Would like to talk to someone who has been successful at this

[the_ace33]

Drell,
The advice you are getting in this thread is right on.  Soltero I hope you are charging a fee for your consultation!

[Researcher]

          Hey drell,

                  I read where you are learning Spanish. Good move on your part. One hint on Spanish pronunciation: In English the lips are used more for pronunciation, in Spanish the tongue is used more for pronunciation.

[drell283]

At this point CR is already booked. I will probably make it more vacation than anything. I'm there for 2 weeks and some friends will show up for 1 week. If I went to Colombia, I don't think I would find as much fun outise of looking for a wife. I will focus on zip lines, white water rafting, and scuba. It only takes 30,000 frequent flier miles to get to Columbia and I should have that before the end of the year. I will most likely give it a try then.

Thanks,

[the_ace33]

There is alot to see and fun to be had if u go to Cartegena or Santa Marta from what I know about it.  I have heard that Manizales has some great sites!  I plan to stay in Barranquilla but go to Santa Marta often.

[drell283]

Ok, time for what may be stupid questions.

Are any of the areas that you speake of located in FARC strongholds? I've read that their hold has weakened over the years due mostly to the current president, but they still have strength in some rural areas.

What do the locals in these areas think of gringos? Especially the ones coming down there to marry off their lovely ladies?

What do the families of the women think?

[soltero]

Ok, time for what may be stupid questions.

Are any of the areas that you speake of located in FARC strongholds? I've read that their hold has weakened over the years due mostly to the current president, but they still have strength in some rural areas.

What do the locals in these areas think of gringos? Especially the ones coming down there to marry off their lovely ladies?

What do the families of the women think?

You are going to be going into whatever MAJOR CITY you choose, not traipsing through a jungle around the borders. Any concern you may have about the FARC is similar to whatever concerns a child might have about the boogeyman. Your chances of seeing any rural area are better from the plane if you happen to travel during the daytime. You would have to make a conscious choice to travel outside of whatever city you are in and go looking for rural women before it would even matter what the locals in those areas think of Gringos.

You have to understand that the rural locals are usually intimidated by the FARC as they are usually snatched rather than enlist and usually at very young ages. What kind of stuff have you been reading?

The average Gringo is not even a blip on the FARC's radar. Their targets are usually political or military. Your main worries would be the same as they would be in your own hometown. Robbers and others lowlifes. You would need to handle yourself as you would when trying to avoid them moreso than a paramilitary group whose goal is to overthrow the government...

[michaelb]

Well, common thieves, FARC, PLO or other lowlifes, SOMEBODY blew up the Palace of Justice in Cali this morning. I'd put my money on FARC (with maybe a little technical advice from IRA?)

http://www.elpais.com.co/paisonline/notas/Septiembre012008/explosionenpalacio.html

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080901/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/colombia_car_bomb;_ylt=AtPJqWGkrSxTqNUaDunDE9C3IxIF

[soltero]

Well, common thieves, FARC, PLO or other lowlifes, SOMEBODY blew up the Palace of Justice in Cali this morning. I'd put my money on FARC (with maybe a little technical advice from IRA?)

http://www.elpais.com.co/paisonline/notas/Septiembre012008/explosionenpalacio.html

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080901/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/colombia_car_bomb;_ylt=AtPJqWGkrSxTqNUaDunDE9C3IxIF

In all seriousness, would you or any other guy on vacation have been at the Palace of Justice this morning? I mean really...

I am not saying they don't exist. All I am saying is that you have more to worry about while on vacation from the guy watching you at the ATM as he is actually the one trying to put a bullseye on YOUR head...

If that doesn't make perfect sense to anyone, then I will let others continue this discussion.

[Researcher]

  I agree with Soltero on this one. I traveled to Colombia after the recent raid by the Colombian military into the FARC camp in Ecuador. I noticed a few differences in how the police presence had been increased but nothing else.So unless you plan on going off into the jungle looking for the poison dart frog, I wouldn't worry too much about the FARC. Everywhere I go with my wife and her family everyone seems to be more concerned with pick pockets more that anyone else.

[drell283]

You guys just about have me talked out of my bride search in CR. I may spend that spare week in Nicaragua doing a Spanish immersion homestay along with some surfing/sportfishing. I will still be in CR for whitewater, diving, and windsurfing. I still believe very strongly in learning the language before I go and the immersion/homestay would go a long ways towards that and preparing for a trip to Columbia in the early spring.

[bcc_1_2]

there are some clubs around colleges with hot ticas in their 20s. but those clubs are in the neighborhoods these posters are warning you about. There is a website that focuses on "service industry workers" in Costa Rica and that website will give you a pretty solid understanding of just how many women are in it. But, you can find really cute Ticas out a clubs designed for college students and those in their 20s (and even early 30s). The vast majority of these girls are not in "the service industry" and would be highly offended if a john offerred them 100 bucks (then again some of the girls might consider it  ).

If you are going to Costa Rica stay out of the hotels and bars designed for the obvious and go where "non service workers" hang out. Just make sure you take somebody in with you- AND get into the VIP section. Some of the local guys will be cool with you- but some will get really pissed if they think you are trying to hit on some 25 year old hotty. Forget just losing your wallet and think hope you dont get stabbed if you start "gaming" their women right in front of them in an obvious manner. Better to invite the ones you like into the VIP