So I got back Sunday from my first trip to Barranquilla and I thought I would be nice and post a report about how it went. I'll run down a few points and then I'll tell you the end result.
Me - 28 years old, 200 lbs and balding slightly. Am still waiting for my divorce agreement to be settled, but consider myself divorced as having been seperated for 2 1/2 years. I consider myself to be an old-fashioned romantic which just doesn't work with North American women. I speak about 70% spanish and am constantly learning. And I have a latina fetish, always have and always will.
Agency used - I used Jamie's agency www.latin-wife.com. All I have is good things to say about his service. I used the service called "discover latin women interested in you", which allowed me to create my own profile simular to the ones on his website and then he forwarded it to the ladies that I selected. Not knowing what really to expect, I chose a wide range of ladies, all that had some aspects that interested me. Obviously, some more than others. I chose over 90 women to send my profile to, and was excited at the fact that I received close to 70 positive responses. At which point it allowed me to be a little choosier with who I would communicate with. I received the positive responses in 3 intervals, which I thought at first was a little lame, but in actuality it gave me a chance to focus on and weed out some women in smaller groups within an email or two. So, after all was said and done, I chose about 4 women that really interested me and we shared some good phone conversations / emails / chats. And then I chose about 5 more that I wanted to meet, simply because they were great eye candy and I didn't have the time to get to know them as well as some of the other girls. I figured that during my 12 day trip, that out of 8 women, the odds were I would really spark with at least one of them or more, and if not, then at least I would have a great time on vacation.
Hotel - I stayed at the Dann Carlton on calle 98. This hotel rocked. If anybody tries to compare this hotel to the Prado, you need to stay off the crack. I went and checked out the Prado late in my visit and the ouside was very traditional and nice, the pool area was gorgeous, but the rooms reminded me of something that you rent by the hour. The Prado's rooms were dirty, outdated, and just plain depressing. I would never bring a woman there. The Dann, was slightly more expensive, but well worth it. It had all the luxuries that you could want in a hotel as well as it still had the feeling that I was in Colombia. One of my dates even recognized some Colombian pop-star that was staying there, however I forget the name. As well, they have a casino on sight and is right across the best mall Buenavista. Cuisine was great. And a note to future people who may stay there, over tip the bell boys. These guys are the key to great ideas so you never run out of ideas to take your dates on and will get you anything you need. So I repeat, over tip them.
Barranquilla - I've travelled to non-tourist cities in Mexico quite a bit, and none were as beautiful as Barranquilla, which is surprising because Mexico is supposed to be more developed. Somebody warned me about mosquito problems, but I didn't really see many. I did however get unlucky with the weather, as it rained several of the days that I was there. The humidity is a factor to consider, and I suggest bring a cloth to wipe your brow when out during the day. The women in this city were generally pretty to gorgeous, but I may be biased because of my latina fetish. The men there in general not very good looking. I only saw a small hand full that were worthy of the women there. I felt like a kid in a candy store the first little while with all the pretty women.
Now to walk you through my days and dates while I was there.
Day 1 - Arrived on afternoon, the day of my birthday. Happy birthday to me. Checked into my hotel and called the first few women that I really wanted to meet and scheduled dates. My first date was later on that afternoon with my pre-visit first choice. A beatiful 25 years old (we'll call her AF) with stunning eyes and who just recently graduated from college with a bachelors. We have been talking almost daily for the past month and seemed to share alot in common and she seemed very sincere. So we met in front of my hotel. She showed up in a taxi wearing a halter top and a jean mini skirt showing off her gorgeous long legs. Now her face was not the same as the pictures on her profile, but still very cute. She said that I looked exactly like my photos and was pleased to see that I didn't try to exagerate how I looked and she was happy the way I looked. So we headed across the street to Buenavista's food court to have a coffee. We talked about alot of stuff for a couple hours and there were very few lulls in the converstaion. She recently had a birthday and I had bought her a present prior to me going down. I gave it to her the, a small gold chain with a cross. At about 8 she said she needed to call her aunt, and she had no credit left on her phone, so she asked if she could use the phone in my room. Now, in Montreal, if a woman asks if whe can come up to your hotel room, the chances are your getting lucky. So, I'm think "happy birthday to me", YAY!. I had to register her at the hotel and thay charged me an extra 40 000 which is ok, but they kind of made me feel like I was having a prostitute in my room with how they treated her. Found out that they do that because alot of guys get robbed by girls they bring to there room, so I understood. So we get to my room, she calls her aunt, then we continue talking for a little bit. She was standing by the window, and I decided to make my move, only to have her shy away. Ok, I thought, and tried the same thing about 30 minutes later and got the same reaction. Not the end of the world, but was a little dissapointed with her reaction, but figured that she may be nervous, so I let it go instead of preassuring her. She went home around 9:30. All in all, it seemed like a good date with some very good chemistry potential.
