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Trip Report to Cali

Warning: If this too long or boring do not read it. I apologize for poor grammar or spelling in advance. Here is a summary on my third trip to Colombia. It is more about my relationship than about Cali, so do not expect good tourist tips, though I did stay at two different hotels.

Day 1: Travel.
Even though Avianca states that passengers must arrive three hours prior to flight, they were not open when I arrived but did open at 2.5 hours prior. Oh well, it guess it wasn’t important to cut out from my work a little early. Big question in my mind is if I will make the 59 minute connection in Bogota for my Cali flight. Flight to Bogota seems to have more gringos than usual, maybe for the weekend of Amor y Amistad. The guy (late 20s) I sit next to on the plane has been doing the long distance relationship thing for 3+ years and will be married soon. Bogota is not crowded when I arrive (compared to the zoo it was another time). With Avianca representatives escorting me and a few others for connecting flights, we all make the connections. However, my connection is delayed for one hour anyway. Avianca did help make the connection and I even cut in line a couple of times. I think it is appropriate now to say I am really thankful for Avianca, I left my suit jacket in the terminal in the US and was able to get it back from Avianca when I returned five days later. Thank you, Avianca. Final props to Avianca for having a great free movie selection on the individual TVs. I got in late to Cali to see my girlfriend waiting outside the glass window. We go to her house and talk until 4:00 am. I sleep in separate room first night since she lives with family.

Day 2:
No recollection of day other than playing with lots of kids. Meet the family night featuring El Gringo. Jajaja. We go out to dinner with her fours sisters and two of their husbands (8 total). Nice dinner, good conversation, gringo treats (but I had said in advance I would treat her family to dinner one night). Around 220 mil for eight. Food was really good, I had salmon covered with some type of cream sauce filled with shrimp. The restaurant also had a Mariachi band. I remember that much of the day was spent waiting around for one thing or another. I am not used to eating at 10:00 pm at night. It was nice to meet all of her family and here many different stories. After dinner, my girlfriend had a surprise and we go to the Kiss-Me Motel. Very interesting décor with animals and kind of a jungle theme. I am impressed she reserved an awesome room and she had already paid. There were rose petals and balloons all over the room. She wrote Te AMO is rose petals on the bed. She also had two bottle of champagne waiting in the room. The room had a Jacuzzi, a steam room, a swing, a pole, some kind of special chair. It was a special night.

Day 3:
We go to a waterpark in the day and it was really fun. At night I go out with my girlfriend, her two kids and her mom to Lenos Y Carbon. Food was good and reasonably priced. This night I am upgraded to sleep in her bedroom with her and her 6-year old daughter. I have two of my own kids (scary thought – I know) and do get along very well with her kids.

Day 4:
Amor y Amistad Day. Our plan was to spend all day and night alone and get a nice hotel in the evening. Well we escaped the family and kids by dinner and got a room at the Dann Carlton Hotel in downtown Cali. First place, I heard a little English since I had been in Cali. Very nice hotel and not a terrible price ($90 or 180 mil pesos) for last minute check-in on a Holiday. We didn’t make it to dinner until really late since we talked a lot in the room and relaxed at the hotel. We went to a nice restaurant in Granados and ate outside. I have a great meal with crabmeat. We didn’t finish eating until around 1:00 am and decided to go back to hotel. I wanted to go dancing but since it was a little late I was agreeable to getting back to the hotel.

Day 5 & 6
In the morning, the free buffet breakfast at the hotel was really good and it was nice to be alone for breakfast. As usual, I enjoy the variety of fresh juices. We leave the hotel around noon. We were invited for a lunch get together at her sister’s house during the day. I get to look at lots of old family photos. In the evening we go out for dessert at Waffles and Crepes with her two kids. I remember because we were laughing and joking the entire time. Then at around 11:00 pm, we got to different sister’s house because I had not yet met her sisters’ husband. I really enjoyed meeting him and he insisted I have several beers. We stayed until around 3:00 am, I had to leave to go to the airport at 4:00 am for my 6:00 am flight. No sleep this night, no problem since it was the last night. Note they laughed at me when I told then Aviance told be to arrive at the airport 3 hours prior. We arrive at the airport at 4:30 am and the Avianca counter was not yet open. God bless them though.

