Azul has written 40 posts
Bottles of beer
My novia's father and I often enjoy a few beers sitting at night on his front porch. His favorite being Aguila. Aguila is alright I guess, I have been know to drink anything that resembles a brew....but I was thinking about bringing him some "good" beer. Or at least what I consider good beer. A couple of questions though.....how many 12 once bottles do you think that I could get through customs? Any suggestions on types of beer that I should bring him? I think that in general Colombians ...
American to charge for checked bags
American Airlines announced this morning that, as of next month, most passengers will have to pony up $15 for their first checked bag. The checked-bag fee is effective for tickets purchased on or after June 15. http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Dispatch/AmericanToChargeForCheckedBags.aspx ...
Passport for the I-129F
The directions for the I-129F pedition state: In Place of any of the above, you may give USCIS a copy of your valid, unexpired U.S. passport issued with a validity period of at least five years. You must submit copies of all pages in the passport. My passport validity period is 10 years, but will expire in February of 2009. Can I still use this as proof of citizenship, or should I track down my birth certificate? ...
I-129F / G-325A questions
I've been traveling to Colombia for 2 years now, but am now just starting the K-1 process for my girlfriend. I have a few questions about the initial paperwork for the petition....some of it I could probably find if I seached this sight or VJ, but I think that at least one of my questions might be original enough to make posting my questions worthwhile. 1. When the forms ask for "Family Name", do I use both last names, or should I just use her Father's last name? 2. I-129F Part B #9: What ...
me quieres o me adores?
When a Colombiana tells you "te adoro" .... what exactly is her level of feelings for you? Does "te adoro" come before or after "te quiero"?
perception of single mothers
I know that in the States single moms carry excess baggage that a lot of guys seem to try to avoid. But I don't think that in the States it is necessarily the kiss of death when it comes to finding a new mate. What is the general perception of single moms in Colombia? I know that there are plenty of single moms in Colombia....does having a child significantly reduce their chance of finding a new man? ...
Cost of education
Sitting here staring at my bank statement, and the 5 digits that I owe for my student loans....I started to wonder what the costs for an education in a Colombian university are. Is it expensive? Are there government sponsored student loans? What about trade schools? Just feeling a little disenfranchised with the costs of education in the States. I assume that it is cheaper in Colombia, but is the quality less? ...
e-tickets
In the past, I was always issued paper tickets for international travel....but I just booked a flight to Barranquilla and was issued e-tickets (Continental). This will be my first time flying to Colombia with e-tickets....will I have any trouble? ...
Do I trust the Post Office?
I'm sending a small box of Christmas gifts later today to Colombia, and I am checking prices out on line. UPS, FedEx, and DHL are all in the same ballpark....but then I looked at USPS and they are ALOT cheaper for delivery to Colombia. The estimated time is about 4 days longer, but the price is about a 1/3 of the other places I looked. Should I trust the Post Office here, and I'm assuming there in Colombia, to actually deliver the package when they say they will? I kind of think that I shoul ...
Anyone have some Cali tips?
I am not by any means a newbie to Colombia. I've been to Barranquilla, Cartagena, Santa Marta, Bogota, and surrounding areas numerous times..... but I'm going to be in Cali in Febuary for the first time and wanted to hear from a few veterans of the area. I've heard that overall the city is not quite as safe as some of the other larger cities...ie. Bogota/Cartagena...any opinions? ...
Barranquilla
Anyone know of a translator in Barranquilla that can translate some legal docs?
Fotos de Bolivia
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=195785
I need a lesson in Verbs
What is the difference between Pretérito imperfecto and Pretérito perfecto? For instance, what is the difference between sabía and supe? I couldn't explain verb use in English much less have any hope of doing it in Spanish.... ...
Movistar
I want to pick up one of those really cheap prepaid cell phones to use when I am in Colombia.....I seem to recall that you can pick one up for 20,000 - 30,000, is that about right? What's the best place to buy one (in BQ)? ...
Danger: it's raining
I've heard several times people in Barranquilla refer to talking on cell phones or being on the internet when it is raining as dangerous. I was told a story, that I assumed must be an urban legend, about some guy who's computer killed him when it was raining.
Is this a common belief? ...
VERY short notice flights
I know we've talked about this before, but I need help with searching for airfare. I just accepted a new job, and I have 2 weeks until I start. I want to spend those 2 weeks in Colombia, so I need to find airfare on an extremely short notice. Any suggestions on where to look? Cheap Tickets is usually good, but only with at least a week before the trip. ...
A Good Egg or A Bad Egg
One thing that perplexed me when I first started going to Colombia was seeing the eggs in the grocery stores unrefrigerated. I asked my friends why, and they just gave me a look like 'why would you ever refrigerate eggs?' I eventually just got used to it with out ever really knowing why they don't (usually) go bad....
Recently a friend of mine here in the States who travels a lot told me that they don't go bad because the eggs are unwashed. That they have a coating when they ar ...
PBH Brujería
I guess we don't need UC's bruja stories tonight...PBH has its own brujería. The names of posters are changing, I think Colombia Mike is using the powers of his bruja wife/sister! Trust no one!
