Bogota Trip report, el fin

[JR n Atl]

Day 10, Monday March 10th

My flight back to Bogotá was scheduled to depart at 2:15 and hotel check-out was not until 3:00 so I had plenty of time to goof around that morning. I went out to the beach and took some photos, had some fun with a couple of vendors and did a little souvenir shopping up and down Calle 6. I called E.R. at work to say one last goodbye and to see if maybe she might have time to go for lunch. She couldn’t and we said our final goodbyes and agreed I’d call when I got back to Atlanta. Damn. I really wanted to see her again before I left. I finished packing, checked out and headed out to the airport. “I am really going to miss this place,” I thought as we drove past the Old City on the way. I made it back to Bogotá just fine, but because of the hour traffic was horrible and it took a while to get back to La Fontana. When I got there and checked in, lo and behold Delta had called while I was in Cartagena and said that they had my other suitcase. I could pick it up in the morning when I went to the airport. Thanks a lot, Delta. Before I left Cartagena for Bogotá, I had decided that I wouldn’t extend my stay (my scheduled return flight to Atlanta left first thing Tuesday morning) but I figured I’d at least try to have dinner with T.I. However, I decided against it. I was worn out and suffering from the gastro funk again. And I still had to go over to Unicentro and The Hard Rock Café to pick up booze, t-shirts, coffee and assorted other BS for friends back here in the US. My early flight meant I had to leave the hotel at 5:30 AM. And after the weekend with E.R., I knew that I’d only be wasting T.I.’s time. So I grabbed some food, had the hotel call me a taxi to take me to Atlantis and hang out while I went in the HRC to grab my stuff, then went back to the hotel and crashed pretty hard. I guess it was around 8:30 or 9:00P. And that was my last night in Bogotá. I made it out to the airport in plenty of time the next morning, retrieved my missing suitcase and reluctantly flew back to Atlanta.

And that’s it. Of course many other things happened that would take too much time to tell. I had a great time. E.R. and I speak or email several times weekly. We like each other a great deal and I’ll be going back to Cartagena for her birthday in June. We’ll see where it goes. As soon as I can, I’ll get some pictures posted on the net, both of Bogotá and Cartagena. As for Odee, my experience was fine and I’d recommend them for anyone who isn’t into the tour route and prefers a more personal, intimate approach. As I stated before, William and Angela will do as much or as little for you as you like. I needed to keep my expenses down, so I opted for an internet profile with them back in December. I think for $80 I was allowed my profile and contact information of 4 ladies. Turns out I was inundated with responses, so I didn’t need much contact info. I was fortunate enough that most of the ladies whose profile I’d seen and was interested in contacted me first. Oddly enough, the one lady who I did initiate contact with was E.R. I eventually paid $300 for a quarterly membership for services while in Bogotá, and William applied my original $80 to that. All the ladies I met were top notch and many with whom I corresponded as well. I got emails from doctors, lawyers, microbiologists, psychologists, dentists, teachers, bankers, and more.  That doesn’t mean they don’t have any klunkers. For example, one lady with whom I’d corresponded pretty much told me to get lost the week before I went to Bogotá. Basically she didn’t like the fact that I was meeting other women while there. Of course, she was full of it. She actually called Angela while I was there to get my number at the hotel. Angela and I both thought that was strange after the way she’d acted the week before. Angela, in particular thought her behavior was strange because this lady had been corresponding with other men and it really didn’t make sense for her to back out on me because I was meeting other women. And she had told me in an email that I was the only guy she had written. She also said she didn’t smoke and Angela told me that was bogus, too. So now this lady has lied outright to me. I never heard from her while I was there, but if she had called I would have said thanks, but no thanks. The point is that there are stinkers in every agency so keep your eyes peeled. Having said that, I think that if you have your sights set on women who are in the 28-38 age range, educated and maybe a little more sophisticated, Odee is a great source. I’m guessing they have between 80-100 on the books in that range out of around 250 total. William’s family grows the roses they use and they can have them delivered anywhere in Colombia for $50. I had some delivered to E.R. in Cartagena two weeks to the day after we met. However, you can probably find them cheaper if you know a florist in the city where your gal lives. I don’t know of one in Cartagena yet so I’ll use William in the meantime. Someone asked about the male clientele. E.R. says she thinks they have around 50-60 on the books, mostly North Americans. She is only aware of a few of Europeans. I saw one guy in the office while I was there. He was U.S. military and came in with a Colombiana, looked like they were already a couple to me.

