With so many options how does one...

[Frank O]

decide where to go? When I went to Ukraine it was just Ukraine I didn't even consider the Russian ladies that wrote me.
However this time around I was looking into Peru. Then started to look into Panama & Costa Rica. Man how does someone narrow the search down? Do you place ads in DIFFERENT countries then narrow it or focus on 1 exclusively? The one I am keeping away from is Colombia as the scene reminds me a LOT of Ukraine. Too many girls & too many agencies thus too many scams as well. Any feedback or advice regarding searching for a Latina?

[CelticUrge]

... in response to With so many options how does one..., posted by Frank O on Jun 27, 2005

So you decided on a country. Now which city do you choose?

IMO that is a personal choice. As you can easily determine from scanning threads on this forum, everyone has a personal preference. Sometimes its as simple as which city you know best, or where you first made some contacts, be it with an agency, latina or gringo visiting or living in that city. For me, I choose to focus on Bogota for a variety of reasons. It is the capital city, largest population, most universities (to best of my knowledge), center of commerce and government, weather is cooler (nicer vacation spot if you live in Houston) and I had a few contacts there that even though I had not yet met prior to my first trip, they were helping me out. There were even more reasons but you get the idea. Once some of my choices were "stacked" in favor of Bogota I stopped looking for more information on the other cities and became more focused. I choose Colombia in much the same manner. It just happened that I had several long term friends originally from Colombia. I also eliminated other countries for a variety of reasons, like I was barely learning Spanish and see no reason to switch to Portuguese.

So, it really is a very personal choice. Do you buy the same clothing that I would choose? Do you drive the same vehicle I drive? Do you like the same movies, restaurants, and night clubs that I prefer? Do you like beer? I don't, I prefer Cognac. Do you have two left feet and no natural rhythm like me? Possibly so if you are a gringo and have caucasian ancestry.

Look at the postings from people on this forum and ask them about what they know best. Then make your decision. There is no wrong decision. Only one best choice that works for you personally. There is a vast wealth of information avalable here. Tap into it at your own pace.

I have not been in Bogota in about two years. I have been dealing with family issues, aging parents, one of which has Alzheimer's, their operations, hurricane damage, etc. When I return to Colombia, probably just after the first of the year when I can allow for a longer trip, then I will return and Bogota will be the first and possibly only city that I choose to visit.

Once you visit any latin city you will learn a great deal about the culture, the people and the city itself. The larger cities especially are vibrant and alive in stark contrast to any city in the U.S. Once you arrive: Does the city you now find yourself visiting fit with who you are as a person? Do you feel comfortable there? Do you want to stay in the nicer suburbs, warehouse district, downtown, or near some specific site or attraction? Are you confident in your choice once you arrive and spend a few days getting to know the lay of the land?

Let us all know what you decide and most importantly, why you made this decision.

[valuedcustomer]

... in response to With so many options how does one..., posted by Frank O on Jun 27, 2005

[This message has been edited by valuedcustomer]

Charting your path without agencies is the best if you can pull it off.  If you ever decide for Colombia, I recommend going to Bogota.  The ugly scene you read about here comes from the agency industry which has developed in Cali. Latin American Introductions is a good agency in Bogota.  Bogota is the lower risk option.

[Jake]

... in response to With so many options how does one..., posted by Frank O on Jun 27, 2005

TO EACH HIS OWN  , ONE MAN'S SUCCESS DOES NOT MEAN IT IWLL WORK FOR YOU .

I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS ON TOURS , JOINING AGENCIES THAT OFFER LIFE LONG MEMBERSHIPS , AND BUYING ADDRESS'S .

FOR MOST WHO DO NOT HAVE THE LUXURY TO TRAVEL SOUTH 4-5 TIMES A YEAR IMO BUYING ADDRESS'E YOU WILL GET MORE BANG OUT OF YOUR BUCK .

WHAT COUNTRY YOU ASK I THINK THEY ARE ALL GOOD ...I HAVE MET SOME SUPER LADIES , COSTA RICA , SEEN BEAUTIFUL LADIES IN PANAMA , DATED HOTTIES IN COLOMBIA , ENGAGED BEFORE TO A LINGERIE MODEL IN PERU ......... NOW HAVE A LOVELY LADY FROM BRAZIL ..... JUST ASK HEAT OR PAPI ...THEY  HAVE SEEN PHOTOS OF HER ........

I SUGGEST THAT YOU BUY 15-20 ADDRESS'S FROM SEVERAL DIFFERENT COUNTRIES AND SPEND A COUPLE OF WEEKS WRITING SOME NICE LETTERS TO THESE DIFFERENT PLACES TO  SEE WHO WANTS TO ME YOU . SO  OFTEN WE ONLY THINK DOWN A ONE WAY STREET , YOU NEED TO CONSIDER THE OTHER WAY .

ONE SHORT STORY .... I SAW A LETTER THAT A GUY FROM THE US WROTE TO A LADY IN BRAZIL ... NICE LOOKING GUY , MONEY , CAR , BIG HOUSE ..ECT .... IN HIS LETTER HE HAD 36 REQUIERMENTS THAT HIS " NEW WIFE WILL DO "  LIKE EVERYDAY AT 6:30 SHE WILL MAKE HIM A FULL BREAKFAST , EXCEPT ON THE WEEKENDS . THE HOUSE WILL BE WASH 2 TIMES A WEEK , WE WILL HAV SEX EVERYDAY ...ECT ... i THINK YOU GET THE POINT .

