Dr Aaron]

unless one has substantial income to live a decent lifestyle in Colombia, or for even just visiting Colombia on a vacation, he or she will find that it really isn't that fun of a place to be.

My experiences in Colombia were greatly contigent on my budget at the time. For example, a budget of $70.00 USD a day (after lodging was covered) would permit anyone to do just about anything they would like to do in just about any city they choose to go. However, with way cheaper budgets, Colombia wouldn't be that fun, for gringo or Colombiano.

To me, there's no sense in comparing Colombian cities in terms of which is better for culture, education, economics, infastructure, etc. etc. because the socio-economic ills of Colombia are so wide-spread and pervasive that they are found in all cities of the country. With more income, a person could shield themselve and their family from these drawbacks, but they still would be living among others who are suffering.

I couldn't live in Cali for a second, or just about any Colombian city for that matter. There's too many problems.
Also, I think the influence of the cartels in places like Cali and Medellin has caused people to be sympathetic and passive observers of narco-trafficking and money laundaring, which led to the development of infastructure and economies within these cities. I wouldn't want to raise my children in a city were people have that kind of mindset.

Cartagena is a nice place to visit. Cali is a nice place to visit. Colombia is a nice place to visit in general. However, to live there, gringos that are from middle- to upper-class, white colar American families would find that it is a different reality that would be hard to adjust to.  

Take Care,
Aaron

... in response to Well, Ricky I think....., posted by Dr Aaron on Jan 28, 2005

Aaron your points are right on the money.  As far as
living in Colombia...I agree. I live in Cali approx ten days
each month, Medellin another 8 to 10 days each month,
and lately Lima, Peru.

Your statement on the cartels is somewhat true . . .but
things have changed considerably from the late 80's
when I was stationed in Medellin. We were responsible
for educating the Colombian Federal Police on various
tracking & communications technologies involving drug
trafficking. Compared to then . . .things are considerably
more low key. Sure there will always be a few smaller
cartels, mostly fragments from the older and more
infamous cartels; but the influence they wield in not
even close to what it was in the 80's.

As far as raising children there it's agood place if you
have a Colombian wife. It is important that they know
their culture...which all in all is an excellent one. Why
else do we look for latinas?

... in response to OK...why not?, posted by Ricky on Jan 28, 2005

Since ther are a few miserable "wanna be's" who obviously don't know there way around South America, let alone Colombia; I will expound on my experiences and fill you in."""

Save you come off like an azz clown.  Btw, I live in Colombia, speak fluent Spanish and am much better looking.

So if you need a little teaching I might slap you till you learn some respect,

We can work on chewing with your mouth open next.

... in response to Full of shit........., posted by Heat on Jan 28, 2005

This was a great post, why dwell on the little jest? Ricky was the one attacked, and responded with a positive post.

... in response to Full of shit........., posted by Heat on Jan 28, 2005

Why don't you learn how to spell and use appropriate
grammar first?  

It's always interesting to observe the uneducated
attempting to communicate effectively and come off
looking completely ignorant. You do know what that
means don't you?

... in response to Re: Full of shit........., posted by Ricky on Jan 29, 2005

Come meet me in Cali.  I all buy you a beer. There are a lot of X cops and USMC down here.  If you are X law enforcement you  might relate to us.     No harm intended.  Your post was a bit over the top.  I think you know that.  We just screwing with you.  I thought you were a troll.

... in response to Full of shit........., posted by Heat on Jan 28, 2005

Heat

 If I could give you a star you deserve two with this post!!!!

... in response to arf...., posted by Fuzzyone on Jan 28, 2005

Thanks

... in response to OK...why not?, posted by Ricky on Jan 28, 2005


Did a little reading in the archives tonight.

Quote:
Posted by Ricky on 07/02/2003

"Hey guys,
Been married since February and life is great. Me and my
Calena have adjusted after her being here for 7 months and
things are cookin".

.............

Ricky,

Didn't your past marriage work out?

... in response to Re: OK...why not?, posted by pablo on Jan 28, 2005

.

... in response to Can you spell divorce? n/t, posted by Ricky on Jan 29, 2005


You've gone from married life to boys gone wild! You have to expect some questions/comments.

