I finally got together with Margareth last night.I talked to her a few times on the phone and ran in to her in the Gym but thought if I really wanted to get the story it would be good to sit down with her.She came over,we were going to go to dinner but she wasn't hungry so we just talked for a couple of hours.
I told some of this before but I think its worth telling again.Margarteh called ME when I moved to Cali 17 months ago.We have a common friend,Frank S from Atlanta who posts here sometimes as Calibound.Frank had been to Cali,stayed with Margareth and they really hit it off.He is a funny and fun guy who is a native spanish speaker also.He knew me from this site and would call and talk to me alot.Every month or 2 we would have a long conversation about what was going on with both of us.So when I finally split with my wife and headed to Cali Frank calls Margareth. " Margareth,Pete is in Cali,you have to take care off him." So I get this call from this woman who does not say who she is.She says "when are you going to come and see me?"An agency then Frank gets mentioned and I figure it out."Is this Margareth?"
I go over to see Margareth the next day,when her agency was in Santa Monica.Its quiet,there is nobody else around.We talk alot.She knows my ex wife and her family.She remembers when my ex called and told her she was marrying a gringo and to take her off the books.I met my ex at a different agency.We hang out all day,I follow her around shopping,ect.That night she tells me,OK,this is a business,how much am I going to charge you ? I was thinking,OK its usually this much,maybe 25% less.Margareth is a tough businesswoman but she is known to sometimes make big exceptions.I guess I will go ahead and say it,I got in for decorating her Christmas tree.Thats all I ever paid her,but I have helped her out with some things I could do.I called her last summer,a friend wanted to meet just 2 girls,she wouldn't deal.She says "there is only one guy in Cali who has special privileges and it is you."
I am not a shill for her but I am influenced by having had a great relationship with her.
Margareth started helping me look for an apartment.We looked at maybe 20 places.Its not so easy as you might think.They do things DIFFERENTLY down here.One apartment I really wanted,I offered the guy a years rent up front.It took him a month to tell me no.They want 2 Colombian Co signers who own property on more expensive property.I had one,Margareth.I looked for 7 weeks.Finally I get lucky.Margareth knows a guy from her church who is an accountant for the Asprilla family.The apartment I rented belongs to Tino Asprilla,Colombian soccer player who was in the 90's Colombias most famous athlete and supposedly the second most recognizable person in Colombia,right after the president.The person of equal fame today would be race car driver Juan Pablo Montoya.Asprilla had lived here with his ex wife actress Leidy Noriega.A friend said it was the most famous apartment in Cali because it was often on the evening new because the cops were constanly being called out because Asprilla would shoot guns up in the air and blast music loud and tell anybody that didn't like it to f- - k off.Its a condo,other people own the other units and there is a homeowners association.They got together and got him kicked out.He can't live here any more,but I can.His sister manages the place,I have never met him.
So I get in with one Co signer,Margareth.Its a great deal,great location,huge balcony,very quiet NOW and came fully furnished.I recently renewed the lease and they accepted no co signers after me being here a year.I have one permanent roomate and 2 rooms I rent short term.Looks like another friend of mine from this board will become a permanent roomate moving here in June.
OK.So Margareth comes over.She is very happy.Let me say that for all the s- - t that can happen sometimes good things happen to good people.She got married last year.Her husband is a good looking very nice 38 year old guy.They are both Mormans,a must for both of them in a spouse.He saw a picture of her from a wedding in Cali and decided she was the woman for him.He pursued her untill she said yes.This is too long already or I would tell you some funny things she did to try and discourage him .
Second,about the agency,she did sell it.Boy was I wrong in guessing about the new owner.She introduces the new owners brother to a woman who he marries.The new owner comes to the wedding.He is very interested in Margareth and her business,asks her lots of questions.She tells him she is thinking of selling or maybe closing the agency.He tells her you can't do that,what you are doing is wonderfull.I will buy the agency from you.This is mystery guy.Margareth says she knows almost nothing about him,nothing at all about his personal life and he is not looking for a latina wife or girl friend.Apparently his business is internet marketing.He changed the site alot and will change it some more,possibly splitting it in to 2 sites.Margareth says they get several guys a week coming,many of whom actually pay the $3000.These are basically new guys to the marriage agency scene he has attracted.Right now 3 guys from Canada,one guy from the US.Lots of people from Europe.She doesn't know how he is doing it but apparently he has other people working with him on it,networking perhaps.She says for the $3000 they give all kinds of personal attention,ask the guy exactly what he is looking for in a woman and try to find the right woman.
Margareth is very happy with the deal.She probably will not get her visa for several months plus the guy wants her to continue working for him after she goes to the states,maybe coming here once a month.He tells her tell me your requirements to stay on.Her husband says OK if you can be in the states 3 weeks a month.This guy recently told her I will be in Panama City,come on up so we can talk.He paid for her room in ther Hilton for 10 days but only had time to see her twice.Her husband Ricky got to come and stay with her.
Margareth says I love my work,I wouldn't want to just do nothing.But now she doesn't have to worry about money,making payroll or living a agency house life 24-7.She has an apartment near the office,which is near the Hotel Intercontinental.She says her work is done by 7PM.Most guys stay at the intercontinental or the Hotel Dann.She introduces them and then they do their own thing,no constant hand holding like with an agency house.She also said she never felt secure in the Ingenio house.Living in a neighborhood if you are doing something to get noticed is a whole different deal.She said from now on in Cali she will live in a guardeda partment of guarded gated community.
So thats the story.Good things do happen to good people if they try and do the right things and hang in there.Margareth has no reason to lie to me.I believe her.You decide for yourself.
Interesting also.I told her about my women situation,2 girlfriends.She says she has seen it before and it seems I am not commited to either one so what usually happens is a third comes along and you drop the first 2.She says someone will be hurt but it is our duty to ourself to be happy.Interestingly my ex calls me when Margareth is here.I still like to hear her sweet cheerfull little voice.And she is very funny.I still love her but am not in love with her anymore.And I can understand her better being on the other side of a mostly one sided love affair myself.Margareth said if the relationship is right for BOTH PEOPLE things will work.I might add if it is not a whole world of things can go wrong.I undesrstand how my wife might have felt better now and am sorry she had to see an ugly side of me.I was just very hurt rejected and disapointed.If its right its right,if not all you can really do about it is admit it.
Thats it from Cali for right now.I feel very fortunate to have met alot of great people and some VERY special ones.
Pete
