Well wishing from Rivardco ...

[IAmZon]

Man, I miss this place ... I have to say that the group that posted here was of the highest caliber, and I was lucky to meet a handful of vets in person.   Just stopping bye out of curiosity mostly.  For me, AMAZINGLY, I never made it to the FSU!

I decided to play an away game.  I would rather, in large part, assume another culture and learn another language - all the while enjoying the process; than just skim the surface, hopefully finding a suitable mate (and then hope for the best).

So, I decided on Colombia, South America.  Time Zone, Distance, Language all were central in my thinking.  I have managed to live there 14 months of the last 3 years (not a bad start).  Sure there are compromises, but damn, I ought to be able to find what I am seeking in a country of that size - one special skinny, white woman, who is intelligent and not looking for a one way ticket for the good life.   In truth, I love living there! I find myslef smiling all the time.

Anyway, just stopping in to say HOLA.   I doubt my path will ever bring me to the FSU, or Russia now.  It might  be best for me.  FSU women make me "big eyed" and takes my best judgement away.  Russian women are smarter than me ... Latinas? No hay problemas:)

Best of luck

[Eduard]

Hey there,
good to see you buddy! Long time!

[LAman]

Hey Rivardco
 
  Where in Columbia have you settled into....one of larger towns? There are times I wonder if I will
  change my focus on where I search.
  My friends in Costa Rica take many trips to Cali for the women.

[Turboguy]

Hi Rivardco,  Nice to see you and it sounds like a great adventure you have emabarked on.  Sometimes on a trip it is nice to enjoy the journey even before you arrive at your destination and it sounds like you are. 
 
You are welcome to stop in from time to time and post even if your romantic compass is pointing in opposite directions from ours.

[I/O]

if your romantic compass is pointing

The time will come Turbo when all of us will be glad of that simple achievement.

Tim, don't underestimate the intelect of the Latinas or do so at your peril. Think Romania, very similar IMO.

[IAmZon]

nice to see and hear (and catchup) with everyone.  Again, I hope everybody is happy and that their romantic compasses are still pointing ....

To answer:  I spent much time in Cali.  I imagine it is like Las Vegas in the 60's.  You can get whatever you want.  The climate is nice, a little hot.  It is a big city - 2.5 million.  The gringo affect is mild.  Cali got a lot of early romance tours 10 and 8 years ago, so there is a feeling in the air that if you are a gringo, you are looking for a novia.  Not a bad thing.   I am happy in Cali.   I also lived in Medellin.  WOW!  I have never seen so many beautiful women in one place.  wall to wall 8, 9, 10's.  BUT, to find a woman in Medellin that is not an "interasada" is a small miracle.   It can be done, but takes time and a knowledge of the Spanish language.   In both places, I would be leery of using agencies "Please Don't' Feed the Alligators" HAHAHA

Recently, I have begun exploring the Cafetero Axis.  Think tropics at high altitudes.  There are three cities in this area Armenia, Periera, and Manizales.   The genetics suit me here (very European).  There are not many gringos (which is a good thing because of reputation and novelty).  Plus, these are smaller cities (350K -  450K) and the people are nicer.   Can't wait to return in 30 days.

Colombiana intelligence?   I think there are MANY similarities between CW and FSUW.  The cultures allow men to be men.  There is a reluctance to appear rude, and often times the cost is complete honesty.  That is the biggest difference i see. PLUS, the Latin idea of beauty is curvy.  My idea of beauty is a modern, thin, Russian-like build.  So, interestingly, I give attention to beautiful women who are underapreciated.  I am a believer in market dislocations ... big fish (different fish) / small ponds.

=== FUNNY; the last time I felt emotionally "falling in love" - that unglued feeling that can make a man do crazy things - was 1.5 years ago when I met an Kristina "Fat Yuri" online HAHAHA  - and guys from this board (and their wives) help me see the light before I travelled to OMSK!  ====

Be well.

[GQBlues]

Rivardco-
 
Columbian women are a great choice, Latinas for the most part. I'm partial to Peruvian (and Brazilian) myself, although there seem to be a ton of Venezuelan talent lately.
 
As for the side-topic:
 
Voluptuous - Brooklyn Decker
Slim - Alessandro Ambrosio
Curvy - Halle Berry / Jill Goodacre
Thin - Angelina Jolie
Slim - Victoria Beckham
Sexy - Megan Fox
 Perfection - Kelly Preston
Average - Meg Ryan/Julianne Hough
Odd Shaped, kinda sexy - Kate Hudson / Katherine Heigl / Jennifer Aniston
 
The Best - My wife 
 

[SANDRO43]

Slim - Alessandro Ambrosio

Why on earth is she using a MAN's name -  mine also, incidentally? I wonder why some people misuse Italian names - another example is Andrea, for males only here even if it ends in -a .

Sant'Andrea  (St. Andrew)

[OlgaH]

Slim - Alessandro Ambrosio

Alessandra Ambrosio 

[GQBlues]

Alessandra Ambrosio   

Yes Sandro and OlgaH, LOL. This is actually the second time I did this, AND, the second time Sandro caught me    Definitely my pesky dyslexic tendency. Getting old...