... in response to OK...why not?, posted by Ricky on Jan 28, 2005

Cartagena was the first city in Colombia I visited 6 years ago.  I used A Foreign Affair at that time.  I enjoyed the city.  I wasn't impressed with the beaches but I was impressed with the scuba diving I did in the Islas del Rosario.  I was impressed with old forts I saw, with the old church on the hill.  I didn't get far away from the touristy part of the city, Boca Grande and the old city, and into the new city where most of the ladies I was meeting lived. I was warned that those were areas to which I should not go alone.  Though Santa Marta / Rodadero, with the Parque Tayrona, is the vacation spot for Colombians, I feel that Cartagena as a bigger city offers more interesting touristy stuff to do than Rodadero.

I found the ladies quite attractive, even if they didn't dress as provacatively as calenas.  I find brown skin more attractive than lilly white skin and there are LOADS of morenas and mulattas in Cartagena.

I would have gone there again, except for the ladies.  I didn't fnd them as serious about finding husbands as the calenas.  Most who I met were looking for boyfriends or just interesting men to talk to.  They were looking for some excitement in their lives, not a life partner.  The calenas I met at Latin-Love and Latin-Internet were much more serious about finding suitable husbands.  I like water and much preferred Cartagena's unimpressive beaches to Cali's no beaches at all.  But I was looking for a wife.

I would go to Cartagena again as a vacation destination except now I find that Brazil has EVERYTHING about Colombia beaten hands down!

... in response to Re: OK...why not?, posted by Brazilophile on Jan 28, 2005

Ray at gringos.com claims Recife is Cali with a beach, but never detailed a trip report, so it remains a mystery. I go to Colombia because I lost $700 after a late visa caused me to miss a flight to Ukraine. United airlines is wonderful.

Is there a problem with Euro-Trash in Brazil?

... in response to Cali with a beach, posted by Thunderstruck on Jan 30, 2005

The answer to your question is an emphatic YES!!!!!  Though not to ignore Americans there is also a problem with Gringo-Trash in Brazil.

On my last trip to Brazil, 3 German guys were using the computer next to me in an Internet cafe.  They spent 20-30 minutes looking at the AdultFriendFinder site and giggling over the pictures.  I discovered that AFF has sites in several languages, they were on the German language site.  I suspect they were searching for AFF members who lived in Brazil.  On another trip I ran into an American who was using Latin Euro as a source of sex tourism material.  

Many Brazilian women whom I met through Latin Euro told me that they have received MANY propositions for "play for pay" from men all around the world but mostly from Europe.

... in response to Re: Cali with a beach, posted by Brazilophile on Jan 30, 2005

Hey Brazilophile,
Did you read my post about the Brazilian airline GOL? You are probably already familiar with it.  I understand that it started in 2001.  I also am curious to know what your feelings are about the women that you met who are members of LatinEuro?  I have viewed that website, and bought a few addresses; but I never received any responses.  I know this topic has come up before, but I am curious about how valid that site is; but I am more curious about the women themselves?  There are several very attractive women on that site.  I just don't know what is for real, and what is not; especially after my poor response from the few I did try to contact.  Also, many of the photos of the women are very sexy!  As you probably know, some of those women don't wear very much.  They seem to want to flaunt their sexuality.  So, it does not surprise me that they get propostioned.  However, I am curious about what the women's response is.  Are they looking for sexual encounters, or do they dress (or undress) that way to simply get the men's attention?  I must admit that many of those women are absolutely stunning!  Well, good luck in your quest.  Right now, I am concentrating on Colombia; but that can always change.  I'm still looking for "Ms Right".

                               OkieMan

... in response to Re: OK...why not?, posted by Brazilophile on Jan 28, 2005

Yeah...I did the the "Pope's" Cathedral on the hill thing
too. It was ok and had a great view...but there was a
cruise ship in port with hundreds of tourists that day.
Guess where they were. Up on the hill too.

I did think that the old fort (armada) in town was pretty
cool; with it's underground jail cells and guard towers.

I'm with you on Brazil. The only thing that sucks is
needing to provide the Brazilian Consulate with your
arrival dates in advance to get the entrance visa. So
much for 'spur of the moment" travel. As far as I know
Brazil is the only country in SA that requires a Visa for
tourists and others.

... in response to Re: Re: OK...why not?, posted by Ricky on Jan 28, 2005

Brazil is the only SA country that reqires a visa for AMERICAN tourists!!!!    Brazil has a treaty with the EU where citizens from EU coutries do not need a tourist visa to visit Brazil.

