Colombia Trip Report, Part 2: Agencies

[John O]

In recent trips to Cali, I'd stayed at Latin Best, where I received fine service from Luz Amparo & her staff, and met a number of very nice ladies. This time I decided to try somewhere new. I signed up with Latin Encounters & All Colombian Girls. The 2 agencies are owned by ex-spouses, I believe, and are within a few blocks of each other.

I've now been with 4 different agencies in Cali, including Latin Internet & the now defunct Latin Connections. I liked these last 2 places, because they were situated in large houses which allowed for dance parties & yes, ladies around the pool.

People often ask "Which are the best agencies?" The 2 most important criteria for me are service & selection. As far as selection, all these agencies have enough ladies in their albums/websites to provide me with a long list (30-40) of attractive ladies to meet. The only agency I've visited that seemed to small in this respect was perhaps AFA in Cartagena. (I only purchased addresses from them; never used their onsite services.)

Regarding service, I was surprised to find about the same level of quality in all the Cali agencies. Based on North American standards, it may not always be excellent, but I found it was adequate for my purposes. Of course, I'm a fairly easygoing guy, bilingual, and take the frequent delays and no-shows more or less in stride. The agency owners seem busy with the business end of things, so you're almost always dealing with (female) staff. And friendly smiles & politeness w/these folks will definitely improve your service.

Like Latin Best, Latin Encounters seems to have a wide selection of quality ladies, many in the mid-20s to mid-30s age range. All Colombian Girls has a lot of beautiful younger ladies, 18-mid-20s, many of whom are too young IMHP for a permanent relationship.

Now, let's crunch the numbers. At both LE & ACG, I made a list of 35-40 ladies I wanted to meet. Within a week or so, each agency had scheduled dates with about 40% of these ladies, and about 30% of them showed up for the dates. (Naturally, trying to coordinate the scheduling at 2 different agencies got kind of hairy at times.) Perhaps because the LE ladies I met were slightly older on avg than the ACG ladies, they comprised about 60% of the ladies who I was most interested in at the end.

I know it's highly unromantic to address the Quest for Love in terms of numbers & stats. But it's one way of looking at it, and may perhaps be useful or interesting to some of you.

To be continued (like it or not)...

[cancunhound]

... in response to Colombia Trip Report, Part 2: Agencies, posted by John O on Sep 6, 2003

I appreciate the trip report but I have to wonder WTF you're doing down there - your words do not develop a picture of a guy with legit intentions.  Maybe I misread something.  Sounds like fun however.
-------------------------------------------------------

"I've now been with 4 different agencies in Cali, including Latin Internet & the now defunct Latin Connections. I liked these last 2 places, because they were situated in large houses which allowed for dance parties & yes, ladies around the pool. "

"Based on North American standards, it may not always be excellent, but I found it was adequate for my purposes. "

[John O]

... in response to Re: ?, posted by cancunhound on Sep 6, 2003

Thanks for the good question.

My intentions are legit. My methods may be, however, as they said of Kurtz in "Apocalypse Now" "unsound".

I've made mistakes. I'm trying to get better.

[cancunhound]

... in response to Old College Try, posted by John O on Sep 7, 2003

Certainly one of my favorites.  Remember that surfing scene where the officer (Duvall wasn't it?) and crew surfed while in the midst of the heavy action on the beach head?  That's what my peers think it must have been like when I spent 3 days kiteboarding up in Lago Calima, Colombia!  Good luck with your search and excuse the doubt - anyone who can quote from that movie has their priorities straight IMHO.

[John O]

... in response to Classic movie BTW, posted by cancunhound on Sep 7, 2003

Great movie.

If I go to live in Colombia like you, will I turn into a womanizing Kurtz?

"The pleasure... The pleasure..."

[cancunhound]

... in response to Charlie don't surf, posted by John O on Sep 7, 2003

But I'm not so sure about the AUC guys - there was definitely some presence in Darien (not that far to the FARC territory from there - of course some areas near Cali aren't that far from it either).
I wish I could say that I have moved to Colombia, but I'm still working on that and quite frankly there's probably not a chance in hell it'll ever happen. It's not just the finances, but to convince my wife of the idea is the catch - she likes to visit as I do but is not thrilled about the idea of returning permanently (unicentro and chipi are nice - but still not quite the same thing as a Galleria).  So I'm stuck with visiting as often as possible and have to live with that predicament.  Cali vet has it pegged - try to avoid introducing them to the US if possible!  Kurtz?  Nahhh, couldn't happen - I think one Colombiana is enough, and that one Colombiana will keep a gringo in check should the eyes venture too far!

