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flaleo has written 27 posts

ISO: Armenia hotel options

I'm traveling to Armenia for the first time ever, and I'm in search of some hotel opinions/experiences. In Cali I like to stay at the Four Points or the Plaza Las Americas... I have stayed at the Radison and the IC, but they are a little more than I like to spend. My needs are A/C, hot shower, and something on the nice side by Colombia standards... in-room internet would really be nice (if that's a reality in Armenia?); I'm not as concerned with the breakfast, if they speak English, if there ...

Car or bus travel to Armenia from Cali - how safe?

I haven't traveled to Colombia since my wife arrived here in Miami on a K-1 about two years ago. She wants me to go with her and to fly to Cali and then travel to Armenia to visit family. I know years ago I (as a gringo, and one that would be easily identified as such) would never have done this... but what's it like now - rent a car and drive or take a bus or collectivo? My accent would give me a way when I speak Spanish... and of course it would be day travel thus I'd also be wearing shor ...

Wedding idea help

My fiancée and I were set with our planning to have a wedding in Medellin, at a nice hacienda. But, now she is thinking that we won't have enough people attending to make it the event she had in mind.

For me, I always would have been happy to be married just me and her alone on some beach, boat, or mountain top... or something like that. But, I figured she always dreamed of having a wedding with her family present, and I really had no strong preference one way or another, so a ...

Watching Monday Night NFL in Medellin

It's been a while since I've logged on to PBH... and I don't see my PBH-mail account so I suspect this feature was removed... and I can't find the search feature either maybe it's removed... no problem, I'll post:


Is Monday Night Football on ESPN International channel in Colombia?

If not, and I'm in Medellin, I remember one of the members here has a good sports bar with lots of TVs - but I've lost his contact info which was in my PBH-mail. If he's not still ...

2 types of arepas?

Are there different types of arepas? Most of the times, I get a hard, dry, crunchy/chewy thing with little taste... for example often as a side to a grilled meat (like at Leños Carbon).

But I've also had something completely different, a more patty-like item, moist and soft on outside and inside, with a nice corn taste. This type is often served with butter and/or cheese (although I ask for it dry to avoid all the fat). I've had this type ordering from a window from a place ...

"Fake" Marriage in Colombia

My fianée is in the U.S. on a K1. Our plan is to do a simple, satisfy my government style marriage at city hall... in other words no ceremony. Later, we will travel to Colombia, and have a wedding "event", a ceremony, with her family. Since we'll already be legally married by the time we travel to Colombia (and after filing AOS and AP), we desire the event in Colombia to be purely for ceremony.

Any potential issues regarding such an event, or problems you imagine for us?
...

Sharing our experience of the "embassy week" (K1)

Here's a copy of my post at VJ:

It’s difficult to express just how great a resource and assistance VJ and PHB and the participants are – I hope the following provides some payback.

This is our experiences of this week, our “interview week” (it’s not an interview meeting – it’s a whole week!).

We were scheduled for a Wednesday interview (K1, 7a is normal). We were tempted to cram all the interview prerequisites (e.g. lab, medical, bank) ...

Obtaining DAS certificate (part of K1 process)

My novia is making the rounds completing her list of requirements for the interview. Today, in Cali, she went to DAS to obtain her national certificate. The told her she needs an appointment - and that none are available before our required travel to BOG!!

Can anyone share their experiences in obtaining their DAS paperwork?

She has a back up plan to travel to Tulua where she believes it's more low-key and she can have an easier time to obtain it.

Th ...

K1 visa mailed or picked up next day?

I've read here that unlike in past, a K1 visa may be picked up in person on the day following the interview, at about 4p.

But I'm looking at a scanned version of my novias Packet4 - and the page that talks about what type of photos are required says A PARTIR DE LA FECHA, LAS VISAS SERAN ENTREGADAS CON NUESTRO SERVICO DE CORRO, DOMESA DE COMLOMBIA.

My Spanish is OK, doesn't that say that they will mail the visa?

What's the most recent experience someon ...

Bogota hotel: Dona Flor's vs. Heltestelar's de La Feria

I'm trying to decide between these for my next Bogota trip, and the info posted here is where I learned of either so thanks. Dona Flor quoted me 110.000 and HdLF has a 157.000 for double special up at their site - so price is close but still significantly different (given it's a 5 night stay). Can anyone have info/experiences to share to help me decide, specific to the following:

Both are close to the Embassy, HdLF a little further but is it a "friendly/easy" walk (safe, no diff ...

NFL Ticket in Cali??

Anyone know where I can with 100% certainty catch NFL games in Cali? Too bad it's not Medellin :(

Or does anyone have anexperience using a SlingBox connection in Cali - like what cyber will have sufficient bandwidth?

Thanks! ...

Family practice lawyer in Bogota

Does anyone have an affordable family practice lawyer in Bogota? I need a lawyer to translate and present a contract to my novia.

Thanks

Obtain Packet 4 week of, or in advance?

My question is basically do we need Packet 4 in advance.

Assuming we never receive Packet 4 in Cali (thanks for sending it normal mail)...

We have no contacts in BOG, nor can we travel there except for the interview "week". We have a Wed interview. If we will cram everything into Tue (Lab at 6a for 7a open... bank at 8a for 8:30 open... doctor exam before lunch, return for results at 6p), can we just pick up the formal Packet 4 on Monday to then do everything Tues ...

When will Bogota embassy post new interview dates?

Today is the 22nd, and I still don't see any October interview dates posted...

I'm using the url http://bogota.usembassy.gov/wwwfivad.pdf
and they still have the "September" list that they've had for the last couple of weeks.

