Cali-first time-need your opinion please

[RK]

Hi...I am going to Cali tomorrow for two days to meet a girl I met on an introduction site. Honestly, I've only talked to her a couple of times. She almost seemed overly friendly and invited me to say at her flat. She lives in Chapinero barrio, which I have no idea if that's a good or bad thing. Anyway, I've decided to at least stay at the Radisson for the first night and see how it goes after meeting her, and maybe stay at her flat the second night. Any feedback for me, a blonde haired, blue eyed 44yr old caucasion going to meet a 30 yr old lady in a country I've never set foot in before? Would anybody here be wary or concerned about her inviting me to stay at her place after only two conversations online? I'm only doing it because I work for an airline and can hop down there for a couple days and figured what the heck, might as well check out somewhere new. Thanks for any feedback you have.

[Researcher]

RK,

   Welcome to the board. IMO, you are doing the right thing by staying at a hotel.She may be totally legit but Colombia is not a place that you want to take chances like that.I wouldn't rush into anything.



Researcher

[Kiltboy1]

You are going to Cali to meet a woman you have spoken to 2 times
Cali is not the safest city to begin with but be careful to stay at her flat. Stay at a hotel the whole trip and let her stay with you. You do not know this person at all and you could get tossed if she is playing you. Look, Colombian women are very friendly, but to talk only 2 times and gives you an invite to her flat. This sounds very , very suspicious to me. BE CAREFUL.

KB

[michaelb]

My wife, who is from Cali, says that while Chapinero isn't the worst bariro down there, it is far from the best. I think 2 online chats is much too fast for an invitation to stay in her home. See it? Maybe...but stay in it? She's moving waaay too fast, IMHO, so yes, I'd be wary.

Related things which you didn't mention....do you speak Spanish? OK, you said you've never been to Colombia, but you have been to other LA countries?

[fathertime]

Hi...I am going to Cali tomorrow for two days to meet a girl I met on an introduction site. Honestly, I've only talked to her a couple of times. She almost seemed overly friendly and invited me to say at her flat. She lives in Chapinero barrio, which I have no idea if that's a good or bad thing. Anyway, I've decided to at least stay at the Radisson for the first night and see how it goes after meeting her, and maybe stay at her flat the second night. Any feedback for me, a blonde haired, blue eyed 44yr old caucasion going to meet a 30 yr old lady in a country I've never set foot in before? Would anybody here be wary or concerned about her inviting me to stay at her place after only two conversations online? I'm only doing it because I work for an airline and can hop down there for a couple days and figured what the heck, might as well check out somewhere new. Thanks for any feedback you have.

Hello RK,

The part about meeting the woman sounds good.  I must say I would be very cautious about staying at her house.  She is probably ok, but you may find yourself to be highly uncomfortable in this neighborhood.  It is easy to stick out like a sore thumb and Cali can be a dangerous place with desperate people.   I remember having the feeling I was buried in a couple so-so barrios, and had I disappeared nobody would know where to find me.  Obviously I survived, but in retrospect it was a stupid decision and risk to take.   Staying at the hotel sounds like the better idea.  If you feel that the two of you click then you can plan more time together.  In many ways you are at a girl's mercy when you are extended out there on deep within her turf, you should really have a little more history between between you and her before taking such a risk, in my opinion.

Good luck!

Fathertime!

[RK]

Thank you so much for the welcome. I've browsed here a bit in the past but never needed to post anything until now.

Kiltboy...I've asked girls out here after only talking to them one time. With regards to this situation, all the prelim stuff was talked about. Yes, we're both serious, yada yada yada. None of it means much until you meet in person and see what happens then. With the ability to hop down there for a couple of days, I'd much rather do that if even for a dinner out to eliminate any doubts, etc. I agree with your thoughts about the visit.

fathertime, researcher...thanks for confirming my gut feeling. I wasn't really sure what to do, but my gut was telling me to do what you suggest, and that I will heed.

michaelb...been to Chile and a few Latin countries with the military. Speak and understand a bit to get by, barely. Thanks for the info on the barrio from your wife. I didn't have a clue about it and appreciate the insight.

The positive about her is that she was forthcoming with her address, phone number, etc. when I told her I needed it to leave with family, etc.

However, after reading everyone's common thoughts, I will stay at the hotel for the two nights I am there, see how things go, and go from there.

[Pivery]

Sounds like you have gotten some very sound advice RK.

