6-month update it's all good

[JeffA]

Luisa and I have been getting used to one another ( in other words, we're still happily married, even though we live in the middle 0' nowhere, Alabama), and I am feeling a little envious of you viajeros.  I'm ready to head to Manizales for the summer, but Luisa wants to stay here, and head down at Christmas, or for 1-2 months next summer.

So... for y'all heading south, be safe, and if you're in Colombia, drink some Poker and play some tejo for me... looks like I'm stukc watching noticias Caracol and portal de las mascotas for my S.A. fix...

ALso, hello again, and sorry I haven't written anything since February, but since December and Luisa's arrival, things have been busy.

I have learned some things, though, for y'all with novias, or anticipation--

1. No matter how much you clean your house, it isn't good enough. I'm classified as a baby with mustache when it comes to cleaning

2. I didn't know how inexpensive a knick-knack or a brickabrack was, or how costly a lot of them can be.

3. Good tasting barbecue and home made bread (I cook these for Luisa) do a lot to end disagreements

4. I also realize that a lot of fears I had about marriage and about her adjustment were baseless. In my case, I married someone special, and what I get is more than I give-- and I try to give completely!

Oh well-- just some ramblings.  Greeting again, y'all

[Darkstar]

... in response to 6-month update it's all good, posted by JeffA on May 9, 2002

Hi Jeff,

I'm in Alabama too. Mobile to be exact. Where you at? I'm been in the hunt about a year now--I've been to Cali once and I'm most likely going to Barranquilla this August. Any advise would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Tim.

[JeffA]

... in response to Re: 6-month update it's all good, posted by Darkstar on May 9, 2002

hey, I tried to send you a message, but the email didn't go through... I'm near tuscaloosa, in rural west alabama. I read your profile, and I think you should plan trip two-- if you ask me, it's worth it!

Jeff

[Darkstar]

... in response to can't get through to your email, posted by JeffA on May 9, 2002

Hi Jeff,

Here's my e-mail address. Thanks!

Tim.

nelsont@spawar.navy.mil

[Cali vet]

... in response to Re: 6-month update it's all good, posted by Darkstar on May 9, 2002

There are two viable agencies in B/q at the moment. The best by far in my opinion is Bob and Maria Del Carmens Franks' classycolombianladies.com. The other is barranquillabeauties. They are located near Bob and Maria's. Check the websites for address/phone info. I visited Bob and Maria Del Carmen last week to introduce them to my novia. For those who know them Bob has a new plant management job in B/q he's excited about.

[JeffA]

... in response to Re: 6-month update it's all good, posted by Darkstar on May 9, 2002

n/t

[Cali vet]

... in response to 6-month update it's all good, posted by JeffA on May 9, 2002

Good going Jeff, sounds like some good advise for those of us with novias. Did she ever say cochino? Anyway congrats. By the way I spent a week in Manizales once.

[JeffA]

... in response to Re: 6-month update it's all good, posted by Cali vet on May 9, 2002

she said it with her eyes and body language, vet, and probably in  the phone calls in private to her mom!  Now she talks to her mom with me in the room, so I can say hello, so that's a good thing, I think-- i've become trainable;-)

On another note, your recent trip sounds wonderful. Is that the island where English, or some mix of english and spanish is spoken?  I have heard of one Colombian island where more English is spoken than Spanish-- I'm fluent in spanish, so not an issue for me, but I look gringo, can't help it.

Luisa doesn't want to spend two straight months in her parents house, and we've started talking about 1-2 weeks in Cartagena and/or santa marta (I think that's the island Luisa wants us to see). I wouldn't mind 4-5 days in cartagena, but I get tired of being offered fruit, wigs, emeralds, and everything else at gringo prices after a few days.

My thought is to see antiochia and the mountains, a trip to Cali, and so forth if we go on the summer. If we go in December/January, it's probably all manizales for the feria.

What are your thoughts, Cali vet? you've spent a lot more time there than I have.

Thanks.

[Cali vet]

... in response to Re: Re: with the eyes, cali vet, posted by JeffA on May 9, 2002

Jeff I know nothing about Antioqia and haven't been to Medellin but isn't that region caliente right now? I think there are safer areas. The most fun I had in Manizales was making the trip up to El Nevado de Ruiz though I understand from a friend who visited this year that a lot of the snow has melted since I was there in '97 due to global warming. I'd like to do some backpacking up there and I think it could be done if you got up to the minute info from the guardabosques.

I've been to Cartagena three times and once was plenty. If I had to spend two or three days in a row there I'd go nuts from the heat, boredom and the pain in the ass venders. Some have touted Islas Rosarios near Cartagena but a friend who went told me it was a waist of time. On the north coast the fishing village of Taganga next to Santa Marta is supposed to be great and offer the cheapest diving in the world (hearsay from other travelers). I enjoyed Arrecife in Parque Tayrona another 45 minutes past Santa Marta on the way to Riohacha (east). Cabanas on the beach for $15 or covered hammocks for $4. Great fish, beach and lots of jungle hiking options.

Back to Providencia, yes they speak a Jamiacan style patois and do a good job with straight English. The whole island is biligual.

[JeffA]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: with the eyes, cali vet, posted by Cali vet on May 9, 2002

but we have family there. I wouldn't drive between manizales and medellin on a dollars to pesos bet. When in Manizales, did you visit the termales de oton~o? it's toward the mountains, about 300 meters lower than manizales, and has caban~as and motel rooms. During the week and on Sunday nights, it's not crowded, but Friday and saturday buses from Cali bring a lotr of folks. I thought about renting a room there last year for a month or so with alimentaciones-- i can't remember the price, though. I though tit cheap, Luisa thought it was ridiculous.

But I have heard that the hiking there is secure, or it was last year, and foreign visitors are so rare they're a novelty. It is a beautiful area.

I hope antiochia becomes visitable soon-- I do want to meet relatives and see the area.

[Cali vet]

... in response to caliente, yes, posted by JeffA on May 9, 2002

Hmmm...the only termales I went to were on the way up to El Nevado but if the area around Manizales is reasonably secure it would sure provide some beautifull hiking. Anyhow on price; listen to Luisa. You don't want to encourage gringo inspired price gouging!