Date at the Airport

[elcolombiano]

I have a bunch of phone numbers of ladies that I chose off the LWC web site. Should I call one of them up to have the Taxi driver pick up on the way to picking me up at the airport.  I feel ackward having a date in a taxi and then bringing her to my apartment when I do not even know her. Should I have her acompany me to the apartment, drop my bags off and take her out to eat something. My plane arrives at 8:24PM Thursday night in Cali.

[denvermike]

... in response to Date at the Airport, posted by elcolombiano on Nov 17, 2002

Hi,

I can understand the concerns of the other guys, but you might want to consider the fact the you have a limited time in Cali, why waste a night?  Pick one out and you can tell on the first night if you have any future interest in her or not.  Also understand that attraction goes both ways, she may not have any interest in you after you meet also.

Go there to have fun and enjoy the wonderful Colombian culture and meet as many ladies as you can. Come back with no less than three possibilites is my advice.

We all have dreams of finding the "one", but the odds are not in your favor to find her right away.  It normally takes time and a little experience to figure which one is right for you.  Love at first sight can get you into trouble. You can't base a relationship based solely on looks (I still have a problem with that!).

Be super careful, it is easy to jump off the deep end at the first good looking younger woman who shows you attention that you have never had before.

Also remember that if she is probably checking out more than one gringo too.

Best of luck and have a great time,
mike

[elcolombiano]

... in response to Re: Date at the Airport, posted by denvermike on Nov 18, 2002

Denver Mike,

Thanks for the advice. I will try to not to go off the deep end for the one that is young and pretty and shows attention to me but is not the right one. Hopefully I am not blinded by lust.

[Pete E]

... in response to Date at the Airport, posted by elcolombiano on Nov 17, 2002

Your not going to clear the airport untill 9.00-9.15,you will get to Cali about 9.30-10.00.I would just cool it the first night but if you really want to see someone that night tell them you will call when you get to your room and pick them up and take them to a restaurant.
Meeting you at the airport is for a girl you already have a relationship with.
Also, its a week night and if she works its to late to meet her.

Pete

[elcolombiano]

... in response to Re: Date at the Airport, posted by Pete E on Nov 18, 2002

You are right. Thanks for the advice.

[Hiker]

... in response to Date at the Airport, posted by elcolombiano on Nov 17, 2002

Don't do it.  Don't even consider it.  I did this and regreted it very much.  You are making a big statement by her meeting you at the airport.  Make your trip with all your possibilities wide open.

[wizard]

... in response to Date at the Airport, posted by elcolombiano on Nov 17, 2002

This backfired on me during my first trip to Cali... I had arranged for my favorite girl to meet me at the airport upon my arrival... My flight was delayed leaving Miami by two hours... By the time we arrived in Cali, went through customs and filed paperwork for lost baggage, I was three hours late leaving the terminal... She was still there waiting but lets just say that the charm of a first meeting had lost it's luster... We never did recover from these circumstances which were beyond our control... Sad, but true...

You will be a bit ragged out after traveling, being in a new city and adjusting to the environment... My advice is to get to Cali, go to your hotel, settle in, get a good nights rest and then begin your quest in ernest the following day...

If this is your first trip to Cali don't get your hopes too high... Follow the advice offered by others, that is meet many women, see the sites, enjoy the culture and have a good time... Don't pressure yourself into making rash decisions based on the time-line of your visit... It took you this long to get off the fence, don't feel like you HAVE to match on the first trip...

My 2 cents...

wizard

[Aaron]

... in response to Date at the Airport, posted by elcolombiano on Nov 17, 2002

Colombiano,

I wouldn't do this. From my experience, sometimes the photos and profiles on the agency websites do not totally depict reality of the women in many respects. This is not generally the case, but it happens sometimes. So, if I were in your shoes, I wouldn't want to waste precious time going out with someone who may not strike my interests.

The taxi is a good thing. Speak Spanish and if he asks you if you live in Colombia, say YES; that you just came in on a flight from another Colombian city. Don't give the driver any idea that you just flown in from the USA. Have your destination address written down, and know it by heart. Taxi drivers, if they think you have money, will either over charge you, or "accidentally get lost" and drive you around in cicles to make more money.

As for the ladies. First, I would check-in at the hotel. Take a shower, and freshing-up. Have the woman meet you at the hotel, after you check-in, then you two can take off in the same taxi that she arrived in. If she doesn't meet your expectations, just take her to a simple place to eat or whatever, talk a little and call it a night. The other thing is that most agency women expect for the man to pay for their taxi fares in order to show up for the date, and to return home after the date is over. So, at the end of the date, don't be surprised if she expects you to pay for her taxi.

The final detail, and this has happened to others, it almost happened to me, keep $100.00 USD in cash on you at the time of departure from the airport, and show up early.
The reason why I say this is because the Colombian police have stepped up security precautions for drug mules, and they are requiring for many travellers to take stomach x-rays at the time of departure. Last time, they wanted me to take x-rays but I refused, and told them I would contact the US embassy if forced to do so. They let me go. When I got back to the USA, I called the Colombian emabassy in DC, they said that I should take the x-rays and not to worry. So, I advise the same for anyone else. However, the Colombian police REQUIRE THAT THE TRAVELLER MUST PAY FOR THE X-RAYS, WHICH COULD BE BETWEEN $40.00 TO $100.00 USD. Also, someone told me that for the x-rays, it's likely that the Colombian police will require to accompany you to Palmiera to the hopital.

Just keep this in mind.

Aaron

[lswote]

... in response to Date at the Airport, posted by elcolombiano on Nov 17, 2002

If someone is special I would say it is okay to have her meet you, but realize you are asking someone you have never met to stand around outside the airport looking for someone she has only seen pictures of.  And the time it takes to go through customs and immigration is not something you can be sure about so she is not going to be sure exactly when you will come popping outside the airport.  It is a bit much to ask from someone you are just meeting.  My fiancee waited an hour for me outside the airport Friday night on a chilly Bogota night since my plane was late in arriving (there is no indoor waiting area for international arrivals in Bogota).

I would suggest instead, you check into your hotel and then either meet her at HER home/apartment or at a nice restaurant she knows and is comfortable with.

[El Diablo]

... in response to Date at the Airport, posted by elcolombiano on Nov 17, 2002

You sound like a guy who is going to Colombia for the first time and obsessing on every fine detail.  Relax, have a good time and use your intuition on a lot of these details.  I wouldn't be too concerned about a girl returning to your apartment but make sure the girl you ask isn't a flake and actually shows up at the airport.  Anyway, you can always take a cab yourself.  It's not necessary to call before hand as they'll be waiting in droves outside as you leave custums.  A one way taxi drive in to Cali shouldn't be more than 20 to 25 thousand pesos.

El Diablo