Manizales Trip Summary...

[EbonyPrince]

Fellas I sincerely apologize for leaving everyone hanging from my Manizales trip.  I popped on here and saw an email from Feb. 3, that I am just not getting.  When I returned from Colombia, I picked up where my project from hell left off.  Well the good news is that it the project is drawing to a close, and it should be wrapped up in another week or two.  I have also been dealing with some personal family issues with my ex's father and trying to help my children cope.  All in all things are pretty good though, and my stress level is coming down.

Well my last few days in Manizales didn't go well.  I spent Christmas eve with Amparo's family and friends.  Lets just say that it was not one of my best nights, and it was more drama filled than I would had liked.  Her family and friends were great and I enjoyed all of them.  She on the other hand turned into a total bitch.  She barely spoke to me outside of the what seemed like the 50 times that she called me wondering where I was at and when I was coming to pick her up to go over to her uncle's house.  She basically ignored me the whole time I was with her family and friends.  I was totally dumbfounded by her attitude and struggled to figure out just what her problem was.  Well I found out later that night, when she left at about 4am in the morning on Christmas without saying goodbye.  Basically although she suggested that we remain friends after I found out that she smoked, I guess she was jealous of her girlfriends coming on to me.  I thought it was my imagination during the party by the things her friends were saying and asking me, but it became abundantly clear on Christmas eve.  Let me just say that I never made any advances towards any of her friends and I politely diffused any advances from them.  Her friends apparently knew that I didn't like her smoking, and I guess this somehow became the big drama issue.  I even tried to talk to this girl.  I saw the real her that night.  Not only does she smoke, but she in my opinion is an alcoholic that only wants to drink and party.  So after she left that morning, her friends made sure I got home okay.  I said f**k her and didn't bother calling her.  I thought that she was very rude, and I let Dick know about how she acted and the things she was saying about the agency the next day.  He apologized and offered me a return trip in the same apartment for free.  I haven't decided whether to take him up on it yet or not.

Manizales

Manizales is a nice city with nice people similiar to what I experienced throughout Colombia.  Amparo's family and friends were absolutely wonderful.  Amparo was actually worse than any American woman that I can remember ever meeting.  I think anyone will feel right at home in Manizales, because the city reminds me of an American city.  I never experienced any strange looks or stares, which I felt on my first trip to Barranquilla.  The people are definately paisa, and I didn't feel uncomfortable at all in the city.  I got the feeling that no matter how safe the city is, you still have to be careful at night as an American taking cabs.

Manizales is more difficult to get to than the coast.  You basically have to fly into a large city like Bogota or Medellin and then transfer to get there.  Manizales is totally in the mountains.  The airport runway is very short, so only props can fly in there.  If the weather isn't just right, you aren't going to make it in.

The Women

The women are gorgeous like other Colombian women.  The people are more caucasian from what I saw.  They didn't have the bodies like I saw on the coast, especially the junk in the trunk.  The women were hot and they definately are very feminine in the way that they dress and carry themselves.  All the women that I met looked way better than their pictures.  Amparo was the only one that initially looked worse than her pics.  When she picked me up for the party, she was looking hot.  Then when I saw her on Christmas eve, she looked like the first time that I saw her.  So how much sleep and partying she does definately had an impact on her appearance.  She did have some of the most beautiful hair though.  Judging by her family and friends, there are some good people in Colombia.  My taxi driver John was also an excellent guy.  The women though still tell those little white lies as I briefly read in a previous post.  So Colombianas are Colombianas.  I met a young 22 year old that I spent my last two days with, and she was more grounded and more mature than some older ladies that I met.  She told me she would be at my apartment the day before I left at 9:30am.  When I called her at like 10am, she didn't answer her phone.  At about 10:30 or 11am my doorbell rang and it was her.  She gave me her home number to call her once I left, but I didn't call her.  I wasn't sure of going that low in age, but I am reconsidering the age thing.  From my experience you have to judge each person on their own maturity level.

The Agency

Dick is a nice guy and he tries to run his agency with an American flair.  He says that he has only been in business for about 11 months, so he is still learning the business.  The agency is managed and pretty much run by a Colombiana.  I don't feel that Dick is involved as much in the agency as Jamie is in his agency.  I didn't get the feeling that the women in the agency were aggressive enough in making phone calls to the ladies.  They always gave an impression like they were over-worked, but I personally didn't see it when I was at the office.  I also feel Christmas or any holiday would be a bad time to go, although I was told otherwise when I initially inquired a few months prior to confirming my trip.

