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Hi!
  I just decided this past week to look for my future wife in S.
America.  I'd rather not go to Columbia so I'm focusing on
Peru.  Today I actually applied for my passport since I may go
in July with Latin Magic tours.  I don't speak any Spanish
however.   What percentage of these women (on this romance
tour) do you think I might be able to converse with somewhat
in English?   Any help is greatly appreciated.  I am ready to find
my wife!  

-Grant

... in response to Language barriers, posted by grant5432 on May 21, 2003

Grant, I encourage you to continue with your interest in Peru. The people there are very friendly and as others have stated, if you do speak even a little spanish, it goes a long way with them. You won't meet a lot of women who speak spanish; I used blossoms.com and met a number of women and only a few spoke basic English. Petty crime is a problem in downtown Lima especially, although one of my dates had her purse stolen as she was getting out of the cab to meet me in Miraflores, a more upscale area of Lima. I keep a photocopy of my passport with my atm card and leave my room with only that and enough cash for the day.

While I haven't been to Colombia, it sounds like the girls there may be getting more demanding/descriminating. Dating gringos is a growing business in Peru and is not nearly as "agencyized" as Colombia, so I think you're getting a better selection. (I know I'll be flamed for those remarks! ;-)) The women I met in Lima were from a range of backgrounds and classes. Many were dentists or worked in the medical field, some came from "rich" families, others like my girlfriend, came from poor families. All said they wanted an american because of how the men treat them there.

It is safe to travel in the countryside almost anywhere in Peru and if you have the time, try to book a trip to Machu Picchu.  It's only a day trip from Cuzco, which is also worth seeing.  I rented a car and took my GF and her cousin all over Peru and we had a great time, although driving there can test your mettle (and the car's metal, too).

There is a much larger indigenous population in Peru than in Colomobia and it shows in the makeup of the people. The people of the coast are more european looking, but there are some enclaves of blacks descended from slaves. As you go into the mountains it becomes mostly indigenous or "mestizo." Of course, since Lima is the capital and cultural center of Peru, you'll see them all there.

The event will probably be in Miraflores, which I mentioned as an upscale area of Lima. It's near the coast and you could go to LarcoMar to see the ocean, or more romantic is Barranca, a little south of Miraflores.  Use a taxi to get to those places for only a few soles. Beware "Pizza Street" in Miraflores: the food is good and the atmosphere can be wild on the weekend, but there are many women looking to pick you up for a short time, if you know what I mean.

Well, I could ramble on, but if you want more specific info send me a note and I will answer as best I can.

... in response to About Peru, posted by surfscum on May 21, 2003

Thanks for all the great info!  It still seems to me Peru may be somewhat
safer than Columbia.   Plus, I can see myself telling family members I'm
going to Peru on vacation more easily than telling them I'm going to
Columbia for vacation!

I wish I knew other Lima tours other than Latin Magic.  But unles I hear
anything real negative about Latin Magic, I may go on that one.  thanks.

... in response to surfscum: thanks, posted by grant5432 on May 23, 2003

I just remembered that TLC has tours.  My novia and her cousing went this past Feb, I think and she had a story to tell afterwards.  It seems that a couple of the guys REALLY got into the dancing and started doing a strip tease.  They got down to their underwear and were even flashing what was left. My girlfriend told me that there were some 20-30 women around them, while the other 200 or so had little to nothing to do with them. Those guys had no idea what damage they did to the reputations of americans that night.

TLC's web site is: www.tlcworldwide.com, however they won't be returning until March of next year, so that's not going to help you. Oh well, I tried.

... in response to About Peru, posted by surfscum on May 21, 2003

Where are you in CA, north, south, central? My wife and I are coming to San Diego in June.

... in response to Re: About Peru--Calling surfscum--surfsc..., posted by Red Clay on May 22, 2003

I live near Palo Alto. Where do you actually live and when are you in S. Diego and for how long? Perhaps we could hook up.

... in response to Surfscum to Red Clay, come in Red Clay....., posted by surfscum on May 22, 2003

We live in the Nashville TN. area, about 20 minutes NW of downtown off I-24.  Coming to San Diego June 11-15. You can email me with the link in my profile if you want.

