locolombia has left 18 comments

locolombia comments on Travel Visa To USA

I have first hand experience with this area. I don't want to assume the worst case for you but the reality is that very few young women get travel or "Tourism" visas. The colombian Embassy is very selective with these visas and the general guidelines are that

1. she have property or land in her name or be a physician, lawyer.
Reason being they think that if you have something of value, ie a house, land, or maybe a career that you have put alot of time and effort in, you are more likely to return to Colombia when you are supposed to.

2. If she doesn't have any land, house, or professional career, she is more likely to simply overstay her travel visa and just live in the USA illegally. The numbers seem to show that this does happen quite often.

3. Has she ever tried to get one before?
4. Does she have any criminal record?
5. Does her family or relatives have any ties to Narco-traffikers or Guerillas?

These sound like crazy questions, but this is what she is up against with the "tourism" visa. Pretty much the best way to see her on US soil is a K-1 fiance visa, Or k-3 married in Colombia visa. You might look at entry requirements for tourism visas for Canada. I have heard they are slightly more open with the border......Funny stuff really, I spent loads of cash, spent 9 months doing paperwork, and finally got the k-1 visa finished up, but when I look at the Home Depot parking lot at 6:00 am, I see 20-30 illegals standing there waiting for daywork....Why does the US customs make it so difficult for the honest citizen to get a visa when there are millions of illegals here already?....just my rambling opinion....

locolombia comments on jobs for non-spanish speakers...easy?

I have about 6 years experience with Architectual and especially Truss design . I could not find one opportunity unless I wanted to work at a remote location. Those are dangerous because you are a sitting duck for a kidnapping.

locolombia comments on FARC or ELN connections

Better yet, Just rent a Mercedes and drive from Bucaramanga to Cucuta or better still make the drive over to Tibu....hahahaLOL you should be in FARC hands in no time my friend...LOL

locolombia comments on Fiance Visa

As Americans we are used to prompt service and face it, we don,t like to wait for most anything.

The Fiance Visa is a true test of patience and you can't forget that.
Ewonder, you should kick back and just wait It's only a few months out of your life, after that your looking at a lifetime together as a couple. You should plan on making another visit to see her and plan a trip to Cartagena or something to get both of your minds off of this thing. It will also give you more quality time with her before you are married. Once in the States, you will only have 90 days to marry or she has to return home.

I have tried every way I could to speed mine up but in the end it is just too risky if you piss off a Embassy employee. Files and Applications have come up "Missing " before. Don't poke at the old slow dog, he just might turn around a nd snap at ya.

mine was approved through Nebraska Service center after about 5-6 months. Since the new security changes have taken affect, you can no longer go for the interview when you want. She must send a fax and wait for it to be faxed or mailed back with a SPECIFIC date for her interview. Kinda like reservations only for dinner...LOL

Once she faxes it to them, expect to wait another 4-8 weeks for a reply with the interview date.

locolombia comments on border crosssing via Venezuela

Provakator, I would avoid the Cucuta region and any place north of cucuta. It is a very dangerous place if you are Colombian. If you are a gringo you are really pressing your luck up there. I've been there several times and to be honest it was very tense and you could see it on the paras faces , even the locals are afraid . Not to mention it's hotter than the face of the sun there also.

locolombia comments on getting married in COLOMBIA....help!

It took my wife and I around 9 months to get the Fiance visa.
I filed sometime in the middle of Nov and got the approval in june.

They are REALLY SLOW with all processing now especially after 9/11.
They have additional security checks and they are now starting to look more closely at "Fiances". They are denying anyone who appears to not have a genuine relationship with there sponsor.

I was single, never married , and no children. She was the same so it made it easier for us. Some guys with 2-3 "fiance" applications will appear to be girlfriend or wife shopping.

locolombia comments on Cell Phone in Colombia

Best bet is to get a 20 dollar phone and they sale prepaid cards all over the place. you could be in a phone and minutes for about 30-40 USD

locolombia comments on Is LACSA airlines any good?

