Marielle has left 14 comments

Marielle comments on Bogota - Day Trip Ideas

i don't think anyone has answered the question about transportation yet.. you can get to all three places easily by bus from the portal norte transmilenio station (the end of the line on any of the 'B' buses). i wouldn't know how to contact any of the bus companies in advance, but there are always lots of buses leaving all day long. there are limited direct buses to villa de leyva, but you can always get a bus to tunja, and from there there are plenty leaving for villa. in my experience (travelling to villa and zipaquira) it's perfectly safe going by car too. i can second that raquira is a nice day trip from villa de leyva. it's very small so you don't need much time there, but you can also visit a nice monastery called la candelaria outside the town, a visit which takes at most a couple of hours.

Marielle comments on Valle de Frailejones

...ok, i found out the name is páramo de sumapaz... anyone know how to get there? ...ok, averigué que se llama el páramo de sumpaaz... alguien sabe como llegar? gracias!

Marielle comments on Web Design

Hello, my name is Javier Escobar and I'm a web designer in Bogotá. You can take a look at my work at www.quiubo.tv. If you're interested send me an email at javier at quiubo.tv. Thanks!

Marielle comments on Work Visa

Yeah, all the documents that Gator listed sound right to me (I got my work visa in November). If you are getting the visa legally, your employer should know what they need to provide, and provide all those things for you. All that you need to supply is a copy of your degree, notarized in the country of origin. Actually they told me at the Ministry of Foreign Relations that if you are going to teach English as a native speaker you only need a high school diploma. I guess if English is not your first language you might have to present a college degree in English. And these will have to be translated into Spanish.

Marielle comments on Camping near Bogotá

what about camping in guatavita? near the lagoon, or maybe in the town?

Marielle comments on work visa possible for high school and college dropout?

If you can find your GED, I think that should be enough proof of qualifications... As far as the Ministry of Exterior Relations is concerned, as a native speaker of the language you're teaching all you need is a high school diploma to qualify for the work visa, and I don't see why a GED shouldn't be just as valid. If you want to avoid getting the work visa, the student visa is a good option, and I've never heard of anyone getting caught for working illegally. I think you won't have too hard of a time getting a false one either. One English institute where I went to interview offered to get me one on the spot, through a connection they have. And at least in Bogota, there are plenty of English institutes that pay by cash, no taxes, no bank account or visa required. A school might be a different matter, but there is certainly no shortage of options here.

Marielle comments on visa extension can you get longer than just 30 days at a time

I've gotten two extensions on my tourist visa at DAS in Bogota, both times for 60 days at about $60.000 pesos, and paying in Bancafe. The last time I went was about 3 months ago. I actually asked for a 30-day extension once, but they said no, only 60 days at a time. By the way, if you haven't gone already, I suggest going to the bank before DAS, otherwise you have to wait in line at DAS for the deposit slip, which they have at the bank anyway, and then wait again when you get back with the receipt. Suerte!

Marielle comments on Anyone know know where to get a used bicycle in Bogota?

You can get new, but inexpensive bikes on Calle 13, around Carrera 15 and 16. Just keep your eyes open while you´re there, or bring a friend with you if you can :) There´s also a Transmilenio stop right there, maybe the 2nd stop or so after Jimenez on one of the F lines.

Marielle comments on Yoga in La Candelaria?

Hi there, I go to a nice yoga place at Jimenez and Carrera 4, called Alma Divina. It's in the same building as Crepes & Waffles, on the 4th floor. I've been to several yoga places in Bogota, and have found their style too slow for my taste, but I like Alma Divina. The Hatha classes at Alma Divina are not as rigorous as Vinyasa or Ashtanga for example, if that's what you're looking for, but I think it may be the closest you can find in Bogota. They're also a small, very friendly place, with very attentive teachers, and well-priced compared to places in the North. You'd have to drop by right before or after class times for info, because there isn't always someone there. I think they have classes Monday through Friday 7-8:30am, 12-1:30pm, and 6-7:30pm, except for maybe Friday night. And another Saturday morning 10-11:30am. The first class is free of course. If you go by, please tell them Marielle sent you! Hope you find something you like. ...There's another place called Loto Azul that's also a restaurant, but I haven't tried it, and they have a pretty limited schedule. Something like Carrera 5 con 13 but I'm not positive.

Marielle comments on Anybody know what the working visa requirements are for Irish Nationals?

Hi Darren, I don't know about any nationality-specific requirements for the work visa; at the ministerio de relaciones exteriores they handed me an info-sheet without asking where I'm from. I haven't done it yet, but I'm getting the paperwork together and going to apply for the visa soon. So here's what I know: You can't get the visa in the country, you have to do it an a foreign Colombian consulate. The closest would be in Venezuela or Ecuador- you can go to Quito, Caracas, and I think there is another in each country, in cities closer to the border. What you need is passport photos, passport, and the certification that qualifies you for the job. This probably means your TEFL certificate, plus high school or university degree. In the case of a high school or university degree, you need the diploma plus a notarized letter of certification from the school. For teaching English, they told me that as a native speaker a high school degree was sufficient. They don't say anything about a police report. And all the rest would be paperwork provided by your employer. Once you get here, you should not have too much trouble finding a job that will provide you with a contract and the necessary paperwork (depending on where you are- much easier in Bogotá for example than smaller cities). Some places, like the Centro Colombo Americano, only accept teachers who have gotten their visa ahead of time through organizations in their home countries. But I would definitely advise you to look through your options in person, once you get here. Of course there are also many available jobs that won't require you to have a visa. So depending on how long you plan to stay, you could get by on the tourist visa. I don't know what the Irish get, but as an American you can stay for 6 months. Then there's also the student visa- it's cheaper and you don't have to leave the country to get it. If you do it legally, I believe you have to be studying for a minimum of 10 hours per week. But I have also heard of people getting it not-so-legally. In one job interview they actually offered to get one for me through a contact. Hope the helps! Please let me know if you have any more questions.

Marielle comments on Brief travel guide to Cali

Safety of Bus Travel Does anyone know how safe it is to travel by bus right now (by day) from the border with Ecuador, or from Pasto, to Cali? I´ve heard a lot of people say it´s fine, but some say it´s too dangerous. Any thoughts or opinions appreciated, thanks!

Marielle comments on Brief travel guide to Pasto

Safety of Bus Travel Does anyone know how safe it is to travel by bus from the border with Ecuador to Pasto, and from Pasto to Cali (by day)? I´ve heard a lot of people say it´s fine, but others say it´s too dangerous. Any thoughts or opinions appreciated, thanks!

Marielle comments on Brief travel guide to Pasto

Safety of Bus Travel Does anyone know how safe it is to travel by bus from the border with Ecuador to Pasto, and from Pasto to Cali (by day)? I´ve heard a lot of people say it´s fine, but others say it´s too dangerous. Any thoughts or opinions appreciated, thanks!

Marielle comments on Brief travel guide to Bucaramanga

Velo Violeta: Info about Centro Colombo Americano? Hola...
I´m currently looking for a job teaching English in Colombia and I´ve come across the Centro Colombo-Americano online. It seems like a good organization and I contacted them (a Barranquilla email I think), but haven´t heard back yet.
I wonder if you could give me a contact for you Centro location. I´d also love to hear your feedback on what it´s like working for them, how you found the job, and how you like living in Bucaramanga (it´s one of the destinations I´m considering).
If you get the chance to send me an email, it would be much appreciated!! Mi dirreción: marielle.lerner at gmail.com
Muchas gracias!