teaching in cali

gabo says on Dec 28, 2004, 19:28:

the british school I got an offer for the british school a private upper class school which pays decent and is open to creativity, its english medium and are looking for more than just english. Its an alright place, a bit conservative yet they hired me, even though they were bothering me about my earing, and my absolute lack of regard for conservative values. They like foreigners makes the school look real good. The director is a bit a hard ass, it just takes some time to warm up to him. He asked me what I felt about homosexuality, drugs, sex and I told him they were the greatest things out there. if you need more advice let me know, they don't care of certificates andmay help with your papers, give it a go.

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Gary Hall says on Dec 28, 2004, 19:47:

??? Your remark about Sex, Homosexuality and drugs are interesting. Are you saying that he was happy with this remark on your part?
Is this the name of the shcool "The British School"? If so How do I contact them? The hard ass does not concern me I have delt with them many time so one more won't hurt. Anything you can offer will be appreciated.
Gary

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Abenings says on Dec 29, 2004, 08:53:

marriage visa There isnt such a thing as a marriage visa; what country are you a citizen of?
The Colombian Govenrment doesnt require a Visa; if you exceed the 180 days that are permited for you to stay, you will be given permanent residency and work authorization if you acquire a work contract or if you've been living inside the country for more than 6 months (and you can prove it)

It's not generally complicated, we tend to welcome foreign nationals that want to work in the country

I would also look into "Colegio Simon Bolivar", its an american school, with great wages and benefits. And if all else Fails, some smaller universities are also hiring

Hope it helps

Andrew

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utopiacowboy says on Dec 29, 2004, 09:03:

There is no such thing as a Marriage Visa? Then what the hell is that thing in my passport? Says something like "VISA TEMPORAL ESPECIAL PARA CONTRAER MATRIMONIO". What's that all about? I'm confused. i thought I was married but some people say I'm not, that she's really just an inflatable doll. I'm having some trouble with my compressor, can you help me?

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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Gary Hall says on Dec 29, 2004, 15:18:

Thanks Andrew. I appreciate your ccomments. I live in Dallas Texas and I have heard so many stories about all kinds of visa's so stupid as it may have sounded I had to ask about the marriage visa. I will marry a colombian next year and my desire is to stay in Cali for at least two years and gain some teaching experience and to get certified. I love the country and city and the people. I just need any and all information available concerning teaching.
Thanks for your help

Gary

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Lionheart says on Dec 29, 2004, 15:30:

what's in a name? Some call it Fianceé visa, others call it Marriage visa. I am moving to Cali myself and plan to get married there. This visa is one oprtion to be able to marry in Colombia. I have been reading some contradicting comments in different threads, so I am doing some more in depth research now. I will let you know what I find.

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alexyy9 says on Dec 29, 2004, 16:22:

question Hi Andrew...I am a college professor here in the states and am desperately seeking like employment in Bogota, while I'm still in the states...what information do you have on the universities that are currently hiring teachers?

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Gomezman5 says on Dec 29, 2004, 17:26:

Gary.....Try an attorney--because............. An attorney specializing in immigration law is going to give you the best advise. Let me start by saying that I am attorney and accountant and I see people getting poor advise from laymen all the time.

With that said, I just can't believe some of the info I read hear. While everyone here gives you advise with the best of intentions, after reading all the threads, I don't think you can say with definity that the advise you recieved was the best for you in YOUR situation. In fact, it might be incorrect advise and therefore to rely on such advise, would be done so to your detrement.

An attorney will ask you questions regarding your short term and long term goals, and he will then reccomend a strategy that best suits your goals. Almost everyone here is giving you advise based on either hearsay, that comes from prior threads that they have read, or based on their own personal situations, which probably was different than yours. In either case, the info you recieve is probably not applicable to you, or even if it is, it may not be info that best serves your interests.

In closing, attorneys charge very little for an initial consultation.
You will need an attorney, or should have an attorney to assist you in seeking the fiance visa. I hope you will take this advise seriously and my goodness, DO NOT be giving much credence to legal advise you are reading here

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utopiacowboy says on Dec 29, 2004, 18:55:

So, Gomezman, you don't think it's a good idea for people to be making life altering decisions based on the advice that they have received from strangers over the internet? You old fuddy-duddy, you! Isn't that the whole purpose of this site? That and insulting each other. OK, just insulting each other.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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Gomezman5 says on Dec 29, 2004, 22:25:

Utopia---the Cowboy You know, in the short time I have been here, a lot has come my way.
I have had about everything thrown at me.

Maybe it goes back to my days in Law School, when a prof told me that I was "A lightening rod of controversy."

