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I am considering spending one year in Colombia looking for and marrying my future bride possibility beginning in January. Y'all are scaring the crap out of me. I am not afraid of being kidnapped or robbed. I am not afraid of forking out $20k to find a wife. I am afraid of choosing poorly and ending up in a nightmare. I was engaged to a Colombiana that I met here in San Diego for three months. We were together for a total of five months before I realized that she was completely wrong for me. It was a very close call. We spent almost everyday during that time together. I am wondering how I can possibly make a decision based on spending maybe a total of 30 to 45 days together 7-10 days at a time over a 12-18 month period. It just doesn't sound reasonable. So now I am thinking of quitting my job and focusing on finding a wife for a year. I know that there are a few members who are on extended stays in Colombia. Traveller for one and I believe Calivet is another. What are the considerations that I need to look at? How much would it cost? I remember seeing a post awhile back of a budget for Cali but I can't seem to find it with the search. Would $15-18k be a reasonable amount to expect a year to cost? What pitfalls do I need to be aware of? Has anybody else ever considered this and looked into it? Any input would be much apprecaited.

Thanks,
bhuddha

... in response to One Year in Colombia, posted by littlebhuddha on Jul 17, 2003

littlebhuddha, just curious - have you ever been to Colombia?
If not I'd question your logic - you're "not afraid of being kidnapped or robbed", just "afraid of choosing poorly and ending up in a nightmare".  Having that mindset whilst in Colombia is a recipe for disaster.  I'm not saying that there's danger lurking everywhere in Colombia, but bad things can and do happen - usually when people least expect it.  With your mindset you already "least expect it", and I'd suggest a change in mindset or a completely different itinerary all together - maybe somewhere like Costa Rica.

Now if you choose to ignore that bit of advice and are deadset on aiming your sights on the country which has the most beautiful women in the world (Colombia of course) for your sabatical, at least take a trip there first if you haven't already done so.  As for costs, you could go broke toting 100K likewise you could live like a king for under 30K - just depends on your spending habits.  Since my place is paid for in Colombia my necessary costs are very low, and even with modest spending while there I "save" money when in Colombia.  Consider that as a gringo you'll likely be ripped off left and right for the first several months until you learn the ropes.  Not knocking Colombia once again it's just that gringo = money and you'll pay more for everything.  

As far as the basis of your sabatical being to spend the amount of time necessary with a gal before marriage - I think that's a 50/50 crapshoot regardless of the amount of time.  Alot of gringos have gone with a gut reaction and got married after a couple of dates and one trip to Colombia, and are still happily married.  I've also seen the guy that dated extensively to that innocent latina angel that played him like a fiddle, only to transform instantly into a nasty "tiburonita".  I doubt any divorce rate for the one week scenario is drastically higher than that of the guy who dated for a year (I'm sure some touchy/feely types would argue this but that's just been my observation).  Look at it this way - ask any married guy if their wife didn't change after that ring went on (that definitly works both ways BTW).  Does it not kind of make sense to find out what that change will be ASAP?

One thing's for certain, don't let any of these flare ups on this board form any sort of foolish or negative opinions of Colombia or the colombianas for that matter - and certainly none of MHO's should be construed as negative, just my 2 cents.

... in response to Re: One Year in Colombia, posted by cancunhound on Jul 18, 2003

Thanks a lot for your input. You make a lot of good points, I would like to clear up one misunderstanding. I have not been to Colombia but I am fully aware of the dangers encountered in Colombia. Its not that I don't expect anything bad to happen. Quite the contrary. I spent 20 years in the navy and have been in some pretty nasty places and situations. I have learned to be expect the worst and enjoy the rest. I am just not afraid to face dangerous situations and not because of complacency. I've faced them before and made it through with a minimum of damage. And I certainly don't think that it can't happen to me. It can happen to anybody. But I think that you can improve your odds with some experience and making sure you are always aware of whats going on around you.

... in response to Re: Re: One Year in Colombia, posted by littlebhuddha on Jul 18, 2003

Maybe you should go to Colombia for about 9 days and see if you like it.  After that you could decide to "quit your job and so forth".

... in response to One Year in Colombia, posted by littlebhuddha on Jul 17, 2003

Pop over to the Panama Canal a week a month or so to refill your coffers: http://www.escapeartist.com/efam20/line_handling.html

- Jeff

... in response to Here's an idea., posted by Jeff S on Jul 18, 2003

I checked out that site. Sounds interesting if its legit. I am actually thinking about teaching english to children on a voluntary basis. I help support a priest that helps the farmers around Manizales. He would love to have me teach at the church. I am sure that there are similar opportunities in other cities. I won't do it unless I can do it without income. If I can do for under $1500 this can happen. I know I can do it for under $1000 in Manizales. I am just not to sure about Bogota, Cali and Cartegena.

