[DanDeLaCruz]

I wouldn't hop around too much. It might take you at least two or three weeks to get use to the city, and hit your stride. Plus you're going to be building a social circle while you're there, so that momentum builds the longer you stay. If you just want to check out a lot of citys and gamble that you'll hit the right spots on the right nights, take some pictures and say you've been there, that's fine too, but I generally find that the first few days are a toss up when your starting off in a new city. Also keep in mind if you go off to the coast you'll loose precious time traveling, packing, unpacking, and then what if it doesn't go well with that girl? I'm sure you've heard about Colombian girls being flakey... Just food for thought.

[rinestone]

i don't have any other countries planned and i think i will stick to colombia for my first trip. however, i think i am looking at 6 weeks, maybe even 8 if i can. medellin and bogota are my must sees with a weekend in santa marta to meet up with someone i've met online. from there, i'm thinking it may make sense to do a week of baranquilla, cartagena, monteria, or stay in santa marta. just seems to make sense while i'm that far north.

but i am open to change though. i hear good things about periera and was thinking about some other secondary cities later in the trip, after my spanish improves a little. i'm kind of a unique spanish speaker in that i had it for 5-6 years. but that was high school and the beginning of college. i think once i stretch my vocabulary a bit and hit up some telemundo and podcasts to improve my oral comprehension, i should be pretty good but we'll see.

[rinestone]

i'm looking at 6, hopefully 8 weeks. primarily medellin and bogota, with a weekend trip to santa marta to meet a girl i've been talking to a lot. while i'm up there i'm thinking it may make sense to hit baranquilla, cartagena, monteria, or stay longer in santa marta. my hope is that my spanish will improve as the trip goes on, to the point where i can function more effectively in a second tier city like periera. again, always open to any comments fellas, thanks.

for anyone who has facebook issues, you CAN block only certain people from writing on your wall or tagging you in photos/videos. i am blocking everyone south of the equator from putting stuff there, hope for private messages from them, and claim ignorance if i am called out on it.

[rinestone]

(02-01-2011 12:22 PM)DanDeLaCruz Wrote:  

I wouldn't hop around too much. It might take you at least two or three weeks to get use to the city, and hit your stride. Plus you're going to be building a social circle while you're there, so that momentum builds the longer you stay. If you just want to check out a lot of citys and gamble that you'll hit the right spots on the right nights, take some pictures and say you've been there, that's fine too, but I generally find that the first few days are a toss up when your starting off in a new city. Also keep in mind if you go off to the coast you'll loose precious time traveling, packing, unpacking, and then what if it doesn't go well with that girl? I'm sure you've heard about Colombian girls being flakey... Just food for thought.

i hear what you're saying about girls flaking, but i'm as certain as certain can be. i have some pretty suggestive webcam shows and constant, constant contact. i don't see it happening, but if by some shock it does, i'll still have a weekend on the ocean which i wanted anyway. after these pics though, i don't think i can pass it up, even if it costs me some time in an airport and packing.

but thanks for the advice, it's a fair point. i want to try and walk the line between seeing different places intimately enough to get a feel for them and developing a small social circle while still seeing 2-3 places in depth. sound good?