From The Belly Of The Beast

pedro (☼Travelguide writer) says on Feb 22, 2006, 08:52:

kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Feb 22, 2006, 08:57:

Have a great time Desi !!!!

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poco says on Feb 22, 2006, 09:07:

True ? Extensions for the tourist visa are now free. It changed about 12 months ago.

Humm,, does this apply to U.S.? Because if it does, then I’ve been screwed because I payed something like 60,000 pesos in January 2006 and DAS had the same agreement with BanCafe and account numbers. There is NOT a question about this as far a DAS was concerned. There were several foreigners from different countries paying the same amount.

Please explain how DAS stamps the extension?

Tooooo bad about the 90 day entry stamp. Probably discrimination?

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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la recta final.... says on Feb 22, 2006, 09:41:

extencions are free... for what my word is worth.... extentions are free....

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Pete E says on Feb 22, 2006, 10:00:

legth of stay in Cali They will usually give you 60 days for your stay in Cali.One of my friends got diverted through Bogota because of a minor crash at the Cali airport and they would only give him 30 days.I'm not sure if there is a fee anymore to extend it at DAS,I know it got easier.You now go in the afternoon and I think you can even get an appointment for little waiting.But if you fail to get it extended and just show up at the airport having overstayed the 60 days I have heard of a fines of around $300 I believe it was.
I know an Irish guy here who has overstayed a year or so.When he goes to leave he will have big problems,probably just a huge fine and he has little money,so he is stuck here in a way.

Pete

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pedro (☼Travelguide writer) says on Feb 22, 2006, 10:19:

Rubiazo says on Feb 22, 2006, 10:35:

When I went to Bogota the first time I stayed a week, and they gave me 30 days on the visa.
The second time I stayed six weeks, and they gave me 90 days.
Glad to hear you're back in civilization, Desi :)

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juanalejo says on Feb 22, 2006, 11:40:

Welcome back to your second home.

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Monpirri says on Feb 22, 2006, 12:04:

Greetings Desi Have a great time in Cali and please bring us chontaduros and pitaya.
GringoD likes pitaya and I would like to try some too.

Enjoy your vacation!!!

The life spam of a taste bud is ten days

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poco says on Feb 22, 2006, 13:46:

Thanks for the explanation: Looks like I got

Or,, knowing how things work in Colombia, something changed and per standard operating procedures, not everyone was told, or even cares or rules have been changed back or ???? I might add,, my extension was not done in Cali. Cali had required me to come back in a week,, this other town it was same day stamp.

Next time (maybe) I’ll try showing up at DAS in Cali, hand them my passport and say “Please give me a 30 day extension” and see how that works.

Cali looks like the place to apply. My extension was NOT done in Cali. So,, looks like an entry stamps for 90 days AND visa extensions are best in Cali.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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Lucia Rojas says on Feb 22, 2006, 13:55:

que rico Desi!
Have fun.. take some sun... and relax!

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tomtom33 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Feb 22, 2006, 14:48:

Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Feb 23, 2006, 08:41:

thank you guys and gals, this far everything's good. I've been to Palmetto now, what a nice mall and just a short walking distance from where I'm staying. Woke up to birdsong this morning, took a few laps in the pool and made a few phone calls and am off to lunch with friends. Things to do are piling up and I'll have the keys to my house next week and will take the maestro de obra there to take a look and give me an estimate.

About the extension; I asked the Das dude at Eldorado about the extension if it was free and he said no, there was a charge. I didn't want to continue to discuss the details any longer since I had to rush to my connecting flight having already missed one. Any which way, I'll have to get one in April here in Cali.

And last, but not least, thanks for everybody for the warm welcome to Colombia!

Cheers,
Desi

Embrace your uniqueness. Time is much too short to be living someone
else's life.

-Kobi Yamada

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Feb 27, 2006, 10:46:

recommendations Call 555 5555 or 444 4444 or 333 3333 when you need a taxi in Cali. Be safe; this is highly recommended by the locals. I've been taking taxis every day here now, but I always call to get one. Paseos millonarios is the danger number one, both for the locals and for the foreigners.

Otherwise, I don't frankly see what's the hullabaloo about Cali being sooo dangerous. Of course I know that I have an edge over a casual visitor, having a local network of friends and family, knowledge of the city and the language, but I haven't seen one incident yet of mugging, shooting, stabbing or kidnapping here. I'm not saying that bad things don't happen here; I'm sure that if you don't observe the normal precautions you'd take in any larger S.A. city the trouble would find you.

ATMs are working fine with me. I had a little trouble at first getting money from a machine but the second time I tried it went fine. No need to bring traveler's cheques or cash, but use only ATM machines situated in larger malls. Take a local with you (a friend) to help you out so you don't have to ask advice from strangers if you need help.

The weather has been great. We've had a couple of really warm days, but the nights and the afternoons have been very nice indeed. Unless you have no tolerance at all for warm weather you really don't need AC in Cali.

I've been riding with a friend all southern barrios in her car (my friend sells real estate) and I've seen some lovely houses in El Ingenio etapa 3, Puente Palma, Nueva Tequendama etc. Who said that the south of Cali was not safe?

I spent all day yesterday in a barrio estrato 3 (Ciudad Cordoba) and had a lovely time visiting old friends that don't have tons of money. The best of it all was that I didn't feel unsafe for a minute there. There's a certain charm in living in barrios populares, neighbors talk to each other, help each other in times of trouble, everything is so relaxed and friendly.

Will be back...

Cheers,
Desi

Embrace your uniqueness. Time is much too short to be living someone
else's life.

-Kobi Yamada

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Feb 27, 2006, 10:55:

Nice you having a good time Desi, Have you been in the chipi chape mall yet? I heard is not safe, specially if you are a young calena, jejej

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Feb 27, 2006, 11:40:

yeah, kat I{ve heard the biggest danger at "Chippy Chappy Mall", especially if you{re a young caleña, is getting wet from the drool of the gringos, so another recommendation: if you're a young caleña carry an umbrella at ChipiChape.

Cheers,
Desi


Embrace your uniqueness. Time is much too short to be living someone
else's life.

-Kobi Yamada

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Feb 27, 2006, 13:40:

GD, I know the chipy chape mall is safe, this coment that i made to Desi goes a long way back, Calipro will know what we talking about, jejje

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fugdis says on Feb 27, 2006, 16:34:

dogs and manoges sniffer dogs are well known for having short attention spans and its not long before the urge to resume in the usual doggy pleasures of leg humping and dangly bits licking can be resisted no longer.
GringoD my missus is also a compulsive chopper,shes in cali at the moment and is probably adding to her immelda marcos size shoe collection as i write this.
Nice suit tinto.What is the blast radius on yer average mango then?

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Pete E says on Feb 28, 2006, 18:13:

Security at Chipi Chapi in Cali I have never had them inspect my car in any manor entering or leaving Chipi Chapi.They do write out a little slip with your license number you need to give them when you leave.
There must have been some very specific concern for them to do that kind of inspection the day you were there.

Pete

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Mar 1, 2006, 13:29:

They do the mirror routine at Carrefour in Cali too. I saw that last time I was here. I´m also pretty sure that it´s not only there but also in other places but I haven't asked. Anyway, it's not in a parking garage there but in full daylight.

One and a half week after my arrival, haven't seen anything funny yet.Not a gringo anywhere.

This heat is soooo cool!

Cheers,
Desi



Embrace your uniqueness. Time is much too short to be living someone
else's life.

-Kobi Yamada

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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