Overall in my opinion, I didn't feel that I got any benefit from my Manizales trip.  I expressed this to Dick and he invited me back as his guest.  Although I spent maybe twice the amount of money at Jamie's place in the past, I left feeling very satisified with my purchase.  When using ColombiaCupido, I think that you are basically own your own.  I would just pick a bunch of women that I wanted to meet and go for what I know.  I wouldn't recommend Manizales for a newbie or someone who isn't comfortable speaking or trying to speak spanish.

Summary

If you are looking for adventure, I would check out Manizales.  I would have everything lined up including dates prior to your visit.  They don't typically begin calling the girls till like a few days prior to your arrival.  I would insist that they have a schedule for you confirmed, and I would verify that with them about two weeks before you get there.  I would also pick enough women to fill your entire visit just to be on the safe side.

I hope this helps, and once again I apologize for leaving anyone hanging.  I will also respond to any questions that you have openly and honestly.

[dennislevy]

I'm sorry that the relationship with your girl crashed, obviously she wasn't right for you.  But Thank you for a detailed filled report.

Just curious, does Dick act as a counselor, or does the Colombiana at the agency act as a counselor, and do they say this is what you should know about this woman, or stay away from this one because...or this one is great because...

Dennis     

[EbonyPrince]

I would have to say no.  I asked a similiar question from someone on here, and the response was the same.  That is part of what I meant about you are pretty much on your own.  Their service basically involves them making contact with the lady to let her know that you are interested in her.  I asked Deicy to tell me a little about Amparo prior to meeting her, and she told me that she was a special person but strong-willed.  I got the impression of what strong-willed meant.  I kept questioning what the hell does "special" mean.  You don't know how many times that I heard that from women there.   

[rpcv]

I didn't get the feeling that the women in the agency were aggressive enough in making phone calls to the ladies.  They always gave an impression like they were over-worked, but I personally didn't see it when I was at the office.  When using ColombiaCupido, I think that you are basically own your own.  I would just pick a bunch of women that I wanted to meet and go for what I know. 

I had the same thoughts and expressed them to Dick and to his secretary. I told them that Americans would appreciate any insight/observations they could provide on the ladies. I think the agency is trying to work on addressing this issue but generally, it is a much more hands off approach introduction agency. They may appear over-worked but I too have never seen more than 2-3 clients at the agency.

[UKCaliumbo]

Thank you for your interesting report but I am sorry that it did not work out for you with that girl.......... but you have new girl (on you photo) that works very well. Well done!

I was digging through the Forum looking for any trip reports especially in Manizales, because I might want to go there for 1 week and Cali for another 1 week.  Seems lots of interesting adventure in Manizales .............

[dennislevy]

Gentlemen:

FYI, Cupido, the Manizlaes agency changed hands last week. 

Dick Dickerman sold the agency to another American, Bob Horne, a former customer of agencues in Bogota and Manizales who has been to Colombia before,

Bob relocated to Manziales a few days ago and will be taking over the full management of the agency next month. 

I spoke with him several times on the telephone whike I was in the US and when I arrived in Colombiam he was friendly, open and sounded like a straight shooter.

Dennis

     

[Ramgoat]

Hey EbonyPrince; were you talking about the girl in the picture with you? And also, for a newbie, which cities do you recommend for meeting a nice colombian girl, Cali, Medillin or Baranquilla.  I like em from caramel to white.

[el_ruso]

Ramgoat,

all cities have girls that are nice and not so nice.  I think it depends on you whether a girl is "nice" towards you or not. 

My favorite is Medellin, but Cali also has stunning women, as well as Bogota.  Manizales has a large university, so it has a good cross-section of young ladies from everywhere, as far as I know (I have never been there).

[papajeff]

yeah manizales is ok I just got back from meeting the family of my fiance I have to say that the women are few and far between. I will do a trip report you guys should get a kick i know im still kicking myself..jajaja

[craig1974]

yeah manizales is ok I just got back from meeting the family of my fiance I have to say that the women are few and far between. I will do a trip report you guys should get a kick i know im still kicking myself..jajaja

So in your opinion, does barranquilla have more beautiful ladies then Manizales?

