Can We Expand The Knowledge Outside Colombia?

Gentlemen -

A lot of us are traveling outside Colombia these days and I for one would like to read more stimulating information about Argentina, Peru, Chile, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, Uruguay, etc. That said, I'll try my best to contribute when time allows and if you guys who live in Latin countries outside Colombia.... reading and hearing about your experiences is a breath of fresh air.

About GT. The new direction of the Board was by design... to attract new blood and new people. Women are always welcome to join and post freely but the ladies must remember this is a male dominated Board for many years and in Latin America men are considered equal unlike north America where most American ladies boss the relationship and their men. No offense ladies.

Bottom Line: Let us try and expand the knowledge outside Colombia, the agencies, Colombian women, etc. And to those of you who are long time members and lurk... we're asking you to step up and give back to the Board what it's given you (knowledge). That said, lurking here is allowed, however we feel if you're reading and learning about all the knowledge and refusing to offer something back in return, this is not very generous or polite. To the Lurkers; consider GT a community volunteer organization. We pick up trash in your neighborhood every Saturday morning, and we even pick up trash in your front yard. And we keep doing this for a long time. Then one day you might hear a knock at your front door and a request to come out and help pick up the trash. Do you remember your Mom and Dad's 1950s America?

Now Let us try and help each other, isn't that what the world is all about?

Thanks for your attention to this matter.

[HonkyTonk]

Preachin' to the choir boss. I've always said there's a whole 'nother world outside Colombia. Te (heart) Colombia, but that's like saying you love Miami and nothing else the US has to offer.

Maybe it's just me and very few others who don't care to follow the well worn beaten down cattle trails others have blazed before me in Colombia

For some it's only about meeting the latinas, for others it's about the adventure and culture. There's never a shortage of women to spend quality time with no matter where you hang your hat. There really is life outside Colombia...

Am I a dying breed? Does anybody really give a sh*t if I took a trip to outback Bolivia and posted a report?

Didn't think so... Por que?

Tonk, I believe there are gringos that have an adventure spirit. The problem is majority just won't post. Remember Tinto posted an Argentina report. I try to go places and do things I haven't done before. I made the trip to Peru (second time actually) and went to Tarapoto and a few other places. Tarapoto is a place Peruvians like to go on vacation. For whatever reason the U.S. tourists don't usually go there.

Ray is right there are just more info on Colombia than anything else.

[GrizGator]

If you all can get more posts about other LA countries, that's nice...nothing wrong with it....and would provide more info for those that are thinking about visiting. But I still and will always consider this a Colombia-centric board....that's the reason I first joined the board and that's why I continue to post. Some of you may not consider Colombia much of an adventure, but I still do. I don't find anything that trail-blazing about going to countries that the average gringo travels every day (Brazil, Argentina, Costa Rica, Panama, etc.). Colombia may be old hat to many of us now, but think back to when you first went. I can sure remember. I did not know much about COlombia before finding this board, other than it's reputation for drugs (thanks to U.S. news and movies). I was told it was dangerous. I was told I would get killed. I was jokingly asked if I had a cocaine addiction! I was more than a little nervous. I was told that all of Colombia was hot (after all, it's South America, right) - what a shock Bogota is to anyone who think that!

Even today, my old friends still think Colombia is dangerous (no matter what I say) and always tell me (somewhat jokingly, but not really) not to get killed or kidnapped when I go. Most people are surprised when I tell them that Bogota is cold, not hot. The average American still has a jaded view of Colombia, does not consider it a tourist destination, and is afraid to go.....so, for the average newbie on this board, Colombia is still an adventure.

Further, all Latin American women are not the same. Can you get the same type of wife/girlfriend in Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica, etc. as you can in Colombia? Sure, there are beautiful women everywhere, but there are definite difference in looks, personality, and attitude in the different countries. Those that are looking for certain qualities are looking to a certain country for a reason. From our own experiences in the U.S., we know that Latinas can't be type-cast. Mexicans, Cubans, Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Colombians, etc......all of which are in Florida....are very different in a lot of ways. There are similarities (like attitude about family), but many differences. Those that believe that a Latina is a Latina is a Latina will surely be in for a big surprise....just as those that think women from Bogota are exactly the same as women from Cali, Medellin, Bucaramanga, or Cartagena (we could talk about that all day).