I thought they typically post new dates very soon after the 20th - but is it more like not immediately after the 20th but in the days following?
Or do I need a different url?
Or it's just a matter of "any time now..."?

Returning Packet 3 too early

Given that the 20th is the cut-off date for obtaining a next-month interview date, I face the following dilema today.

NVC has received my K1 paperwork from USCIS and assigned a BGT2005xxxxxx number... but they haven't yet sent the package on to the Bogota consulate.

Today we were forced to decide on either waiting for Bogota to receive (and send out) our Packet3 and thus missing the Sep/20 deadline for obtaining an October interview date... or completing Packet3 fro ...

Universities in Medellin?

I want to buy an English course text book to help me teach English to my novia. I've searched at various book stores, but all the books I've found do a poor job of teaching the rules and structure of the language and instead attempt to teach through phrases, conversational examples, and some rote vocabulary process. I've also looked at the large chain books stores here in Miami, not finding many books written in Spanish.

Are there any universities in Medellin, not far from El Po ...

Movistar charges question

I have a question to anyone with a Movistar non-GSM phone (315 area codes):

My girlfriend has this, and she purchases credits/cards to use it (versus paying a monthly account).

How much is she charged to receive my SMS text messages if they are sent to her from my US GSM phone (e.g. 305 area code)? Is the charge different for receiving a SMS text message if I send it from the Movistar.com?

How much is she charged to send a SMS text message to me at m ...

Pre- Packet 3 (K1) questions

I've read a ton of the posts here, and I have some follow up / specific questions, are you able to share any of your experiences in these areas:

1. If I have three years' 1040's well above the minimum threshold (e.g. 125% of poverty level or whatever) and three years' w2's with the same employer...
- Do I need a letter of employment from my employer?
- Do I need a letter from my bank (I also can sub. montly statements)

Techincally the I-134 instruc ...

Contacting rep or senator (K1/USCIS)

FYI, thought I'd share this...

My K1 was seeming lost/stuck, not having been touched at CSC since it's receipt date (NOA1) of May/19... while I watched other applicants with near identical cirumstances (no past marriages, no kids, same country of beneficiary...) submit well past my date and already obtain approval.

A little over a week ago, even though their 'posted processing date' had not yet reached +30 days beyond my May/19 date, I called and they agreed to look ...

Taxes departing out of BOG (int'l)

A question for your frequent flyers:

I used miles to purchase a ticket for my GF - CLO/BOG/EZE/BOG/CLO.

I paid taxed when I purchased the ticket (DL/AV ticket taxes). While at an AV counter in MDE airport on a trip, I reticketed (required for making some changes), and while there was no fee I was charged a new set of taxes, I think about COP100.000. I think these were the BOG int'l departure taxes.

Anyway, my question is will she have to pay any oth ...

Hotel in Medellin with high speed interntet connection in room

What are the best hotel options if I must have a broadband (250k+) internet connection in my room (it has to be in room)?

I assume IC has it (does anyone know?) but I'd love to spend less than US$70/night. Preference is in or very near El Poblado.

Thanks! ...

Question on classes and regions (NOT ESTRATAS)

Please, no discussion of estratas here - we already have a topic thread for that :(

I recently (maybe here) read the following statement:

Colomiba is a nation of 4 distinct regions and 6 distinct classes.

-Can anyone provide info on the regions, there names, locations relationship to each other or to other data?

-Can anyone provide info on the classes, their names, their relationships to each other, relationships with a class, how they ...

Social or Economic classes?

I recently (maybe here) read the following statement:

Colomiba is a nation of 4 distinct regions and 6 distinct classes.

-What are the regions?
-What are the classes?
-Any information on each, or how to identify people amonth the classes?

Here, I read the term "strata", and marrying outside of one's strata. Does strata refer to a 'class'?

Thanks! ...

30 day issue with K1 submission?

On April 21, I was set to send my K1 package to TX, all forms/signatures dated 20/Apr. But I had one mistake that had to be corrected, and had to obtain new signatures on a form from my fiancée. Now I'll be set to mail the package to TX on 18/May.

Will I hace any issue/rejection that they're receiving a package that has some forms (e.g. Letter of Intent to Marry or I-129F) that are signed/dated of 30-something days old? I can't correct this as she's in Colombia and I don't wan ...

Help with a question on Form G325-A

I am the US Citizen and the Petitioner,
My fiancée lives in Cali and is the Beneficiary,

Regarding her G325-A's (one form prints four nearly equal pages) which I'm including in my K-1 package I'm sending to USCIS, who is the "Applicant"? Who signs her G325-A pages?

I would assume it is her - but then from reading the instructions it's clear that many Petitioners are completing forms for women they may have only met in person one time and thus are not in Co ...

How best to present my fiance's name (two last names)

My fiance has two last names (this is common) - what is the best way to list her name on the K1 package documents?

I know some use hyphens, but her passport doesn't have her name hyphenated, thus I'm guess I should show it as "two last names". But how is this entered in document fields that don't have room or don't allow sufficiently obvious presenation?

Maybe this:
last1 last2, first??

Thanks ...

Specific questions on the K-1 process

Hi everyone. I am new to the site, and I live in the US and I am beginning the K1 process for my fiance in Colombia. First, let me note, that I have read the first of the three pages of the "All about visas" section in the Discussion area - so I'm not asking questions without having done some homework. Oh, and I've spent a few hours (although certainly not finished yet) reading the visajourney.com and uscis.gov sites.

Please post any info or send me PM if you can. Thanks!!