[NW Jim]

... in response to Re: ?, posted by cancunhound on Sep 6, 2003

I'll let John speak for himself, but in reading his posts he sounds a guy who has standards and isn't going to settle for just another pretty face. Being selective and taking your time are smart approaches IMHO.

[Michael B]

... in response to Colombia Trip Report, Part 2: Agencies, posted by John O on Sep 6, 2003

You speak Spanish to women in their 30's who have kids, have an easy going personality and don't presure them for sexual favors. I can't figure out why they aren't standing in the lobby screaming 'My prayers have been answered!' and fighting over you.....but maybe your next chapter will tell us.

[mudd]

... in response to Colombia Trip Report, Part 2: Agencies, posted by John O on Sep 6, 2003

That is one reason I wanted to try Peru, different women, different scenery, and less traveled path. I hate it when an appointment doesn’t show up, or does not call to tell you that they will not make it. I remember that happening a lot in Colombia, but it never happened when in Lima. Maybe because the marriage agency thing in Peru is so new, that the girls are not burned out on meeting so many foreigners. I would guess that after a while, a good looking girl would get tired of going to an agency to meet a man, and find out after an hour, he is not for her. Just a thought, and I never asked a girl in Colombia if they were tired of the meetings. Has anybody asked the question?

[beenthere]

... in response to Re: Colombia Trip Report, Part 2: Agenci..., posted by mudd on Sep 6, 2003

I've asked that question many times.  Their answer is usually:  they are tired of the poor quality of men who are in the agencies.  For example a 60 year old man, looking for a 19-25 year old, men who are in their 40's and 50's who are bald, over-weight and looking for young women who are out of their league; men who don't know how to dress on a date, for example wearing shorts, tee-shirts, and sandles on a date (guys Cali is NOT Cartagena, don't wear shorts around town); men who have bad body odor and dental hygiene; men who are rude, get drunk, and lack class.  After 3 or 4 dates with the above, the women just get tired of showing up, and I don't blame them.  Part of it is the agencies' fault for filling the gringos' heads with the idea that to these women looks aren't important, age isn't important, money isn't important, but as a whole that is a myth.  Most of these women are looking for their "principe azul", their knight in shining armour. If they have a chance with a Brad Pitt type with money, of course they'll go for it. Sure, they will settle for less if they have to, and MAYBE they'll grow to love you.  If you're in your 40's, are in great shape, and know how to treat a women, you'll have success with the 20 year olds.  But don't take it personal if you don't.  Maybe set your standards a little lower, be LESS DESPERATE, go for a 5 or 6 instead of an 8 or 9, especially if you're a 4 or 5.
I hope this post mets Jim and cancunhound's approval.

[jim c]

... in response to Re: Re: Colombia Trip Report, Part 2: Ag..., posted by beenthere on Sep 8, 2003

Hey Hasbeen
Quote "If you're in your 40's, are in great shape, and know how to treat a women, you'll have success with the 20 year olds"   Correction a 20 rear old is a girl not a woman.  I was right. You are after the teenies, I bet you like them real short and skinny. " Tell us Humbert how do we get the tinies to pay attention to us when we are over forty. Take em shopping. Dazzle em with your experience, Buy em a lollipop?  

    Of course, you do not fall into the men of poor quality group. Please enlighten us with your brilliance, with your secret knowledge, not the routine of brush your teeth and use deoderant tripe. Thats plagerism, I wrote that post two years ago. Don't you want to help us or do you enjoy being the international man of mystery with the sharp wit. jim c

[Chris F]

... in response to Re: Colombia Trip Report, Part 2: Agenci..., posted by mudd on Sep 6, 2003

Could you mind sharing that information??  

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mudd]

... in response to Re:Hey Mudd!!...What agency did you use ..., posted by Chris F on Sep 7, 2003

read my first report below. i used matchingsys.com
very nice owners

[elcolombiano]

... in response to Re: Colombia Trip Report, Part 2: Agenci..., posted by mudd on Sep 6, 2003

Yes I have. They complain the guys they send to meet them are bald, overweight and ready for the nursing home.

[zack]

... in response to Colombia Trip Report, Part 2: Agencies, posted by John O on Sep 6, 2003

You said that it is highly unromantic to address the Quest for Love in terms of numbers or stats.

Agreed, but so what!! Do what it takes to find the woman of your dreams. I dont give a sh%t how unromantic the quest is. As long as you find her, that's all that matters.

I know a beautiful American woman who sits at home and believes that fate will just bring the right man to her doorstep. SPARE ME!! Anyone who is waiting for that "sleepless in Seattle" introduction will probably have a very long wait.

keep us informed,

Zack