... in response to About Peru, posted by surfscum on May 21, 2003

....that I agree it's basically safe to travel the countryside in Peru, just continue to watch your belongings in public, on buses, etc. everywhere you go. Almost all the terrorist/kidnapping/bombing activity of years past is now gone.

... in response to Re: About Peru---I would only add....., posted by Red Clay on May 22, 2003

The latest Peruvian whipping boy is Alberto Fujimori. Say what they will about him, he did a LOT of good for Peru, like eradicating the Shining Path guerillas.  Peru's economy was a shambles when he was elected, thanks to Alan Garcia. As an aside, the animosity between "criollos" and indigenous people in Peru is so strong that Alan Garcia came back AFTER the statute of limitations had run out for HIS crimes in office to run against Toledo. He lost by 2-3% points!! Toledo is American-educated, Ph.D. in Econ, I think and is a decent guy, but he is too "indian" for many Peruvians.  Alan Garcia drove Peru to the ground; it was under his administration the Sendero Luminoso/Shining Path activity surged. Now they are re-trying all those who were convicted under Fujimori's martial law, including Abimael Guzman and his wife, who are the primary leaders of the movement. I love Abimael's pictures: he looks like Jerry Garcia, but in a black and white prison uniform and he ALWAYS has this rabid, frothing look on his face.  But he is one DANGEROUS man and if they let him go the country will once again be unsafe.

Anyway, you're right Red Clay, always be aware of your belongings. No need to be paranoid, not even in Lima, just be aware of what's going on around you.

... in response to Language barriers, posted by grant5432 on May 21, 2003

grant-
The others are correct about assuming that no one on your Peru tour will speak English. In my trips to Peru, about the only people who did were some of my wife's college friends (faculty) and the staff of a hotel that I stayed in once. My wife says to tell you that any effort to learn or speak Spanish will be appreciated and thought of as cute, no matter how limited it is. Oh, you'll see a few gringo tourists there who speak English, but you're not there for that. As I made my way around the Lima, I didn't encounter any strangers who spoke English, but I encountered ALOT of young ladies who were immediately interested in talking (and more) because I was an American guy who spoke functional (not perfect) Spanish. Even if you meet a well-educated lady who knows English, chances are her family won't, assuming things go that far for you someday.

Peru is a good place to look if you don't need alot of help from an agency. Your tour group might have someone to translate, you should ask them.

... in response to Re: Language barriers, posted by Red Clay on May 21, 2003

Thanks.  Yes, I think Latin Magic has a translator.  Apparently they only
take 8 guys and have 6-8 women to each guy when In Lima.

... in response to Re: Language barriers, posted by Red Clay on May 21, 2003

Hey, Judith is fine. I talked to her couple days ago. I'll let her know that C was trying to get in touch with her. I'll let Pily know too. I know they werent able to hook up a few weekends ago, maybe they will have some free time soon to hook up. You know Pily is working a second job on the weekends now? She doesnt work every Sat or Sun, but usually one of them. How things going? You have to shoot me an e-mail.

... in response to Hey RedClay, posted by Golden on May 21, 2003

Thanks for the update. Yeah, it is time to get together again. Glad all is well with you, C. did say that P. was working some on weekends. Your trip is soon, right?

... in response to Language barriers, posted by grant5432 on May 21, 2003

[This message has been edited by Nico]

Hello Grant5432, You are about about to go on trip that will put you in a position where you will be making a life decision. In my opinion if you are going to be making a life decision in any matter,whether its buying a house ,getting an education, or finding a wife, you of course want to maximize your chances for success.I went on TLC tour and I was swamped. I think more so than the other guys, and not because I was any better physically or personality wise than them(the contrary is true), but I spoke more Spanish(Ok so I also salsa dance, that helps too). Well , I think that you maximize your chances for success by learning at least some Spanish. Aside from the obvious advantage of better communication, it also shows an interest in your Latin wife's culture. I mean you are going to expect her to speak English and accept various cultural differences in your country, right? Well, it is good if you can show by example by showing some interest in her language and culture. I have a close friend here in Denver who posts on this board, who is married to a Colombian woman. He speaks basic Spanish and enjoys Latin music and food.His wife seems really to like that.
You can't go wrong by learning some Spanish.Good luck to you Grant5432 you are really going to enjoy your trip.

