First Cali Trip - Part 1

[AndBow]

Greetings Everyone,
I have finally made the jump to SOTB. I have been talking to a beautiful young lady from Cali Colombia for several months and she convinced me to take a trip. I will call her C. I have only been here for two days and I have to say it was the best decision that I have made in years.
My trip started at JFK airport at 6:00 am. The staff of Avianca Airlines met me with smiles and a warm welcoming. Being tired and groggy I was pleasantly surprised with how nice and helpful everyone was. I am 6’6 and the seat I was assigned did not recline. The young woman checking me in saw this and changed my seat without me asking. She was warm, sweet and made my experience in the airport a delight. On a side note, I could not believe that amount of pretty woman that were getting on the plane.
I had a direct flight to Medellin and then a connecting flight to Cali. The flight down was long and I did not sleep that much. I was not able to leave the plane in Medellin so I cannot comment on the airport, but the views I had from the window flying in and flying out was amazing. I knew already I had made the right decision on making the trip. The flight from Medellin to Cali was bumpy there was a lot of turbulence. I was happy that it was a short flight.
As the plane landed in Cali I said, Thank God, and then I thanked the pilot as I was leaving the plane. I was surprised how different the airport in Cali was compared to any of the airports that I have been in. There is not much that I can comment about the airport except that the people working the desk for customs were laid back. There were five people checking passports and I was the fifteenth person on line. It took about 45 minutes for them to call me up to the desk. I did not mind that much. I was able to talk to a group of women that were travelling on business. We exchanged information on where we are going to stay. Hopefully, we can get together for a couple of drinks.
I get my bag and then head out the exit of the airport. It was refreshing walking going from 10 degree temps to 70 degree. I was met by C and her uncle. I realized right away how basic my Spanish is. I was glad that her uncle is fluent in English. The scenery is beautiful. I have to say drivers in Cali are the worse. Traffic outside the city is not bad, but traffic in Cali is horrible. I am glad I did not rent a car I would be afraid to drive, and this is coming from someone who drives every day in NYC traffic.
We get to the Hotel, Hotel Pension Stein, and I was greeted by the receptionist and she is very pretty. I would recommend staying at the hotel to anyone who is visiting Cali. With everyone I have met so far it is refreshing to see how nice everyone is. A hotel room will cost seventy six US dollars a night that comes with breakfast. Breakfast is simple but good. The coffee is good but not what I am use to. For the past twelve years I have lived on Café Bustelo. I ate dinner once in the hotel restaurant and it was good. I would recommend the hotel to anyone staying in Cali.
It is eleven in the morning on Friday and I will write more on my experiences. I have a little work to do and I am waiting for C to get off from her work. If anyone has questions or opinions please let me know.

[rpcv]

Good trip report andobw! Is it raining there in Cali now? I am going to be there next month.

[JMitch1959]

good report. I wouldn't drive in Cali either. However, I think the drivers there generally are skilled to zig in an out of traffic the way they do. I don't think I ever have seen an accident there, which is suprising with all the traffic.

If things don't work out with your lady, you might see if Latin Best is still operating.

Have fun.

[El Capitan]

Nice report AndBow...I'm waiting to hear more as your weekend, and trip progresses.

Enjoy yourself, and have fun during your stay...

[Charlie640]

Yeah... that laid back attitude goes out the window when they're behind the wheel! I think NYC taxi drivers would be afraid to drive their. What part of NYC are you from? I'm Brooklyn. I just got back from Cartagena last week. Keep it coming.

[AndBow]

Originally Posted by rpcv

Good trip report andobw! Is it raining there in Cali now? I am going to be there next month.

RPCV – The weather has been great. In the morning and night it has been around 60 degrees and in the afternoon it has been in the 80’s. It has rained three times, but only for a short period of time.

[AndBow]

Originally Posted by JMitch1959

good report. I wouldn't drive in Cali either. However, I think the drivers there generally are skilled to zig in an out of traffic the way they do. I don't think I ever have seen an accident there, which is suprising with all the traffic.

If things don't work out with your lady, you might see if Latin Best is still operating.

Have fun.

JMitch – Thanks for the advice. I checked into Latin Best before I ventured down here. I am planning on using them if things do not go well with C. You are right the drivers are skilled with zig zagging in out of traffic. I am surprised that I have not seen an accident.

[AndBow]

Originally Posted by Charlie640

Yeah... that laid back attitude goes out the window when they're behind the wheel! I think NYC taxi drivers would be afraid to drive their. What part of NYC are you from? I'm Brooklyn. I just got back from Cartagena last week. Keep it coming.

Charlie – I have a house in Brooklyn, Sheep Head Bay, which my wife has, and I live on the Upper East Side.

Sorry about all the posts.

[LuckyGirl]

Hi AB!
Any advice or question you have here in Cali Just tell me, con mucho gusto si esta en mis manos ayudarte!!
LG

[Cap'n Jib]

"..... I could not believe that amount of pretty woman that were getting on the plane." - AndBow

You can most definitely believe it. But is does take a bit of getting used to. And of course the subsiquent eye strain one is likely to sustain.

Thanks for the tirp report and welcome!