On another note, my girlfriend lives is Estrata 2 or 3, I am not really sure and do not really care. She doesn’t believe it is safe for me to go anywhere by myself. Her family is very protective of me. I trust their judgement regarding safety and I am appreciative.

Relationship update:
We talk every night on phone or using the g-mail webcam and she sends me several e-mails daily. (As a note: I am 37 and she is almost 31) I do pay for her to take English classes as we always speak in Spanish. (Note to cynics: That is all I pay for). We have a lot in common and we have many differences. We both have learned much about each other since June. Time passes so fast when we talk. I broke off relationships with a couple of female friends after I met my girlfriend in June. It is hard with the distance, but I am always really busy as I work long hours, have two kids, swim daily, do yoga and many other things (including now a weekly salsa class (motivated by comments from Desi on an old post) and checking out pbh) so my life goes on… Quick shout out to Gator, I have never talked to you, but your willingness to patiently share your knowledge is awesome. Back to me: I am happy now do try no to think too much of the future. Who knows what life holds but again I am happy now it that is what matters to me. I believe I have met a very wonderful individual who happens to live in Cali. I know I am going down to Cali for Thanksgiving to watch my girlfriend’s turkey cooking experiment.

By lefty13 on Nov 4, 2009, 13:26 in Friendly Talkzone.

lefty13 says on Nov 4, 2009, 13:28:

Remember, please be nice as I am only sharing my experiences.

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thepieman says on Nov 4, 2009, 13:44:

Best of luck to the both of you.. im glad you enjoyed your trip and i bet you wont be there 3 hours early next time..

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NataliaV says on Nov 4, 2009, 13:45:

Enjoyed reading your post!

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davidyamiga says on Nov 4, 2009, 13:46:

Lefty...you Colombiana is going to cook turkey? Just a reminder that Thanksgiving is a US holiday. Am glad that you had a good time and wish you the best for both of you.

Otra vez en casa...Cali!

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lefty13 says on Nov 4, 2009, 14:03:

Thanks Greg, Pieman, Natalia and David for positve comments.
David you are a good guy (based on reading several of your prior comments).
Greg, Avianca was really a pleasant experience if you played any part in creating this experience. Kudos to you!
Pieman, Learning to dance the salsa is tough (but fun so far)
Natalia, It is nice to know a female reading this report enjoyed it. My biggest fear is one day my girlfriend will read all my posts and be upset that I shared some of our experiences in a public forum.

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thepieman says on Nov 4, 2009, 14:13:

I got escorted through bogota also with avianca for my flight to medellin with 1 hour connection..they also got me out of the long queue for gate security at el dorado on the way back

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lefty13 says on Nov 4, 2009, 14:27:

I believe the water park admission was 10 mil for adults and 6 mil for children. This also included 5 amusement park rides (you never get too old for the bumper cars). Plenty of shade. Park included a wave pool and many water slides and pools. My only complaint is for the lunch we bought at the park that the food was of poor quality (I could not chew the meat). :-).

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Paisa/Calena/Luver says on Nov 4, 2009, 14:34:

Let me get back to you on this one lefty.. I have friends in town and I am in a rush.. but I will be thinking about you... jajajajajajja lol

"PAY ATTENTION! I wonder if that person knows that when we push the FUNNY button, its because we are reading something outrageous, trying to be cynical, derogatory, sarcastic and/or obnoxious!"

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suizo says on Nov 4, 2009, 14:46:

Nice report, enjoyed reading it. Best of luck to the both of you!

Crackheads suck!

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Bill Turley (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Nov 4, 2009, 14:49:

Thanks for such a nice account of a successful romantic trip. I am so happy with my Colombiana and have been for over 20 years

Mr. Bill Somondoco

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Buongone says on Nov 4, 2009, 15:13:

Kiss-Me-Motel. It's Good to hear a Love Story that's working out !!

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davidyamiga says on Nov 4, 2009, 15:14:

PCL...you have friends? And be nice to Lefty. He wrote a nice report.

Otra vez en casa...Cali!

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Robert Jorge says on Nov 4, 2009, 15:50:

Good to point that out Greg!

