Plans for my trip to Cali

[OkieMan]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Don't do it Okieman!..., posted by pablo on Apr 15, 2005

Pablo,

I couldn't resist a little humor. ha

[MarkNJ]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Don't do it Okieman!!!, posted by pablo on Apr 15, 2005

Hey Okieman, Good luck on your return visit to Cali land I hope all goes well for you.   I think Pablo has a fantastic idea.   I know I have done that in the past.   Go down with some room in your suitcase and buy some nice clothes down there...  The best part of the idea is not so much the cost factor but to me more importantly is the interaction you will be having with your special lady.   You do not know at this point how your relationship will turn out but to have the opportunity to do some shopping with your lady and create the stage for some special moments might prove beneficial (sentimental).   It might not mean that much to some ladies but most of the ladies I know would appreciate that you took their thoughts about the decision into consideration...  The best part of this all is that it is your second visit to Colombia.   At times I think one of the most important parts to this whole process is taking the "plunge" and making that first trip.   Once you get by that first trip the return trips become much easier as the "addiction" takes hold!
P.S.  You might get away with being able to wear the shirt in Cartagena or Santa Marta but in Cali I think like the other posters... I would tone down the shirt, even though I bet it does look great!!!

[OkieMan]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Don't do it Okieman!!!, posted by MarkNJ on Apr 15, 2005

MarkNJ,

 Thanks for your comments.  Like I said to Pablo, right now I am not interested in doing the shopping thing.  I don't want to start a precedent that could backfire on me.
(ie her thinking that shopping is my favorite pastime, and that I will shower her with expensive clothes, etc).  But, at some point, I would very much like to avail myself of the Colombian clothes.  By the way, I forgot to mention it to the other guys like Pablo, but last year, I interviewed with a latina at Latin-Internet (one of several).  Even though we had absolutely no chemistry, I found out that she was in the clothing business in some way.  Anyhow, she mentioned that I could get a hand-tailored suit for around $40 or so.  Do any of you guys know about that?  I have also heard that Panama has some good tailors.  Do you or any other posters know of such good bargains?  So, when I am on another subsequent trip to Cali or elsewhere in Colombia, I will be interested at some point in picking up some good deals on new clothes.  Come the think of it, I don't think I have anything yet that has a label on it, with "Made in Colombia" on it. Do you?

                             OkieMan

[MarkNJ]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Don't do it Okieman!..., posted by OkieMan on Apr 15, 2005

When I made that post I was taking into account that you have already been to Colombia once but I was mistaken in that you have not met this lady yet.    Being that you are a frequent poster I assumed that you are well beyond the lessons of "meeting a Colombiana 101".   I have always played down my financial situation (typical middle-class guy who can provide a decent family life environment but I do have to watch how I spend my money)and have painted a picture leaning towards the lower end of what I really can provide.   I have always been upfront with the ladies because I do not want to waste my time with someone who tends to be more of the materialistic nature.   When I did do my shopping it really was because I did need to replace some of my worn out clothes. My work environment (professional) still requires me to maintain that certain image.  So the purchases were more out of logic and necessity.   If I did not need new duds I would not go out of my way to buy the stuff.   I could always just tell her:  "Gee ladies, it is not that I want new clothes but rather I need new clothes and I cannot afford the prices in the USA".   That will keep the sharks at bay.   My first excursion to Colombia was to Cali many years ago.   Since that time most of my travels have been concentrated in follow-up visits during the past four years arriving in Bogota after having met two different ladies at an agency there.   Both of the ladies I pursued relationships were independent in that they both owned their own condo, both had cars, one was a district manager of a bank and the other latina was working in the investigation unit for one of the cellular telephone companies down there.   Both of these ladies did not need any of my money...  My big mistake was not following through with the first one and as for the second lady we just learned that we had some differences and not ultimately compatible, the normal live and learn stuff...  One of the factors that I did like about these two ladies is that they do know what it is like to work, maintain a budget, have priorities etc.

[OkieMan]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Don't do it Okie..., posted by MarkNJ on Apr 15, 2005

MarkNJ,

Thanks again for your story and insight. My views are very similar. I have my own small business.  I can provide for a latina, if I should get married; but I do have to budget. In fact, that is what I am doing right now, in order to go on this upcoming trip.  So, I certainly am not looking for the "sharks" either. I enjoyed your story about the ladies in Bogota.  So, what is going on now? Do you have any ladies that you are really in to, or are you still looking?  It will be really interesting for me to meet this calena in person.  I am anxious to find out more about her, and see for myself if she is the same type of lady that I think she is.  Like I was telling her in a recent email; all of this is a risk.  We have to be willing to risk failure, and sometimes that just isn't fun.  But, I will give it a shot, and see where we go.  But, the thing with  her is that I have been able to email her over the last 3 months. So now, I now have some background info on her that I can use.  I don't like flying totally blind, unless I have no choice.  Besides, I figured if she was a player, she would get really bored with all the questions I have asked her--- and I do ask a lot of questions. Well, I will let everyone know what the deal is after I return.  In the meantime, I have about 1 1/2 months to finalize everything.

                          OkieMan

[MarkNJ]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Don't do it ..., posted by OkieMan on Apr 15, 2005

OkieMan,

Give me a few days and I will post for you an update.
If you have any private/personal questions feel free to send me an email.
Upon reflection if I was able to do it all again there are a few things I would do differently.   I am in the process of getting back in the saddle, the only question now is in which direction am I headed.   In a few days I will know.
One thing is for certain,  I will be back in Colombia before June.

[OkieMan]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Don't do it Okieman!!!, posted by MarkNJ on Apr 16, 2005

Mark,

I hope everything works out.  I will be in Cali by the evening of May 24.  I will be there until June 2.  I will be staying at Pete's place, if you want to look me up.  Best of luck.

                           OkieMan

[DavidMN]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Don't do it Okieman!..., posted by OkieMan on Apr 15, 2005

Of course Panama has good tailors, John Le Carré wrote about them in "The Tailor of Panama"  ;-)

[OkieMan]

... in response to Your clothing reference, posted by DavidMN on Apr 15, 2005

I saw the Pierce Brosnan movie by that title, but I have not read the book.

                        OkieMan

[Jake]

... in response to Don't do it Okieman!!!, posted by Chris F on Apr 14, 2005

chris F ..... so well put ........ repeat don't put all your eggs in some babe that you never met.......

[OkieMan]

... in response to Re: Don't do it Okieman!!!, posted by Jake on Apr 14, 2005

Jake,

Well, as far as the girl goes, I will have to just wait and see how it goes.  But, if it does not go as well as I think it should, then I will implement Plan B.  Lord knows there are many fish in the sea!  So, wish me luck, and I will leave the Hawaiian shirt home.

                            OkieMan