Especially if your Spanish is weak / don't really know the area, it would be best to stay at your hotel. Hang out with her, but go back to your
hotel. Have her stay with you and if things work out, next time maybe you stay with her.

Good luck with that,

Pivery

[Calipro]

Hi...I am going to Cali tomorrow for two days to meet a girl I met on an introduction site. Honestly, I've only talked to her a couple of times. She almost seemed overly friendly and invited me to say at her flat. She lives in Chapinero barrio, which I have no idea if that's a good or bad thing. Anyway, I've decided to at least stay at the Radisson for the first night and see how it goes after meeting her, and maybe stay at her flat the second night. Any feedback for me, a blonde haired, blue eyed 44yr old caucasion going to meet a 30 yr old lady in a country I've never set foot in before? Would anybody here be wary or concerned about her inviting me to stay at her place after only two conversations online? I'm only doing it because I work for an airline and can hop down there for a couple days and figured what the heck, might as well check out somewhere new. Thanks for any feedback you have.

I like your style RK....if you need anything at all or have any problems at all in Cali call Juan Carlos Rivera 3105067446...It's  a cell number and you probably don't have one yet in Cali so borrow a someone's if you need anything at all...he speaks very good english.

[Researcher]

   RK,
    Some would have you believe that there is not a better class of women on the planet than Colombian Women. Dont believe that kind of crap.As you can see from guys who know it is best to take precautions.


   Researcher

[william3rd]

Ya got bigger huevos than I do to go running off like that, pilgrim. However, more power to you!!!!! THe hotel suggestion is a good one; I would definitely stay in a safer environment for the first trip. . .

[bcc_1_2]

pay for her cab. meet her in your hotel cafe. i'd feel pretty safe doing it that way in a guarded hotel. two online chats is fast, but it appears to fit your schedule with work. if you can get down there often (even for just a few days at a time), then i'm sure you'll find a girl that suits you. just always use your head about it.

[raycjs]

RK

You are getting some good advice here. I would not stay at her home until you really get to know her. I would plan on going to see where she lives during the day so you can understand where she comes from. Should all go well with your visit ask her to take you and introduce you to her family. This will help you to understand her culture and family back round. Please take it slow and make sure you are thinking with the Big head.... Be very careful Cali is not the best place to make your first trip to Colombia......

Best of luck to you...

Ray

[RK]

Thanks for all of the great feedback and moral support. I really appreciate it. Now, after all that, I ended up not making the trip and will reschedule Cali at a later date shortly after Christmas. Why didn't I go? Well, I tried. My flight to Miami was delayed due to bad weather, so I got to Miami late and missed the Cali flight and wouldn't be able to get there until the next day, leaving me only one short night before I have to be at work. I found a man in the MIA airport who spoke Spanish (imagine that!). He called her for me and told her what happened. She was very disappointed...I guess her family was expecting me, etc. She understood but I could tell she was wondering why I didn't come. Fortunately standing there in the airport with this man translating convinced her why. I'm not complaining, but the excitement of me coming to meet her kind of caught me off guard.

I will be doing a weekend trip down to Bogota this weekend to meet a different girl. I will start a new topic on that one and see what you all think. Thanks again.

[CROW]

1

[Researcher]

   Hey CROW I don't think your post went through.


  Researcher

[Alabamaboy!]

I know this is an old thread, but just saw it and wanted to give a bit of good advice.

There is a hotel called Cali Plaza Hotel, which is a great hotel for you to use when you go there. The owner is a guy from Tennessee I think. His name is Claude. There are a few reasons to use his place.

1. He will have someone pick you up at the airport.
2. He has cell phones that you can use during your stay.
3. He speaks English of course and is usually on site.
4. His hotel is located in a great area, close to Barrio Granada with lots of cool restaurants, and close to Av. Sexta with the clubs, etc.
5. Usually there are other gringos there so it is kind of cool to chat with them on the front patio and can provide some very useful information.

[RK]

Hi AB! As it turns out, that is where I stayed. I decided last minute to fly from Bogota to Cali for one night before heading home. I arrived Cali late afternoon and left early the next morning. Claude was very friendly and helpful and the room was very nice. The girl referenced in this thread met me at the hotel, took me to the park to see the Christmas lights (I was there just prior to Christmas), eat some good food, have a drink and watch some salsa across the street from the hotel. Maybe I'll write a brief trip report about my short trip to Bogota and Cali. I have since returned to Bogota and will be going back again this weekend for a few days.