... in response to One Year in Colombia, posted by littlebhuddha on Jul 17, 2003

Ok, I'll give you advise, but to keep the air clear, I am not here looking for a wife. Circumstances put me here. 4 years as a combat Infantry Marine. 7 years as a Infantry Soldier and 7 years as a Correctional Officer and Police Officer. The circumstances? Well, one well placed bullet (my third) will do it to you every time. I helped train some of the Colombian soldiers down her in '89. Gulf War vet. yadda, yadda, yadda. That is not important, but just a little insight on how I landed up down here.
What do I do now? Not much of a secret after Calipro's posts. I have a fairly succesful modeling agency, publicity agency and modeling school. ( I know, quite a stretch after what I used to do) I now work for an American Television show and two international magazines. One in San Francisco and one in Australia. Matter of fact, I closed a deal with a band for a CD cover in San Fran today. Not to mention a couple of successful websites. Things are going well for me. But.......
You have to understand my third bullet allowed me to come down here with a small pension and be able to live on. But, I also had an idea for making money with a sound business model and so far it has paid off. I have been able to live down here for two (Aug. 2nd) years.
For the record, I am not on an "extended stay." Nah brother, I am here to stay. So, as explained to Calipro when we ran into each other in Blues, I got time to pick and choose. No hurry for me. I don't have to cram the whole process of finding your future bride into two weeks. Heck yeah, I used to go out with Mariana (see Calipro's post about the Caleñas he took photos of in his apartment). We went out for a couple of months and she was cool until the money grubbing part of her came out. But you know what, if I ran into her again, we'd probably go out for awhile again. But you know what, I understand how she is. I'm here and I have time. I am able to get to know the girls and how they REALLY are. Then I decide. You guys don't have the luxury of time.
I remember the first time I came down. I met an outstanding girl, we'll call her Monica (Shut up Bobby)and we had a great time. The agency owner stated to me, "Why wait, you should marry her if you like her and she likes you?" Yeah, well Monica turned out to be a golddigger in the extreme range. Would she have been the girl for me.? Heck no! But, here is an agency owner trying to sell me on the deal within days of meeting her. That's BS.
Now from experience, you know how many of you guys I know who have been down here and have watched some of you guys get married only to hear a month or two later it didn't work out? Why? Because most of you only knew the girl for less than a month. Oh yeah, there are a bunch of you too. As I explained to Calipro, when you live here for the time I have, some of the guys on the board seek me out. Well, I know some of the stuff some of you guys never bothered to post on this board. Why? Hell yes, you were embarrassed. I would be too. And, to be honest, there is no point or good in posting that stuff anyway. You can fool anyone for two weeks. You guys come down here and display whatever BS you want to in front of these girls to make yourself appear in a better position than you are actually in. (In all fairness, some of you guys are in damn good positions, so I ain't dogging you all.) But, you guys who aren't but pretend to be, well, you know who you are........
On the same token, don't you guys think these girls can fool you for two short weeks? Guys, I ain't immune, I have been fooled too. But, I have the luxury of time to see the real person I had been going out wtih. As some famous MoFo said, " you can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can't fool all the people all of the time." That is indeed true down here. These girls are able to put on a good show for a couple of weeks, right around the time you have to leave Colombia and travel back to your jobs. I am not saying all of them, but a good portion of them. (If you think I am full of "it", I'll be happy to compare my notes and time down here with yours.)
So, the question lingers: Why have I lived here for two years and still have not gotten married? First off, if you have been here for a couple weeks and have seen the women here, would you have settled down yet? Didn't think so. Two: What the Hell is the hurry? I just turned 34. I have 18 and 19 years throwing themselves at me. I think that explains much. Lastly, as stated earlier, I am not looking for a wife. I am content to be single in Cali, Colombia.
Now for those of you who think I am getting laid every night by teenage co-eds, you better think again. My baby is my business and that comes first. I like money far more than, well, let's just say a famous character in a James Bond film with the intials P.G. Even though I have a modeling agency, I do not use it as a my personal dating service. Because if I did, I wouldn't have a business within a month.
That's one thing you have to keep in mind about Cali. Although Cali has over two million people living in it, it is still a "small" town. Everyone knows everyone or everyone is related to someone else. Believe me, they share intelligence too.
Ok, well I'm off to bed. If you come up with some intelligent questions, I'd be happy to give you my insight. Come up with some off the wall crap or question why I should know know so much because I have ONLY lived here day in, day out for two years, well then, seek your own answers. I got no time for you. For example: I know which agencies are posting 16 year old girls on their websites but are promoting them as 20 year olds, etc, etc. (no not many) I am not going to tell you which girl here and there so you can meet them, but rather, why is a marriage agency trying to hook you up with a 16 year old girl. Follow me?
Anyways, this post was more for the benefit of littlebuddha and I lost sight of that. Ah, te-Kill-ya! I pull in a little over $2,000 (base)a month. I have a two bedroom, 3 bath apartment with larger patio and armed security for around $160 a month. That includes administration, but does not include utilities or phone. I live in Strata four (utilities) and strata six(phone). Yes, I live in a decent neighborhood close to the Pasarela.
Ok, this freakin' novel is over. Must go to bed.
Good luck in your search guys,
K-...............................................