It's just my opinion, But I would pass on the Lasca Ticket.
I have seen them also. If it's the schedule with about 3 or 4 layovers, you don't want it. I will personally guarantee you will miss at least 1 of the flights. For the money you will save it is not worth the headache of sleeping 2 nights in different airports and being a day late just to save 50-100 bucks. Personal opinion only but

If time is important to you I would try fly911.com or Mars travel out of Houston, Texas. I have bought several tickets through them in just the last year and always found them to be the cheapest of any ticket provider. TIP....avoid the tickets that have you arriving in Bogota around 8pm and have the flight to Bucaramanga leaving around 9:45.

You simply won't make the flight because there is not enough time to go through customs and passport control. You will either sleep in the terminal until the 6am flight to Buc. Or you could get a room near the airport.

locolombia comments on Living In Colombia

The peso to USD has fallen like colombiaboard said. It's been around 2500 for a year now. Used to be up around 2800 only 2 years ago.

She should have no problem finding a suitable place to live considering she's coming from NY. The cost of living is much higher than Were I am. I have found several places for sale in the 25,000 dollar range for a small apt., up to 50,000 for a decent size house.

Bogota will be more expensive for everything from taxis to comida.

Too many variables to give specific help.

locolombia comments on Traveling to Quindo & Quimbaya

Beautiful area and nice coffee fincas in the area. If you have time take a side trip to the River.

locolombia comments on Bucaramanga Accommodations

It depends on your budget and needs.

If you have some cash and want to enjoy a nice hotel comparable to HoJo, there are several you can find with just a search engine.

If you are low on coins and only want a Hostel type place you will honestly need to look when you arrive....they are all over the place and change prices ...so don't worry about not being able to find a room. There are plenty of cheap places.

locolombia comments on About colombian women

well I think I found the problem.......

Just go with me here for a second.....

You were talking to a fellow Englishman and he probably saw that as a threat to his standing with you. He might have been letting his imagination run wild with thoughts of his friend stealing you away at some point.....silly and insecure, but typical human reactions.

He didn't get upset when you were talking or dancing with a Colombiano.

I can feel a little "left out" during some conversations also that my wife has with friends. I also guess she is a little lost when my friends and I are chatting away about some past joke or something she has no idea about. The main thing it takes is patience and try to put yourself in there shoes for a min.

locolombia comments on Traveling from Bogota to San Jose, Costa Rica

it's probably cheaper to buy a ticket when you arrive in Bogota.
I have bought several tickets to Cartagena and Panama that were only around 150 roundtrip

locolombia comments on About colombian women

I am married to a wonderful woman from Colombia. We had a similar situation before....

She had alot of close friends that were male, and at first I was remembering what happened the last time I was dating an American woman who had male "friends". It didn't turn out so good after I took my blinders off.

Anyway, she explained the culture a little and with my own observations along the way, I was more secure with it. It is something he needs to understand and if he is not a jealous or controlling man, he will understand your cultural differences.

locolombia comments on What COLOMBIANAS want....

I took a straight forward approach with my wife from Colombia.
I told her my salary and all my hobbies,...etc in our first few conversations. She was always concerned more about what type of lifestyle and how many hours I had to work. How much time I could spend with her and the future ninos/as.

I have talked to her and the main thing is to be open and don't sugur coat how things are here in the states.......for instance holidays.

We have very few days off during the year for government holidays...unlike Colombia. You have to explain the good and the bad at the same time.

locolombia comments on Coca leafs

I have had Coca leaf tea on several airline flights throughout Peru and Colombia. I have bought it several times at the "Vivero" and it is used just like Lipton tea bags.

Keep in mind that taking home Coca Leaves in any form is considered the same as cocaine to some of the more anal Customs people. Don't try it .....don't try it......probably just a slap on the wrist but you never know.

locolombia comments on Immigration procedures at the Bogotá airport

he is screwed as far as making the connection. I have made the trip to Bucaramanga 5 times now and everytime I try a different ploy to get on my connecting flight.

He should either make arrangements for a hotel or sleep in the Bogota airport until they 6:30 am flight to Buc..... There are numerous police and military all night in the terminal so security is not an issue as long as he does not wonder outside to far. The night spent in the terminal is good for him to study his Espanol...

Well thats just my advice based on my personal experience.

locolombia comments on A question about customs...

It will all depend on the person working that day and what mood they are in. There are very few hard and fast rules with Customs. (except relating to narcotics or other contraband). I would suggest sending a small amount of money to cover whatever costs they may incure.