14 days till cali

[chizz]

Just wanted to throw a tidbit out there. In 14 days I will be going to cali for the first time, and I'm really looking forward to it. In preparation for my trip, I'vs studied spanish from various locations, and I've purchased many programs. However, I personally think that the pimsleur is by far the best tutorial I've encontered, even more so than my beginners course I took earlier this year. I also signed up to put my picture and profile in TLC's magazine, and I've recieved a few responses so far, and i'm proud to annouce that I can translate the letters on my own, with no outside help. I know some of you are proficient in spanish, but If you're learning like me anytime you can understand anything in a different language, it's very satisfying. I was bored so I wanted to post a message. take care and thanks for reading.
Bryan

[Fuzzyone]

... in response to 14 days till cali, posted by chizz on Dec 10, 2003

So you liked the pimslear courses? I went ahead and ordered one of the
courses to help me. I know a little spanish since I was married to a
pervian. Thanks for the info, I do want to learn Spanish I think it will help
alot in the future. Good luck in Cali..try to leave some girls for the rest of
theses guys ok :-)

[chizz]

... in response to Re: 14 days till cali, posted by Fuzzyone on Dec 10, 2003

Sup Fuzz,
From what I'm hearing, there will be plenty women for all of us. I'm only going to be down there for six days, so if I do meet someone, hopefully she'll understand and she'll be able to email and talk to me on the phone when I leave.
Yes, The pimslear course is very helpful, better than the other immersion courses in my opinion, and believe me I've tried quite a few. take care.
Bryan

[cancunhound]

... in response to Re: Re: 14 days till cali, posted by chizz on Dec 11, 2003

I too think that series is the best - especially if you have had some previous spanish studies back in junior high or high school.  I have recommended the 3 part full course to some friends with pretty good success.  They work especially well if you have a commute to work of greater than 30 minutes whereby a daily schedule can be adhered (ignore the bit about one lesson per day - shoot for 1 cassete per day).  Upon successful completion of I, II & III one can expect to possess basic conversational skills, with the ability to expand that vocabulary through normal conversation.  Throw in a compact grammar book and dictionary and you're set (throw away the electronic calculators - memory retention is far better using a good old fashioned book IMHO).  For miscellaneous downtime learning - I load some spanish flashcards on my palm pilot, as well as read the Spanish versions of classic novels (currently working of Dafoe's Robinson Crusoe).  As far as internet resources, I have yet to find a more informative free site than
http://www.lingolex.com/spanish.htm

-CaliGringo.com

[Cali vet]

... in response to 14 days till cali, posted by chizz on Dec 10, 2003

You're coming Christmas day? The agencies will be a little quiet during the holidays as in the secretary will say of your top choices "oh she's out of town with her family for the holidays" as you pick through the books but there's women aplenty so not a problem. Time to cram on the Spanish. Buen viaje!

[Seeker]

... in response to Re: 14 days till cali, posted by Cali vet on Dec 10, 2003

Cali Vet,

Do you think that visiting an agency between Jan. 2nd and the 19th improves the odds of the women being available? Where do they go? Like Chizz, I may not have that much flexibility. I'll have to keep a positive outlook too.

[Cali vet]

... in response to Re: Re: 14 days till cali, posted by Seeker on Dec 11, 2003

Those who can afford it go to the beach, mostly Santa Marta but San Andres and Cartagena too. They use to go to Bahia Solano in Choco also but following various guerrilla kidnappings interest there has waned. They have to return to work the second week of January. Of course there are plenty of girls in the agencies whose families don't have the plata to go anywhere.

[Seeker]

... in response to A la playa, posted by Cali vet on Dec 12, 2003

A la playa makes sense. I was in Cartagena in May and although I didn't find the beach that attractive, I really enjoyed Islas del Rosario. Thanks for the feedback. Either way, no shortage of beautiful women in Cali.

[chizz]

... in response to Re: 14 days till cali, posted by Cali vet on Dec 10, 2003

sup Cali,
I know it was probably a bad time to go down there, but as a police officer in boston, it's hard to find time to do things like this. I had some days coming to me, and this was the only time I could go down there, since I don't know when i'll be free in 2004. That's okay though, I still plan on having a good time, and a nice vacation, and meeting a nice girl would be a definate plus. As far as the spanish goes, i'm studying at least 2 hours a day in preparation, as i really don't like being my lady and someone there with us having to translate, I didn't have one in Barranquilla, and i don't want one in Cali. To me it's kind of impersonal and spoils the moment. thanks.
Bryan

[roadken]

... in response to 14 days till cali, posted by chizz on Dec 10, 2003

Hey dude.Save your money on the TLC thing.It is a waste of time and money.So are their "tours".You are much better off joining some agencies.Good luck.

[chizz]

... in response to Re: 14 days till cali, posted by roadken on Dec 10, 2003

Yeah, it was kind of a spur of the moment thing. I did it before and got quite a few responses. the only problem was 98 percent of the letters i got came from Cuba. I did get one from Columbia, from a very attractive woman, but this was about 6 years ago, and I never responded to her. I've been kicking myself ever since. I'll be using Latin Encounters when I get to Cali, and I will be bringing a journal to keep track of any and all events that take place.

[Cali vet]

... in response to Re: Re: 14 days till cali, posted by chizz on Dec 11, 2003

Chizz a bit of advice if it's your first visit to an agency, especially that one. When the agency makes appointments for you the idea is to sit and chat at the agency. You have no obligation whatsoever to take the girl out anywhere and spend money on her unless you want to, although some agency operaters may try to push you to do so. Just her cab fare.

[roadken]

... in response to Re: Re: 14 days till cali, posted by chizz on Dec 11, 2003

Latin Encounters is a very good choice.Latin Best,All Colombian Girls and Latin-Internet are good agencies as well.Good luck and have fun.