... in response to Re: One Year in Colombia, posted by Traveller on Jul 18, 2003

K-

Solid, many good and true points! Seems like things keep getting better and better for you, more power!

-TNC

... in response to Re: One Year in Colombia, posted by Traveller on Jul 18, 2003

good post, traveller!

sounds like you know how those cali girls get things done.

in order for guys to get 'streetwise' about some of their motivations they will need to shake off agency propoganda.

they are always pounding out the message that is more a whitewash than a gritty reality about latinas.

latinas in la cities have the same pressures and incentives as those in london, nyc or miami.

... in response to Re: One Year in Colombia, posted by Traveller on Jul 18, 2003

But, Here is one you might answer. Why a business visa as opposed to other types of visas? And, what did you have to prove and what kind of documention did you need to get it?

... in response to I have a ton to questions for you., posted by Calipro on Jul 18, 2003

Oh now here's a story. It took me months upon months to get a VISA. I spent over 4 months in Ecuador trying to get VISA.
First off, the Colombian Consulate in Quito didn't know what his job was nor did he know the exact process for obtaining a VISA. He actually told me to fly to North Carolina to obtain an Apostille for my California Police report. Why? Because that is where the Haig agreement was signed in 1961. He told me this with a straight face. You can get an Apostille at your local State Dept. office in your town. Then there were a couple of mis scheduled occurences. The Volcano blew and shut down the airport and my brother was called to sea for a couple of unscheduled weeks.
Now, I originally wanted work VISA and I had everything (paperwork) except some kind of document from the Minister of Labor office in Bogota. Well, good luck in reaching those people. For an entire month, we did not reach on person on the phone. Not one other agency could tell us to reach them. So, we dumped the idea of a work VISA. The business owner VISA was easier(Go figure). I had to prove that my business was worth 33 million by an certified accountant. I needed a letter from my lawyer stating that taxes have not been paid yet because we were a new business.  Translated paerwork from a certified official translator of all paperwork in English. My paperwork was about 2 inches thick. Copies, copies, copies. An interesting thing, I had all the requisite paperwork, but the medical screen document they didn't need. As I said, I had all the paperwork they required, then they wanted this, then they wanted that. The consulate was very disorganized. One week they would tell you one thing and they next week it was something else. In Feb. I went back to Quito with all the paperwork that the Deputy Consul in Quito verfied and say everything was fine. Ok, no problem right? I get there and he faxes everything off to Bogota. Bogota says I needed this or that and sent the message back. The Deputy tells me that the law changed in Dec. You couldn't have told me that in Dec. while I was still in Quito? I can real close to becoming an Ecuadorian. $1400 in the bank and $200 for the Investor VISA form and you had a VISA in Ecuador. Good until you pulled your money. Simple process. But, Colombia's process is a nightmare. I don't know, it might be easier at a Consulate in the States. If you want to se requirements for a VISA use this link: http://www.colhouston.org/English/visas/visaframe.htm
One good thing, I found out is that I really like Eucador, so it wasn't a total waste of time.

... in response to Re: I have a ton to questions for you., posted by Traveller on Jul 18, 2003

Two questions.

1. Since it doesn't require a visa to visit Colombia, why didn't you file all your paperwork for a business visa directly in Colombia instead of Equador?

2. How can a business be worth $33,000,000.000 pesos when it is a new business?

... in response to Re: Re: I have a ton to questions for yo..., posted by lswote on Jul 18, 2003

1. You have to leave the country for your first VISA. We had filed everything here and my lawyer handcarried it to Bogota where she was told I have to leave the country and re-enter with the first VISA. This change happened about 2 years ago.
2. If you have seen the work we put into the office and all the equipment we had and the money we spent on promotion proving 33,000,000 was easy. Heck, it was worth more than that, but for tax purposes we just had them verify 33 million worth.
If you aren't going to invest $12,000 in a business to make it good, what's the point?