I have been told I'm not patriotic enough (too my dear Colombia)

I can't see reality

I am biased (aren't we all???)

I have been identified (by inference only) that I am a member of the group that is ruining this board and that hopefully people like me will just go away.

But believe it or not....I have had quite a few people who have agreed, if not entirely, at least in part with some of my thoughts

But, you Utopia have consistently given me a chuckle with what you have contributed...I find them enjoyable and refreshing. This is true even, if you yourself, have been the object of some criticsm by the "old guard" for apparently being not your "old self." Well, I did not know the old you, and I like you just the way you are! So keep up the good one/two liners. So if you do go back to the old you, I'll be hoping that you go back to my vision of the "old you."

I guess thats just another application of the old cliche'
"What goes around, Comes around."

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Gary Hall says on Dec 30, 2004, 06:45:

Made a mistake I guess To Gomezman 5 and to the never good advice Utopia cowboy,who really never means to say anything that someone should listen to,
I asked a few questions so that I could get some help. I have received the two notes from you two who seem to care a lot about eachother. Please take the time necessary to contact each other and let the people who are interested in giving me some first hand advice respond to me and let's stop with the " I will help you for money and the Don't trust anything I have to say reply. For those that have responded, thank you and I hope to keep hearing from others who have the same concern I may have. FYI, life experience is sometimes much better the book experience. I am thanful that I am old enough to understand the difference. In any case thank you for your imput but I look forward to hearing from others.

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shanghaikate says on Dec 30, 2004, 21:32:

teaching in cali gary,
i am also wanting to come to cali to work, and im guessing teaching english is the only option for me. can i ask you what kind of salary you were offered, what aged studetns you are teaching, and if you have a teaching dregree? I am an experience, but unqualified ESL kindergarten teacher and am wondering what my chances are of finding a job in cali are. thanks. kate

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Gomezman5 says on Dec 30, 2004, 21:53:

Gary I'm a seasoned at this stuff --- and I am glad there are people out there who think like you. Because that is how I make my money,-by having people pay me quite well for having to clean up the errors and omissions of others.

Now, as to your comment "life experience is better than book experience." Pardon me sir, but I don't think you understand immigration procedures too well. Immigration is a very beaurocratic legal procedure that is dictated by law books, not street experiences. Your life experiences will teach you nothing about how to properly proccess immigration forms....

I repeat..no I caution you, use common sense and consult competent legal advise so you will not have to pay someone like me (an attorney)
later to correct the mistakes that were given to you by people on the internet that you don't even know. You might want to think this one through again, by applying a bit more logic.

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Lionheart says on Dec 30, 2004, 22:12:

logic alone isn't enough it would take picture book clean documents and everything just prepared picture perfect according to the published requirements to get a visa .... NOT. You need a lot of luck too. After reading many posts in this forum of those who actually got a visa, not just hypothetical visas as often described here, I would truely invest in a Colombian lawyer to assist with your papers.

I don't see this as a horror story, just from a matter-of-fact view. I am stranger in a strange land, I have very limited language knowledge, and no clue which strings to pull and which not to touch. Why risk failure and get sent back to the States? I will seek help in Colombia.

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Gomezman5 says on Dec 30, 2004, 22:18:

Lionheart This guy has been told this by a few people already. But if he is content with his real life experience as opposed to the book or knowledge of a competent attorney....than...that's his hard luck.

In this the US, I make money all the time because of stubborn characters like him...He comes to this site for advise, he is informed by knowledgable people like you and myself, and he still does what he wants...Go figure

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Lionheart says on Dec 30, 2004, 22:26:

TANSTAAFL Remember the famous words written by Robart A. Heinlein:

There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch

Too many people are seeking and expecting everything for free on the Internet, but the truth for free goes just so far, no matter how much you stretch it. And the end of it all you wind up paying for it, be happy if it ain't double or more by then.

I make money as consultant, companies refuse to pay up front for know-how, so I let them screw up and then I charge double for the "I told you so."

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Abenings says on Dec 30, 2004, 22:29:

GomezMan I think you're taking things a little to personal...
people dont swear by what they read here; they gather info and consult a professional; I consider it an attempt to see what others have gone through, either it be similar or in any way related... its comforting.

Nobody cares how you make our money, im sure Gary appreciates your concern; but diminishing others? how about having a something a little more constructive to say?

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Lionheart says on Dec 30, 2004, 22:36:

Abenings That is exactly what I am doing doing here, collecting ideas, experiences, and basic information. I believe many others are doing the same.