"You can not take the barrio out of the girl you really can't." Oneforamillion

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geoff71 says on Nov 4, 2009, 16:24:

really good to here a positive story.. thanks for sharing

one day at a time

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lefty13 says on Nov 4, 2009, 18:25:

Suizo, Geoff and Brians. Thanks for the kind words and support.
Bill T. Congrats on your 20 happy years!
Justo Mi. I am glad to hear this report reflects positively on my girlfriend. She is definitely very special, strong, independent and intelligent. Not sure she can cook at turkey (not that I really care), she wants to try. :-)

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Miguel_Clavo says on Nov 4, 2009, 18:26:

HOLA!

HA!

RVW orderded me to remove my tagline congratulating the PBH Mods New Golden Boys. Lame.

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billyb says on Nov 4, 2009, 18:26:

BTW, it is called Rio Pance, not Ponce, I think Ponce was a conquistador looking around in Florida for the fountain of youth. Yanks suck (I mean the baseball team). Good post lefty.

"All I want to know is where I'm going to die, so I never go there" Unkown (at least to me) wise man.

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lefty13 says on Nov 4, 2009, 18:27:

Buongone. The name really is the Kiss Me Hotel. Quite exotic and nice. Gotta love Colombia.

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ddluzdelsol says on Nov 4, 2009, 19:35:

Lefty.. your post made me smile!! Thanx for sharing... and good luck with your lady!!

Christmas and New Years in Ibague!!

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lefty13 says on Nov 4, 2009, 20:38:

ddluzdelsol - thanks, I smiled when I wrote it. It also help me remembers details about my trip I may be able to use to get brownie points in the future.

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Buongone says on Nov 4, 2009, 20:47:

Lefty. There are still things left in this world that nobody can take away. That's Good Memories !!

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roloenNJ says on Nov 5, 2009, 03:44:

Good post Lefty and I wish you the best with the relatioship

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Darloup (☼Travelguide writer) says on Nov 5, 2009, 07:00:

Thanks for sharing a nice report. I wish both the very best of luck. Keep us posted when you have finalized your plans!

Better to have tried and failed than having regrets all your life about what you MIGHT have missed

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sanandressi says on Nov 5, 2009, 08:01:

Lefty 13, you said that some guy on the plane had been going to Colombia for 3.5 years and was bringing a girl north? Was he with this same gal for 3.5 years or just going to Colombia and meeting different ladies for 3.5 years?

My point? Take your time with this girl and that would be my advice to ANYBODY thinking of getting a visa for a Colombian. Are you at this point? (I have been through all of this since 1997!)

I would never criticize anybody for what they decide what to do or not to do in these types of endeavors but take it slow and get to know this woman that you seem to be smitten with? Do you speak Spanish well and her any English?

Spend lots of time with her family because as the parents are so will she be and you will see this in time.

Lefty 13, there are too many Colombians trying to get the Visa to go out of Colombia (By my calculations about 1,000 Colombians show up every day Monday through Friday at the US embassy to get some kind of Visa out!) and too many do not realize just how hard it can be to adapt to a different culture. It can be done (Kat1 is our best example!) But many cannot adapt outside of Colombia and you may suffer long term trying to keep someone happy who is not? ( I met two in Cali agencias who went north with a guy and returned because the "did not like snow") You could be happy with her too and then you both have kids?

There is nothing wrong with a Colombiana who wants "out" of Colombia but does she really want what you want? Does she want to be a wife and mother and homemaker or does she want to "realizarse" and make lots of money outside of Colombia? If it is wife and homemaker FIRST and job second with time, you have a chance, if you want something long term.

Colombians, in my opinion, are very ambitous. I have many a Colombiana who lives here in the US saying they love Colombia but if so then why not go back and stay there? Money and opportunity right? A generalization I know but how come Venezuela does not have the marriage agencias and thousands online trying to meet a first world man? Like Colombia does? Or Peru? Or Ecuador? Why the Colombiana? To me the Colombiana is La mas bella del mundo.....but ya gotta get to know her!

Just take your time and I hope it all works out well. She maybe the one for you indeed and I don't want to be negativa mind you...stick with her but take it slow!

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lefty13 says on Nov 5, 2009, 08:39:

Sanandressi, Thank you for your thoughtful comments. I will attempt to reply to your questions.