Griz

[El Capitan]

Originally Posted by HonkyTonk

Am I a dying breed? Does anybody really give a sh*t if I took a trip to outback Bolivia and posted a report?

Didn't think so... Por que?

Por que? Because it doesn't include the one, most important, all engrossing thing that has become the common undercurrent on GT. A country full of good looking women, wanting a way out, or a way to a better life, that's in close proximity to the U.S. Way too easy. They'll almost throw themselves in front of you..."mi principe azul"

Who cares about the rest of it...who cares about learning the language...who cares about the culture...some of those that have been married in the last few years, still can't complete a entire sentence in Spanish, but yet portend their "expertise" on all things Colombian, or Latino. No disrespect, but quite frankly, I'm surprised at some of the apathy exhibited by those that have been fortunate enough to find their "media de naranja", while utilizing this medium, and now have the sack to say that they don't care about the rest of guys looking, or what the rest of LAm has to offer....I've already got mine, screw the rest of you.

Nice. Colombia-centric it is then.

The hell with the rest of LAm, as there are no women flinging themselves at their feet there. Did you ever wonder why that was the case? Maybe because they don't need your sorry ass just for a way out, genius. And you damn sure don't have anything else to offer, let alone good conversation...

[Sailover]

But Cappy, how do you REALLY feel? Don't sugar coat it...

[HonkyTonk]

"The problem is majority just won't post."

EMan, there lies part of the "problem", if I can even call it that. You recently posted a nice trip report about Peru. I've been to many of those places and it was a trip down memory lane. Had some of the mishaps too...

Others have alluded to places they've been, some even Ecuador that I'd like some info on; but nada...even when I asked

About 5 years ago Ray changed the general format to include all of LAm. You'd think in that amount of time we'd have enough new members to cover more things outside of Colombian. GT just hasn't attracted those newbies, with few acceptions like John Wayne and some of the good ole boys from the Nicar. Forum.

We have 1,101 members now. I hope that some who havn't posted anything step up to the plate and post about their experiences whether it's Colombia or hopefully someplace else in LAm. How 'bout it?

Now, figuring I started this post about 6 hours ago...Sail beat me to the punch.

ElC, I wouldn't have it any other way

[Micky10]

There are other countries outside of Colombia? I am all in favor of expansion with information on ALL countries in LA and SA. We do have - Cn'J in Panama - JW in Nicaraugra (sp?) - Ciza in Mexico - El Cap all over the place - Ray, Bueller, Nano in (or much time spent in) Brazil. Why would we not do that? I am good with letting the membership take the board in whatever direction they want to take it. When I first joined the board my intention was to learn as much as I could about ALL of LA/SA. There are many here with some knowledge of different countries and they DO NOT post. Can not make people post, answer?, I don't know.

Love - Micky

[LastLion]

Originally Posted by Micky10

There are other countries outside of Colombia? I am all in favor of expansion with information on ALL countries in LA and SA. We do have - Cn'J in Panama - JW in Nicaraugra (sp?) - Ciza in Mexico - El Cap all over the place - Ray, Bueller, Nano in (or much time spent in) Brazil.

Interestingly enough All except JOHN WAYNE who posts about life in Panama, don't post on other countries!

I am in agreement, Capn jib give up the panama news, Ray, give up more on brasil, Ciza cough up Mexico... The rest of you lurkers cough up some reports!

[Sailover]

I live here in Cali because I can't afford to go anywhere else. If I could I would check out El Salvador or Nicaragua. I have tried to engage others into exploring other options but it seems like most of the boys just want to flirt with Angie and her pal. And so what? It is what it is. While it would be great to have one of the gang come down and want to do more than sit around Chipichape and complain that the fancy girls don't pay any attention, but I can't get a rise out of anyone.