... in response to Re: OK...why not?, posted by Brazilophile on Jan 28, 2005

I am interested in Brazil but alot of what I have heard lately has not been positive.
If a guy wanted to take 10 days or so where would you recommend going in Brazil to see the best places and meet the best women?Comparisons to Cali are good to put it inperspective.
I like you statement " I prefer Cartagenas unimpressive beaches to Cali's no beaches at all." I have made that complaint about Cali.No beaches.Or even as impressive adjacent mountains as Medellin.

Pete

... in response to Tell  us more about  Brazil, posted by Pete E on Jan 28, 2005

The reason why your question is a difficult one to answer is because Brazil is such a large country with such a variety of landscapes, climates, regional ways of life, races, wealth, and industrial development across it, that suggesting one place to visit will never give a person a good impression of Brazil.

I would suggest a person spend their entire 10 days in one city.  Which city depends on the person and what he wants to do.  If you want to spend your time doing eco-tourism, the North is the place to do it.  Belem, Manaus are two fairly large cities along the Amazon river.  I have not been to either one, though there may be a lister who has been to Manaus.  The North will have mostly Indian looking women.

If more African looking women is your taste, then the Northeast is the place to go.  This is the birthplace of Brazil, the part of the country that was first colonized by the Portuguese, the Dutch, the British, and the French.  Several cities such as Olinda, near Recife, and Salvador have many historical places that reflect the influence of non-Portuguese colonialists.  This is also the area where slaves were used to cultivate sugar cane.  Salvador, and the state of Bahia in general, have large African descent populations, though so do other cities such as Fortaleza, Natal, Jaoa Pessao, Aracaju, and Recife.  Due to the poverty, there is a substantial prostitution trade here.  Lots of German and Italian men do sex tourism in these cities.

The Southeast is the place to go for European looking wmoen and the pastimes of wealthier people.  Rio, Sao Paulo, Curitiba, and Florianapolis are the main cities in this area.  If you are in business, you can find plenty of opportunities here.  Note that due to higher incomes, the cost of living is also higher and serious crime is also higher.  Note that the economic activity in Rio and SP attract people from all over Brazil.  These two cities are VERY cosmopolitan.  SP has more Asians in it than any other city in the world outside of Asia.

The South is supposed to be similar to the Southest except for more natural beauty.  The Central area of Brazil is not heavily populated.  It has tremendous natural beauty.  I have been to Belo Horizonte.  The entire state of Minas Gerais is filled with mountains, lakes, and rivers.  When you get out of the city and see nature close-up, you can really appreciated the untainted, unpolluted beauty of it all.  I found women of all colors in BH.

If you are going to Brazil for the first time and don't mind jumping into the deep end, try Rio.  If you prefer to wade first, try Salvador or Recife in the North, or Florianopolis in the Southeast.

Learning some Portuguese first will increase the enjoyment of your trip many fold.

... in response to Re: Tell  us more about  Brazil, posted by Brazilophile on Jan 29, 2005

I was thinking maybe 3 days in Buenos Aires 3 days in Rio then a few days in the north,Salvador and surrounding cities.I forget the one Bueller likes up there.
I will probably take a Colombiana along.

Pete

... in response to Re: Re: Tell  us more about  Brazil, posted by Pete E on Jan 29, 2005


"I will probably take a Colombiana along."

Survey says......HELL NO!!!

... in response to Tell  us more about  Brazil, posted by Pete E on Jan 28, 2005

Brazil!!, yes most definitely want to visit there.  Any suggetions on where to visit for ten days or so.  I would prefer to visit maybe one or two places and spend a little time in each place rather than spending too much time just traveling and sightseeing.  Any suggestions???  Have heard it is pretty hard without portugees????  

The visa thing had me a little bit intimidated too but found out it was pretty easy.  I got it in Costa Rica, San Jose, and the people there were VERY FRIENDLY and helpful.  Only like a two person office.  I applied in the afternoon of one day and got the visa the next.  They suggested for me to go downstairs to the Continental office and get a "proposed" iternery.  Did not have to buy a ticket or anything.  Just a date to arrive and depart.  Just have to make my first trip within 90 days or will have to apply again.  The visa is for two years.  Any suggestions on where to go would be greatly appreciated.  Would especially like to check out a few beaches.  I have a condo in Cartagena and love it there but also would like to know Brazil, having heard so many good things about it. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!!!

... in response to Tell  us more about  Brazil, posted by Pete E on Jan 28, 2005

[This message has been edited by Dr Aaron]

the capital of the world for beautiful latinas.

Aaron