It would appear that the board has now turned much of it's attention back to our main topic (women- and latinas in particular)!  With that in mind, I want to run something by you.  Most of us are in the 30 something to the 50 something crowd.  So, none of us are young, goofy teenage boys.  Also, we all have at least some basic common interests- mainly meeting latinas, dating, getting married, whatever.  So, here we are week after week comparing notes.  Some guys are having great success; a few are even happily married.  But, the biggest majority of us are still searching for "Ms. Right".
In the course of that search, there has been numerous sad stories, mine included.  I believe that most, if not all of us are at least resonably intelligent, well-educated, etc.  So, how is it that latinas, who are not supposed to be overall as well- educated, and sophisticated, and certainly not as well travelled as us--  are beating us right and left?  At this point, I am assuming that the vast majority of us have no intention of scamming the women.  Even the guys who are going to LA strictly for fun and games (sex!),
are not abusing the women involved. Those women are willing participants.  Do you think this situation is as simple as many of us thinking with our "little heads" and not our big heads?  I personally don't think so.  Naturally, we are turned on by these women.  I also realize that I and others have asked these similiar questions before.  But, HOLY COW!  Why is it so difficult?  The normal relationship thing is one issue.  That can take time, and we all want to end up with the right lady.  But, how is it that women from Latin America, or even the Eastern European women some have visited, can scam the crap out of some of us so easily?  I will not even try to recount the multitude of posts that have talked about this scam or that scam.  You would think we are being sheared like sheep!  I realize that some of us are either new or fairly new to the latina scene.  But, no matter where we go in this old world; there seems to be a girl/woman who can tell us a line of PURE BULL, and we believe it, and get taken.  According to the AW, we are the ones that are the DIRTY DOGS!  Well, I must confess I am mystifyied.  There is probably no great answer for my question.  It will probably be  a rhetorical question, but it bears asking anyhow.  I will say that I have personally not lost any serious money due to some latina's sad little story.  But, many of you have told some pretty hair raising stories on this board.  Maybe you can enlighten us on how you got taken to the cleaners? By that, I mean why you didn't see it coming?  Having said all of this, I  know that all latinas are not scammers.  I am not saying that.  But, still there are enough stories just on this board to make you wonder-- WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON?

                                  OkieMan

First of all, I do not think I am James Bond.  I also don't believe I am either that nieve or gullible.  But, when I first started on this search, all I knew would haved  filled a thimble; and then I started trying to educated myself via the internet and books in the library.  After locating the obvious websites, and reading them; I knew that there was a lot of "ole crapola" in the claims of the agencies.  However, I did think that the ladies would probably be happy to meet me and other american men. In fact, I am sure they are; some for the right reasons, and others so they can fleece us!  I also realize that all latinas are not scammers; but there certainly does seem to be  many misconceptions on the part of american men about this process.  Some of those misconceptions I have believed, and others not.  But, as I had said, when I wrote this thread; it may all turn out to be somewhat a rhetorical question.  There may not be a big, overwhelming answer, like I might want.  Still, I am amazed that this process if far more complicated than I originally had envisioned.  Having said that, I will continue with my search; work on learning spanish, and hopefully, I will be much wiser along the way.  Thank you for your input.

                               OkieMan

Okie, I know some guys here don’t like TLC but I was thinking it might be a worthwhile investment for you.  Hire a really good translator and have her work the room for you.  I would bet money that with 500 candidates attending a party and with a good translator – you will do great.  I speak reasonably good Spanish but would still hire someone to help me work the crowd, take numbers/notes.  Pick up the phone and call Bruce. He is not a bad guy despite what my dear friends Heat and Jake have to say on this matter! I would try TLC again even after attending not so great a tour in Panama last year

Remember, a lot of guys here like Heat have a great deal of experience or are ex-pats and have a lot of time to invest in the project and live in Colombia.  You don't so –blow a little money and make this thing work for you.  I would budget $5000- $1000 grand and call it your LIFE HAPPINESS FUND - to locate, land, marry a latina and set her up here in the US with clothes, English, driving, etc.  Do TLC or try ONE OR TWO GOOD AGENCIES.  

You are a nice guy – don’t over analyze, just have fun and do it.  And if some flake beats you out of $10 or is a no show, move on.  You have a more important mission.  G..d, where was a guy like me when I started this project?  I'd for sure have a few more pesos in my pocket.  I have made so many f...g mistakes!  But I am off to BAQ this week to take another crack at Latin Love