The guy I met on the plane had been in a relationship with the same lady for 3.5 years and now is getting married soon in the States. I believe he got a visa for her after he was engaged.

I speak Spanish adequately. I have no problem talking with her and understanding her on the phone every day. When I do not understand a specific word, I tell her to try to use a different word or I look up the specific word in my pocket dictionary. I need to put some more studying time in to understand and practice the many different verb tenses. I tend to always use the present form of the verb. But I do get a lot a practice every night. This all said, I believe we communicate well. Many times I am shocked to see two hours has passed while talking on the phone and it feels like 15 min. Sometimes I know what she is going to say before she starts. If I didn't speak spanish, in my opinion our relationship would have no chance!

I try not the focus too much on the future because being in a long distance relationship is very hard. My coping strategy is to keep very busy for now. All I know for sure is that I am going to Cali for Thanksgiving.

I have dated two other latina women living in the US (who seem too interested in gettting married) and I walked away. I was also in a ten-year relationship with another latina whom I have two kids with. So I try to be cautious. Ofcourse she wants a better life for her two daughters, this is a natural thought. I am not sure how she would cope if she came here and I am at work and her daughters are at school and she has no other family nearby. I agree it is absolutely essential to get to know here in-person as much as possible as well as her kids, her parents and her family.

I don't know my plans, at this time I just know it feels right. It is possible I could be singing an entirely different tune after my next visit. I keep an open and cautious mind and heart.

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Greg444 says on Nov 5, 2009, 08:54:

OK, thanks for the nice trip report.
Since you know Cali, anything change in the city over the past year?
What is the name of that large indoor/outdoor restarant, . loks like a finca type ranch, that ahs putt putt golf course, also had I think go cart rides. O thinkn there are two one in the south or north.

Any new nice malls in Cali?
Is the main blvd connecting the North and the south fianlly done construction?

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lefty13 says on Nov 5, 2009, 09:03:

Greg444. Your welcome.
I have only visited Cali a couple of times and never stated or claimed I know a lot about Cali. My trip was spent getting to know my girlfriend and her family. So I can not answer all your questions. There probably are many others on this board who can (and who live in Cali). We did go to two malls Chicichape & Jardin Central during my visit and both were fine.

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Robert Jorge says on Nov 5, 2009, 11:00:

Oops

"You can not take the barrio out of the girl you really can't." Oneforamillion

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Miguel_Clavo says on Nov 5, 2009, 11:02:

RJ, Check your email.

RVW orderded me to remove my tagline congratulating the PBH Mods New Golden Boys. Lame.

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Papi de Alejo says on Nov 5, 2009, 11:07:

OK, I got it now, it's Brians!

Live simply... Love generously... Care deeply... Speak kindly...

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Papi de Alejo says on Nov 5, 2009, 11:14:

So it really isn't Brians?

Live simply... Love generously... Care deeply... Speak kindly...

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Miguel_Clavo says on Nov 5, 2009, 11:17:

I think Brians has the same blank beedy eyed stare, but i dont think Brian drove a cab......jajjaja

RVW orderded me to remove my tagline congratulating the PBH Mods New Golden Boys. Lame.

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Miguel_Clavo says on Nov 5, 2009, 11:49:

HOLA!

i got the PM.and replied.

RVW orderded me to remove my tagline congratulating the PBH Mods New Golden Boys. Lame.

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sanandressi says on Nov 5, 2009, 12:46:

I generally don't post in this forum much anymore because of what happens in the last 5 or 6 posts here. Brians, Miguel Clavo, Justo Mi, and Greg Yohn all start attacking each other and for what I don't know but what was a decent post by Lefty has to get rather nasty and senseless really. Lefty13 started this post and if you don't like it then go back to the PBH home page and read something else if you have nothing constructive to say to Lefty13. How did this post go to a talk on some Phillipina situation and members cheap shooting each other?

I did see where ELMO (His nickname "MODEFOQUE" SHOULD HAVE KICKED HIM OUT FROM DAY ONE PETER!) has been kicked out of here? That is a very good start.

It takes all kinds of people to make a world so anything said here would not surprise me but if ya got nothing constructive to add and you cannot criticize in a positive manner then why say anything at all? This is why I read here at PBH but generally don't post or respond anymore. LOL and adios.