THE DAYS OF SLAVERY ARE OVER .... THIS GUY WILL NEVER GET A WOMEN ANY WHERE ..........

WRITE THESE LADIES , GET RESPONSE'S , AND PLAN TRIPS WHERE THERE ARE SOME AGENCIES POSSIBLY , OR A FEW LADIES IN THE SAME CITY ..........AND GET OFF YOUR ASS AND GO SEE THEM ......

TO ME COMING OFF THAT PLANE AND SEEING THAT LADY FOR THE FIRST TIME CAN BE REALLY EXCITING OR YOU MAY WANT TO HIDE. THAT IS ALL PART OF THE PROCESS ...........

JAKE

   

[papi]

... in response to Re: With so many options how does one..., posted by Jake on Jun 28, 2005

Frank,

Jake knows the score and has an incredibly attractive novia. He would be a good guy to talk to. I have had several conversations with him. He's more into the letter writing thing but I dont have the patience for that but his ideas work. I think if you tried his suggestions - you would find the woman of your dreams but you may need to learn Portuguese. Brazil is a good ticket but I am not going to start over with a new language

[Frank O]

... in response to Re: With so many options how does one..., posted by Jake on Jun 28, 2005

Thanks for the advice Jake. Having been through the whole process to the point of being married & having the lady ARRIVE in the USA I KNOW what you mean. The thing is I KNOW & can handle Ukraine now I want to try my on Latin ladies. I guess a Latin man married to a Ukrainian cold blooded chick is NOT a good combination. I'm just trying to find out what works. In Ukraine that was it just Ukraine. I could arrive in 1 country & hit 3 -4 different cities. In Latin America well you have the problem of which COUNTRY not which city. That's my dilemma I guess.

[Hamlet]

... in response to With so many options how does one..., posted by Frank O on Jun 27, 2005

I always choose the path less traveled, so when I decided to go to Latin America I avoided Colombia and I avoided agencies.  I met women from Cuba, Costa Rica and Nicaragua.  I studied Spanish, lived with families in the various countries and had great cultural experiences along the way.  In fact, the families with whom I lived were my greatest source of dates, gladly introducing me to women they knew personally and could vouch for.

Hamlet

[utopiacowboy]

... in response to With so many options how does one..., posted by Frank O on Jun 27, 2005

I've had numerous relationships with women from the US, Canada and Mexico. My brother is married to a Russian. I've been married for the last 2 years to a Colombiana. Any man who hasn't been married to a Colombiana does not know what he's missing (and I know that there are great women everywhere). Imagine a beautiful intelligent woman whose dream is to take care of you in every way (and I mean every way!) and this is the Colombian wife. Faithful, devoted, kind and loving, cheerful, optimistic and outgoing - all of these qualities describe my wife. I never imagined having such a happy marriage was possible. If God forbid, something happened to my wife, Colombia is the ONLY place I would look for a wife.

[Frank O]

... in response to You're skipping Colombia???, posted by utopiacowboy on Jun 28, 2005

I had a lady from Bogota write me & we've spoken on the phone & had a blast. Anyways I'm pretty flexible.

[Frank O]

... in response to You're skipping Colombia???, posted by utopiacowboy on Jun 28, 2005

In Colombia?

[Frank O]

... in response to You're skipping Colombia???, posted by utopiacowboy on Jun 28, 2005

Maybe I'll look into it but the scene is SO reminiscent of Ukraine to me there in Colombia.

[Cali James]

... in response to Re: You're skipping Colombia???, posted by Frank O on Jun 28, 2005

Frank, I've been to Moscow and St. Pete and ended up marrying a Colombiana from Cali.  Cali is great, the women are open and friendly. The guys who have gotten burned in Cali would have gotten burned anywhere because they ignored red flags or married women 20+ years younger than them.  Anyway, I recommend Cali!  Think about renting a room from Pete E and use Latin Best agency.

[Frank O]

... in response to You're skipping Colombia???, posted by Cali James on Jun 28, 2005

Thanks I'll check out Latin best

[papi]

... in response to Re: You're skipping Colombia???, posted by Frank O on Jun 28, 2005

Frank, Heat is right below. In my opinion, there are more scammers and flakes in Colombia than other areas but there are also many nice girls. Because you speak Spanish fluently and can get the advice on good agencies here on the forum should not rule out Colombia. I am open to it - and feel I have enough experience to see the warning signs. With your Spanish - you will pick up on it fast and move on to the next. Also, some areas are better than others. I am going to catch flack for this but in my opinion there are probably less players say in BAQ or Bog for example than Cali

[Traveller]

... in response to Re: You're skipping Colombia???, posted by Frank O on Jun 28, 2005

You're basing this assumption on never having gone to Colombia? That's like saying you don't like and have never tried chocolate pudding (or something) because you heard someone else say THEY didn't like it.
Try it yourself, first, before making a decision.