Day 2 - Had 2 dates planned for today. The first date was in the early afternoon with a 22 year old, very petite woman, who we also shared daily emails with. She too had recently graduated with a bachelors in systems analysis. (Let's call her LS). She seemed very cool when we spoke, but I was a little nervous about her age, being a 6 year gap between us (remember, I'm not looking for arm candy, but Mrs Right). Now, I have to tell you though if there is such thing as a perfect date, this date would be it for me as of that day. Again, we met in front of my hotel, went across the street to Buenavista mall for coffee. The converstaion flowed without any lulls, we shared numerous things in common, and she was very attractive. Again, wearing a mini-skirt and a small top. I was starting to think Jamie dressed the girls before the dates, lol. We sat at Buenavista talking for over four hours, but it only seemed like 10 minutes. And instead of ending the date, so I could go get ready for date number 3, we decided to go to the zoo. At the zoo, we continued our great conversation, with lots of laughter and smiles. We took a seat on a bench half way through, and then sat there holding eachother watching the flamingoes and talking more for another hour or so. It was just a fantastic date, like none I've ever had before. On the way out, I bought her a stuffed monkey (which was a joke that we had earlier on that date) and she said she wanted me to bring my cologne on our next date so that she could have it smell like me. We discussed our next date, and she said she would like me to meet her family. I thought that seemed a little forward, but I figured when in Rome. So she said she would pick me up the next day at around 4 and she would take me to her house to meet her family.
Now to rush back to the hotel, call the other girl and tell her that I was ready for our date and to meet me in front of my hotel. Now, when I was talking with this girl prior to my visit, she definately was not the most attractive ones, not ugly but just not as hot, but her brain is what made her attractive. She could carry a conversation on about alot of topics and she seemed very cultured. (let's call her PG). So we met for coffee and this was definately the most boring of the dates so far. She just didn't seem at all interesting. Or maybe it was just me because I couldn't stop thinking of the previous date with LS and how wonderful she is. An hour and half later I said good night and went back to my room. I couldn't get how great the date with LS was. I thought maybe it was the surroundings or something else, so I decided to call AF back and schedule a date with her the following morning, and do the exact same thing with her and see if I can replicate the same time with her....
Day 3 - Met up with AF around 11 and we went to the zoo. Don't forget, she was my top choice prior to my visit. All trhough the date, I couldn't stop thinking about LS. The date was okay, but I just wasn't feeling it on the comparison level. At the end of the date, we headed back to my hotel room again, only to be met with the same reaction towards my advances. Now I had to get ready for my second date with LS and meet her family. Had the bell boy order me some flowers, 11 yellow roses (her favorite) and one red rose bouquet. And picked up 2 bottles of wine for the family and to eat with supper. She picked me up on time and we jumped in a cab to her place, about 40 minutes away. When I arrived, I was greeted warmly by her mother, step-father, 2 brothers and younger sister. She gave me a birthday present that she thought I would like. It was a Chiva (maybe wrong name or spelling), which is a baked clay bus, a traditional toy from the region. I had told her recently I collect toys and am like a child sometimes in that way. I thought it was so sweet she remembered. She also made me a birthday card on the computer and printed it for me. Now, I've received lavish presents from women before, but to have someone go through the trouble of getting me something that intrests me and making me a card, now that's a wonderful present. Her sister also gave me a keychain, which I use now. I talked alot with her step-father, and we hit ti off pretty well. The mother clearly liked the things I had to say and was happy that I showed an intrest in her daughter. The brothers were a little reserved, but still sociable. The sister, who is very cute at 17, was very cool with me. We teased eachother like a big brother and little sister would do in North America. LS had made me and everyone supper, which was chorizo and cornbread. It was delicious, but clearly the family couldn't afford to feed me, so I was still hungry after supper, but that was fine. The house was a simple Colombian house. The main room, which was like a hallway, and 3 bedrooms. LS and her sister shared a single bed, while her brother had his own room, the other brother lived with his birth father, and the parents had the center room. There was no air conditioning, but they did put a fan pointing towards me. The kitchen was small and the appliances were very old. But the home had alot of love in it, which you can tell by all the family pictures throughout. The step-father collected a pension, but still worked with a telephone company. The mother stayed at home, but sometimes worked at a local restaurant. After a great evening, 2 bottles of wine, 3 beers and lots of laughter, the family drove me back to my hotel. We all jumped in the step-fathers 4 door pick up. When we got to my hotel, we parked and I said good-bye to everyone and thanked them for the wonderful evening. I then took LS aside and at that point I made a decision. I told her that I was not going to go on any more dates with any other women, and use the remaining time there to get to know her as much as possible. She was ecstatic and jumped up and gave me a big hug. She said that I should call her the following day and we would make plans. I headed up to my room with a big smile on and a spring in my step. Could this be the one?
