About Cartegena

[Pete E]

Too bad the Cartegena discussion isn't about Cartegena,the city.Its probably the most interesting place in Colombia but we hear very little about it.If someone is starting a new agency it might be a good idea.Unless there are just not many available women there,which I doubt,Cartegena seems to be a very underdeveloped destination for gringos looking for Colombianas.
Cartegena the poster is now sounding like Houndog,which he may be.Seems to me he started of not being nasty but some guys got all over him and yanked his chain,so he is now sounding like Houndog the junkyard dog again.Too bad.I think he has alot to say and could give us some imformatin on Cartegena,which we were not getting from the other guys who claim to know Cartegena.
So I was hoping it was true,it was Houndog and he was starting an agency in Cartegena.And I was hoping Patrick would give him another chance.I didn't follow all the negativism but it didn't look like Houndog started it to me.But he is now reacting in his classic fashion.
The key to not getting in a flame war is just to ignor negative responses if you can.Just let them hang out being negative by themselves,or correct misimformation without getting negative in return.
It was getting boring around here but this has gotten too negative,just on and on,react,react.
So,Cartegena experts,tell us about Cartegena.Wasn't that the original subject?

Pete

[briloop3]

... in response to About Cartegena, posted by Pete E on Jun 8, 2003

I've been to Cartagena 6 times.  I married a Cartagenera.

I do recommend Cartagena.  Maybe it is underrated, maybe not.  The only other city in Colombia in which I've spent significant time is Bogota.

Actually, I recommend Bogota over Cartagena for several reasons.  

First, it (Bogota) is the largest city and the capital.  Second, you will find more professional women there - women that can speak English.  And, that should be a consideration when finding a foreign wife.  Third, there are more agencies in Bogota, including LAI.  I am not a shill for LAI.  Having followed the MOB scene for almost four years, I can tell you from the experiences I have read from other guys that LAI has the best reputation among agencies in Colombia.  

Fourth, although Bogota is not as safe as Cartagena, I believe you can have a good time in Bogota without getting in trouble if you follow a few simple rules in street safety, such as never traveling alone, always go by taxi, etc.  Fifth, I like the cooler climate in Bogota better than the heat and humidity of Cartagena.

Cartagena is much more of a tourist destination that is Bogota.  Cartagena is safer than Bogota.  Generally speaking, you will see more darker women in Cartagena than in Bogota.  Prices for things can be higher in Cartagena than in Bogota.  The taxis in Cartagena do not have meters.  You will be pestered by street vendors in Cartagena much more so than in Bogota.

[wizard]

... in response to I married a Cartagenera., posted by briloop3 on Jun 8, 2003

I would have to say the being "pestered" is an understatement...

My wife and I spent our honeymoon in Cartagena a few weeks ago... We had a wonderful time and I love the city... The history, culture, Old City, the Fortress, clubs, etc were awesome... But we were CONSTANTLY innundated by people trying to sell us everything from beads, T-shirts, cheap knock-off everything and children begging in the streets... If I hear the term "Georgio Armani sunglasses, only 30,000 pesos" one more time I'm gonna puke... We HAD to leave the beaches of Bocagrande because of the constant harrassment... We wound up going to the beaches that the locals go to on the bay... Hell, when we went on a day trip to la Islas de Rosario, the boat stopped at a secluded beach on the way back and there were people peddling crap there, in the middle on nowhere...

I love the city, but the Vendadoras were ridiculous...

[valuedcustomer]

... in response to I married a Cartagenera., posted by briloop3 on Jun 8, 2003

I was in Cartagena two weeks ago.  Since I was with my novia, I cannot comment on the dating scene.  However, my novia told me that many Cartagena ladies marry Europeans, especially the French.  She said the morenas and negras of Cartagena are very popular with the French men because they have such beautiful bodies.  However, I don't think they have agencies.  There are many people of the Atlantic coast with French blood, and many French settled in Guajira.  I know this because my novia has French blood.

   

[cancunhound]

... in response to Re: I married a Cartagenera., posted by valuedcustomer on Jun 8, 2003

Great, Colombians that refuse to fight!

[Cartagena]

... in response to About Cartegena, posted by Pete E on Jun 8, 2003

Cartagena is an enchanting 465-year-old jewel, maritime stronghold of Spain's colonial empire. Its 7 miles of walled old city, built to fend off marauding pirates, gleam romantic at night. The city is the face Colombians proudly show foreigners at international gatherings. * And after being in Cartagena with a GF for a few days, you will probably come to view Cartagena as the "City for Lovers".

The Beauty and History of Cartagena however pales in Comparison to the Sweetness and Beauty of it's women. Long known as the melting pot of Latin America, the women of Cartagena are some of the Most Exotic and Beautiful in the World.

The city is a living museum of 16th- and 17th-century architecture, where flowers spill out of elegant balconies, horses with carriages clip-clop through narrow streets and visitors spend the evening relaxing on cobbled plazas at outdoor cafes. For snorkeling, the coral reefs of the Rosario islands are little more than an hour away by boat. And for dating and sightseeing nothing can compare to the historical and romntic sites of Cartagena itself, truly one of the most Beautiful and Romantic Cities in Colombia and Latin America..

My only interest is to help others like myself discover the joy and happiness finding love can bring. Having found and been married to a beautiful, loyal, passionate Colobiana for several years now, and having spent several years researching this venue prior to finding the right lady, I'm bringing my experience and expertise to helping others find the love they are seeking.

