Bogota (contd.)

[wizard]

The rest of this story is going to sound more like a travel log than a trip report since I have matched, but there is some good information to share nonetheless... Observations... For those who have found happiness in Cali, more power to you... For those who are still searching in Cali, Baranquilla, Cartegena, etc, more power to you... I hope you all find what you are looking for... But let's look at the numbers... Cali has 2.5 million people and a dozen or more agencies... Bogota has nearly 8 million people and 2 agencies... You do the math... I think your odds to find someone are much better Bogota than in the other Colombian cities... My opinion, use it as you wish...

I actually slept well last night after finally adjusting to the altitude, or was it the alcohol poisoning... My biological clock had finally switched into vacation mode so I slept till 9:00am... Once up, I did the 5S thing, then went to the agency to call my novia and plan the day...

As I entered the agency, I am whisked into the meeting area where there is a breakfast buffett... Opps, I had forgotten that there was a breakfast meeting this morning... I had hoped to just slip in, use the phone and grab a taxi... Well, I was hungry and the ladies were here to meet the norte americanos after all... hehehe... So I obliged them... Just like the evening parties, this one had 20 - 25 ladies and all the men that could drag in from the night before... Every party or get together always had a different group of ladies that are invited by the agency... After a pleasant breakfast, I manage to slip out and use the telephone to call my novia...

I wanted to do some shopping so we got a taxi and head to Zona Rosa... Besides the Santa Barbara mall, the two other upscale malls in the north end of town are Andino and Atlantis, both located in the heart of Zona Rosa... As we wander through Andino, I can't help but think I'm in the US... Same stores, same fast food, same music, same traffic... The giveaway was the women... Just like ChipiChapi in Cali, this is the spot in Bogota... It was all I could do to stay focused on my novia and not get caught doing the man thing... You know, drooling on my shoes as I gawk at the women... I rally all my hormones and stay focused on my novia... Actually it wasn't too hard as we were really into each other at this point... Now comes another one of the highlights of my trip... We wander past this boutique that has ladies jeans in the window... My novia does a double take but keeps on walking... I ask her if she saw something that she liked and she says si... I steer her back into the store and the fun begins... For the next 30 minutes I become the judge in the "best looking pair of jeans" contest as my novia tries on one pair after another, modeling each pair for me... First the small pair, then the smaller pair... Oh My God... Now, being a devout leg and ass man, I have truly died and gone to heaven... We finally settle on the smaller pair and check out... Best money I ever spent... hehehe... My novia asks why I have such a big smile on my face and I say, "Oh, no reason"...

General Observation: Credit Card processing fees in Colombia are outrageous... We're talking about 10 percent processing fee, plus the 16 percent sales tax ... That's 26 percent of the total purchase... Yikes... My advice, always carry pesos... ATM machines are everywhere and if you use a debit card there is only the minimum $1.50 transaction processing fee, instead of the exorbitant credit card processing fees... Just my observation...

Now, I'm a sucker for a good rack of ribs... And the best commercial chain I have found in the US is Tony Roma's... Nothing like a rack of Tony Roma ribs and a loaf of onion rings... Well, there was a Tony Roma's in Andino mall, imagine that... Too bad we had just eaten or I would be in hog heaven... Actually, hog heaven is next... We wander out of Andino mall and onto the next Calle where we find the one and only Harley Davidson store in all of Colombia... Pretty cool actually... This place was on my list of places to visit as I wanted to buy some Harley Davidson - Bogota T-shirts for some "scooter trash" buddies at home... I'm sure they will get a kick out of them...

After a leisurely afternoon, we head back to Charlie's Place in the early evening... LAI is throwing a Thanksgiving dinner tonight for the group... Interesting as Thanksgiving is a US holiday that is not celebrated in Colombia... We have a couple hours to kill before the event so we sit and talk about everything from family, expectations, our history and how we came to where were are... When in a time-compressed situation such as we were, it is important to have the tough conversations up front... You really don't have time to be coy and dance around issues... Put your cards on the table and let the chips fall where they may... My novia appreciated this and responded in kind... She was attracted to the fact the I was serious with my questions and conversation... It's showed her that I was not merely another gringo who was looking for a good time... Another good sign... Now, don't get the impression that there are  wedding bells in the near future as we are both pragmatist and very realistic about where we are... We want to pursue our relationship and we both know that this will take time... Neither one of us wants to make a mistake...

The Thanksgiving dinner was excellent, with roast Turkey, stuffing and all the fixings... There were a few key ingredients missing, but hey, LAI did a great job... This was another of the scheduled events that had 25 - 30 new ladies and all the gringos in attendance... Many of the gringos had already matched and had their new novias at the dinner, myself included... Prior to the meal, a member of our group stood and explained the history and purpose of the Thanksgiving holiday to all the ladies in attendance... Many of the ladies found it interesting that in the US we set aside 1 day per year to be thankful for the blessings bestowed upon us... There were a few ladies in attendance that I had citas with early in my trip... In fact, two were seated at our table... I felt a little uncomfortable until one of these girls leaned over and congratulated my novia on finding someone she is happy with and said that we look very happy together... Wow, can you imagine that ever happening in the US, NOT!!!