?
I'll now pick up the pace of my story a bit.
Day 3 - We went to the movies, where we were the only one in the theatre. A helpful hint to all, is always go the see the oldest movie in the theatre during a weekday afternon, and this may happen to you. It was here we shared our first kiss. And what a wonderful kiss it was. It was filled with passion and it would be difficult to judge who enjoyed it more. We continued our date for a while longer and made plans for the following day.
Day 4 - 8 - We spent every day together, from early afternoon to late evening. A couple of the days were trips with her family, whom brought me to Santa Marta and up to Puerto Colombia. On the trip to Santa Marta, I had claimed her to be my novia, and made my intentions clear to her that I was very interested in pursuing a serious relationship with her. She was very happy, but told me I had to get the parents permission first. This caught me by surprise as me being from Montreal, this isn't done. So, I left her in the ocean with her sister and walked up the beech to her parents. I felt awkward the whole way up. I knew they wouldn't have any objections, but this was the first time I have ever done this with a girls parents. Luckily they made me feel very comfortable. LS's mother said yes almost instantaneously, and the step-father soon followed after asking me of my intentions. I continued talking with her parents for another hour, and then returned to LS to tell her the news. I was greeted with a warm embrace and a big kiss.
Day 9 - We had gone to check out the El Prado hotel for future visits, as she said it was a nice hotel, and it was closer to her house. After seeing the dump of a hotel, I brought her to my hotel, where it was clear I would be staying on each return trip. She loved the room and thought it was fit for a king. Then she saw the pop-star I mentioned earlier, and agreed with my statement that the Prado was crap. Now this is the first time we had been alone in an enclosed room, and after giving her the tour and making her feel comfortable, we began a more physical realtionship at that point. Now, I'm a gemtleman, so I won't go into details, but I'll tell some basics. After about 30 minutes and I decide to it was time to pass first and head into second base. Only to be stopped. D'oh. She told me that she couldn't continue, and the first thing that went through my head was that she had never done this before. She corrected that thought and told me she used to have a boyfriend for 5 years and that she wasn't a virgin, but that the physical stuff between us, she felt uncomfortable because she worried about me not coming back and her being heart broken. I said I was definately coming back for her, but said if it worries you that much, that I'm in no rush and wouldn't mind waiting until she's more comfortable, even until married. So we just hung out in my room, talking, joking and enjoying eachothers company.
