Suggestions for a planned Manizales trip...

[EbonyPrince]

Well gents I have pretty much solidified my plans to explore Manizales via http://www.colombiacupido.com.  I plan to meet four ladies there, but that number could be elevated depending on the situation.

I have been in contact with a few ladies from there already.  There is one particular person that has really caught my attention, and we seem to be looking for the same things.  She seems really sincere and sweet just by some of the things that she has written in her letters.  I originally wanted to go to Manizales next month around Thanksgiving, but the current project schedule makes that a little difficult for me.  She recently mentioned that she hoped that I could visit over Christmas so that she could show me the city and to help her to decorate, because she loves this time of the year.  She mentioned that she would have a present under the tree for me to open to celebrate, which I thought was a very nice gesture.

Since things pretty much slow down here, I feel that I can take a break from this project around Christmas.  So I am considering scheduling a trip from 12/18 thru 12/28.  I plan to purchase my ticket this weekend. 

Has anyone ever celebrated Christmas in Colombia and more specifically Manizales or that region?  I will be flying either through Atlanta or Fort Lauderdale directly to Bogota.  I guess I will have to spend the night in Bogota's airport, because the flight from Bogota to Manizales is at 5:50am. 

Has anyone ever flew through Atlanta's airport and what are the chances of flight delays?  I assume that since Fort Lauderdale's airport is smaller, I may have better success going this route.  I have flown through FLT before to Bogota on a trip to BAQ, and if I remember correctly there wasn't any issues.  The FLT trip is an all day trip starting at like 9am.  Flying through Atlanta, I can actually catch a flight in Cleveland later around like 4pm.  This would shorten the time involved in this trip.

I would also appreciate suggestions on a Christmas gift for this young lady, if things work out and I go this route?  Also she lives with her parents and a younger brother, so would it be wise to buy them gifts also?  If so, what would be good suggestions?

[soltero]

The flight from Atlanta to Bogota (Delta) leaves at 4:30pm (Eastern Time) every day. It is the only flight from Atlanta to Bogota. Weigh that in and how much time you will have to make that connection.

[sean126]

I was going to suggest the same thing...since it will cut time off your trip.  If that flight originates in Atlanta, you should not have any problems with delays.

[bad40]

glad to hear it. my trip to manizales is scheduled for nov 13. i also have four young ladies to meet. all of them seem sincere. i usually travel through medellin. their are two flights a day to manizales via ada (antioquia airlines). best of luck to you.

[utopiacowboy]

You can check the on time history of a flight here: http://www.bts.gov/xml/ontimesummarystatistics/src/ddisp/OntimeSummarySelect.xml?tname=OntimeSummaryFlightData

Some of them are chronically late while others are good depending on the airport, time of departure etc.

[EbonyPrince]

Well the deal is done.

I checked out that site UC, but I didn't seem to be getting any feedback on any of the flights that I put in.  The data mentioned that it was only as current as Aug. 2007.  Maybe the site was down for maintenance.

I decided to fly out of my local, regional airport through Atlanta.  So I scheduled for that Atlanta to Bogota flight solano .  I had to throw that in there.

So I will be in Manizales from 12/19 thru 12/28.  If anyone will be in town during this period give me a holla.  Of course I will write a full report when I return.  There is supposed to be a computer in the apartment that I am renting, so I will make an honest effort to report live.

[chizz]

God willing you'll be succesful on your trip. Have fun, and be safe!
chizz

[EbonyPrince]

Thanks Chizz...the sentiments are very much appreciated.

[rpcv]

glad to hear it. my trip to manizales is scheduled for nov 13. i also have four young ladies to meet. all of them seem sincere.

You should have a great time, and ask Richard (the owner or Deisy who works in the office) to give you directions to the National Park and thermal springs. I can't wait till I get back there myself.

[rocky1359]

hello Mr prince this is rocky I am new to this forum and have been to hunduras, colombia, 4 times. and venezuela 1 time.
I am 52 years now imagine and started taking trips down south 4 years ago. I get alot of smiles when I read you and others topics.
but hey I will be in bogota on the 13 of diciembre. and to tell you the truth I could use some help this time with the ladies I have waiting. if you need a place to stay you could bunk in my hotel for the night. No charge of course.maybe I could  even introduce you to  one of the nice girls I have waiting. I was also planing on maybe going to maza myself.   thanks alot chao.

[EbonyPrince]

Hey Rocky!  Thanks for the invitation.  It just turns out that due to my flight arrangements, I will be held up in Bogota's airport from like 9pm till 5:50am.  That is when my flight departs to Manizales currently.  I am sure that if I leave, I will have to go through customs.  So I am not sure what I will do, but I will definately keep that in mind.

It would be a pleasure to meet some of your friends if I do.  I try to acquaint myself with as many people as I can, and I hope that we get a chance to meet in the future.  I will keep in touch.  Also feel free to pm me.

Thanks again.

[rocky1359]

OK Mr prince that would be good. I know bogota like the back of my hand.I even found this hotel clean for only 10 bucks a night.the water in the shower runs alittle weak but its clean. good for emergencies if you run out of money like I did one time. jejejeje.
but seriously I have about 15 girls waiting for me and I need help. never in my life at my age would I have expected this problem I thought I be dead jejejeje.
rocket
1 guy cuts the problem in half Ill let you deal with it while I sit back and laugh.
Rocket

[bad40]

i will be in colombia in december... medellin and manizales. rocky.. photos could provide us with an incentive to help you during this difficult time in your life.....

[rocky1359]

OK guys I will try to find out how to post fotos. this is a foto of one of the girls I met in medellin I got her from colombian sweethearts remember her?
she is quite conservative not like this foto and has the medellin attitude. she is 34 years old and wants to marry soon. she looks very good in person and very good personality.has many friends but in thier 20s

[EbonyPrince]

muy bien... and over 30...

[bad40]

rocky... very nice. was the service at colombian sweethearts satisfactory?

[rocky1359]

yes she is one of those girls when you see her your eyes pop out of your head..
she gets mad at me becouse I am taking a long time to return. to medellin. she is very serious about marriage. no kids  .  she had a accident on her moto. she lucky she was not injured real seriosl.  I also met another girl en medellin that was very beautiful . she had an accident on her moto also and had a big scar on her ankle.
but the girl in the foto does not speak a word of englis. I can speak a little. my father is from mexico.

[bad40]

there are so many women in medellin that some beautiful ones fall through the cracks... in other words, reach 30 without bein married. 34 is a panic age in the u.s., so in colombia where this sort of thing is amplified..she must be going crazy. breast jobs are nothing special in medellin, so it is not a contradiction when rocky says she is also conservative.

it is rather special to find intelligent, attractive women in a big city like medellin that don't have children. she is obviously focused on her future.

[atomik]

Hey EP be careful out there!  I wish you a lot of luck in your trip.  I would like to know how another culture celebrates the holidays.  Take lots of pics please.

We'll be thinking about you