Well, I booked my flight...

[Woody]

I booked my flight to Medellin last night, and man, do I have butterflies. Still looking for an apartment, but I am not too worried about that. This will be my first time in a non-English-speaking country(Canada and England are the only other places I have been to).

Since I never did a introduction post, I will have to flesh out this posting a little more than I had originally planned.

I'm a 26 year old from Tennessee, I have spent the last eight years in the Army and have lived in Colorado(for the most part) since 2003. Never married, no kids, and have generally struck out in the dating someone who is marriage material department. In August 2009 I decided to try a different approach. I said to myself: Why not look overseas? I always wanted to travel, learn a different language(Spanish in HS was a requirement, not something I was interested in at the time), and I never saw myself retiring in the States(too expensive for what you get).

What I am looking for is very difficult to find in the states without children(they don't take guys my age seriously anyways) or unattached. I very much want a traditional housewife, a woman who cooks(hah, I cook more and better than 90% of my dates here), maintains the home, nurtures the children, has a sense of humor, yet at the same time has a sense of adventure and is up for trying new, exhilarating things. That, and I made the decision years ago that my children would be, at a minimum, bilingual from the start.

After a bit of research, I narrowed the field down to a few options(In order of my current preference): Colombia, Philippines, Peru, Brazil, and Other.

Why did I single out Colombia?
1. Well, I have heard that the Spanish spoken in Colombia, especially Medellin/Bogota, is a much slower and better enunciated form of Spanish. That works for me, since I know enough Spanish to move around and not starve(HS Spanish was in '99!). Sure I'm in the third level of Rosetta Stone, but oral back and forth is so much different than on the computer. When it comes to reading, as long as the subject stays fairly simple, I can usually follow along without too much difficulty. I would say my reading comprehension for simple sentences and subjects is around 75%. Spanish was easier to learn at this point than, say, Portuguese or Tagalog.
2. I like the idea of constant weather and am not at all afraid of high altitudes. I spend most of my weekends above 8000 feet, a lot of that time is moving rapidly between 12000 and 8000 on a snowboard.
3. I've always had an attraction to Latinas, dunno why, just have. From the pictures I have seen, Paisas are right up my alley.
4. Cost of living looks good, along with the future economic growth and stability of the country. Transportation to and from Colombia is relatively inexpensive.
5. Colombianas are, from my understanding, much more straightforward and approachable than western women.

So now that we have the introduction out of the way: What are you going to do in Medellin?
Answer: I really don't know. I have not cultivated any serious relationships on ColombianCupid, but I am not really all that concerned about that right now.
This trip is to learn some Spanish, get to know my way around, and generally have fun(Skydiving, Paragliding, and Parasailing are all things I intend on doing while down there). If I happen to meet Mrs. Right, then so be it.

Now, before you say, "How much language can you pick up?", realize that I am spending 30 days there beginning the first week of March. I think 30 days of total immersion will give me a very good kickstart on verbal Spanish. Depending on how much I like it there, I may follow up with another 30 days later this summer.

[bcc_1_2]

I booked my flight to Medellin last night, and man, do I have butterflies.

After a bit of research, I narrowed the field down to a few options(In order of my current preference): Colombia, Philippines, Peru, Brazil, and Other.

Why did I single out Colombia?

good luck and have fun. I'll send you a PM.

[Researcher]

   Good luck on your trip Woody.Just relax and have fun, you'll enjoy it.




    Researcher

[raycjs]

Woody

Good luck, have fun, and be safe....

you will have a blast and since you will be there for 30 days you will have no problem
finding a few good women... be of luck to you.. look forward to your trip report when you return or an update while you are there?

best of luck

Ray

[Pivery]

 Good luck Woody,

 The first trip is always a bit scary since you don't know what to expect once you get off the plane, but you sound like someone who is definitely up for this new adventure.
 Let us know how things work out in a trip report as I am sure we are all looking forward to reading it!

 Pivery

[fathertime]

This trip is to learn some Spanish, get to know my way around, and generally have fun(Skydiving, Paragliding, and Parasailing are all things I intend on doing while down there). If I happen to meet Mrs. Right, then so be it.

Now, before you say, "How much language can you pick up?", realize that I am spending 30 days there beginning the first week of March. I think 30 days of total immersion will give me a very good kickstart on verbal Spanish. Depending on how much I like it there, I may follow up with another 30 days later this summer./quote]

Sounds like reasonable expectations for your trip!  Given the events you are chosing to do, I think you are going to run across some attractive women that might float your boat!  If not, you always can go out and have some fun in the evenings.
Don't forget to kickstart your Spanish a little over the next few weeks, that structure will enable you to learn much more while you are in Colombia!

Good luck with the trip.

Fathertime!

[Woody]

look forward to your trip report when you return or an update while you are there?

I will be making updates throughout my trip. Most of those will be random thoughts and in the moment pictures posted to facebook(yay for unlocked iPhone 2G and a prepaid data plan), but I will try to elaborate on details every few days. Don't worry, I'm not too attached to the phone(about time for a replacement, I have really abused this one) and all the data on it is backed up. It getting stolen will be more of an annoyance than anything.

I will be uploading video(high definition) to my YouTube page as well.
www.YouTube.com/wooddewoo
Now you can see that I'm serious about snowboarding on the weekends.

[mudd]

are you going to Colombia to learn Spanish, or meet a girl, or both?  if you want to really learn Spanish, stay away from the areas gringos  go to, and stay in the other areas where their are no English speaking people, so your forced to learn Spanish.

if you going to medellin, i would pretty much try to stay away from  the local gringos who live there, a lot dont have the best reputations in medellin and are well known.