Day 10 - We went for a day of beauty at the Hotel's spa. It wasn't much of a spa, but it did the job. We both had manicures and pedicures. (* Note to me, manicures are not just for women. Women love me with clean nails and hands. I've been getting them for years now and always recieve compliments.) I also got a straight blade shave which was horrible there for some reason. She got a facial and a hair cut. She told me she was a little jealous of the girl that was giving me the manicure and pedicure because she didn't like seeing another woman touch any part of my body. That's a nice feeling when someone is jealous because of you. We then headed back to my room for room service late lunch. We began to fool around again, and this time she was a little more aggressive and encouraged me to round second. We stopped half way and she asked me what is the difference if we wait or if we make love now. Will anything change? I told her that nothing will change except the fact that she will have a little more trust for me hopefully, but I was more than fine with waiting. I told her I'm a guy and being a guy I always want it, but told her she was under no pressure to do anything she didn't want to do. I was more than happy with just kissing for now. She said she really wanted to and was extremely mujado. At that point I told her she was the boss and I would follow her lead. I wouldn't do anything without her doing it first. That must have made her feel comfortable, because HOMERUN! And it was fantastic. I've had sex with many different women in my life, but not very often with women that I have feelings for or respect for. It made the experience that much better. The only thing is thank god for round 2, otherwise I would have been a dissappointment.
Day 11 - Basically a repeat of day 10, but without the spa. This was our last day together, as I was leaving tomorrow. In the moring, we did go to get her registered in English classes at KOE. And I also gave her some gifts that I picked up for her. I had given her some small things ealier as well as a white gold chain. Todays gifts were more personal though. I had given her the application form for her passport. One of my favorite shirts, so that she could wear it as pyjamas. A framed photo of us on one of our dates. I also sheduled with a florist to deliver flowers every monday while I am not there. And I also decided to give her one of my debit cards for one of my smaller accounts in case she needed anything for her school. And to take taxis if she is out at night so she wouldn't have to take the bus. Now, some of you are probably thinking that I'm an idiot for giving her this card, after only knowing her for a short time, but the truth is I care for her alot, and it is also a little test to see how she behaves with money. The worst case scenario is I lose $1200. Plus I could always cancel the card at any time. More about the card later on. I also got a chance to say good bye and thank you to her family.
Day 12 - She came by around 9 AM to have breakfast in my room and to help me pack. We did a repeat of day 10 and 11's actions and then talked some more. We told eachother our feelings that we had. It was at this point that I told her that I was in love with her. I felt the feelings around day 8 or 9, but thought that it was too early to be in love with someone that I've only known for such a short little time, but then realized, whose to say that love needs a certain amount of time. Why couldn't I be in love iwtrh someone in such a short time? She told me she felt the same, actually she had told me acouple days before, but I replied with 'te quiero' and not 'te amo'. It was now that I said those beautiful words 'te amo' to her and knew that I meant them. She brought me to the airport where we said our goodbyes and her family showed up to wish me a safe flight and to say they are awaiting my return.
* A couple notes that are worth mentioning.
- Her family wouldn't let me pay for anything on our outtings. I had to almost fight to pick up one tab at a lunch. That meant alot to me, coming from a family that is very distant to eachother, to be accepted and treated well.
- The talk about my work came up as part of normal conversation early on, but I down played what I do and how well I do to ensure that I wasn't meeting someone interested in me for money, like what usually happens here.
Now, Ive been back for a few days now and have called her each evening to hear her voice and talk with her. Each day that passes, I seem to have more and more feelings for her. We talk on the phone about 30 minutes each time and she tells me how much she misses me and loves me and I feel the same. I am in the process of making plans to go down for Christams and New Years. Hopefully about a month. I am bringing an engagement ring with me and at the end of the trip, if everything between us is as great as I can imagine, I will ask her to be my wife. Maybe an April wedding, because I don't want her first moments in Montreal of having to bare with Montreal winters.
A couple notes that I learned while on the dates after asking.
- Women don't like going on group dates with other women and one guy. They feel uncomfortable, and I can't blame them.
- They also aren't that fond of dates with translators. It feels impersonal. So learn spanish. At least enought o get by. Like I said before, my spanish was only about 70%. At times there was points where my vocabulary lacked nad my verbs were off, but I understood them and they understood me.
About the debit card, she has yet to use it. I told her tonight to go buy a new tree for Christmas, because she told me that hers was broken and her mom was upset. She says she'll think about it.
She's been going to her english classes regularly and says she is enjoying them. And that hopefully when I come down for Christmas, she will be able to show me what she learned.
She went for her passport on Tuesday and said she waited for 5 hours, but the paperwork is in and she should have it soon. We haven't talked visa yet.
Well, that's my trip report. I realize its a little long, but I had a good time and wanted to share it with you all. Let me know what you think.
I'll post up a link for my pictures soon.