... in response to Re: Re: Re: I have a ton to questions fo..., posted by Traveller on Jul 18, 2003

I wasn't questioning the amount.  My question is how can you have a business with anything before you have a business VISA?  I see by your remark to Calipro you had the business before the VISA.  How long can you run a business without a VISA before you have to get one?

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: I have a ton to question..., posted by lswote on Jul 18, 2003

Hmm, not sure. A couple of months, but I am not sure

... in response to Re: Re: Re: I have a ton to questions fo..., posted by Traveller on Jul 18, 2003

I thought you had to have a business visa (first)then you could buy or open a business not the other way around.

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: I have a ton to question..., posted by Calipro on Jul 18, 2003

Ah see, you're learning. Logic does not apply in the World of the VISA. Nope, gotta have a business first. Go figure, huh?

... in response to Re: I have a ton to questions for you., posted by Traveller on Jul 18, 2003

http://portal.minrelext.gov.co/portal/drvisapi.dll?MIval=po_tr_co_tramites.html

Careful with any consulate, doesn't seem like they're always on  page with Bogota.  (I guess if there was really only one set of rules and requirements then we'd never need to pay a little "grease money" to get things processed, and that just wouldn't be right)

... in response to Another link, posted by cancunhound on Jul 18, 2003

The consulate isn't always on the same page as the Ministry of Foreign Relations in Bogota. After many months of waiting that was supposed to be a few weeks the Colombian consulate in Chicago said my application was back from Bogota and was all set and my passport with visa Temporal TS would be in the mail in a couple of days. I said yippee and bought my ticket for Cali. Then I got a call from them saying well actually they also needed a police report (notorized and with apostille of corse) before they could send my passport and visa. Christ! I had to scramble and pay plenty of extra postage for the back and forth but did get it in the nick of time before my flight. The visa has to be registered within sixty days of arriving in Colombia which is a matter applying for a cedula at a DAS office. I decided to do it up in Tulua where I have a friend in a nearby village and the DAS office is nice and small with no long lines. The process didn't end up being any shorter though and was dragged out for reasons I didn't know at the time but I finally got my cedula. It turned out that DAS was investigating my friend and already planned to arrest him within a day or so and there we were sitting right in their office. Unknown to us they were calling higher ups for instructions as to whether they should 'cuff my friend and (one of the agents told me later) ME as a possible accomplice. We weren't arrested though and had no idea it was even being discussed and went merrily on our way back to Trujillo. (My friend was arrested a couple of days later on false charges made by his commonlaw wife.) But it wasn't over yet. A couple of months later a got urgent messages from the ministry that I must present myself in Bogota immediately to rectify a mistake on my visa. Turns out the Chicago consulate had given me a permanent resident visa when it was supposed to be temporary and renewable yearly for five years BEFORE becoming permanent. To save myself a trip to Bogota I sent visa/passport back to Chicago again and of course the new visa required a new cedula so back to DAS in Tulua which is when the agent told me I'd had a real close call. In Colombia you can be thrown in jail on the flimsiest  accusation then it's up to you to prove you're innocent. Anyway haven't had any problems since but hope I never have to depend on a Colombian consulate in the US again.

... in response to I agree, posted by Cali vet on Jul 18, 2003

That's some serious sh%t.  What's really amazing is that your visa was a priority matter for 'em to stomp out given the rest of the problems in the country.  My experience dealing with my Houston consulate is that I've filed lots of paper, paid lots of dinero - all for worthless crap that DAS never asked for in Colombia anyways.

... in response to Damn, you're sure to be the anchor star ..., posted by cancunhound on Jul 18, 2003

Sounds about right.

... in response to One Year in Colombia, posted by littlebhuddha on Jul 17, 2003

Bhuddha,

contact me off line and I'11 be more than happy to share my insight and observations. -TNC

... in response to One Year in Colombia, posted by littlebhuddha on Jul 17, 2003

Not everyone can do it, but spending more time in the country and more time with your future wife is never a bad thing. Speaking passable spanish before going would also help.

I am not sure on the costs to live in Colombia, but I am living in the DR for now and 12-15k would most likely not be enough to live for a year there. I travel back to the states, do some freelance, some seminars, some contract work and make enough to
stay down there some more. I am also doing some web based stuff that brings in a few bucks per month etc.

I probably need about 2k per month to live "ok". I live with my novia and her son, so on the one hand have more expenses. OTOH, if you will be dating etc while down there, that can certainly cost more than just living a "regular" life.

Getting laid off can be a blessing.  6 months of UI while spending some quality time in LA is a good thing.

It has been a great experience so far. I think you might find the same in Colombia. Good luck!