... in response to The more you give the more you get, posted by Nico on May 21, 2003

Yes, I wish I had more time to learn spanish.  I'm starting from ground
zero and would be leaving in 6-7 weeks if I go on the Latin Magic tour.  I
don't think TLC has a tour to Lima, unfortunately.    Darn, I wish I had
taken spanish in high school!

... in response to Language barriers, posted by grant5432 on May 21, 2003

Assume no owill speak any English, except perhaps the people at an airline ticket counter or nice hotel. You should do that anywhere in Latin America (or anywhere else for that matter except perhaps the non-French part of Western Europe.) If not, you shut yourself out of the vast majority of the interest, people, culture, experience.

My suggestion - get busy learning. Here's an interesting observation. People in the US are often slightly irritated when talking to a person with limited English skills. I notice this when watching my wife talk to a waitress or clerk. On the other hand, while anywhere else in the world, your attempt, no matter how poor, in speaking the local language is met with smiles, compliments and encouragement. We Americans can be an arrogant lot.

BTW, fluency in each other's languages isn't a huge barrier. I spoke more of my wife's language when we met than she spoke of mine, but both very limited We took our time to really understand each other's hearts, and it has worked out very well so far. We were married three or four years before understanding each other's conversations completely - come to think of it, we still don't always, but hey, most native English speakers married to each other, don't understand each other very well, either.

Good luck to you.

- Jeff

... in response to Re: Language barriers, posted by Jeff S on May 21, 2003

Great post Jeff........I think most gringos are intimidated by learning Spanish, but if they only knew how many doors it opens down there, not to mention the fun it is just to communicate, joke, etc. with latinas in their native tongue.
Learning is not that hard.......
BTW Jeff, out of curiosity, what brings you to the latin site??  I noticed you have a great marriage to a lady from Japan.  Hope I'm not prying.

... in response to Re: Re: Language barriers, posted by beenthere on May 21, 2003

Not prying at all. Though I'm happily married to a wonderful Asian lady, I spend a lot of time in Latin America on business - visiting customers & suppliers, plus working with manufacturing arms of US companies. I've traveled there as a businessman, as a tourist, and spent some time living as a local, in the homes of friend's families. Currently I work for a company in Southern California where I'm the only non-Latino and one of only three men - the rest are Latinas ranging in age from 18 to about 40, mostly from Mexico but a few from Central and South America. I speak Spanish, and have several good friends married to Latinas - one to a beautiful Salvaroran lady, 10 years his junior and one to a Mexicana nearly thrity years his junior. I was best man at his wedding and she's now pregnant with his second child with her. He has two daughters from his first marriage older than her - LOL. He claims he's the happiest he's ever been in his life.

I believe what most of us on all three of these boards believe, that the pickins are much better overseas than here at home. Foreign women from anywhere other than Western Europe, Canada and the USA, seem to have a more traditional view of marriage. They seem believe that men and women are different - equal but opposite. I beleive this also, that marriage is a team effort, each contributing what they do best. American women seem to think marriage is a 50/50 business partnership - each partner splitting every duty 50/50 - that men and women are interchangable. I do not. Imagine a football team where the place kicker, middle linebacker, and split end are all interchanged and the plays are called by a consensus - it's chaos. Likewise with many modern American marriages. I listen to my friends moan and complain about how their marriages shake my head - if they only knew....

Anyway, I believe the experiences in bringing a woman in from anywhere are all very similar - whether from Siberia, Cali, Bangcock, or anywhere else - so I contribute where I can to all three boards. I try to only post what I consider to be helpful information acquired through personal experiences. If it helps, great, if not - oh well, I tried.

- Jeff

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Language barriers, posted by Jeff S on May 21, 2003

Jeff,  thanks for the post, and believe me, your help is welcome here.  Great to see who've had such a successful marriage, and that gives hope to us all.

