Cali Reports

[Kdog]

I went to Frescas last night and want to correct some previous info I posted. The show times seem somewhat random (not necessarily at 11:00pm and 1:00am as posted previously). Last night the shows were at 9:30pm and midnight. Also, Monday night is great at Frescas. There were 17 women (most were beautiful) and only about 10 men. On Sat night I was disappointed to see 7 below average women when I arrived at 11:30pm (all the good ones must have been occupied). I assume the same might happen on Fri night. Get there early on those nights so you can get someone decent. Once the girl you want goes with some guy to the room, you likely will not them again that night.

Surfer, you truly make me laugh. First, I spend 9 months of the year in Miami and 3 months in Cali (where I am right now). I think I know a little more than you about both places. This quote from you is hillarious "And the ones that CAN get visas are RICH!". So you think there's a bunch of rich Colombians running around Miami, right? And you've been to Miami! OPEN YOUR EYES next time you're there. Also from you "I do not believe Colombians are even eligible for "the lottery". And you are the one that told me to learn what I'm talking about! Why do you feel it's necessary to pick a fight with me by hurling insults like "American hick". You are the one that started all this. I'm curious to see if you have the guts to call me that to my face.

[Mojo Rasing]

This issue is getting too old and it's clear that some people here did not understand my point. If you decide to pay less or more for a girl, that's your problem Mr freeze, so don't tell anyone then that they are messing things up for you if they do decide to pay more just because you wouldn't. I don't know what kind of girls you get for less than 10 bucks anyway but that's your problem, like you say. Usually people would pay more if they think the girl is worth it. I never suggested a gringo price, go back and read well what I wrote.

I apologize with the other members of this board for sticking with this issue, but I felt the right to express my feelings on this subject, however let's move on to something else regarding information about Cali Colombia and others cities from this country if you will. Feel free to ask me anything, I'll be glad to provide you with information about anything you want.

Thank you.

[Ricker]

Senor Mojo ... you sir, need to relax on this price issue ...

I personally pay whatever the going rate is and tip the chica accordingly.
The same goes for taking a taxi or eating at a restaurant. We don't expect anyone ... chicas, taxis, etc to raise prices just because we're not Colombians ... and most don't raise prices.

What I've experienced in many, many cases in Colombia, Venezuela and many other countries, is that in the service oriented businesses, such as masajes (chicas), taxis, restaurants, etc, etc ... the locals know that the 'Gringo' will tip nicely if treated well and therefore, they make their extra money through good work.

By the way, I've tipped many a chica for nice service and often time it's the first tip they've ever received because as the chicas tell me "the locals generally don't tip".

I have many Colombian friends. Men and women. Very good and warm people in general. I have found most Colombianos to like Americans or other Westerners.
Yes, there are some bad apples out there for sure, but PLEASE, Senor Mojo, relax with all the nasty and negative talk.
Let's get on with the purpose of this forum ... I'm sure being a local, you could add some great insite.
If you have a difference of opinion with someone, simply explain your thoughts and try to give guidance rather than make accusations against people you really do not know ... just like real life.

Thank you.

[Antifreeze]

Mojo,

You wouldn't be able to pull your own head out of your ass without the help of all 'jaws of life' available in America (even less in Colombia).

First, you say that we are expected to pay the Gringo price (because we're just cheap if we don't). That is, Americans are rich, they had it all easy so they should share their wealth with people that are not as fortunate like Colombians, or they are just cheap. Well, we've worked hard for our money and we have the right to spend it the way we want (that's the kind of liberty that comes with having your own money). If I don't want to pay 3 times as high for any girl, that's my choice. The only thing that I did here was to expose that choice.

While I have been busy exposing the facts on this board, you've been as busy exposing your own stupidity. Keep on feeling like a victim all your life because of your own incapacity to understand the world, but, do us all a favor, just go away... I am sure there are plenty of other boards that are looking to get your valuable information somewhere.

Hasta luego compadre!

Freeze

[Happy C]

I just love this forum. How do I donate some money to this forum to keep up this excellent work.

HappyC

www.wsgcharity.com

[Happy C]

Mr Mojo Rasing,

Greetings and your post has some excellent points. However I think you are misinterpretting Mr Antifrezze points. I think the issue is about relativity. Everything is relative. A good pair of pants in Cali is x number of pesoes and the same pants in the US is x dollars the same pants in Zimababwe is x Zim Dollars. So when in Rome be like the Romans pay in Roman dollars. I do not think its about being cheap its just about not spoiling the market for pants shoes etc because eventually we will have to pay more for these items and we are not earning US Dollars. As Rodney King would say can't we all get along. Peace.

HappyC

[Mojo Rasing]

Mr antifreeze,

Firstable I, for sure, did not misread a thing by interpreting that Cali is too expensive, what are you talking about? why are you always trying to reflect yourself on others, transfering your situation to others. Didn't you write on this board that 50.000 pesos is too expensive( the equivalent to 20 US dollars) to pay a woman for having sex for an hour? It is written on this very board and anyone can check that out anytime they want, to prove you and the rest of the members on the WSG that I did not misread anything regarding what you mentioned in your last post. I guess It's hard to accept the thruth when someone tells it the way I did to you that you have to look for some kind of angle to justify your attitud, to justify your cheapness, you want to redeem yourself by making me look like as if I had misunderstood your whole point. You were plain in saying that they overpaid the price when they gave the girls 20 bucks. If I had the power to do it I'd throw your butt out of our country tomorrow.