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Nov 5, 2009, 12:50:

sanandresi, I deleted all the comments that were hijacking this thread.

keep on topic!!

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Miguel_Clavo says on Nov 5, 2009, 12:59:

THANKS FOR SHARING SANANDRESSI!

RVW orderded me to remove my tagline congratulating the PBH Mods New Golden Boys. Lame.

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Desi1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Nov 5, 2009, 13:06:

Lefty, nice post and report.

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

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lefty13 says on Nov 5, 2009, 13:42:

Thanks Desi. Also thank you for inspiring me to take a salsa class and make my life even more busy. :-). You made some comment I read a while ago about a male who can't dance in Colombia is a sure sign of social ineptitude. I figured it was good exercise (and fun) too.

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jimbo67856 says on Nov 5, 2009, 14:25:

good for you lefty. It sounds like you two have enough in common to make it work (language, existing children for both of you, patience w/ the distance, and a lot of time on the phone/messenger). Good luck to both of you.

Errors of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it. ---- Thomas Jefferson

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jimbo67856 says on Nov 5, 2009, 14:32:

Oh wait, lefty. Justo mi asked earlier and unless I missed it I didn't see your answer. If it's not a private thing how did you meet her? I always get a kick out of how people meet each other. Some stories are really interesting. If you don't wanna answer that's cool.

Errors of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it. ---- Thomas Jefferson

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lefty13 says on Nov 5, 2009, 14:44:

I met her when I traveled to Colombia in June with a female friend. The female friend who I met in the United States is from Colombia is married and goes every year to Colombia for a month. She invited me to go for a week to Medelin & Cali since she knows I am always up for traveling (and the previous time I was in Colombia I went only to Bogota).

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jimbo67856 says on Nov 5, 2009, 14:54:

Oh that's cool! Again, best of luck you both of you!

Errors of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it. ---- Thomas Jefferson

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lefty13 says on Nov 5, 2009, 14:57:

Thanks Jimbo, we will take that luck!

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jimbo67856 says on Nov 5, 2009, 15:16:

You're welcome bro. If you took any pics you wouldn't mind sharing of Cali or the surrounding area I know everyone including me would dig seein' em. If not, dammit, take some next time, will ya? jeje ;)

Errors of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it. ---- Thomas Jefferson

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Paisa/Calena/Luver says on Nov 5, 2009, 16:05:

Lefty, like I said prior!

Dont keep treating her family to dinner and dining and paying for everything. This will become a habit and you will be seen as the cash cow gringo and it will be your responsibility to pay for everything ALL THE TIME.. even for the taxi's of her "cousins" who will start to come out of the wood work.

Just because she can order coronas and red bull because the are on the menu and seen as higher end drinks, these drinks are not consumed on a regular basis in estrato 2's. She can drink what she USUALLY drinks which is guaro and poker.

You say you dont send her money besides for her school. Where does she get her money? Does she work? Colombianas need to have a consistent source of income.

When you i first saw pictures of you and her yo where at a finca. Who's finca was that?

Keep the girls Humble and dont inundate her with lavish hotels, baby beefs at lenos and gifts on a constant basis. She is not used to this and does not need this..

Call her on a weekend at 2am as a surprise, tell her you called to say "I love you" and see if she picks up. Does she have a landline?

Ask the attendee at the love motel if he has seen her there before.

Keep it real, dont try and cover the sun with one finger and good luck..

"PAY ATTENTION! I wonder if that person knows that when we push the FUNNY button, its because we are reading something outrageous, trying to be cynical, derogatory, sarcastic and/or obnoxious!"

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Paisa/Calena/Luver says on Nov 5, 2009, 16:32:

Just should be part of a stringent vetting process Justo! True love in Colombia is not so easily found as portrayed here in this thread. Nothing wrong with a little level headed skepticism and cynicism.

"PAY ATTENTION! I wonder if that person knows that when we push the FUNNY button, its because we are reading something outrageous, trying to be cynical, derogatory, sarcastic and/or obnoxious!"

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Paisa/Calena/Luver says on Nov 5, 2009, 16:54:

Thats how I feel Justo and yes they are my words. Every gringo going into these webcam chat long distance relationships should be forwarned of the good conclusions to these relationships and the much more common nightmare. Im not going to get into it with you like Bushwick Bill lol. I have my opinions and you have yours.. lets just say that we choose to agree to disagree.

