salgood411 has left 12 comments

salgood411 comments on Looking for house or apartment to rent in Cali or Palmira

That seems like an awful steep price for rent in Cali for that size house.

salgood411 comments on documents needed for a uk guy to marry a colombian girl in colombia

If you travel to the island of San Andres all you will need is your passport.

salgood411 comments on A Country in Constant Flux....Looking from the Outside, In. From International Living:

Totally agree Having been to Colombia five times in the past year I have to agree that this land is magnificent. The various elevations offer just about any type of climate one could ask for. The beauty of the landscape, the Andes, sugar cane fields, the smell of sugar cane burning, banana trees with ripe large bananas, unlike the California trees that dont produce the fruit, all make for scenery unforgetable. Despite the presence of militia, goverment troops that you pass along the roads, and who occasionally stop your car for random checks I found very disturbing at first, but then just knowing that they were there for the safety of all helped me accept this as a necessary inconvenience. I hope to retire in Colombia very soon having married a most wonderful woman who would follow me to the ends of this world and beyond.
I suppose having been born in this type of tropical climate made it very easy for me to relate so easily. I had planned on retiring in Hawaii having had the same sensation when first visiting there but Colombia offers the same at 1/10th the cost if not more. Viva Colombia.

salgood411 comments on Ok - another safety question

WELL HERE IS A GOOD ONE My sister in-law who lives and works in Bogota, and drives the roads daily to commute, was robbed less than two weeks ago on the way home. A gunman forced his way into the car, ordered her to drive around and took all of her belongings then droppped her off. She did manage to pursuade him to let her keep her wedding ring which he surprisingly agreed to let her keep. "WOW" We are not talking about the average Joe here. She is Colombian and a very intelligent woman. She is quite a bright person who lives in an upscale area of Bogota and is also familiar with the city. Bottom line is that it pays to be alert and aware of your surroundings under all circumstances ar all times. The good part...She was not harmed.

salgood411 comments on Cartagena to Bogota by bus

WHAT A RIDE My trip was similar to miamimikes. Tulua to Bogota, and when your heart stopped racing for those view moments that the bus was traveling on a straight course, for at least a hundred yards ahead, you could actually enjoy the fantastic scenery out of the windows. Most of the journey however was seeing the red led display, mounted on the back side of the driver partition, flashing on almost constantly, indicating that the driver was exceeding the recommended speed limit and praying as these kamakazi drivers would make passes around blind curves without even blinking their eyes. The bus itself was quite nice and had all the latest features like television, bathroom and food although we brought our own snacks. I would not recommend this method of travel to anyone. unless you think that jumping off the side of a mountain with an umbrella is a thrilling experience.

salgood411 comments on Thinking about moving to Colombia

I think what the author of this thread is saying is that here in the United States to live the lifestyle that is possible in Colombia can not be attained in the same fashion. To get out of the rat race here means you are going to live like a poor person and you will be looked upon as less than a human with no respect. In Colombia where most of the population's income is just enough to get by on no one will look at you funny if you are not rich or below middle class. One is able to to go about life without the pressure of having to attain the things that people in the northern hemisphere place value on like three cars,big screen TV's,swimming pools and the house on the hill. This is what drives the lives of most people here in the US. It is also what drives the economy. Spend spend spend and pay of those loans and credit cards that can enslave a person while big business thrives.The system traps idividuals, and pity those with less than perfect credit who are enticed to buy because they will be charged with an interest rate of 23% and higher. Talk about getting robbed. Believe me I have all these things but am fortunate now to be within retirement mode where I can finally shed the clothe of the corporate world and hopefully move to Colombia, homeland of my wife. Sure these people struggle to make a living but they are all treated with respect. I see the difference between the children that grow up here (spoiled) and my wife's children, who appreciate and thank me for every little thing they receive. As for me I hope to relocate there in less than two years. Pilar 1642 has an added advantage he/she is still young enough to explore the options. I have been to Colombia on five separate occasions and each trip was a shear pleasure, having seen the likes of the country from as far south as Cali to Bogota in the north. I prefer the smaller city atmosphere myself like Armenia and the surrounding areas. I have stayed in Tulua where my wife lived when we met. I can't totally blast this life because although it cost me a great deal in the quality of life it has now afforded me the choice of being able to live the life I find more humanitarian. Good luck to you Pilar and stay true to your values.

salgood411 comments on Ben op zoek naar Nederlanders in Medellin

Halo Woon je daar in Medellin ? Ik ben 5 keer in Colombia geweest maar alleen in Cali en Bogota. hoe is het daar en hoe lang heb je daar gewoondt ?

salgood411 comments on

NVC They perform the background checks before forwarding the I-129F to the consulate in Bogota. Altogether from the start of filing to the actual receiving of the Visa took approximately 6 1/2 months for us. Two months could have been slashed off that time frame had there not been a second RFI request for correction of a date and also the slow mail in Colombia. The post office had the mail for about 30 days before finally delivering the Packet 3to my then fiance(e). We are now in the States happily married.

salgood411 comments on confusion over airport tax leaving cali for international flight

Fly American American Airlines includes the tax in the fare. Additionally when flying American as opposed to Continental they do not search your baggage with a fine tooth comb. I flew out of Cali.

salgood411 comments on

True As in my case it required a notorized letter from my ex to allow my 15 year old daughter who I have had physical custody of for the past 4 years to travel with me to Colombia. Because of her jealousy over my now wife she refused to give this permission and took it as far as going to court to prevent me from taking her. The judge did say that once I was married I could revisit the issue. I know it is a very good safety precaution against unlawful kidnapping but in my case it was an act of hostility towards me and my fiance(e) at the time.

salgood411 comments on

To be fair Every major city in the world has its slums. Take LA and hang around 4th and Main and anywhere within a couple of miles in all directions and you will see homeless people sleeping on cold concrete sidewalks with little more than the clothing on their backs. It is a sad part of life but very real. It will require much attention from the governments and people around the world to change this condition.

salgood411 comments on BETTER TO MARRY A COLOMBIANA IN COLOMBIA OR USA?

Marrying in Colombia I understand that you can get married on San Adres with just a passport. The reason for this simplicity is to promote tourism. It is considered a legal marriage.