La costeña y el Cachaco

I share the other viewer's comment about it being a shame this series is as of now not available on DVD. I did manage to videotape all the episodes, though. Fans of Betty La Fea will immediately recognize Jorge Abello (Armando Mendoza) cast as the straight-laced "cachaco" Antonio sent to straighten up his Bogota-based petroleum company's faltering branch operation on Colombia's carefree and fun-loving Caribbean coast where he meets up with the delicious "costena" Sofia. True to novella tradition, there's melodrama, social class prejudice, and cliffhanging moments large and small. What impresses me about this series is that the acting was never stilted - except for a few bit players - and flowed so effortlessly from situation to situation you'd think the cast spent years together. Boiled down, it's a boy meets girl, boy gets girl, but there's a lot of fun, intrigue, and glimpses into Colombia lifestyles to see along the way.