Where did she go?

[Peikko 1,575]

Jabber, they wouldn't be particulary intersted in him if he was a begger coming to stay - although how that would happen is anyone's guess.

I am sure American's are exotic for more than simply what is in their wallet, they represent the 'American Dream' which is more than just the money but to suggest they think he is exotic just because he comes from somewhere else and doesn't represent something that these people aspire to at some level is just odd. Not everyone would have been intrigued by him but to those that were the initial attraction is intertwined with all these 'hopes' of better things somewhere yonder.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Interesting side note - I was introduced to the 'exotic' factor quite some time ago - in my late teens, in fact. I used to be very involved in sailing and where I lived our City hosted a lot of international sailing competitions (including the 1976 sailing Olympics). Our family ended up being the host family for sailors from a number of foreign countries, and I remember talking with one Australian while I was crewing for my Dad taking coaches and alternates out to the race courses. He told me Canadian women were so 'exotic'! To me, of course, Canadian women were so 'every day' - but Australian men were 'exotic' to me! Distance and cultural differences, regardless of whether money is involved or not, can and do make someone appear 'exotic' to some one else.

Edited July 19, 2008 by Kathryn41

[Peikko 1,575]

I think that's true of course. However you are talking about cultures that are different but equally robust financially. When there is a huge financial disparity between cultures then the interest of those with the lower income is bound to be coloured by the dreams of escape, at least for the young people, escape from the dead end. Not everyone is intersted in escaping or changing, in fact I think it's a small percentage of the total population but it's part of the package for those who do.

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

Ken,

thanks for sharing. I hope that things work out for you one way or another.

Please don't let some of the meaner posts dissuade you from sharing.

Sounds like you have a personality and ability to keep a busy lifestyle. That may lend to some of the 'not getting it" by some folks around here. You go at your pace.

suerte,

Daniel

[Caladan 19]

I would imagine if say, a Russian hockey team were staying a few days in a small U.S. town, the local single women would be looking to meet up with the players just because they are different and they know they won't be staying long. I don't think you can size up every local girl's attraction to an outsider because they see him as a ticket out of their meager existence. Sometimes being from the outside is intriguing or exotic enough to spark interest to the locals....and in Ken's case, he pointed that out - it wasn't just the local women, but the locals in general were intrigued by him. Perhaps some see him as a bag of money, but I doubt everyone does. To think everyone from a poorer country is intrigued by people with more money is as much a stereotype as these international dating services trying to sell romance.

I didn't say everyone from a poor country is looking for a ticket out. (And I don't think that.) But Ken's meeting women through the dating service, isn't he? Isn't that Maria's job? And he's moving from being in love with one to being in love with another. And there's nothing wrong with that (flings are fun) except if one sees it as a foundation for a marriage.

For his own sake, I hope he slows down and thinks. I'm not saying this to be mean, but he's placing an awful lot of faith in that all of these women are completely good-hearted women who have his best interests in mind. Not every fun relationship is marriage material.

[bora bora 1]

I would imagine if say, a Russian hockey team were staying a few days in a small U.S. town, the local single women would be looking to meet up with the players just because they are different and they know they won't be staying long. I don't think you can size up every local girl's attraction to an outsider because they see him as a ticket out of their meager existence. Sometimes being from the outside is intriguing or exotic enough to spark interest to the locals....and in Ken's case, he pointed that out - it wasn't just the local women, but the locals in general were intrigued by him. Perhaps some see him as a bag of money, but I doubt everyone does. To think everyone from a poorer country is intrigued by people with more money is as much a stereotype as these international dating services trying to sell romance.

I didn't say everyone from a poor country is looking for a ticket out. (And I don't think that.) But Ken's meeting women through the dating service, isn't he? Isn't that Maria's job? And he's moving from being in love with one to being in love with another. And there's nothing wrong with that (flings are fun) except if one sees it as a foundation for a marriage.

For his own sake, I hope he slows down and thinks. I'm not saying this to be mean, but he's placing an awful lot of faith in that all of these women are completely good-hearted women who have his best interests in mind. Not every fun relationship is marriage material.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I would imagine if say, a Russian hockey team were staying a few days in a small U.S. town, the local single women would be looking to meet up with the players just because they are different and they know they won't be staying long. I don't think you can size up every local girl's attraction to an outsider because they see him as a ticket out of their meager existence. Sometimes being from the outside is intriguing or exotic enough to spark interest to the locals....and in Ken's case, he pointed that out - it wasn't just the local women, but the locals in general were intrigued by him. Perhaps some see him as a bag of money, but I doubt everyone does. To think everyone from a poorer country is intrigued by people with more money is as much a stereotype as these international dating services trying to sell romance.

I didn't say everyone from a poor country is looking for a ticket out. (And I don't think that.) But Ken's meeting women through the dating service, isn't he? Isn't that Maria's job? And he's moving from being in love with one to being in love with another. And there's nothing wrong with that (flings are fun) except if one sees it as a foundation for a marriage.

For his own sake, I hope he slows down and thinks. I'm not saying this to be mean, but he's placing an awful lot of faith in that all of these women are completely good-hearted women who have his best interests in mind. Not every fun relationship is marriage material.

That makes sense. It sounds to me from what Ken wrote is that although he initially found his way to Columbia through an international dating agency, he genuinely fell in love with the place and people, and they in turn were taken kindly to him. Jesus even told Ken that he grew up with a dislike of America, but obviously became a good frend to Ken. I think Ken's personality, like what Daniel posted above, has a lot to do with how the locals have responded to him.

Edited July 19, 2008 by Jabberwocky

[Brad and Vika 129]

We can judge and put our thoughts and comments into this thread. Personally, if I had been Ken reading some of these - I would have stopped posting a long time ago. He didn't let it deter him. That's something I like about him. He doesn't stop to correct someone's opinion of him - just to correct the facts as he sees them.

I think Ken is probably a really good video editor - as he was able to capture our thoughts and interest and make us feel like we can openly comment about these turn of events in his life. He told us his story and we cared in our varying ways.

I agree - he did a good job of getting us interested and holding the interest. I hope he keeps the thread alive with new stuff, and ignores the critical commentary.

Edited July 19, 2008 by Brad and Vika

[bhajishah 4]

Is this our old friend first benjamin from cali???

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

Is this our old friend first benjamin from cali???

not even close.

Daniel

[Ken y Leidys 20]

I always wanted to travel to Colombia because I have loved the music made there. After seeing the film, "El Angel Del Accordion", that love for Colombian music grew exponentially.

I am definitely taking things very slowly.

In time, things will all work out...

El Angel Del Accordion

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

In time, things will all work out...

Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle: "There's no sense in getting all riled up every time a bunch of idiots give you a hard time. In the end, the universe tends to unfold as it should."

[Ken y Leidys 20]

In time, things will all work out...

Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle: "There's no sense in getting all riled up every time a bunch of idiots give you a hard time. In the end, the universe tends to unfold as it should."

Huh?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

"In time, things will all work out" reminded me of "In the end, the universe tends to unfold as it should".

[natty bumppo 293]

"In time, things will all work out" reminded me of "In the end, the universe tends to unfold as it should".

and ... why aren't you in bed ???