Cali?Cartegena?Brazil?

[Pete E]

I am still trying to decide where I want to head first.
I have had doubts about the whole plan to just leave and live in a latin country,but I will do it because its the best alternative for me emotionally right now.I felt good about myself when I was in Panama and now being back in a living together situation with a woman who doesn't love me is frustrating and an emotional downer.I need to get out of this,its bringing me down.
So,where to? I guess Cali is still probably most likely because I know it,people there,and the agency scene is very developed.I know I have said I didn't feel like doing the agency thing again but it is a way to meet women if I am not meeting them some where else.
I spent a number of hours yesterday just looking at pictures of women on web sites.First I looked at Cartegena and Barranquilla and didn't really see anybody interesting.I know just looking at pictures is just part of it,the women might be interesting in person.Then I looked at Cali web sites.The women looked ALOT better.I saw a number of interest.Part of that is considering my age,60 now,unless a woman indicates she might be interested in a 50 year old,which is about what I think I look,then she probably would not be interested.I saw a number of good looking 30 some year olds on latin encounters that said they were intereseted in a guy up to 55.And a couple  said 60-62.
Might be good to talk to someone like Margareth to get an idea where the women would be with my age.Rubby was alot of help back when I went to Latin Love.Guess I am thinking find a woman in Cali who might be interseted living somewhere else,like Panama or Cartegena.
Brazil is still very interesting to me.It just sounds like somewhere I would want to live.I do want to be by the ocean somewhere.I may just take a trip down there in the next 2-3 weeks to check it out,but am concerned it might be hard meeting people.I am not one of these guys who picks up women in shopping malls.Just not me.
Cheryl says there is some new agency thing to open im San Paulo maybe in December.
Colombia I know pretty well.Any imput anybody can give me on Brazil,particularly where to go and how to meet people,let me know.
I'm not in to writting much,plus I think it would require I state my age,which is best left not said untill after they meet me.
Ideas???

Pete

[cancunhound]

... in response to Cali?Cartegena?Brazil?, posted by Pete E on Nov 2, 2003

No beach in Manizales, but I just received a thorough tour of the place from a local - wow!  This is by far the most scenic, cleanest, safest yayaya city in Colombia that I have seen to date.  The trash is even clean in Manizales (seriously!).  Maybe I should shutup and not let the secret out. I'll have a photo report soon over at CaliGringo.com when I get settled from an outstanding excursion through that area (and when my friggin' webserver is up).

[Cali vet]

... in response to Answer - Cali, then Manizales, posted by cancunhound on Nov 3, 2003

I agree about Manizales. We made a trip of several days to look at housing there but there wasn't much for rent.

[Pete E]

... in response to Answer - Cali, then Manizales, posted by cancunhound on Nov 3, 2003

No beach,but its very nice.So the question is ,how is the security factor and how are the women?
I think there are women everywhere but if there is no agency or other way to meet them it can be more difficult.

Pete

[cancunhound]

... in response to Re: Answer - Cali, then Manizales, posted by Pete E on Nov 3, 2003

Security Factor - nonexistent. Period.  I would equate the spirit of this place to the likes of Austin, TX.  The women are gorgeous, but if one has a preference for "tanned" skin Manizales is not it.  Teenagers, kids, families all stroll the streets at night - downtown, anywhere.  There are not any "large" restaraunts, clubs, etc..  It's all micro-scale stuff kindof bohemian.  For a city of 1/2 million it has 9 universities (I'm just quoting my friend that grew up there an gave me the tour) - it's a "happening" place.  Say goodbye to the gated condos or vigilante protected barrios.  We drove, drove, drove again (I can lead you to Pablo Escobar's old place) - the "lower class" barrios appear similar to strata 5 in Cali.  I didn't mention the climate or surrounding attractions, nor city orientation (reminded me of San Francisco).  I should really shutup now.

[Cali vet]

... in response to Re: Security Factor and Women, posted by cancunhound on Nov 3, 2003

I wouldn't say security isn't a factor. Reading the newspaper there I saw a couple of kidnappings and murders in recent news. There are guerrilla around the fringes which means fincaship for a gringo, my dream is fraught with risk. When I first visited for a week in '97 my companera was always scared to death something would happen to me or us. I realize now after subsequent visits that was exagerated but keeping a low profile as a gringo is super importante anywhere in Colombia.