As the dinner winds down, we see our chance to make a break for the door... We grab a taxi back down to Zona Rosa to go clubbing... I love to dance and so does my girl, so we head for a club called Mr. Babbillo... This is a salsa/disco dance club that was very, very nice... We get there early enough to get seats at the bar and stake our claim... Muy importante... We order some drinks and let the night unfold... First thing I notice that if this is a dance club, where is the dance floor??? My novia says not to worry, I will see... At first we dance in the isles between the tables until it becomes too crowded... We then start dancing on the tables... When they become too full, we're up on the bar dancing as the bar tenders are serving drinks between our legs... The whole place is alive with a mix of US top 40, salsa and techno music.... I'm not even going to mention the women that were in the club...  This has to be one of the best clubs I have been in anywhere on the planet!!!

After dancing our asses off for hours, we leave the club in search of FOOD... We find a little bistro in the zone and have a late supper of baby beef... Outrageous... At about 4:00am I drop my novia off at her apartment and head back to the hotel...

Another wonderful day...

More Later...

wizard

[Pete E]

... in response to Bogota (contd.), posted by wizard on Dec 9, 2002

You mention the population of Bogota and the number of agencies and presume that the larger population means there will be more women available in Bogota.Well,perhaps there are,but how do you find them?The agency is the prime source and there are many more agencies and women on the books in Cali,not even close.So in terms of available women easily found,as in agencies,its Cali no contest.There are maybe 4 or 5 major agencies in Cali and maybe 5 or 6 others.There are probably 5000+ women on the books.Also,even though it is the latina hunting grounds of the world,there are not very many foriegn guys there at any one time.Most agencies won't have over 4 or 5 looking at any one time.Maybe 30 foriegn guys in all of Cali searching agencies at one time vs 5000+ women.Thats approaching 200 to one odds.
Also a recent story from the major agency in Bogota had like 38 or so  guys at that one agency at one time.Thats more than in all of Cali,and even if they have 1000 girls(its probably more like 400)the odds are way worse.
Another factor is the age of the girls that show up in Bogota.It sounds like late 30's women getting lots of action.They would be virtually ignored in Cali.Too many much younger ones available.
So its not population,if it were Mexico City would be the place to go.Its readily available women.Its Cali by a long shot.Not even remotely close.
Now that being said Bogota can also be a good choice,not because of the numbers but because the ladies are older,speak more english and are more proffesional.For some guys looking for this it may be the place to go.
But if you want to be totally blown away by the number and quality(as in looks) of women Cali is the place for that experience.

Pete

[DallasSteve2]

... in response to Re: Bogota (contd.), posted by Pete E on Dec 11, 2002

Pete

You make some valid observations about Cali and Bogota.  I think the men should also know that while the numbers are overwhelming in Cali, they will also have a very good ratio in Bogota.  More than enough for a decent man to find a desirable wife.

Still, I prefer the women and the weather in Cali.

Another issue not raised is the cost of agencies.  Based on the thread above discussing LAI, in Bogota, and what I know of agency costs in Cali, I'm inclined to assume that agencies are much more expensive in Bogota.  

Am I wrong?  It seems to me the costs should be about the same in both cities.  Maybe competition in Cali is reducing the cost at the same time that it's offering more women.

Steve

[Pete E]

... in response to Bogota vs. Cali, costwise?, posted by DallasSteve2 on Dec 11, 2002

Steve,
Your right,its the competition.It wasn't too long ago that  Ed Beckwith was hitting suckers $1000 a pop to go to the now defunct Latin Connections.And I think Latin Life Mates still finds an occasional dupe to charge $1000 to send to
Luz Amparo at Latin Best.
I think the main guy we can thank is Bud who started Latin Love.No fee at all to join,just pay for the room and board.
It was a great idea but guys started getting cheap and not wanting to pay enough to make the concept fly,at least with the Mansion that Bud used for the agency.I think the reason is the other method gets the money up front.If you are making it per night guys will start looking around for cheaper options.I loved the Crystal Palace,the old home of Latin Love.But after 21 days there at $100 a night even I was thinking I could do better with a hotel.Of course once you meet the woman you don't need the agency.I know,someone just did the math and said"you paid $2100 and you are calling guys who paid $1000 suckers?".It was worth it and I didn't start out a $1000 in the hole just to get in the door.I met my wife in 4 days but stayed around for the fun of it,talking to the guys,hanging around the pool waiting for my wife to get off work.It was kind of a magic place for me.I had viewed it on the internet and then it was like I just stepped in to the picture.It was just like I thought it would be,the place,the girls.I had to pinch myself to try and wake up.Its an experience I will never forget.And I thank Bud for the pep talk to get off my butt and go.I had been thinking about it,on the fence or waiting for the right time,and after talking to Bud the time was now.Think about it newby guy,next week this time you could be in the tropics with more beautifull girls interested in you than you know what to do with.Got something better going?I would probably try Latin Internet for the next closest thing to the now  defunct Crystal Palace.

