pcampbellcali has left 9 comments

pcampbellcali comments on Proof of Marriage

Thanks, guys for the responses. However, my situation is a little bit different because I do not intend to return to the States and am not applying now for a visa for the wife. I have sent a message to the Bogota embassy to find out why the IRS is being so stubborn. The webpage on the Embassy site says that there should be no problem. http://bogota.usembassy.gov/apostille.html It looks as if I am caught up in some low level bureaucratic SNAFU. The bad news is that if I do not respond within 45 days of the rejection letter the IRS will disallow my joint filing status and recalculate the taxes as an individual taxpayer.

pcampbellcali comments on ADVISE ON LIVING AND BUYING A HOUSE IN CALI COLOMBIA

I´ll start with a little history of me. The first of April I started work on remodeling an existing house outside of Cali. The pueblo is named El Carmelo. It is located about 15 minutes outside of Cali on the road between Juanchito and Candelaria. The pueblo has a grand total of 6,000 residents, no drinkable water, and no water service for plumbing between 9PM and 6AM each day. But, all of this doesn´t matter. El Carmelo seems safe, the people are friendly, and the cost of living is really low. Living outside of the city is quite different. I may be biased but I think that this is more of the “real Colombia�. Be prepared that buying a property can be quite complicated. You should count on not having bank financing. Are you prepared to purchase the property in cash$? The banks have a form that you must complete showing your source of income. Unless you have a respectable person (perhaps the accountant) that can vouch for you, it is very difficult to obtain a bank account. It doesn´t matter that you have money, you have to show its origin ( this is to avoid money laundering which is prevalent in Colombia). Regarding setting up a business, this can be as easy or as hard as you wish to make it. Anyone can start a business here without any government paperwork. However, eventually the Chamber of Commerce will note you and ask you to join. Outside of the city things are much simpler.

pcampbellcali comments on Taxpayer Identification Number

We got the passport in Cali in about 3 hours. Everything was done in the same office in the Gobernacion. Thanks for everyone´s advice.

pcampbellcali comments on Taxpayer Identification Number

Guacharaca. Please explain how to "Just get the darn passport. It easy and only takes a day." Can this only be done in Bogota?

pcampbellcali comments on Capurgana Hotels?

I have to disagree with diabloblas opinion of the beach in Capurgana. It is nice white sand in front of the Hotel Almar. However, there is a strong current parallel to the shore. The beach in Sapszurro, Colombia is better and La Miel in Panama is outstanding. The tour guide (Ronaldo) is good for day trips visiting neighboring areas, including the 2 beaches named above. He is also the local scuba diving instructor.

pcampbellcali comments on A CALI, COLOMBIA:

Looks to me like it says the CAM plaza (Cali government). At the bottom abbreviated Happy New Year M***-- F***--.

pcampbellcali comments on Capurgana Hotels?

We went to Hotel Almar in February, 2007 and were thoroughly satisfied. The food is good, the staff is great, the pool is excellent, and the location cannot be beat by any other hotel. Note that this is not a 5 star hotel, but it fits very well with the character of Capurgana. I would choose it again over any of the others that I saw there. The tour guide, sorry I cannot remember his name, was terrific!

pcampbellcali comments on new to cali, looking for place to live, people to meet, etc!!

Email me at patcampbell1950 at yahoo.com. I am an American who has lived here in Cali for almost 2 years now and live not too far from where you are staying. I would suggest Movistar as your cell company.

pcampbellcali comments on PEOPLE in Cali

I live in Vipasa and am interested in meeting new persons. Email me at patrickencali at yahoo.com .