"PAY ATTENTION! I wonder if that person knows that when we push the FUNNY button, its because we are reading something outrageous, trying to be cynical, derogatory, sarcastic and/or obnoxious!"

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pedro (☼Travelguide writer) says on Nov 5, 2009, 18:06:

Actually, inviting the family to dinner is a nice gesture if you're a guest in their home. No need to go overboard, but PCL should understand that Colombians may do this too, if they're the house guest.

"this may seem a strange post but it is not...when in colombia men need to be aware that colombia women may try to be seductive and entice a travelling gringo to have sex with them..to be forewarned is to be forearmed..." -- pow wow

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billyb says on Nov 5, 2009, 18:33:

Greg, leave lefty's thread alone, he had a good time in Cali with his novia and is sharing his experiences here, and nobody but you is marring anotherwise good thread, everybody else enjoyed it. Get some help soon.

"All I want to know is where I'm going to die, so I never go there" Unkown (at least to me) wise man.

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jimbo67856 says on Nov 5, 2009, 18:35:

JM brings out the big guns. Damn, nicely done. hahahaha

Errors of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it. ---- Thomas Jefferson

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jimbo67856 says on Nov 5, 2009, 18:56:

Asking politely for the mods to just clean out the thread instead of deleting/locking it. lefty deserves better.

Errors of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it. ---- Thomas Jefferson

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Robert Jorge says on Nov 5, 2009, 19:26:

As ol' Reagan once said, "trust, but verify." Going to the local love motel is a little extreme in my opinion. But I have to agree with the occasional 2am phone call.

Anyway, good luck and glad you had a great time. All the best.

"You can not take the barrio out of the girl you really can't." Oneforamillion

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theflatline says on Nov 5, 2009, 20:39:

Lefty,

Good for you man, just as most people say take it slow and do normal things. It sounds like you might have found a good one.

Split a half a chicken, get a sixer of beer, and a couple of movies and just chill with her. Like you would so on a date at home. Ice cream in park, holding hands, etc.

Learn to think in pesos in Colombia and not dollars converted to pesos. It is easy when you come here to become overly generous.

GregYohn,

If you do not like most of the people here, and I am pretty sure most of the people here do not like you. Why do you stay_

Legaleez for Complete Morons - A book for gringos in Colombia for who think they understand the nature of the law in a country where they cannot speak the language.

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Robert Jorge says on Nov 5, 2009, 20:45:

Because they don't like him at Cblog either. And that's saying something! Ha!

"You can not take the barrio out of the girl you really can't." Oneforamillion

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lefty13 says on Nov 5, 2009, 21:28:

PCL - my buddy. I know I can always look forward to your optimistic comments. lol... I really do appreciate your insight. I am not trying to put myself on a pedestal and say look at this perfect relationship. I am just trying to share my courtship with a Colombiana in a very honest manner, which I believe some people may be interested in this forum. If my relationship goes down in flames I will share also and I can be a good example for that scenario too. So I will try to address your questions:
She has job and has a apartment with her sister. Her job does not pay very well per US standards, but not many do in Cali. Her rent is cheap and she gets by as do many other females who do not have a man in their life. FYI, The father of her kids passed away several years agon in moto accident. Also, she treated me to one night at at the wonderful Kiss Me Hotel. I figured I had to treat her to one night at a nice hotel also (Dann Carlton). I didn't mind treating her sisters to one dinner as it was the first night I met them and we had discussed I would do this in advance. And I certainly do not mind treat her mom and two daughters on another night. Her family were wonderful hosts and treated me to numerous other meals. I felt bad saying no, but they just tried to feed me so frickin much. I do video chat with her kids and her family sometimes too as she has family at her house some of the time. Every single night I have been able to reach her at night no problem. She wanted me to call her every night (on her landline), I thought it is ridiculous at first but now I enjoy it. Not for suspicious reasons but I have called her really late to surprise her on a couple of occasion and she has always been happy to receive my call. I think the minute I do not believe or trust her will be the minute my relationship officially ends. If buying her whatever beer she wants is lavishly spoiling her too soon, I do not know any better because I do that with all women I go out with. It would be ridiculous to say, "you can't have a Corono, please stick to Poker" to save 1 or 2 mil.
The finca I went to in June was owned and lived in permanently by my host's sister-in-law, so I didn't pay for. All this said, I try to aware of the many cultural difference and try be careful.
PCL, I always enjoy your comments so thank you again for contributing. I do appreciate you wishing my luck.
TFL. Thanks for your comments, I am trying to be realistic and cautious. Have fun in Colombia! Thinking in pesos is hard because I have noticed many things are rip-offs in Colombia and much cheaper in the US.
To the rest thanks again for all the comments and wisdom. I should have my next rrip report up by the new year. Please don't me disapointed if it is boring. I will try to take some pictures of Cali to share (with no people in them). Mucho buenos suenos para todo!