I hope all this has been helpful. If anyone has any questions about Odee, etc. just let me know and I’ll do my best to answer. For those of you who are considering this, don’t be scared off by the things you hear about Colombia. The reality is not what you see on TV and hear on the news. Have crystal clarity about what you can and can’t accept in a woman, learn as much Spanish as you can, figure out which approach is right for you (letters first vs. tours), buy the ticket, and go. Trust me, you will not regret it.

JR

[KentAtl]

... in response to Bogota Trip report, el fin, posted by JR n Atl on Apr 6, 2003

Thank you for all the information JR about your trip to Bogota...It help me out alot...I am also from Atlanta as well..I have been talking to one lady for a year and another for six mos..I plan to visit Bogota this summer..I think we would all enjoy seeing photos from your trip..I can't wait to visit Bogota, afer reading all your posts..I would like to ask you some other next time but on my way to work...Thanks, again for your of your information..

Kent

[Michael B]

... in response to Bogota Trip report, el fin, posted by JR n Atl on Apr 6, 2003

Thanks, JR. That was an excellent trip report both in content and result. I don't think I'll be needing ODEE's services any time soon (at least not before Martha's K-1 gets approved, hee hee) but those who need an agency and were wondering about that one should now know they are trustworthy and give good service.

Here's a flower shop in Cartagena that I've used with good results and I always recomend it when somebody mentions sending flowers there: Cartagena Floral, Bgde Cr. 5 Cl. 7A Casa Parroquia, Caratgena. Phone 575-665-6467. The propritor, George Cadena, speaks excellent English. He will take your order over the phone and trust you to mail a check to his daughter in Miami, FL.

Best luck with E.R. and hope things work out for the two of you.

[JR n Atl]

... in response to Very good report, posted by Michael B on Apr 6, 2003

Thanks, Michael. I'll check out the florist the next time I need to send flowers to Maria (ER's real name). How much for a dozen roses? BTW, one thing about sending flowers through Odee that I forgot to mention is that at this moment they only take American Express or wire transfer. If you have an Amex card you're set, but the wire transfer will tack on some additional expense.

JR

[Michael B]

... in response to Re: Very good report, posted by JR n Atl on Apr 6, 2003

The reason ODEE won't take anything except AMEX or wire transfer is the same reason this guy has you send a check to his daughter--MC and VISA don't honor telephone or internet orders in Colombia. He will deliver your order the same day you place it, he doesn't insist on waiting for the check to clear. I didn't send a dozen roses, I sent a big mix arrangement, which the lady said was really nice (this was about 2 years ago, not even the same lady now, but that's another story). I paid $50.00, he'd probably do a dozen roses for maybe half that I'm guessing?

BTW (yet another shamless plug, honest I don't get a commision, just beleive in letting potential customers know when somebody gives great service) Edge's (a regular poster here) mother-in-law is in the flower business in Cali and she does a BEAUTIFUL job for $25.00---same payment plan, she delivers and you mail your check to Edge.

[Edge]

... in response to Re: Re: Very good report, posted by Michael B on Apr 6, 2003

for flowers for gringos wanting to send to ladies in Cali.

gracias Michael B.

[Brazilophile]

... in response to Bogota Trip report, el fin, posted by JR n Atl on Apr 6, 2003

Great report JR!  I have a question about the ladies' expectations.  You were meeting only professional ladies.  Did they expect to immediately get the same type of job in the US as they have in Colombia?  Or did they realize that they would need to improve their English and probably get additional training before working at the same level they are used to?  I ask this because I have met some professional ladies, mostly nurses with 2 year degrees, who expected to come to the US and walk into a top notch nursing job.  I couldn't bring myself to explain that most US nursing jobs require a 4 year nursing degree and that the top notch jobs go to nurses with master's degrees.

[JR n Atl]

... in response to Re: Bogota Trip report, el fin, posted by Brazilophile on Apr 6, 2003

All the ladies that I encountered were well aware of this and had no unrealistic expectations. I usually asked this question early on, especially of the ladies who had advanced, professional degrees (engineers, doctors, lawyers, etc.) Most of them were more interested in starting a family than of pursuing their career here in the US. Family first, then later maybe back to the career. Most of them understood that to do the same thing here would require additional training and certification. E.R. is a veterinarian and she understands completely what she'll be giving up by coming here. She'd like to work as a vet here someday, but her primary concern now is starting a family.

JR