What happened to UC's thread about brujería??
Is it gone, or do I just need some of el Feliz's medication?
Paying the K1 Fee
Visa Journey suggests that you write a personal check. Is this the best method? Has anyone used a money order or cashiers check?
Episode of Colombian Jerry Springer
Holly shit, if we took Pow Wow's lying wife, Macho's nypho wife, and Lowell's abusive wife we'd really have a great episode to start a Colombian addition of Jerry Springer.
Legality of religious weddings
I think that I remember reading several months ago that there was a relatively new law in Colombia that makes religious weddings legal even if a notary was not present. Does anyone know the facts about this? Can you take the marriage certificate from the church to a notary and have it become an officially legal marriage? ...
no puedo hablar inglés
I don't want to make a blanket statement, so my question is solely based upon my personal experiences. Why is it so difficult for Colombianas to learn English? Most of the guys that I know have learned Spanish fairly quickly, while their Colombiana really struggles with learning English. I know that sometimes the guy probably puts more effort into learning than the Colombiana's do, but it has to be more than that.... Is English harder to learn than Spanish? Is there a cultural barrier to lea ...
Cartagena to Bogota by bus
How is the bus ride, besides being LONG? Safe?
Unemployment in Colombia
I have heard stagering figures in reference to unemployment statistics in Colombia, and I know that wages for those that do have a job are low. But I was wondering what the real story on unemployment in Colombia is. I imagine that just as in the US, a portion of the unemployed are unemployed by choice. But for the average, not particularly highly skilled, person what are the prospects of finding a job? ...
Phone bills
I just got an account with Crosfone, unlimed calls to landlines in Colombia for 34.99 a month (19.99 1st month). I know how cell phones work in Colombia, but what about landlines. When I call a landline in Colombia are they charged by the minute making their bill higher the longer we talk? Or is it like in the US where the landline is a set charge unless you make long distance calls? ...
I adopted a whole family??
My fiancee called me today crying because her sister can not pay a bill. Apparently there is a bill collector harrassing my fiancee and the rest of the family. Guess who's first on the list to help pay? You guessed it, everyone's favorite "rich" Gringo.
I don't mind helping people, but I can't be the solution to her entire family's money problems. To be honest, I've got my own money problems. It's not even my fiancee running up a bill that she can't pay, it's her sister.
K-1 Interview Study Guide
What are some examples of the questions your fiancee was asked at her interview?
Don't read this if you're INS
I know a couple of Colombians who entered the US illegally. What ever your stance on illegal immigrants is, how do Colombians do it? I imagine that it must be relatively easy for people from Mexico to cross the border, but Colombians must have a different strategy. ...
San Marcos
Could anyone give a brief travel guide of San Marcos?
San Marcos
I'll be back in Barranquilla in a couple of weeks. Can't wait, I'v e been gone for 2 months and I'm tired of the US already. We are thinking about a road trip to San Marcos. Is it a safe trip? I don't know much about that area, I'd love to hear from someone that has been there. ...
I-129F Question
Part B, Qustion 9
It has a space for "A#(if any)". What is this? Are they asking for her cedula?
Need Refrigerator - Barranquilla
Looking for a used refrigerator in Barranquilla, small/mini fridge would be ok too.
Documento Traducción
I need to have a some divorce papers translated. Anyone know where the best place to do this in Barranquilla? Also, what price should I expect for a simple 2 page document....I want to know what to expect so that I don't get ripped off. Although I speak Spanish, I don't want them to try and rip me off because I'm Gringo. ...
US Wok Visa
Does anyone know anything about getting a work visa to the US. I've read about the actual proceedure, but was wondering about such things as success rate, tips for approval, etc... The company that I work for is willing to "hire" my Colombian friend. ...
Donating clothing
Ok - off topic from all the "excitement" the last couple of days, I have a question. I will be in Barranquilla next month, and when I go I like to take as much used clothing as I can to donate to people in need. Mostly children, but I usually take some adult clothing also. Up to this point I have just been taking extra suitcases with me...can anyone think of a better or more efficient way to get clothing to Barranquilla so that I can distribute them? ...
Is it safe yet?
...or if I post something will the FARC or the CIA, or maybe Bush's henchmen come and take me away in the middle of the night? It will be interesting to see if we ever hear what really happened, or if quietly things will just go back to normal without an explaination. ...
Sending money to Colombia
What is the best way to send money to Colombia? Western Union is muy caro! Are any of the other money transfer companies better? Can you wire money from an account in the US to an account in Colombia? ...
Taking a 3 year old to Colombia
We are considering taking my 3 year old son from a previous marraige to visit my wifes family in BQ. I am of the opinion that if we are smart, avoid certain situations and areas, it would be a fun and safe trip for him. Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated. ...
Last Minute Airfare to Colombia
Do any of the "last minute" discount airfare websites offer service from the US to Colombia? I know the typical, Expedia etc...but am wondering if there are better sites out there. What sites have you had success in finding fares? ...
High Speed Internet in Barranquilla
What is the availability of high speed internet in Barranquilla? Is it mainly DSL or Cable? I was told that only certain estratas have high speed availability, but I am not sure if this is true.
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