First Time Travel looking for information

calipro says on Nov 28, 2004, 23:44:

mikeonbongos If you are an american there are no entry requirements to enter colombia. You only need a passport.

I guess I could write a couple of pages here talking about all the hotels and apartments in Cali but why don't you narrow it down a bit and tell us. How long you plan on staying, What kind of a place you are interested in and how much you are willing to pay per day, week, month.

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mikeonbongos says on Nov 29, 2004, 00:47:

I plan on staying a couple weeks, I've seen costs from around $35-$40 a night for decent looking places, that seems reasonable to me.

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michaelz says on Nov 29, 2004, 09:56:

Try the Casa Versailles on 5th Ave N. & Calle 16. Its cheap and convenient for the northern part of town. There is a lot to do nearby but be careful after dark. Taxis only.

Also, Casa del Alferez Ave 9 N. Quiet and very nice, in a safe part of town. Reservations are available on Orbitz.

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calipro says on Nov 29, 2004, 17:39:

Mikeonbongos I'm staying at the Intercontinental for the ferria de cali and I'm paying 73 bucks a night. I usually stay there if I'm not going to be in town more than a couple of weeks.

If I'm going to be in Cali more than two weeks but less than a month I stay at Traveler's suites. They give a discount if you stay 15 days or more so you can get one of there suites which is really a nicely furnished small apartment for $55 a night. It's located in a real nice neighborhood call Juanambu. It's close to many nice restaraunts in Granada. Plus, you can entertain guests in your apartment without a problem from the staff. Nothing like being able to invite a woman to your place and having a drink with her in a living room instead of taking them to just a hotel room and pushing them in bed. Or maybe you prefer the later I don't know.

Anyway if I stay more than a month I usually rent an apartment in the Torres de Granda. It's right across the street from Casa de Cerveza. You can rent a really nice furnished apartment with every thing included for about $500 a month.

Hey Mike,

I got an idea. I have a friend that lives in Cali and rents a penthouse in Juanambu. It's owned by a famous colombian soccer player. I can't remember his name right now but it's a real nice place. The guy who rents it is named Pete E. and he likes to rent rooms to gringos from time to time. The guys that usually stay there are pretty much just interested in dating caleñas. If privacy isn't an issue and you don't mind hanging out with a bunch of international playboys then in could be something to look into. I think he only charges $40 bucks a night. Let me know and I'll give you the contact info.

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marketto says on Nov 29, 2004, 18:28:

cartegena I'll be in cartegena alone on new years 05 touring. Any recommondations where to go taking in the new year and a good quality hotel. Price is not an issue.

marketto

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calipro says on Nov 29, 2004, 19:32:

marketto If price really isn't an issue I would suggest that you skip new years in cartegena alone.

I'll be in Cali starting on the 15th of Dec. showing the guys on the TLC X-mas tour around Cali. You are welcome to join me. If you can't make it before X-mas, I would recommend that you go to www.calivip.com and make reservations to go to their New Year's party if parying with a couple hundred caleñas strikes you as a good time.

Anyway if I don't see you around Merry Chrismas and have a happy New Year.

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mikeonbongos says on Nov 30, 2004, 02:27:

Calipro,
I'd definitely be interested and thanks very much
for the help, you can send me any info at: mikeonbongos at netscape.net

Thanks again,

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Flyinrob13 says on Nov 30, 2004, 17:13:

New Years Whats the deal with Cartagena? I was planning on going there for New Years myself. I have only been to Colombia once, and that was only a quick stop at the Cartagena airport. If I want to spend 2 weeks in Colombia, learn some spanish, and party, what is recommended? It doesnt seem like Cartagena is a good choice after reading several comments on the subject, and so far Cali seems like the best bet. I have heard that Cali is pretty dangerous though. Realizing that all big cities hold potential danger, what is the real deal on Cali? Thanks for any advice that you all can give.

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calipro says on Nov 30, 2004, 18:06:

There is nothing wrong with Cartagena... I just wouldn't recommend going there without a date and expect to hook up with someone. I have gone to Cartagena many times but I never gone there alone.

I prefer the women of Cali to tell you the truth and anytime I travel to any other city in Colombia I always take a caleña with me.

I have been traveling to Cali for ten years and I have never had one problem. Well I can't say I haven't had any confrontations. There are a couple of colombianos that would like to kill me for sleeping with their girlfriends or so they say.

I haven't met to many gringos that have had problems. One that I know of got mugged because he was walking around the street drunk and another one just bit off a little more than he could chew with his aggressive and rude attitude. But this kind of stuff happens in any large city in the world.

Anyway the ferria de Cali is the week between Christmas and New Years and it is just one big party in Cali. There isn't any place I would rather be but if you haven't bought a ticket yet I would hate to think what you are going to have to pay to get one now. You might try buying airfare to Bogota and then buying a connecting flight to Cali once you are there. All the direct flights into Cali from the states are probably sold out or very expensive by now.