[cancunhound]

... in response to Re: Re: Security Factor and Women, posted by Cali vet on Nov 3, 2003

I had the good fortune to stay 2 nights at a finca not far from Manizales - a hidden valley called Santagueda, unbelievable the fincas and the wealth (and hospitality) of the people that owned them.  In Manizales, they escape the cool nights to the warmth of the valley below - kind of the opposite of Cali.  With the predominant light skin there I noticed that my gringoness was not obvious even with my height and Texan spanish accent - I guess my spanish was good enough to even fool the clerk at the grocery store to ask me for my discount card.  But yes, guerrilla certainly are everywhere - my post late last night was after a long day and ascent to roughly 5000 meters at Ruiz so I was a little fuzzy.  Do not go to Manizales or the surrounding areas!  1st time in Colombia I've had so many automatic weapons pointed near me (with pictures for proof - webserver's still down it appears but damn do I have some good photos to post when I get back and organized).  I wish I didn't have to depart Colombia so soon.

-CaliGringo.com

[A1A]

... in response to Cali?Cartegena?Brazil?, posted by Pete E on Nov 2, 2003

Pete,  It sounds like you are ready to go real soon.  Try Cali first, it is familiar, take spanish class at a school there, even spanish 1 will help you alot.  Try the agencies, even use amigos.com while you are there, they have plenty of Calenas in the 30's and early 40's.  You can always take trips to Cartegena, and Brazil, and move later if you want.  You have plenty of time, and plenty of options.  Good luck.
A1A

[Pete E]

... in response to Re: Cali?Cartegena?Brazil?, posted by A1A on Nov 2, 2003

Probably what I will do.
Thanks.

Pete

[JimmySTLOUIS]

... in response to Cali?Cartegena?Brazil?, posted by Pete E on Nov 2, 2003

Pete
I dont know you as well as the others so I hope I dont not offend.

I was in a situation that was only a little like yours. My wife and job after 12 and 15 years was not working out. My wife and I had a fight and she left and sid some horrible suggestions of what I should do. I decided right then and there that I would not do what she suggested but instead would book a trip to paradise and re charge. Hawaii has always been my home (at heart)and where my special place is. Kauai is a very special place for me - where I can be me and make friends etc. Complete solice. PARADISE!
I was at a very low point with everthing I felt a need to go back to square one. Kaui was the answer for my mental health and everything. I always keep in the back of my mins that Kauai is always there for me. The aloha spirit, the man, and the aina are there when I need it.
There is nothing like hiking way back to a waterfall, shedding your clothes and shedding your problems.
I spend 28 days there and loved every second of it. There were no chicks there and that was not the goal. But I did get in shape mental and physical. I felt at peace everyday and prepared myself to take on life once again.

You need to find your paradise.
Remember that your goal might not be to find someone else but to find yourself.

Find yourself and the rest will follow.

jim

[Jeff S]

... in response to Cali?Cartegena?Brazil?, posted by Pete E on Nov 2, 2003

There's no where like Latin America for some R&R. The people, the lifestyle, the time to think are all conducive to "getting it together." On the other hand, you might want to avoid the hard core marrriage minded world (i.e. agencies) for a while, until you get past your current state of mind. Being on the rebound, you might not make such wise choices. I'm not saying go be a monk, just take some time to get fully over and past your current condition. I sense in your writing, you feel some betrayal and anger, though you seem to be handling it better than many of us would. Take some time for some introspection on your goals, wants, and needs, before heading back into the fray. Just my opinion.

Whatever you end up doing, I wish you the best.

- Jeff

[SimonSays]

... in response to Cali?Cartegena?Brazil?, posted by Pete E on Nov 2, 2003

After reading about your situation, the only suggestion I would make is to wait awhile before flying anywhere. Why the rush? It seems to me you're just in too big a hurry to find someone.  Sure you're 60 but waiting 6 months isn't going to ruin your ultimate game plan.  This entire process has a better chance of succeeding if it's carried out in a thoughtful, relaxed and thorough manner, not like some stunt on "Beat the Clock."

[Pete E]

... in response to Re: Cali?Cartegena?Brazil?, posted by SimonSays on Nov 2, 2003

I don't feel like being in this situation anymore.If I try to kick her out it could take months and lots of legal fees.And paying alimony.Unless I am making money I will just go farther in the hole.And my mind isn't in to making money,hasn't been all year.Too bad I can't just put her stuff in the driveway,its what she should get if she doesn't want to be married to me.
Sounds kind of like the "be patient" advise I got that just kept me in a bad situation untill it got worse.
Yeah,I do think there is nothing like a new woman to get you over the old one.Sounds better than living with the old one when there is no relationship at all.
Waiting 6 months?For what?Hoping things will get better?I already put 3 1/2 years in that.And that was at least 3 years too long.

Pete