Byron Farrow has left 16 comments

Byron Farrow comments on Info for UK citizens getting married in Col.

I too ... ... am getting married soon. I'm having a catholic wedding in July. Not being Catholic myself this requires an interview with the Archbishop etc! The paperwork requirements are a bit different. They don't need the birth certificate translated, although they do need it apostiled, and they needed a notarised letter from my parent saying that I was single and not divorced, etc. Oh, and the Embassy don't contact England about the Certificate of No-Impediment. They just stick a notice on a noticeboard and see if anyone complains! (This is the same procedure as in England.) And finally, meaning no disrespect to the staff of the British Consulate, but read everything carefully! They misspelt my fiancee's first name (and I only noticed whilst reading it aloud to Brian Hefford) and got her address wrong on the official certificate!


Oh, Kat1, the wedding course. One of the most boring weekends of my life! Gawd it was bad ... at least the one we went to was only a weekend. Some last weeks!

Byron Farrow comments on English Language Institute in Bogota

English Courses British Council run good, but very expensive, courses. There is a company called 'High Technology in Learning'(?) that my mother-in-law-to-be is using and they seem good.

Byron Farrow comments on Bowling in Bogota

And the mall in question is Unicentro. There may be others, but where I know not.

Byron Farrow comments on Brits in Bogota

Wednesday football If interested in some kick around footie on a Wednesday afternoon then drop me a line or see Foxy at the Red Lion on Parque 93.

There are lots of Brits here, of all sorts. Major types include embassy (lots of money, big cars and drivers, only go to a limited number of nightspots), business (pretty similar, more scared), school teachers (more adventurous, not as much money), language teachers (less money, more drinking), backpackers, etc. I've probably insulted several people there ... sorry! There is even cricket that is meant to be played once a month, though it never seems to happen ...

Byron Farrow comments on Weather in Bogota

Spring! Good spring weather in the UK is a comparison. I Like the weather here, I'm more a sweater than a t-shirt person. But I agree with the comments about the locals finding it colder. The kids at my school come in wrapped in gloves and scarfs when I don't even bother with a jacket.

Byron Farrow comments on Ola cell phone - anyone know about WAP services?

Yes OLA has simcards. I have an OLA prepaid phone and it isn't great. I got a tri-band for a good price (useful for trips home) and my partner already had an OLA, so it made sense to get one. But they are clueless when it comes to the financial aspects of their business and reception outside Bogota is patchy at best.

Byron Farrow comments on UK Visa

If she already has had a visa ... ... even a student one, then an interview may not be required. For her last visa my girlfriend just collected all the paperwork, gave it to a travel agency here in Bogota and they did it all in a day and delivered the visa to her place of work.

Byron Farrow comments on Visa for fiancee to come to UK

Not just good ... excellent I have always found the embassy / consulate here to be very helpful. My Certificate of Non-Impediment was issued with no problems and they have answered my questions about visas for my wife-to-be completely and quickly. I actually look forward to dealing with them, unlike some other embassies I have encountered in the past!

Byron Farrow comments on Going to Colombia on Friday (1st time back in 10 years) Need a little Advice/Info

Farc? In Bogota .... not in any of the areas you will be in or visiting. Have fun here!

Byron Farrow comments on Best Bars in Bogota

Tourist Bars I'm not really convinced there is such a thing in Bogota. It's not really a tourist city! Yes, The Pub and the Red Lion are frequented by expats as well as Colombians, but few of them are tourists! I met my fiancee at the Red Lion so I like it a lot (Oh, and I play football in team with their name on my shirt and with Foxy in goal so I kind of have to!)

Byron Farrow comments on bus schedule for bogota?

As far as I know ... There are none! Good luck in finding them. A while ago, well ... about a year ago, some of the busstops on the Av. 19 showed the routes of the passing buses. They soon went to allow more advertising space ...

Byron Farrow comments on Where can a Colombian travel without a visa?

Argentina No brainer, go to Argentina. Wonderful place, cheap when you're there and no visa required. Venezuela does need a visa EXCEPT for direct flights to Isla Margarita (i.e. a charter package).

Byron Farrow comments on Flying with Avianca oh my god

Aerorepublica crash In Cali last month? Can you give me a date so I can find the NTSB report.

Byron Farrow comments on Living in Colombia

School's A low 'Extranjero' to Colombian ratio is not hard to find here. Nueva Granada and the Anglo ( http://www.anglocol.edu.co/ ) are both almost exclusively Colombian in terms of students although they both have a good mix of USA / British / Canadian / Aussie / etc teachers. Unfortunately competition for places is hard, but feel free to give it a go. Personally I believe behaviour standards to be higher at the Anglo, but the Nueva Granada has a more USA style curriculum ( Anglo is more international.)

One point I'd make is that both are VERY cliquey and new students can find it hard to adapt!

Byron Farrow comments on Food Shopping in Bogotá

Pomona Of course, if your not being economical and need some imported goods then Pomona is the most upmarket chain. The store opposite the new Carrefour on the 9 (with around the 108) is the best. For specialist curry / chinese ingredients then try International Food Services (IFS) on the 15 with 98.

Byron Farrow comments on Documents for marriage in Col.

New Visa reg's I'm sure I heard on the radio recently (La Mega probably) that you don't need a marriage visa anymore!