Cartagena is a short 2 hour flight from Miami it is the perfect destination for travelers on any type of budget or time schedule. Although once you arrive you will likely find it hard to leave.

[Sam Club]

... in response to Re: About Cartegena, posted by Cartagena on Jun 8, 2003

Actually, you have been married for a little less than 2 years!  And if I were to add in the days you two actually lived together as husband and wife, it would be less than a year!

[Cartagena]

... in response to Re: About Cartegena, posted by Cartagena on Jun 8, 2003

And the Best News of all is that Cartagena is the safest city in Colombia. As the home of two military instalations, and it's geographical distance from internal hostilities, Cartagena has remained a Beautiful, Safe Mecca that even the Colombians use to get away from it all and vacation.

The safety of Cartagena is evident everywhere with tourism it's biggest business, being only 2 hours by plane from Miami and the stopping place of monthly Cruise Ships packed with European and American vacationers.

In my visits there I took Moolight walks on the beach or walked endlessly thru the Old Walled City with my now wife and never felyt the slightest bit uncomfortable. I can't recall going anywhere or doing anything where I felt the least bit threatened by the locals. They are actually very friendly and will gladly give directions or iffer help. We even went many places on the local Buses that cost $0.10-$0.25 for as much bus riding as one could stand.

Beaches everywhere and beautiful friendly women everywhere. US Style Discos filled with Latinas that LOVE to Dance.

What else?

Yes there is going to be a New Agency in Cartagena that offers a full list of services that I longed for when I was travelling there every 3-4 months, staffed with English Speaking locals.

C

[Pete E]

... in response to Re: Re: About Cartegena, posted by Cartagena on Jun 8, 2003

Everything you say about Cartagena seems right from my experience,but I was only there 3 days.The horse carraige tour of the old city one night after dinner was a highlight,well worth the cost which I forget,not too much.
On our honeymoon we spent 4 days in San Andres,2 days in Providencia and 3 days,or parts of 3 days,in Cartagena.If I was doing it again I would skip Providencia and do 5 days in Cartagena.Also,we left Cartagena on a Sunday night so my wife could be at the embassy in Bogota Monday morning for her second appointment.We almost missed our plane leaving.I had to hurry her and she forgot her shoes at the Las Americas hotel.We were flying out and we went right over  the Las Americas.She looked down and said "my zappatas,my zappatas!" The next morning she got up about 6 AM to go to the embassy and I slept in.She returned about 9AM.She said
"embassy closed,American Presidents day.You the Americano,you should know." I forgot it was presidents day.Believe me I  would also have rather spent another day in Cartagena than in Bogota,where it was raining.
Good luck with your Cartagena efforts.I think what it needs is a few good trip reports to get guys interested.I have to think it has not been properly marketed yet.I fantasize about it as a possible place to live.

Pete

[Cartagena]

... in response to Cartegena could be a good choice, posted by Pete E on Jun 8, 2003

I fantasize about it as a possible place to live.

So do I. Condos on Boca Grande are so inexpensive it's not funny. But there is so much Beach Front Property out a little ways with Villas sitting on them, availible for a song in dollars that I vasilate from waves out my back door to the unbelievable views from 5 stories up or higher.

C

[luvslife]

... in response to Re: Cartegena could be a good choice, posted by Cartagena on Jun 8, 2003

Just curious, how much do the beach front condo's run?(in dollars).

[Cartagena]

... in response to Re: Re: Cartegena could be a good choice, posted by luvslife on Jun 8, 2003

I saw sevaral places from $30K -$80 depending on how big they were, and 1 or 2 story houses. Typical Villa Style with fences and gates, houses inside. Beach Front. Needed work, like paint generally. But with labor and parts so cheap...like a dream come true.

Condo's at the Portofino on Boca Grande 6th floor and up were $30K for a 1 bedroom, $40K for a two bedroom. Pool on the roof. 12 floors I believe. Underground parking, etc.

[Sam Club]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Cartegena could be a good ch..., posted by Cartagena on Jun 8, 2003

Pool is on the 17th floor!

[Bueller]

... in response to About Cartegena, posted by Pete E on Jun 8, 2003

"Seems to me he started off not being nasty... it didn't look like Houndog started it to me."

 Not so, if you were to look at the sequence of posts. Not that it's worth your bother; but think about it, that would be un-Houndog-like, and even if he hadn't started out that way sooner or later he would have turned nasty on his own--reacting in classic fashion, as you put it.

 Just as you're starting to think it's HD, I'm starting to have my doubts. He was always obnoxious, but this situation is so ridiculous I'm wondering if it isn't somebody impersonating him to make him look bad-- um, I mean worse.

So yeah, a discussion about the city of Cartagena would be welcome, from people being honest about their identity (not one-post wonders, or shills) and about what axe they have to grind, e.g. if you've got an agency say so.

[Miguel]

... in response to Re: About Cartegena, posted by Bueller on Jun 8, 2003

"a discussion about the city of Cartagena would be welcome"

I said it here a few weeks ago and I'll say it again, Cartagena is underrated.  There were more very attractive, educated, professional women than I expected, along with great restaurants, good hotels, etc., etc.  (Actually, I was expecting "very attractive", just not educated and professional.)  And I did not intend to be a shill for either of the two competing "agencies" there.  They both just worked better for me than Latin Life Mates in Bogota, or the TLC parties I've been to.