American Airlines is offering low airfares to Latin America (purchased by 02-25-11)
If you've been thinking about a trip to Latin America, American Airlines is offering some very low fares if you purchase your tickets by February 25, 2011, and begin travel by April 10, 2011. All travel needs to be complete by July 10, 2011. For example, a one-way flight between Seattle and Bogota, Colombia is only $315 (plus taxes).
Non pro and semi pro. Where to get them?
[QUOTE=So if you're looking for a non-pro, what you probably have on your hands is a semi-pro.
:P[/QUOTE]I'm planing to visit Colombia this spring instead of the usual Brasil,
I'm interested in non pro and semi pro. Can anyone tell me where is the best area to find them?
General Report #2 for newbs
As promised, here is the second and final general report following four weeks in Cali. Same disclaimers as before: This is not a review of pro action, and these are the views of a Colombian newb for other newbs. YM, and your opinion, MV.
Safety (update) : My previous post remains with the following addendum: Generally you are safe walking around in the daytime unless you are in a very obviously bad barrio. It seems Cali is the only city where you have to seriously worry about taking a taxi in the street. We have visited Bogota, Buga, Armenia, Peredia, Santa Rosa, and Manizales. In every other location the locals have indicated that there is no problem with taking a taxi on the street. I guess it's just in Cali you should always call.
There is this stereotype perpetuated in the States that Colombia is a drug ridden, crime overrun third world country that is not safe.
Chikas: What I said before stands. You should be aware that girls here are really girls, both in the good ways and the bad. They can not drive for shit, don't try to pretend they can and would prefer the man to drive. They are always into drama. For example, when my girl is making out with me at home, she is all into it, eyes closed, moaning, etc. When we are in public she has no problem jamming her tongue down my throat (very common here) , but will stare daggers at every other girl in the place while she is kissing me. LOL It reminds me of a dog that is chewing on his bone while he growls at everyone around him to stay away.
These girls love pictures. It's freakin hilarious. A girl here could be in the middle of a deep discussion about the quantum theory of the universe and if you point a camera at her she will stop, strike a pose just before the shutter clicks, then resume her conversation as if nothing happened.
The girls here are also very affectionate. Even those that are only friends will always hug and kiss you, hang on your arm, etc. It's actually pretty nice to go out for a beer with my novia and have three of her friends also hanging on me. Of course, I'm paying for the drinks.
On that note, expect that ANY girl that is with you, you will be paying for. If we are by ourselves, my novia will occasional offer to pay for things. But if we are out in public with her friends I am always expected to pay. Luckily, the girls in Cali are lightweights. I shit you not, my novia had two mixed drinks in Bogota and passed out cold.
Food: My only addendum here is that cheese in Colombia is horrible. And I mean, truly horrible. But there are many other things to make up for this. Oh, and try aguapanala. That shit is wonderful after a workout.
Driving: I have been driving my novia's car here since I arrived. My thoughts: If you are used to driving in a big city (Chicago, LA, NY) you should have not problem adjusting here. Just drive with a local for awhile to learn the local customs. The traffic here is insane, just like any city. They drive like assholes here (cutting each other off, weaving lanes, tailgating, etc) just like any big city. The difference? There is a distinct lack of hostility here. If the things that happened here happened in the US, there would be (and often are) fistfights in the street, road rage, etc. Here, if you really [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140][CodeWord140][/url] someone off they may shake a fist at you or throw their hands up at you, but mostly they just simply shrug it off and go on about your day. Its kinda like they do what they have to do to make it through traffic, but it's nothing personal.
THere are no super-highways in Colombia. In the better areas you will have a 2 or 4 way divided highway, but most of the roads are two lane type. The roads around Manizales et al. Are winding mountain roads. Be aware. After driving some of the mountain roads in Colorado and Oregon I actually felt the mountain roads here are safer. But if you are not used to these types of road, be aware of the pucker factor. Passing a bus on a narrow two lane bridge 1000 feet above a gorge may not be the best experience for all of you. I just don't think about it too much.
Language: Spanish isn't that hard. I arrived knowing zero Spanish and four weeks later I can hold a very basic conversation with my novia and generally make myself understood with the general public. The hardest part is understanding what people are saying to you. Written spanish I can understand fairly well. But people here speak very quickly and use a lot of slang so it is much harder to understand. But, if you ask them nicely to slow down and speak clearly, they are more then happy to do so and will often try to learn a little english from you.
Ok, that is the end of this report. I will post a review of coffee country in the 'Other Areas' forum for those that are interested. This is my final general report, I will be reporting to Medellin and the Mansion next week so I will have a report for that then. Good hunting, all. See some of you soon at the Mansion.