Thanks

Craig

[rpcv]

So in your opinion, does barranquilla have more beautiful ladies then Manizales?

Thanks

Craig

I've never been to Barranquilla but IMOH, Manizales women are similar to those from Medellin whom are generally considered the most beautiful in Colombia..

[soltero]

I've never been to Barranquilla but IMOH, Manizales women are similar to those from Medellin whom are generally considered the most beautiful in Colombia..

That's interesting. I have heard gringos say that the most beautiful women are the Paisas, but not Colombians...

[rpcv]

That's interesting. I have heard gringos say that the most beautiful women are the Paisas, but not Colombians...

True a lot of Gringos say this but also Colombians I've met in Bogota and Cali made similar statements when I mentioned that I had been to Medellin and Manizales. Not to say there are not attractive women from those cities as well tho, lol.

[papajeff]

This is just my insight the women in barranquilla definatly are more forward you will find alot more chicas on the streets in the clubs because it is more of a destination.  I am not saying there are no women in manizalles hell they have the biggest all girls college in colombia there but when it comes to seeing women and contacting women Barranquilla is the [snip]. I spent 4 days in bogoata 2 months ago and the women there are all together in another catogory.  Plop down the dinero go to jaimes and let the good times roll.

[utopiacowboy]

That's interesting. I have heard gringos say that the most beautiful women are the Paisas, but not Colombians...

The paisas themselves certainly agree with the gringos but then they would. All these endless posts about which city has the most beautiful, the best wives, the best whatever drive me nuts. If you find your honey at the toll booth in Los Cedros you'll certainly say that the best women are to be found at the toll booth in Los Cedros!

[jman]

The paisas themselves certainly agree with the gringos but then they would. All these endless posts about which city has the most beautiful, the best wives, the best whatever drive me nuts. If you find your honey at the toll booth in Los Cedros you'll certainly say that the best women are to be found at the toll booth in Los Cedros!

I agree with Utopia. The truth is that there is great looking woman in every city of Colombia, not just Medellin. Paisas tend to think that they are the best at everything. " We are the best at Football, Medellin is the best city in Colombia, The best looking girls are Paisas" and on and on and on. Most of it is just self serving propaganda from the Paisas themselves. Incidentally there have been more Miss Colombia's from the Valle then Antioquia. I will say that one thing Medellin is hands down the winner at is plastic surgery. You will see more silicona there (in the front and the back) then anywere else in country. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that Medellin is the fashion capitol of the country so you have more modeling agencies, more plastic surgery and such per capita then in other cities. 
 Like utopia says I feel that you could find a beautiful girl, great wife etc in any city in the country and to argue over which is "the  best" is pointless.   

[EbonyPrince]

Like utopia says I feel that you could find a beautiful girl, great wife etc in any city in the country and to argue over which is "the  best" is pointless. 

This is true.  I have heard from Colombianos that Paisas, more specifically from Medellin, make the  best wives.  I only have heard from Americans that Paisas are the best looking.  I noticed that Paisas don't have the bodies, pound for pound, like you will find among women from the coast.  They are very attractive and they think like Americans.  I also hear that you will find a lot of silicone and hair dyes in Medellin.  Colombian women do take great care of themselves.  I personally think AW have the best bodies and skin overall, but they aren't as feminine as latinas. 

The girl in the picture is a different girl than the one I met in Manizales in December.  I met this person online and we chatted for a few months.  She is from Manizales also.  I flew her to Cartagena to meet me in May, and we had a great time.  I personally feel that there are hot women all over Colombia from Barranquilla to Bucaramanga to Medellin.  The women in Colombia are simply hot...period.  Do to migration you will find various flavors in all cities in Colombia.  Paisas (women from Medellin, Manizales, Armenia, Pereira etc...) are typically more conservative.  The ladies from the smaller towns will typically be even more conservative and typically won't take money from you.  Lets just keep it real, you can find the worst of all people from any walk of any society or culture.  If you are a newbie, I would highly recommend Jamie's agency in Colombia.  If you are comfortable with Spanish and traveling, then I would venture to other parts of Colombia with an open mind.