SEE MY REPLIES in bold BELOW::
Quote: (01-30-2011 01:38 PM)rinestone Wrote:
hey everyone,
love the site and i've already gotten a ton of useful info., but i'm looking for more. i'm putting together a list before i head to colombia in march and i'm hoping for comments or criticisms. i'm also down to meet up and hang when i'm there since i'm flying solo. anyway, i'm hoping to put together a thorough list so i don't leave anything off. then i can use the list for any travel.
here's my list. i'd love to hear anything you guys have to stay
cupid- ive been on colombiancupids for about a month and have had a lot of success. there's probably a dusting of AFC in my game which is drawing clinginess from some girls. good news is one wants me to stay with, and a couple others hounding me pretty severely. good news is also that i've had some pretty spicy webcam sessions and talk. how do you guys handle facebook? i don't make any promises i can't keep but i've already been called out on new colombian friends from some girls when we become friends on facebook. my biggest fear is really being tagged in a couple photos. there seems to be tons of picture taking there and while i'm fairly straight up, this seems like trouble waiting to happen. i hope there's a way to make it so no one can tag you in pics, or certain people anyway. also, is cupid the best site to use?
I believe there is an option on fb to turn off tagging. I highly recommend doing this. If a girl starts making claims, delete her or tell her you are only going to use fb for friends and family from now on.
where- right now i'm thinking most of my time in medellin & bogota with a trip to santa marta to see a girl i've been talking to
Medellin wins hands down. I'm typing this from bogota...the city is dirty, polluted, traffic is a nightmare, and the city is very spread out and huge. Plus the altitude fucked with me big time. I had a flushed red face, shortness of breath, etc. It just wasn't enjoyable. HOWEVER, if you are going to spend a month here, i'm sure you could adjust and meet a ton of hot girls with your okay spanish. Medellin, in my opinion has far hotter girls per capita, isn't as spread out, and is a nicer city with better whether.
when- my sights are set on march and i'll probably arrange it around the cheaper flights; any weekends to avoid? any to try and hit for sure?
AVOID EASTER. avoid any christian holiday or colombian holiday.
gear- i'm not a slob or anything but i used to have to wear a suit to work every day so no i'm pretty casual. sounds like i gotta get some new threads. anything in particular i should look for?
Slim fit shirts, dress clothes, nice dress shoes, a good pair of everyday walking shoes or boots that are comfy yet stylish (you will be walking alot) a nice blazer or sport coat, designer jeans (I like true religion, R&R, division E, big star, and MEK). Wear fashionable clothing that fits you well. both cities are pretty trendy. Also, make sure you come in shape. You don't want to get tagged with the 'fat gringo' moniker.
passport- obviously; but get a color copy of all my ID to carry around rather then the original. visa no necessary so i'm good there
Yes, carry this passport copy and also carry a few copies of the address and contact info of where you are staying in case you get lost.
shots- is it necessary to get any shots for malaria or anything, or is that overkill?
Not that i've heard of.
cash- i have to re-read the threads already here on what type of set up i want so i don't get buried on conversions. sounds like a paypal card and take out as much as i can when i hit up an atm may be the way to go, does that sound right?
citibank ATM is the best to withdraw cash, or banco colombia. citibank giving the best conversion rate. Don't mess around with the changers as they don't give that great of a rate.
lodging- for medellin i'm thinking of medellinmansion. i have no idea what to do in bogota or anywhere else. if you get a solo hostel room is that still a no-no for women, or is it acceptable?
Mansion is good if you want to party with other gringos and bang prepagos. A lot of chicas for rent sit by the pool and drink with the gringos until you pick one to take to your room *(about 75 usd)You'll meet a lot of guys going on casa runs (whore house), and the staff there has a computer database full of beautiful women that you can pick from for them to invite over. This isn't really my scene, and if you plan on gaming girls online or picking up non pros, AVOID the mansion. The girls will want nothing to do with you if they hear you stay there. I recommend an apartment- theapartmentmedellin is pretty good
safety- should i pick up mace or something like that or is it too douchey and unnecessary. other then common sense, is there anything i should do?
I don't know the legalities of it, but i'd just use common sense.
phone- again, i have to re-read the thread here on the best set up. any additional info. is great for me though
Go to a comcel or movistar cellphone place and pick up a prepaid phone with minutes for about $40 usd. YOU MUST have a cell here. PHONE GAME: chicas will call your phone and let it ring half a ring then hang up. They do this to save their minutes, and so you'll call them back spending YOUR minutes. It is both annoying and yet cute at the same time. The phone should be your first order of business after you check in.
altitude sickness in bogota- i hear that sometimes, upon getting there you may be sick for a day or so. anything i can do to minimize or prepare for this? or is it no big deal?
Yes, there is a medication you can pick up (google it) for altitude sickness. IT starts with an 'A'. Other than that some are more susceptible to it than others.
language- i speak ok spanish but my vocabulary is limited so i'm pretty bush league. i was planning on getting rosetta stone- does that sounds good? any suggestions on a good translating app for an ipod? i have an ipad but don't want to carry it around, seems unsafe and odd
SKIP rosetta stone and go with livemocha.com. It is better and you can interact (and meet) native speakers (read: women)
a couple of general questions-
i may try to stay for more then one month, but if it is just one, am i crazy for sticking mostly to bogota & medellin? there's girls i want to meet in both places and i want to be there long enough to get a feel for it. i'm from new england, so 'cold' weather doesn't worry me much. seems to be a lot of opinions on best place to go and i think i will end up going back.
I'd do medellin, and from what i've heard, CALI is the next best for girls.
i'm leaving from new england, what's the best way to fly? i am entertaining the idea of doing two different airlines. one to get to florida, then another from there to colombia. i'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but figure it might save a couple sheckles.
American airlines. Spirit is hit or miss.
that's all i can think of for now, but like i said i am trying to put together the most thorough list possible. i've rarely been out of the country and i really want to hit the ground running when i am there.
sports- this sounds stupid, but i'm a pretty big sports fan and i know i'm not going to dig missing march madness. any places where a gringo can watch some hoops or the random celtics game? maybe in bogota?
I'm not in to american sports, but I was in a bar in bogota last night that had ESPN on all the tvs..
thanks for any help you guys might have