[Daveman]

=== FUNNY; the last time I felt emotionally "falling in love" - that unglued feeling that can make a man do crazy things - was 1.5 years ago when I met an Kristina "Fat Yuri" online HAHAHA  - and guys from this board (and their wives) help me see the light before I travelled to OMSK!  ====

Be well.

 


Glad to see you back around these parts Rivardco (I'll always remember your first avatar "get smart" while you were in "investigation phase".. )


Doubly cool that you found an area where you feel at home and enjoy the environs so much.  I'm enjoying reading a bit about your adventure!


Dave

[ECOCKS]

Good Luck!

[SANDRO43]

Definitely my pesky dyslexic tendency.[/font]

You're not alone: if you Google Alessandro Ambrosio, the 2nd result is Images for Alessandro Ambrosio put up by 5 people who all got her name wrong .

[IAmZon]

For the sake of being sociable and to add to adventure reading ... DaveMan"I'm enjoying reading a bit about your adventure!"  I will share a little diddy ...

Colombia is known for its narco underworld, and I have a strong curiosity and appetite for difficult situations.   So, I have found myself in a variety of predicaments. 

I lived in Medellin earlier in the year for 90 days.  I took Salsa classes every day for 2 months ( I got damn good).  I would go and practice in the evenings, and on Thursday night in El Centro there is a GREAT Salsa club that is AUTHENTIC.  It ain't the safest place in the world.   One Thursday, I drank too much and did not want to stop.  I accepted an invitation from a group to go to an afterhours club in El Centro (there is nothing more dangerous).    I found myself drinking with 5 guys and a room full of women at 5:00 AM.  It was hot and the men took off their shirts - bodies covered with tattoos.  I asked WTF?   They said they were all in a gang and they add an element for each "job".   OH $HIT.   

I did not want to leave, because I did not want to hear that I was not allowed to leave.  So, I just kept on buying bottles of Aguadiente and got the group severely drunk.  I finally got to bed after lunch. 

Of course, most of the times are much more quiet and peacefull.  The nature and diversity in Colombia is amazing. I have had several romances (PFFF).  Living in Colombia, women are simply NOT a problem.  I have become spoiled, and do not feel a NEED to find a wife anytime soon.  But, I do imagine I will find a woman in the future that is too good for me, and that I do not actually deserve:)    I think I am lucky.

[Gator]

Tim,
 
Good to hear from you.  Most important - you are happy with your Latin life.  Decades ago I had a tall Peruvian girlfriend.  A good woman and a lot of fun.  Made excellent ceviche.  Introduced me to Latin literature. - One Hundred Years of Solitude by Garcia , a Columbian.  Thus, I understand your attraction. 
 
I was not ready for marriage and she wanted kids. So goes life.

[BillyB]

Colombia is known for its narco underworld, and I have a strong curiosity and appetite for difficult situations.   So, I have found myself in a variety of predicaments. 

Rivardco, good to see you back here instead of buried and meal for coca plants. I don't like the idea that you may end up in someone's nose.   Stay safe.

[Hammer2722]

Rivardco, good to see you back here instead of buried and meal for coca plants. I don't like the idea that you may end up in someone's nose.   Stay safe.

From what I had been reading about Columbia when I was searching in Latin America, the Crime rate in Medellin and other large has drastically dropped over tha last 10 years and is nothing like what it used to be during the drug war years.

[IAmZon]

" From what I had been reading about Columbia when I was searching in Latin America, the Crime rate in Medellin and other large has drastically dropped over tha last 10 years"

Yes, BUT ...

There are no drive bye shootings.  The infrastructure and social centers in many places are GREAT - totally first world.  But, there still is much poverty, and gang warfare.   There is ALWAYS the possibility of getting robbed.  There is a saying "Don't show Papaya" Translating to Don't Give Opportunities.  And, it is really best to follow those rules, because bad things do happen in Colombia everyday.  (and I love the place)

Medellin has safe places - El Poblado.  But, that is the worst place for a gringo to be because of negative association and scammers.  Outlying areas like Bello, Envigado is where things get more interesting, but the danger element does increase after nightfall.    Cali, is more safe, but compared to what?   The Cafetero Axis is much more safe - Armenia, Periera, and Manizales ... but it is difficult to appreciate with limited time and certainly there are no agencies there.

BillyB - It is hard for me to believe something BAD could happen to me now ... I have adjusted:)

[Muzh]

Colombiana intelligence?   I think there are MANY similarities between CW and FSUW.  The cultures allow men to be men.  There is a reluctance to appear rude, and often times the cost is complete honesty.  That is the biggest difference i see. PLUS, the Latin idea of beauty is curvy.  My idea of beauty is a modern, thin, Russian-like build.  So, interestingly, I give attention to beautiful women who are underapreciated.  I am a believer in market dislocations ... big fish (different fish) / small ponds.

Oiga Compadre, no lo conozco pero me alegro que se esta disfrutando el pais.
 
My brother used to date a babe from Medellin. I learned from her the vicious rilvary between Medellin women and Cali women. Don't know if you have noticed but keep an eye and ear open to that.
 
Regarding the curves, you are so right about the unappreciated ladies. Even the ladies themselves go through the stigma of being "chumba" which means bony a$$. In reality, they are a lot less curvy but you hit it right on the nail.
 
Buena suerte y tenga mucho cuidado. El ser gringo to te salva de los drogos.

[TheTraveler]

Good to see you back!