[Woody]

are you going to Colombia to learn Spanish, or meet a girl, or both?  if you want to really learn Spanish, stay away from the areas gringos  go to, and stay in the other areas where their are no English speaking people, so your forced to learn Spanish.

if you going to medellin, i would pretty much try to stay away from  the local gringos who live there, a lot dont have the best reputations in medellin and are well known.

Not to meet a particular girl, no. The priority this trip is to learn Spanish. For the most part I intend on avoiding Poblado unless I am going to a club/restaurant there. I'll probably be staying in Laurales/Belen.

Meeting other gringos is not my intention. I might say hi and have a polite conversation, but I'm not there to hang out with other gringos. So I'll find an area I like and just murder the Spanish language till I get it right.

[utopiacowboy]

My wife's apartment is in Belen-Miravalle, a couple of blocks from Laureles. I can't remember ever seeing a gringo there. I think I went to El Poblado once just to see it.

[matrix7021]

I will be going cali in april for 10 days.

[Dave H]

Hey Woody,

Personally, I find Colombian Spanish much easier to understand than Cuban, Puerto Rican and a few other Spanish dialects. Have a GREAT trip! Good Luck!

Dave

[Dan Las Vegas]

My wife's apartment is in Belen-Miravalle, a couple of blocks from Laureles. I can't remember ever seeing a gringo there. I think I went to El Poblado once just to see it.

I saw two gringos in Laureles on my last trip, but I think they were lost!!!  I had rented a very nice aparment in El Poblado just off Las Palmas avenue on my last trip, thanks to Soltero who gave the contact.  If you wish to reant an apartment Woody, the price was very reasonable, about fifty dollars a night including high speed internet, wifi, cable tv and free local calls as well as a small kitchen and fridge. It was walking distance from a Carulla supermarket. So if you don't mind staying in El Poblado, it might be a possibility for you.
Enjoy your trip

[lite sweet dude]

For the most part, Paisas and Rolos (Bogotános) are easy to understand. Costeños....well, good luck!

[InnocentVixen]

oohhh men in uniform! ♥

now that I got that out of my system thanks for sharing the link and good luck on your trip! 

[Kiltboy1]

You will enjoy learning Spanish the way it was originally spoken " castillano"
Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Venezuela are the only countries that still adhere to the grammatically correct Spanish. All other dialects are variations. I learned my Spanish in Colombia and other Latinos I meet here in the states marvel at how good and grammatically correct my Spanish is.

KB

[Ray]

Have a safe trip Woody!

And for the record, the Philippines is an English-speaking country, so you don't have to learn Tagalog to communicate there.

Ray

[Dave H]

You will enjoy learning Spanish the way it was originally spoken " castillano"
Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Venezuela are the only countries that still adhere to the grammatically correct Spanish. All other dialects are variations. I learned my Spanish in Colombia and other Latinos I meet here in the states marvel at how good and grammatically correct my Spanish is.

KB

Hey KB,

My first girlfriend was from Venezuela 1969, 1975 and once again in 1981 (same lady).  I never had a problem understanding her Spanish, as it was very similar to my school Spanish. Cubans...I still can't understand what they are saying half of the time. If I want to understand them, I tell them that I don't speak Spanish...then they slow way down and separate their words a little. If not, they run all the words together and pronounce only part of each word, and Talk about slang! They actually believe that they are speaking Spanish...say what! Cubans say that I sound like a Mexican when I speak Spanish...coming from them, I always take that as a compliment...even though they don't mean it as one.

Dave

[Researcher]

  That's true.When I started travelling to Colombia the people there knew I learned Spanish in Mexico.I guess I had an accent!



  Researcher

[matrix7021]

I book my flight to cali!

[Woody]

oohhh men in uniform! ♥

It is really too bad that we (soldiers) destroy that attitude everywhere we go. There are very few women in "military" towns that love guys in uniform anymore.


But a little update:
Still no definite plans on an apt, I need to finish correspondence with someone down there to finalize my location and price. That will happen tomorrow night.
Buying some new clothes on Monday(It is around that time of the year for me anyways), yellow fever shot on Wednesday, leaving Thursday morning.

Quick question on Colombian fashion, my wardrobe consists of jeans, t-shirts(mostly logo free, but colored), polo shirts, and a few sweaters. What are some shirt style recommendations to go with blue/black jeans(Sorry, I [snip]ing hate slacks and khakis)?

[Jeff S]

It's Latin America, not the US. Showing up for a date in jeans ad a tee shirt will not be a wise choice IMO - unless you're going horseback riding or something.

[Woody]

It's Latin America, not the US. Showing up for a date in jeans ad a tee shirt will not be a wise choice IMO - unless you're going horseback riding or something.

Not really planning on wearing much in the way of t-shirts. Hence my question about shirt styles....

I may end up breaking down and getting some slacks anyways, even though I really dislike them.

[Jeff S]

Most places in LA dress quite a bit nicer than in the US to go out for the evening. Nice slacks and non-knit shirts are the norm - long sleeve solid color or conservative pattern, no wild prints. Oh, and leather shoes. Leather shoes are pretty much the norm too.

[JimmySTLOUIS]

best of luck W

I know you are going to learn spanish but you have the right idea when you are at least interested in clothes and looking nice. Leather shoes, sun glasses and ironed clothes are the way to start.

I always like to bring those big Hershey Bars like you get from Walgreens or Wal Mart. They are a dollar and a half. I would buy 6-8 and tuck them in your carry on. Its a nice little gift that doesnt cost you anything really.
I am sure you will meet some nice people and its fun to give.

I am married to a Peruvian so I cant help you with Colombia. I can tell you that Ecuador and Peru have a lot of neat places to offer if you dont find what you are looking for.

TE AMO PERU!

jim