Pete

[DallasSteve2]

... in response to Re: Bogota vs. Cali, costwise?, posted by Pete E on Dec 12, 2002

Pete

The Crystal Palace was before my time, but I spent a few days at the Villa Princesa, Latin Internet.  I liked the facility a lot, but I felt the selection of women was a little weak and I had a lot of no-shows on appointments.  I think that's because it's located a long way from most of the women.  Still, I met my wife there.

Later, I switched to Ricardo's All Colombian Girls and had almost no no-shows, the cost was a little less, he allows girls in the bedrooms (which was important to me), and while it doesn't have the pool and landscaping, it's a very beautiful place in a nice area.

Steve

[Pete E]

... in response to Villa Princesa, posted by DallasSteve2 on Dec 12, 2002

Steve,
Actually I never went in the pool,it was just a nice setting,so probably Recardos would be a good choice now.I just recently saw Recardo speaks no english?I guess he has staff that does.I always thought the no girls in the room was a little silly although I can see that it could create a problem if it caused a bad reputation,which is not neccesarily so if guys are a little discrete.There probably are advantages to the north.I mostly spent my time in the south,Ciudad Jardine,which is nice but along way from most of the girls and the action.

Pete

[DallasSteve2]

... in response to Re: Villa Princesa, posted by Pete E on Dec 12, 2002

I think I saw that post saying that Ricardo speaks no English, but that's not true.  He spoke to me on occasion in English, but his English is still weak.  He asked me to construct an email in English for him while I was there.  I think he likes to practice English with the gringos when we are there.  Most of the time we spoke in Spanish.

Steve

[DallasSteve2]

... in response to Bogota (contd.), posted by wizard on Dec 9, 2002

You wrote that Bogota has two agencies.  I think there are many more.  There may only be two listed here on Planet-Love, but I used two other small agencies while I was in Bogota.  I don't know if Patrick will delete this but here is a link to one I used:

http://www.ladiesandgentlemen.8m.com/

The other one was affiliated with South of the Border and they may know of other agencies in Bogota as well.

If you search on Yahoo you can probably find many more.  If you look in a Bogota phone book, still more.

I'm not arguing with your overall point, I just want newbies to know that there are many agencies in Bogota.  

And I would still argue that per capita there are more women in Cali in agencies.  Perhaps a more important factor would be the ratio of travelling gringos to agency members in each city.  I wouldn't know how to estimate that.  But for me I like the weather and the city better in Cali, and the women.

Steve

[wizard]

... in response to Bogota, posted by DallasSteve2 on Dec 10, 2002

Thanks Steve...

My only point of reference on the number of agencies in Bogota is a web search I did some time ago... You're probably right in that there are more than two, but that's all I found at the time of my search... I was looking for a true brick & mortar agency too... Plus, I like to stick to those agencies that have some track record I can check via references or posts to forums such as PL...

Cali most definitely has more ladies listed than in Bogota... My only point was that based on population alone there are more available ladies in Bogota...

I like each city for it's own atmosphere... I just feel more comfortable in Bogota than in Cali... Yeah, who doesn't like going down to la Avenida Sexta... But as someone else posted a while back, after Chipi Chapi, Sexta and a handful of other attractions, there's not much else in Cali... I found much more to do in the form of entertainment in Bogota...

I have heard a number bantered around that approximately 70 percent of male travelers going to Colombia wind up in Cali... It is known as the meca of the MOB world in LA... I like Cali but just did not find what I was looking for there...

Of course I do not profess to be an expert on either city... Merely making observations based on my own experience...

wizard

[DavidMN]

... in response to Re: Bogota, posted by wizard on Dec 10, 2002

I'm guessing here but you're probably considering LAI and LLM the two "main" brick and mortar agencies.  Steve mentioned another one and then there's ODEE and also Latin Match, which I think is the one associated with South of the Border (SOTB).

Oh, and what's the fifth "S" when you get up in the morning...I know s**t, shower, shave, scratch  

That's kind of like the "P to the 7th" (power) saying: prior proper planning prevents p**s poor performance.  

[wizard]

... in response to Re: Re: Bogota, posted by DavidMN on Dec 10, 2002

s**t, SHINE, shave, shower, shampoo... lol...

You guys are right... After doing a little searching tonight I have found a few other agencies in Bogota...

[outwest77]

... in response to Bogota (contd.), posted by wizard on Dec 9, 2002

And i wish your choice leads to much future happiness,
Wouldnt it be nice if she turns out to be the one.

[gmello]

... in response to Bogota (contd.), posted by wizard on Dec 9, 2002

what the web addrerss to the agency youre with now in bogato

[wizard]

... in response to Re: Bogota (contd.), posted by gmello on Dec 9, 2002

They are listed in the agency section on this site...

www.latinintro.com

wizard

[markxport]

... in response to Re: Bogota (contd.), posted by gmello on Dec 9, 2002

www.latinintro.com

sorry Patrick if this is breaking any rules

Take care,

Mark