But there are several who hope to avoid the investment. I hope they learn here over time that they are taking a larger risk for failure by doing that.

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Gary Hall says on Dec 31, 2004, 07:01:

Gomezman5 I would like to let you know that I have asked for information only. I did not fall off a watermelon truck last night. I am retired DEA with a Masters in Criminal Justice. I have the book and life experience to deal with almost everything that comes before me.I needed only information about the Visa to work and if there was anything to the marriage visa issue there. I have heard nothing about the marriage visa prior to this. I am not going into anything blind folded. I have my place to stay, transportation, my two brothers are both lawyers ( I hate asking for anything from them) and can tell you that three of my friends work for the American embassy in Bogata. I asked for information from people that have gone through this and needed their imput only. I saw this site and thought I could get some good information. This does not mean that I intend on packing up moving and then hope for the best. There are many attornies out there and in Cali my wife to be works for a company that has many. I am sure that I can find the necessary help but to advertise on a chat line tells me times are hard for you but again I appreciate your desire to help me do the right thing. I can tell you that I am a person that learns from his mistakes and using a lawyer over the internet is one of those learned mistakes. Thank you again for your concern and hope you find the business you are so looking for.I wish you a good day and happy new year that is safe and sound.

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Gary Hall says on Dec 31, 2004, 07:03:

Good We all come to some place in our life that we aske for ideas and inmput from others. Remember that failure is a positive road to success. The man that failed 37 times got it right on the 38th time. His company is now Fed Ex

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Gomezman5 says on Dec 31, 2004, 08:15:

Gary.... I was quite clear in saying that I am an attorney and accoutant. I have a JD and CPA. I don't think you will find to many people with this combination doing immigration law.

Now, let me refresh your memory. It was you sir, that after telling you not to seek advise on the internet, that said you put more weight on "life experience" and that it is much better than book experience. Based on that line, it should be intuitively obvious to the most casual of observers what you were saying regarding well intended advise for you to seek legal counsel.

Let me add, if you were a DEA agent, it even sounds more silly. When you sought a conviction of an arrestee, did you tell the US attorney that he did not need to show up at trial, and that you would present the state's evidence against the defendant with the ultimate goal of seeking a conviction? Did you apply your "life experience" rule then?
I think I have made my point.

I will say this, life experiences, and the internet has been good for me in that I can't tell you how many people read the internet seeking tax and financil advise, only to run into a host of problems down the road and therefore neccessitating a visit to -- Yours truly.

One more thing,,,,,to all, now know what type of law I practice,,,,please,,,,,no private mails about tax issues they may have. But don't try to resolve it yourself, find an attorney..!!

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cremaster says on Dec 31, 2004, 08:18:

Gary If your ex-DEA and want to live in Cali, you should ask ´Heat´ . He´s ex-DEA and lives in Cali.
I´ll see if i can rustle up his email,
Patrick

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Gary Hall says on Dec 31, 2004, 12:00:

THANK YOU I appreciate your input once again but again you are making a mountain out of an anthill. Should I need an attorney with your background I will indeed contact you but fo now I do not need it and what I asked for in the way of help is not at all what your are giving me. You, like my two brothers are the reason I do not seek their help. They just like you will argue with a fence post to make your point.
I did not say or intend to say that attornies advice are not needed but criminal convections are not the issue here and are much different then my request for Visa information. Remember I said I was retired. Things change over years as you know. I appreciate your advice and respect your attitude toward this subject. I asked for nothing for free. Just someone to talk to me about their experience is all. Thanks again but no furthere contact is necessary and good luck with your business and your education is impressive.

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Gomezman5 says on Dec 31, 2004, 14:50:

I argue ?? ! Gary Remember it takes two to tangle. All too often when people acuse the other side of being argumentive, they tend to forget that they themselves provoke, or at least help sustain rhe argument, as opposed to diffusing it. For instance, when I initially said seek legal advise, you fired back, that life experiences are better than book knowledge. I was trying as a professional, to give you good advise by telling you to see an attorney. And you essentially say, I prefer the life experience of others to that of a proffessional who knows his business. You could have just said...Thanks for the advice, I am going to consult one, I just wanted to check out the experience of others. That my friend, would have been 1. the more intelligent response and 2. would have prevented me from going on the defensive when you implied that life experience teaches you more than attorney can.

As to claiming I am argumentive like your two brothers....well than maybe the source of the problem is not your two brothers nor I, but yourself. Some self examination might be in order.