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utopiacowboy says on Nov 30, 2004, 18:50:

Just curious, Calipro, have you ever been to Medellin?

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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Flyinrob13 says on Dec 1, 2004, 02:57:

Goin to Cali Thanks for your input. Your advice about Cali sounds great. Youre right about the airfare. I imagine that the hotels are pretty booked up also. I might get lucky though, you never know.

I understand what you mean about the problems that the people you mentioned have had there. Low profile is the way to go.

What makes the women from Cali so different? Looks, attitude, education?

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calipro says on Dec 1, 2004, 04:38:

Flyinrob13 You won't have any problems getting a hotel if it's a really nice hotel. I'm staying at the Intercontinental and I can't remember ever not being able to get a room there. I guess there's a shortage of colombianos willing to pay $75 and up for a hotel room.

Cali women are good looking and they like to dress sexy but really the best part is their attitude, laid back, not the least bit uptight and fun loving. Without a doubt the are the most sociable personable women I have ever met and if they like you, they will make you feel like you died and went to heaven.

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Flyinrob13 says on Dec 1, 2004, 13:56:

Just like a lot of other people here in the US, I started dating on the internet to meet new women in my local area. One day I got bored and started to check out proflies on Match.com of women from other countries. I came across profiles of women from Colombia, and I was very impressed to say the least. Not only are they beautiful, but a lot of them seem well educated, have good values, and seem to have a good head on their shoulders. Is this accurate? Ive read a lot of the postings on this site, and that seems to be the case. I realized that I was limiting my optionis by just trying to date women her at home, and thought that I have got to go and check out Colombia. I started looking up info about Colombia online, and it really is a beautiful country, with a lot of beautiful attractions. All around it seems like a great place to visit. Just as long as I dont get kidnapped...except maybe by the right girl.

Well, thats pretty much my story. Im looking for a cool chick, and if Cali is the place to go, then thats it. Sounds like the weather is better there anyway. I dont like humidity to much.

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Lionheart says on Dec 1, 2004, 14:12:

Sounds like my story I was looking through the various Friend Finder sites and found Amigos.com. After chatting and emailing with many Latinas my choice fell first on Colombia, then Cali .... so next year I am moving to Cali. Since I have found many friends there in the past 2 years I am not very worried about problems ... blend in and be cautious, using common sense, and learning Spanish will get me through.

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Flyinrob13 says on Dec 1, 2004, 14:37:

Movin to Cali Wow, thats a huge step. Awesome. What are you going to do for a job there? Sounds like you have the right attitude.

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utopiacowboy says on Dec 1, 2004, 14:40:

Flyinrob13, if you think there are a lot of Colombianas on match.com you ought to see how many are on amigos.com. The only problem is the ones on match.com or date.com can usually speak English while the ones on amigos.com can't. The reason that they appear to be well-educated is you are getting a skewed sample of the population by looking on the internet. Cali is a good place to go for girls who want to have a good time. Once you're ready to settle down, go to Medellin.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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Flyinrob13 says on Dec 1, 2004, 14:49:

I will take that under advisement Utopia. I guess that I really should just head down and check it all out for myself. Where did you meet your wife?

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utopiacowboy says on Dec 1, 2004, 15:19:

I met her by accident on amigos.com while I was looking for Mexicanas who might live close to me (I live close to the border). Of course she could not speak a word of English.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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Lionheart says on Dec 1, 2004, 16:12:

Flyinrob13 I am pretty flexible concerning work, I am bilingual German/English and can offer private lessons, translation services, multi-lingual computer software work, etc. One friend in Cali is looking into getting me a work visa. If that happens it will be very interesting for the group here as well. A group of lawyers is planning on forming a team for international business and visa issues. They need somebody with North American and European business experience, and somebody to handle international websites for them ... lucky me ... I hope this works out.

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Flyinrob13 says on Dec 1, 2004, 23:21:

Utopia Where do you live? I used to live in Del Rio, Texas, west of San Antonio. I dated a few Mexican girls out there. Nice people.

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Flyinrob13 says on Dec 1, 2004, 23:24:

Lionheart That sounds like a great business opportunity. Good luck with it!

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utopiacowboy says on Dec 2, 2004, 08:36:

At that time I lived out near Garner State Park in the middle of nowhere. More cows and armadillos than single women. I thought I could meet someone from Ciudad Acuna or Piedras Negras or even Monterey.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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Flyinrob13 says on Dec 2, 2004, 12:14:

Utopia I partied a lot in Acuna, and went to Piedras a few times. The girls there were alright, but they would also catch a lot of flack for going out with a gringo. I heard that Monterey was a whole nuther story. I never made it though, because I didnt get the paperwork to drive down there. Im emailing a few girls now from Colombia, so well see how it goes. Any advice?

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utopiacowboy says on Dec 2, 2004, 14:43:

You're right, dude. The Mexicans are not very receptive - I guess there's too much baggage with the US. It sounds as though you do well enough on your own without any advice from us.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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