I have a question for the more seasoned travellers - The veterans.  Since this is a new year, and we sometimes have a tendency to look back to the previous year, or more.  Then please allow me to go back to the "beginning".  Does anybody know when and how the agency situation developed in Colombia, or LA as a whole?  Now I am not talking necessarily about the ones that are just address sellers; even though they have to fit in somewhere. In fact, they probably were the first ones. But, mainly, I am interested in the agencies that actually have offices in the cities down there?  I only go back 2-3 years ago when I seriously started searching the latina market.  Naturally, the availability of the internet revolutioned everything.  But, still, I would like to hear the stories from some of you  that have been travelling to LA for several years; or maybe other destinations as well.  Has anyone been travelling there for say 8-10 years?  Hopefully, you are married by now; and I know that some of you are married.  But, I am more or less looking for a "history lesson".  I think it could be informative.  Also, part of what I am getting at is the "phenomenon" of Cali.  It obviously has more agencies than any place that I personally know of. Maybe Moscow has more, but I doubt it.  As all of you know, it is a lot different having someone in the States sending you brochures and tales of adventures with the ladies, etc; then actually going there and sitting in an agency office, and meeting the ladies in that setting.  To me, that makes all of the difference.  It sure beats going to a group tour at a large hotel with 500-600 women.  To me, that is a "cattle call", and surely the ladies don't like it either; except that they get free food, etc. At least , that's my opinion! Anyway, I am looking forward to hearing from some of you veterans.  Please tell it all; the good, the bad and the ugly!  (I threw a little Clint Eastwood in there, ha).  I know that some news agencies (ie newspapers, TV stations, etc) have done stories about this, but usually, they are focusing on a particular agency like TLC ( I have the video).  I am not looking for that.  I am looking for the "big picture".  Somehow, learning of how it all started. You know, sort of like our ancestors did, telling stories around the campfire. To quote George Lucas-- "a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away".  Happy New Year to you all!

                                 OkieMan

... in response to Re: How It All Began!, posted by zack on Jan 1, 2005

"I know that TLC has been around a long time. But I honestly don't know for sure who started the Latina bride quest."

That's easy:  Cristoforo Colombo (Christopher Columbus).  

YEAH!!  T & A in LA!  That's what was REALLY on his mind.  Even in his time, they viewed the western woman as too bland.

Just kidding.  That was a cheap shot.

Some facts about "Colombia"
(from the Colombian consulate in Houston:  http://www.colhouston.org/english/index/colombia.htm):

OFFICIAL NAME: The Republic of ColOmbia  

"You might wonder what compels us to write so emphatically the name of our country. Well, no less than seventy five percent of the letters, faxes and e-mails that we receive, are usually addressed to the Consulate General of "ColUmbia".

"The confusion comes from the difference in spelling in English and Spanish of the name of the discoverer of America, Italian Cristoforo Colombo (Christopher Columbus), the person after whom our country is named. In Spanish we spell his name "Cristobal Colón", and it is only natural for us to spell our country's name "Colo mbia". For English speakers, and in particular for U.S. residents, it is only natural to spell our name with a "U", after all, that is the spelling of the city in South Carolina, the Nation's Capital, the prestigious University in New York, and many cities in the States of Maryland, Indiana, Oregon and Florida among others. However, please do not forget that our official name is 'The Republic of Colombia.'"

And some more facts:

* Over half the flowers sold in the USA come from Colombia and that last year Colombia's share in the US market was 84% and in European markets 15.8%.

* Colombian novelist Gabriel García Márquez is the most read novelist in the world. [and my personal favorite]

* Colombian pop-singer Shakira is one of the most popular Latin American artists in the world and that she has won several Grammy awards.

* Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya was selected as the "2003 Formula 1 International Racing Driver".

* Colombia is the world's third largest banana producer.

* Colombia ranks fourth in the world in palm oil production, drinking water supplies and nickel.

"Colombia has over 47 billion barrels of crude oil reserves, of which only 1,632 million have been discovered. Colombia is currently the fifth largest provider of crude oil and the largest foreign provider of coal to the United States."

"Colombia is Latin America’s oldest and most stable democracy. It has experienced peaceful changes of government every four years over the last half century."

"Colombia was Latin America’s strongest and most stable economy during the 20th century. It did not experience a year of negative growth for over 70 years, between the 1930s and the late 1990s. Moreover, it has never experienced hyperinflation and has never defaulted on its international debts or financial obligations."

... in response to Re: Re: Re: How It All Began!, posted by Payton on Jan 1, 2005

Sorry, I don't work for the consulate.  I just found that consulate's web site when searching for info.

However, I did once have to go to the Peruvian consulate in San Francisco, to get documents certified for use in Peru for marriage purposes.

To get married in Peru (civil marriage), you need your birth certificate, certificate of eligibility to marry (evidence that you've never been married) or divorce decree, a copy of the key pages of your passport, and a power-of-attorney.  These all must be certified by the relevant authorities (i.e., Secretary of State), then they are stamped with an apostle seal at the consulate.

I assume you would need most, if not all, of the same stuff for a marriage in Colombia.

... in response to Re: Re: Re: How It All Began!, posted by OkieMan on Jan 1, 2005

"It's too bad that the drug trafficking, drug cartels, etc has spoiled the reputation of that beautiful country. (At least that is what you would believe, if you believe the news media!)"

Not trying to spread fear, but I'd be more alert now than ever when travelling to Colombia.  A front-page new's article in my local newspaper stated that yesterday's extradition of a former Colombian rebel to the U.S. could lead to retaliation against U.S. interests in Colombia (read:  McDonalds, the U.S. embassy, wayward--or drunken--tourists, etc.)

Here is a similar report in the San Jose Mercury News:  http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/world/10539060.htm?1c

The article I read (in the Sacramento Bee) mentioned that the extradition is "unprecedented."  

So might be the response.

Wear kevlar when you're out and about town.  And, whenever you meet someone, your first words should be "Muerte a los estados unidos!" ("Death to America!")  

JUST KIDDING!

Hmmm...maybe the agencies could include kevlar vests/helmets in their tour packages, just in case...