Yes, Surfer you are right about that word in Spanish: "Sardinos for boys and Sardinas for girls" meaning teenagers, and don't give this guy too much credit unless, of course, you are the same way as him, don't justify him either by saying that since he lives now in Colombia (unfourtunally) he has to think in Pesos, I think in Pesos too (and I am not in any way rich so you can discard that). Like I said, if you can't afford living here in a cheap country, don't. Not everyone, Mr antifreeze, wants to live your same cheap lifestyle.

[Surfer]

Rufus: Don Jaime is less than 100K per night. There is a dumpy place across the street and a few blocks down the Sexta but I have never been inside. I do not know anybody personally who tries to go cheaper than Don Jaime, and DO BEWARE the location of the real cheap pensiones.

[Surfer]

poobah: maybe i spelled it wrong, but colombian slang for teenagers is sardinos. maybe mojo can clarify. since you don't wear speedos, you must not be european (laughing hysterically emoticon).

speaking of which: jackson, could we import emoticons (rather than just smiley faces here?)

[Poobah]

surfer, it all depends how you can carry it off. i think if you're still in shape by all means you can do the 'tight shirt at the club' look. i have a few friends that still pull it off successfully in the states. but at the same time you are not going to wear abercrombie and fitch or try to dress like a stud playa (is that what a 'sardino' is?). i do wear a lot of black (yep, even j.c. black) and like it as a color. i don't wear white pants and don't wear speedos.

i'm bringing the polo shirts and the dress slacks and also bringing a few pairs of jeans this time. i do agree that wearing shorts (other than on the cartagena beach area) will make you stick out like a sore thumb.

[Antifreeze]

I've had the chance to meet Marino and I can say that he is a fine Ambassador for the US. It's great to meet good people. Sadly, we did not have a lot of time to exchange because of active life's duties, but I'm sure we'll meet again. Marino, give me a ring when you want...

As for the thread with Mojo, it all stated with a simple statement on my side: "Wherever you go, adapt to your destination, don't bring America with you in your suitcase". That statement was made to El Colorado following his trip down here. I've had the chance to private message with El Colorado afterwards and would look forward to meet him. His reception to what I felt was constructive criticism was excellent, and he's welcome to do whatever he wants with it (including nothing if he chooses).

But then, Mojo misread that post by interpreting it like "Cali is too expensive". Which is not a problem by itslef (although a distortion of the reality). But the post that followed his misreading was way too agressive for me not to react as boldly (A mistake over a mistake on his part).

First, Cali is not too expensive. Things are fine down here. I just wish Americans would know more on how to travel and wouldn't make it so easy for other people in other countries to build up some aversion towards them. Without refering to anyone in specific (other than the caricature of the ugly American), being noisy, abnoctuous, not respecting the money that a lot of those people lack by throwing it left and right can only be a negative for the US and for all of us.

I've lived here for a year now, and I've seen so many ugly Americans that I am almost at the point where I'll refuse to meet any of them anymore. Thanks to kdog, Marino, Surfer and others for shifting that balance of trust a bit more on the positive side, because without them I'd be totally out of the loop.

Cali is a great place, don't spoil it. And, Surfer, you're right. Let's be quiet about Cali a bit. Cartagena is now within the comfort zone of turism, they'll be looking to push that comfort zone a bit more soon, and Cali may be on their hit list.

[Surfer]

Marino: VERY well put.

Mojo: Tranquilo compadre (cannot use the H word as it gets deleted because of another website using that name).

I DO agree with you in most respects, but antifreeze is NOT the problem. Living in Cali, he thinks in pesos, not dollars. ANYTIME somebody quotes me $$$ in Colombia I say "Somos en Colombia, no Estados Unidos, y la plata aca es pesos". I also agree that the less Americanos feos who come to Cali, the better for those of us who recognize what a special place it is. I am hesitant to even say good things about Cali on public boards like this because I would rather they ALL go to Cartagena!

Poobah: a 40 YO trying to dress like a sardino would look a bit silly, no? While the chicas LOVE the white pants, BLACK is in for men, wouldn't you agree? Not Johhny Cash black, but Armani, De la Renta, D&G type stuff is what the chicas like on guys too.

[Poobah]

All I can say from my experience is dress well, but more importantly dress to the environment you are in and DON'T dress old!

[Antifreeze]

kdog is absolutely right regarding clothing in Cali (and most of SOuth-America). The reason why clothing is so important down here is that most people don't have much, and they show the little they have through clothing. So, in their womens mind, if you can't afford a good pair of shoes, then you can't afford me. So she won't give you a second look. They like to show off through their clothing. On my side, when I used to live in the US, wearing a Polo shirt seemed overkill (I didn't like to show off there), but here in Colombia, wearing an expansive piece of clothing will really increase your odds when you'll break the ice with that Colombian. In the US, everyone wears shorts since it is more appealing for women to find a man that can afford a vacation once in a while. In Colombia, they are attracted to people that are well dressed since it is more appealing to be courted by a man that has a job. It's as easy as that (and latinas are extremely conformist - the majority pretty much react the same way to bad clothing by looking the other way).

One last thing, Cali is a great spot to go cloth shopping. If you don't have good shoes, there are plenty in here for sale for a fraction of the price of the Borring States of America. So, don't feel like you need to shop at home, but reserve your first day to do that in Cali.

[Surfer]

Expat: Cartagena is the one place where you can get away with beachwear as it is BY FAR the most casual city. Polo shirts are fine.

For a guidebook, the Footprint guide is head and shoulders about the rest. Lonely Planet's Colombia edition (the NEW one) is SO truncated that it is a disgrace to a book series that is usually pretty good (except for the feminist slant that is SO anti-Sex). If you ordered LP send it back unopened and get the Footprint Guide.

Easter is HIGH season, and HOT season, in CTG. So try and stay cool and book EARLY.