... in response to Language barriers, posted by grant5432 on May 21, 2003

Grant,

Learn as much as you can before you go. It's not that difficult. I started learning in December and was in Bogota approximately 8 weeks later in March and was able to converse well enough. It will be well worth the effort, trust me. They really appreciate it, even if you don't get quite right! And you won't ;-)

Why Peru?

JR

... in response to Language barriers, posted by grant5432 on May 21, 2003

Grant

I've been to Colombia 4 times but never Peru.  It was rare to meet a woman who could speak any English other than the ones who worked in the agencies.  There are a few, but they were never the ones I picked.  But then I speak Spanish so it wasn't a priority to me.  

Peru is likely to have a little less English-speaking women than Colombia because Colombia has more interaction with the US and because it is a more developed, economically speaking.  Colombia also has a lot more agencies than Peru.

Steve

... in response to Peru and English, posted by DallasSteve2 on May 21, 2003

Thanks for all the comments.  I'm not sure how much spanish I can learn
in a few weeks if I go on the Latin Magic Peru tour.  As some of you
guessed, I am wary of the political climate in Columbia and have heard
from a friend that is here who lives in Columbia that it's a place I should
avoid.  It sounds like many of you here have had safe trips there,
however.

... in response to Re: Peru and English, posted by grant5432 on May 21, 2003

Im not sure that Latin MAgic is a good choice for tours.  My ex-wife, whom I annulled, is still on her sight even though I warned him she is a scammer. She cannot marry an American - ever - as she is here illegally and has been found as a fraud by a US Court.  Selling her address to americans is wrong.

... in response to Re: Peru and English, posted by grant5432 on May 21, 2003

You should be fine in Peru. Its all in how you carry yourself and where you go. I walked all over Mira Flores when I stayed in that area, so I know its safe. When I went to other areas, I had Pilar with me and she knew where it was ok to go. (the women live there, so they know where its safe and where its not, so let them help when picking some place to go) I asked her about the taxis one time, because I knew she had to be careful too, when taking a taxi at night. She told me her secret. When the taxi comes up she picks the one where the driver is older(50 +) who looks simple and easy going, and who she thinks she could beat up or out run. ha ha . She told me she uses her six sense sometimes and if it donest feel right, she will ask for a fare so low she knows they wont accept, so they will move on .... Im not use to it really, like she is. She has a more keen sense of that kind of stuff than I do.(she grew up in the city and i didnt, plus she is from there) We went back to Peru just this past Christmas, and while there, we were walking down the street and there were about 6 or 7 guys (in their teens) on the other side of street about a 50 yards away or so, and she had us change direction and make a left. She told me she can tell by the way they were looking, how they were dressed, and how they were talking among themselves that it could be possible trouble. I wasnt even paying attention and was talking to her. She was alert though, while we were walking and talking. (she is a wise girl) I would do like the other guy said and leave your wallet and passport in the safe at the hotel and just make a copy of your passport to carry with you and some cash, no more than 50.00 dollars, unless you are going to the market to buy stuff. Its always good to play it little safe, when on new turf. You'll be ok, have a good trip. I hope you find a nice lady.

... in response to Re: Re: Peru and English, posted by Golden on May 21, 2003

Wow!  Sounds pretty dangerous over there to me!  Especially if the
woman you are with is a real looker, and you come across locals there
who don't like the fact she's with you.   I am wondering if I really want to
take the risk of going to Peru and trying to get around there on my own!  
At least my friend says she has a cousin there that can hang out with me
sometimes, but probably not all the time.

... in response to Re: Re: Peru and English, posted by Golden on May 21, 2003

My girlfriend does the same thing with taxis. I think she learned it from the School of Life.  She has been robbed 4 times in downtown Lima and hates to go there, even with me. Yes, Miraflores is relatively safe, but I know one street where you should NEVER walk: if you're in the park on the side facing Pizza Street and walk toward the coast (the traffic is one way going towards the coast), you'll see a very pleasant looking cobblestone street going down through a park.  I never see anyone walking there and have been told by many people to never walk there as it is a haunt for muggers. The last thing I want to do is make Grant or anyone overly worried about security in Lima; I have spent over 3 months there and never had a problem myself. The great thing about Peruvians is they like to talk: I think I could walk up to almost anyone and strike up a conversation with them and that is very helpful for security, because you can ask around about this or that place and how to get there and the locals can tell you the latest news.

