From her standpoint...

[Hoda]

... in response to From her standpoint..., posted by Cali vet on Sep 8, 2002

Well done, well said, Hamlet!!! I've lived "around" spanish culture all my life. Once my search took me south, I realized it was necessary to "live & learn" more about the culture. The education shouldn't stop once the right lady comes into your life. For you newbies going south, talk about your lifestyle, family, job & neighborhoods to the ladies. I too, have heard of lifestyle conflicts which can "AMP" up the homesickness factor. If you don't live in Rancho Santa Fe, Boca Raton or Gramarcy Park, Don't Fake The Moves!!!!!

Me & my lady constantly talk about the current events in our respective countries. You'll find good & bad everywhere! I want Cali prices here, she wants the US education & infra-structure there..lol! I gotta repeat this, TALK with the ladies about the realities of your life here & your plans for the future. Ask her the same about her life there (Mexico, Colombia, wherever...)& her hopes & dreams for the future.

Ask & answer the hard questions before bringing them here!

[Georgina]

... in response to The sooner a man gets it....., posted by Hoda on Sep 9, 2002

I like it here a lot. I like living in West Seattle. Just 10 minutes from Alki Beach. 20 minutes from downtown.

I have been in other cities in Washington. I like having so many beautiful places to go and show family and friends around.

Contrary to most people believe. It does rain a lot, but is not that bad. And we have had a beatiful and warm summer. I think if you have the one you love around Seattle becomes a very romantic place to live.

The winter is coming and I think how wondeful is gonna be having a cup of hot coffee or chocolate in Starbucks in front of the beach with my husband.

I prefer rain to snow. I don't want to move to a place where it snows the whole winter.

I have accepted the fact that maybe I am not going to have as good friends as I had in Peru, but there are other many things to be thankful to God.

Most people in South America think Americans work everyday of the week and they don't know what is to have fun. I don't know how it is in other places of the United States, but here it seems people have time to enjoy family and friends.

My husband and I and our little one. Oh. I forgot. We have a 7 month-old baby now. We always go to some place during the weekend. We don't spend our weekends in front of the TV.

It was hard in the beggining. You know, once the novelty wears off, I got deppressed and missed my family and friends. I won't say I have overcome the fact that I miss family and friends, but if I have to choose. So far, I choose living here with all its bad and good things.

[Wayne1]

... in response to The sooner a man gets it....., posted by Hoda on Sep 9, 2002

N/t

[Cali vet]

... in response to The sooner a man gets it....., posted by Hoda on Sep 9, 2002

True, true. I don't think the importence of being sensitive to her culture, learning (at least some of) her native language and understanding her need to see her family can be overstated. You put it in a nutshell when you point out these are "cross-cultural relationships".

I see my friends words also as something of an advisory to chicas, that they should try to think beyond the suger-coated imagery of the happy (and wealthy) Colombian in Miami, an imagery they seem to love to cling to, and look deeper into the realities of non-latino US culture where as wives of gringos they're far more likely to end up. I admit to venting a peeve here.

[AlexG32]

... in response to From her standpoint..., posted by Cali vet on Sep 8, 2002

Great point!  I keep in contact with several Colombian ladies who ALL express the same sentiment.  I don't share this with anyone because knowing how SOME are on this board the backlash is not worth it!!!