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CakeDesigner-wannabe says on Nov 6, 2009, 04:52:

very nice report .... I should write a report of my recent trip too

Well done and good luck with her in the future .....

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Papi de Alejo says on Nov 6, 2009, 05:00:

Good post lefty. Wish you all the best with your lovely lady.

Live simply... Love generously... Care deeply... Speak kindly...

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lefty13 says on Nov 6, 2009, 08:22:

Greg, Thank you for your advice.

The only thing I will say is that since I did post it here in a public forum, I would expect comments. I try to consider my safety and my girlfriend's and her family's safety and do leave out some specific details. Everything I have posted has been true so I am going to take the chance that I can live posting the truth, however crazy, funny, boring or sad it is. Ofcourse if the post was of no interest to anyone I would not get any comments. I am fine with receiving skeptical and humorous comments as long as the comments are not nasty and mean-spirited.

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lefty13 says on Nov 6, 2009, 08:26:

Also I would like to add to please leave Greg alone in this post. I have heard and appreciated his advice. Greg, please no need to comment further. Thanks again!

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Desi1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Nov 6, 2009, 08:45:

Greg, drop it now, please.
I have a question for you though, does your wife speak English well enough to understand everything written here? Does she speak English well enough to handle all the nunaces, puns, implications, double meanings and culturally framed bantering? If not, she has only your interpretation on what is being said here to go on.

Lefty, I throughly enjoyed reading your post and glad I could offer some advice. I used to do exactly the same thing first thing when I arrived in Cali: take the family out to eat on me. I think it's just common courtesy, especially if you enjoy their hospitality. You are just starting out and it is always a good policy to show that you appreciate the effort other people are making for you.

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

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Desi1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Nov 6, 2009, 09:37:

Thanks Brians.
Greg, you need to drop the issue now too.

I'll clean up here when I have a chance.

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

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Miguel_Clavo says on Nov 6, 2009, 09:42:

Talk about a FATAL ATTRACTION!!!!!!! fock me.

RVW orderded me to remove my tagline congratulating the PBH Mods New Golden Boys. Lame.

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Paisa/Calena/Luver says on Nov 6, 2009, 09:50:

Brian, Brian, Brian.. you, MC and me of all people know that when G.Yown gets a head of steam rolling in his little word its better to just abandon the thread because your words will be falling and naive, deaf, stubborn ears.. jajajajaja he really is quite surreal.

"PAY ATTENTION! I wonder if that person knows that when we push the FUNNY button, its because we are reading something outrageous, trying to be cynical, derogatory, sarcastic and/or obnoxious!"

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Nov 6, 2009, 10:21:

Justo mi i edited the your post, I don't care if you were hencing the Yawn expresion, but you put it right after his name, he doesn't want to be call like that OK, so instead of dragging this on and on and on can we just at least avoid calling him like that.

And can we please keep on topic and Greg drop it now as Desi has said, Brian already gave you an explanation take it and just leave it like that and let lefty to decided if he wants to talk about his private life or not.

Eh ave maria que vaina...

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davidyamiga says on Nov 6, 2009, 13:29:

Well, Lefty. You got comments from both sides of the gallery. Keep what you think is best for your relationship and ignore the rest. It is always good to hear all but take all with a grain of salt. Keep enjoying and the best!

Otra vez en casa...Cali!

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MitchAlvarez says on Nov 10, 2009, 01:29:

nice post lefty... good luck and keep us updated

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