I think I better stop before I dig myself in any deeper! ;-))

... in response to Must be taught in school, posted by surfscum on May 22, 2003

Heck, I must have missed Pizza St. Maybe my brothers-in-law could take me and serve as my bodyguards.

... in response to Re: Peru and English, posted by grant5432 on May 21, 2003

Grant

We haven't lost anyone yet.  But Colombia does have a set of perils different than travelling in the US or many other countries.  Colombia is the kidnapping capital of the Western Hemisphere (maybe the world).  

You don't want to flaunt your money there.  And you don't want to travel outside the large cities, except by air.  Many people do travel by road.  A few don't return.  The rebels control most of the countryside and they like to kidnap anyone with money.

Colombia also has about 75% of the Latinas in foreign bride marriage agencies.  And so most of us here keep returning.  It's a slam dunk to find a beautiful wife in Colombia.  Keeping her once you return is not as easy.

Some men here also travel to Brazil.  Some to Mexico.  Some to Peru and other countries.  They don't have as many beautiful women in agencies as Colombia, but they might be a better long term plan for you.  Only you can decide.

Steve

... in response to Colombia, posted by DallasSteve2 on May 21, 2003

Thanks Steve.
  I'm really not sure what to do now:  Columbia has kidnappers.  Though
it's probably okay to go, with my bad luck I will get kidnapped somehow!  
Peru has muggers and you get robbed in the streets.   I wouldn't mind
going to Spain, Brazil, Mexico, or Chile, but I don't seem to find hardly
any women from there on Cherry Blossoms, or any of the other latin
dating services online.

... in response to Re: Colombia, posted by grant5432 on May 23, 2003

Grant, have you ever been to a big city? Have you ever travelled abroad? If you answered yes to either of those questions, you will be fine in Peru. Really. If you don't have such experience, then a group tour is best for you until you get your "travel legs." Being aware of your surroundings does NOT mean being paranoid. An ounce of prevention....

As far as meeting women in those other countries, particularly Spain and Chile, a knowledge of spanish would allow you to enter personal ads in newspapers in Madrid and Santiago. SOTB has Mexican women and there are other sites under Yahoo.

Please send me an email if you want more info, I'd be glad to help.  FYI, Lonely Planet has a good guide for Peru that I have been using. It has a wealth of information and may help you in your plans.

... in response to Re: Peru and English, posted by grant5432 on May 21, 2003

In 20 something trips to Colombia, I've never seen the slightest crime committed (knock on wood).  As long as you stay in the cities, and in a nice hotel, you'll be just fine.  I've noticed that most of the cities in Colombia have even a greater police & military presence lately, which is re-assuring (especially Cali).  Also the hotels are more secure.  I think the odds of meeting someone special are better in Colombia due to the volume of agencies, but I have met many beautiful women from Peru on the internet.  Good luck and get to work on your Spanish!

... in response to Language barriers, posted by grant5432 on May 21, 2003

What made you decide on Peru??? Did you know that John Wayne was married to a Peru Lady. I'm a fencer myself, hope to go South of the Border soon. Have fun on your Tour trip.

... in response to Whats wrong with going to Colombia??, posted by greg on May 21, 2003

I went there because I had friends there AND there were a decent amount on blossoms.com.  I went to Ecuador first, but hadn't seen any listed in an agency and didn't meet any while I was there. Patrick has mentioned that Guayaquil, Ecuador is a good spot to meet women, but missed that one myself.

If I weren't with Maribel, I would check out Colombia, Brazil and Chile. But I got lucky early in the search and don't regret not getting to those other places.  The goal is love and marriage and I have one and soon (relatively) will have the other.

... in response to Whats wrong with going to Colombia??, posted by greg on May 21, 2003

Exactly what I was thinking.  If it is the perception of Colombia being dangerous that drives this decision I'd reconsider - your odds of getting robbed are probably better in Peru (petty theft in unbelievable there)!