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Gary Hall says on Dec 31, 2004, 15:22:

Please stop First I am not your friend, second, I don't really care if you like what I said or not, third, the most intelligent thing for you to had said is nothing! Your many years (if any) should tell you the sometimes less is more. Last but surly not least I have asked you very nicely to stop the communication but if you insist in getting in the last word as I feel you will then have at it. It there is a reason for you to go on the defensive then have fun with it. If I felt the need to give you my life story I would have offered. Your services are not needed here. If I am to be nice then it will be of my choosing not yours. Please, no further communication. Find someone else to argue or make your point with I am no longer impressed. People read what you write so keep that in mind Mr. Attorney/ CPA/ pest

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Gomezman5 says on Dec 31, 2004, 15:49:

Gary-My friend May I remind you, that you telling me to leave a thread, does not mean that I am bound to do so. I will not be both insulted and bullied. Others may be intimidated, I am not. Remmember you like I, are guests. Neither you, I, or anyone else can order a person off. That's Peter's Job.

It is you sir, (I did not say friend)that seems to be irked. So calm down, take a step back and Have a happy New Year.

By the way, if you ignore me
maybe I will go away----maybe.

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Gary Hall says on Dec 31, 2004, 16:56:

people like you never go away People like you never go away. Your like a bad cold.Frankly sir I don't care how you feel or what you do concerning anything. Refering to the word friend read what your wrote. Read down 9 lines and re read your writing and think about making the mistake and then saying you did not. Peter can drop me any thime he wishes should he feel it necessary. I asked you more then once to not communicate and you insist on doing so anyway. I do not need you help with anything. I did not ask you for it, offer to hire you, just asked you very nicely to not communicate. I get the last word now. Write all you will but I will not respond. To easy for me to shut you down by simply turning this FRENDLY chat line down. I needed Visa information only nothing else. Certanily I did not need your legal services and I can take care of my own books. I found many years ago that there is not a lot of difference between a snake in the road and an attorney in the road other then there are skid marks in front of the snake.
Good bye Mr. Attorney /CPA/ whatever

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Gomezman5 says on Dec 31, 2004, 17:19:

My friend, never offered you my service-In fact........ when did I offer any legal service to you? Dios mios,,,,,,

By the way, I do feel sorry for your brothers...I know, I know, you don't care what I feel. Your responses are so scripted and predictable.

"I get the last word now". You don't get the last word now, you are going to get the last word everytime I respond to you. You are going to write and write and write to your hearts content. And I know you are going to answer this thread to. If you really want to get rid of me, you can always start a new discussion. Maybe I'll stay away from that one. Again, maybe. But you will not know unless you try. But.....I know you will be back on this one to swat at me at least one more time. Maybe you should try responding to this one,and then maybe I'll let you have the last word, which is really all you want anyway. You said so yourself--didn't you?

Hey--one more time. HAPPY NEW YEAR. Can you wish me the same?

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Gomezman5 says on Dec 31, 2004, 17:22:

Have a drink or two and chill Champaign ? I like Canadian whiskey. I think if you have a shot or two of Crown Royal...I'll get that happy New Year out of you..

I am sure of it.

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Dec 31, 2004, 17:23:

the last words Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Feliz Año Nuevo!!!!!!!!!! Gott Nytt År!!!!!!!! Hyvää Uutta Vuotta!!!!!!!
and quit bickering, guys,
Cheers,
Desi

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

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Gomezman5 says on Dec 31, 2004, 17:35:

Hey Des A very Happy New Year to YOU and to my friend,Gary. I'm trying and trying to get a Happy New Year out of him.

I might be "yanking his chain" a little to. He invited that problem when he told me to get out of his discusion. But he says he wants the last word and because I have another hour or two before I go to my party, I've already started drinking my whiskey here. And it's not a good idea to tell me to get lost after 4 shots of Crown Royal..I keep telling him to ignore me---but I will not. What should I do Desi?

Should I take the "high road" and just go bye bye? If you say yes, I'll have to give your advise serious consideration because I respect your fair and open minded contributions to this thread.

So what do you think? And Gary, let her decide this matter. She has a lot of credibility around here, so if she is willing to intevene, allow her to.

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Dec 31, 2004, 17:50:

take the high road gomez and gary both and maybe you'll meet there somewhere in the middle. You never offered him your professional services and he never heard your name.

It's almost 3 a.m here year 2005 and I'm pretty much ready to call it a day. Good advice are scarce at his hour....of the wolf.

Have a good night and a great year of-the -end party with your favorite people.
Cheers,
Desi

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

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Save the Wildcats says on Dec 31, 2004, 21:40:

Yeah! Chill guys, it's the New Year! Have a great 2005.

Kim

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